The professional cycling thread
Discussion
pablo said:
la Vuelta TTT was fun, crap course though but Quintana has a cheeky half minute on Froome and 17 seconds on Bertie...
Yes, course wasn't the best but at least everyone stayed upright.Shame trek took a tumble in practice.. Would have liked to have seen fab in red.
Yesterday's stage was great for the sprinters. That nacer has a good sprint on him for sure and made it look easy. Not sure what corn on the cob was doing?
What do we think about horner? Strange decision by the team that. Who else has signed up for that agreement? Seems silly if it is just one team.
1100 meter climb in today's stage should be fun :-)
http://www.mpcc.fr/index.php/en/membres-uk
11 (of 18?) World Tour teams are members - Sky, OPQ, Movistar, Trek, BMC, Cannondale are amongst those who aren't.
11 (of 18?) World Tour teams are members - Sky, OPQ, Movistar, Trek, BMC, Cannondale are amongst those who aren't.
Going to shape up nicely this one, shorter stages means more aggressive racing - they've got the mixture spot on. Too bad about Horner, I always thought low cortisone would indicate someone was being a bit naughty however we'll know more in time I guess. Shame really as I quite like Horner, and I will miss his 'albatross' victory celebration.
Oh well that's one less for Quintana to spank.
Oh well that's one less for Quintana to spank.
Highway Star said:
http://www.mpcc.fr/index.php/en/membres-uk
11 (of 18?) World Tour teams are members - Sky, OPQ, Movistar, Trek, BMC, Cannondale are amongst those who aren't.
I'm kind of not sure about mpcc. On 1 hand I admire the idea. But at the same time surely they are just handicapping themselves unnecessarily and the UCI should alter their rules to the higher standard so everyone has to play the same. (Assuming the WADA code allows)11 (of 18?) World Tour teams are members - Sky, OPQ, Movistar, Trek, BMC, Cannondale are amongst those who aren't.
But then you see Astana are members? With Vino at the helm? Hardly the poster boy they would want. As opposed to someone like Vaughters who walks the walk. I notice not 1 GB team on that list.
And of course it makes no odds since Tinkoff then happily sign Basso and also have Riis. So unlikely they'd ever sign up to mpcc anyway, so it'll never get 100% participation.
I guess the solution if for time to take away the tainted people and then we won't need voluntary things like mpcc at all. Just leave it to updated uci rules to stop riders racing when they really shouldn't be.
I think the MPCC sends out a subtle message to the rest though, along the lines of "what have you got to hide?....", the consequences are huge though, can you imagine if Sky were members and had to voluntarily drop Froome from the race?!...
I dont think Horner was a threat this year, especially not against Quintana and Contador so losing him isnt too much of an issue but credit to Lampre for pulling him.
I dont think Horner was a threat this year, especially not against Quintana and Contador so losing him isnt too much of an issue but credit to Lampre for pulling him.
Contador apparently back on the bike earlier than everyone thought - aka when he batters it up the climbs, don't be surprised. I've heard stinking porkies in my time, but this one, if he does go on to contend is very smelly.
Froome should be not too far from his best given he had limited time off, Quintana really should be in the condition of his life given how long he has had to prepare for this. However, I think Froome will have something up his sleeve at some point.
Froome should be not too far from his best given he had limited time off, Quintana really should be in the condition of his life given how long he has had to prepare for this. However, I think Froome will have something up his sleeve at some point.
okgo said:
Contador apparently back on the bike earlier than everyone thought - aka when he batters it up the climbs, don't be surprised. I've heard stinking porkies in my time, but this one, if he does go on to contend is very smelly.
Froome should be not too far from his best given he had limited time off, Quintana really should be in the condition of his life given how long he has had to prepare for this. However, I think Froome will have something up his sleeve at some point.
"up his sleeve" is that some sort of code?Froome should be not too far from his best given he had limited time off, Quintana really should be in the condition of his life given how long he has had to prepare for this. However, I think Froome will have something up his sleeve at some point.
t up Ventoux, I doubt his form is terrible, and I don't think he's about to give it away, despite the fact he is talking himself down a bit.pablo said:
I think the MPCC sends out a subtle message to the rest though, along the lines of "what have you got to hide?....", the consequences are huge though, can you imagine if Sky were members and had to voluntarily drop Froome from the race?!...
I dont think Horner was a threat this year, especially not against Quintana and Contador so losing him isnt too much of an issue but credit to Lampre for pulling him.
I assumed the problem with Horner is that he's riding for Lampre, who seem to have had some sort of contractual obligation not to ever appear in GC commentary for as long as I've been watching cycling! I dont think Horner was a threat this year, especially not against Quintana and Contador so losing him isnt too much of an issue but credit to Lampre for pulling him.
Seriously, what exactly do Lampre get out of their sponsorship? It certainly doesn't seem to be brand exposure!
okgo said:
Contador apparently back on the bike earlier than everyone thought - aka when he batters it up the climbs, don't be surprised. I've heard stinking porkies in my time, but this one, if he does go on to contend is very smelly.
Froome should be not too far from his best given he had limited time off, Quintana really should be in the condition of his life given how long he has had to prepare for this. However, I think Froome will have something up his sleeve at some point.
^^ this ^^Froome should be not too far from his best given he had limited time off, Quintana really should be in the condition of his life given how long he has had to prepare for this. However, I think Froome will have something up his sleeve at some point.
Must be a leap year or something
Rich_W said:
Highway Star said:
http://www.mpcc.fr/index.php/en/membres-uk
11 (of 18?) World Tour teams are members - Sky, OPQ, Movistar, Trek, BMC, Cannondale are amongst those who aren't.
I'm kind of not sure about mpcc. On 1 hand I admire the idea. But at the same time surely they are just handicapping themselves unnecessarily and the UCI should alter their rules to the higher standard so everyone has to play the same. (Assuming the WADA code allows)11 (of 18?) World Tour teams are members - Sky, OPQ, Movistar, Trek, BMC, Cannondale are amongst those who aren't.
But then you see Astana are members? With Vino at the helm? Hardly the poster boy they would want. As opposed to someone like Vaughters who walks the walk. I notice not 1 GB team on that list.
And of course it makes no odds since Tinkoff then happily sign Basso and also have Riis. So unlikely they'd ever sign up to mpcc anyway, so it'll never get 100% participation.
I guess the solution if for time to take away the tainted people and then we won't need voluntary things like mpcc at all. Just leave it to updated uci rules to stop riders racing when they really shouldn't be.
Even though horner isn't in the best shape, the exposure of the defending champion would have been good for lampre. Seems like they shot themselves in the foot.
Good finishjesusbuiltmycar said:
Exciting finish! How does the GC look now?
1 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 22:48:08
2 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:15
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:18
4 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:22
5 Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio (Col) Orica Greenedge 0:00:41
6 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:45
7 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:00:55
8 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:58
9 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Shimano 0:01:02
10 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:01:06
Very interestingly placed. I still think it'll be a W/kg competition in the third week, by which time Quintana may be unbeatable.
As I may have quipped elsewhere: it's good to see some new blood at the head of races... although I think he will fade. Bertie and Chris-Crash seem to be up for the fight (and Nieve seems to be up to the job of 'Sky #2'). Rigo Rigo is lurking - will be interesting to see what he does in the TT. Garmin seem to have bad things happen to them, wonder why that is. Perhaps they're just a bit too "cool".
As I may have quipped elsewhere: it's good to see some new blood at the head of races... although I think he will fade. Bertie and Chris-Crash seem to be up for the fight (and Nieve seems to be up to the job of 'Sky #2'). Rigo Rigo is lurking - will be interesting to see what he does in the TT. Garmin seem to have bad things happen to them, wonder why that is. Perhaps they're just a bit too "cool".
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