The professional cycling thread

[The Stiglet]

ewenm said:

6 years of training and he still can't get into the top 20 times on the climb. 20th is 36:55.

You have seen the complete list of jokers in that top 20 field right?

[Jonnny]

Bradgate said:

Just been watching today's highlights. Valverde attacked on the descent from the Tourmalet. He was flying past the TV motorbikes, and when one tried to keep up he had no chance. Valverde left him for dead.

Astonishing bravery and skill

That attack was pretty crazy, I would never have the balls to do anything like that!

[ewenm]

The Stiglet said:

ewenm said:

6 years of training and he still can't get into the top 20 times on the climb. 20th is 36:55.

You have seen the complete list of jokers in that top 20 field right?

Exactly. My point being that if Nibali is doping, he's not doing it very well...;)

More seriously, Nibali's performances aren't raising too many concerns for me. Certainly no more concerning than the performances of Froome or Wiggins.

Edited by ewenm on Friday 25th July 08:03

[Gizmoish]

Don't forget that since the 2010 Vuelta which he won, he's only been beaten by Horner*, Cobo*, Scarponi*, Menchov*, Mollema, Wiggins and Froome. He's amazingly consistent, and not in an Ullrich way either.

[GarryDK]

so Sir Wiggo has pulled out of doing anymore large tours to focus on track cycling.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/commonwealth-games/28...

[Vocal Minority]

Well that's what he has said today...could be a negotiation tool as much as anything! He is a capricious so n so at the best of time.

[Highway Star]

'it's cut throat', 'no kind of loyalties' - code for 'I didn't get my own way so I'm going back to the track where I'll be the biggest fish in a smaller pond again'.

[Silver940]

The Stiglet said:

ewenm said:

6 years of training and he still can't get into the top 20 times on the climb. 20th is 36:55.

You have seen the complete list of jokers in that top 20 field right?

Good point

http://www.climbing-records.com/2014/07/hautacam-t...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

London424 said:

Just saw this on twitter

@ammattipyoraily: #TDF, Hautacam (13.33 km)
Vincenzo Nibali
2008: 41:12
2014: 37:20

Some talk that it was a pretty strong headwind yesterday. That said this, in isolation, is encouraging.

[Highway Star]

Silver940 said:

Good point

http://www.climbing-records.com/2014/07/hautacam-t...

Fook me, look at that list. Mr 50% gave it 150%. 1996 was a good year...

[Silver940]

Highway Star said:

Silver940 said:

Good point

http://www.climbing-records.com/2014/07/hautacam-t...

Fook me, look at that list. Mr 50% gave it 150%. 1996 was a good year...

Updated with this years times

http://www.climbing-records.com/2014/07/new-hautac...

[Gatsby]

I was thinking about what I wrote last night and my cynical viewpoint about Nibali.

I think that really I have been a bit unfair on him and I have been throughout the Tour.

To that end, having looked at the details other have posted up and done a little more research I take back my allegations of doping. I am sure he is likely to be racing clean and I shouldn't have been throwing around un-proven dispursions on his character.

Apologies to all supporters of him on this thread as well!

[Gizmoish]

I see one of the hurdlers at the Commonwealth Games has got busted for doping. Again.

I predict that public opinion will now think that Athletics is a drug-riddled sport that should be banned. Oh, wait...

[Dr Imran T]

Gatsby said:

I was thinking about what I wrote last night and my cynical viewpoint about Nibali.

I think that really I have been a bit unfair on him and I have been throughout the Tour.

To that end, having looked at the details other have posted up and done a little more research I take back my allegations of doping. I am sure he is likely to be racing clean and I shouldn't have been throwing around un-proven dispursions on his character.

Apologies to all supporters of him on this thread as well!

Excellent post!

I really like Nibali and it annoys me a tad when really good performances get discredited by doping allegations. His form has been pretty consistent and I for one expected him to be on form for the tour.

If later on he does get done for doping then I will admit to being naive. In the meantime, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him in the tour. Pure class .

Nibali has donned the yellow jersey with pride with what 4 stage wins? Anyone know how many stage wins Bradley Wiggins got in his 2012 tour win?

thanks

[ewenm]

Gizmoish said:

I see one of the hurdlers at the Commonwealth Games has got busted for doping. Again.

I predict that public opinion will now think that Athletics is a drug-riddled sport that should be banned. Oh, wait...

It seems that both Williams (today's news) and Warburton (last week's news) are sponsored by the same legal supplements company. Athletics along with Cycling is does have a drugs problem but also along with Cycling is actively and seriously fighting the battle (as opposed to the lip-service paid by many other professional sports).

It doesn't help when convicted dopers are allowed back into the sport and are back winning again. Gatlin and Gay, Chambers. Asking round the office here and most people are at least as cynical about Athletics as they are about Cycling. Russia have had lots of athletes banned this year.

I have yet to have anyone explain convincingly why athletes/cyclists NEED supplements that cannot be found in their normal diet. When I was running training up to 100 miles per week I needed to eat a LOT but discussions with coaches and dieticians always focused on getting the right food into me to support performance, not on which supplements to take.

[Dr Imran T]

^^^all about the desire to win at the 'highest level' at pro level competition is brutal.

[ewenm]

Dr Imran T said:

^^^all about the desire to win at the 'highest level' at pro level competition is brutal.

That doesn't answer why the supplements are needed. It might be why some athletes feel they want to take them.

To me it seems the culture of "to perform at your best you need to take supplements" is just wrong and resulting in more positive tests. Obviously the supplement manufacturers want to sell product so want to be able to advertise that their product is used by champions... does that mean they are a little less ethical than they claim?

If I was competing well and likely to be tested again (only tested once in 2006 in an in-competition test), I'd be avoiding all supplements as the risk is just too high. Interestingly in the ultra-running community there's a growing backlash against gels/energy bars/drinks and a switch to real foods (flapjacks, malt loaf etc).

[Highway Star]

Dr Imran T said:

Nibali has donned the yellow jersey with pride with what 4 stage wins? Anyone know how many stage wins Bradley Wiggins got in his 2012 tour win?

2, both ITTs, one was 42k, the other 53k. Froome won 3 in 2013, Cadel won 1 in 2011 and Schleck 2 in 2010. Merckx won 8 in two years when he won overall.

[okgo]

Lets not forget the standard of rider left in this tour is a lot weaker than when Froome won, and probably when Brad did too. How many stages do you think Nibali would have won if Froome and Bertie were still riding? I'd imagine likely not a lot...

[Dr Imran T]

Highway Star said:

2, both ITTs, one was 42k, the other 53k. Froome won 3 in 2013, Cadel won 1 in 2011 and Schleck 2 in 2010. Merckx won 8 in two years when he won overall.

cheers - in that case it makes Nibali's overall tour performance all the more impressive.