The professional cycling thread

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Joey Ramone said:

okgo said:

As long as there is nobody decent riding you mean. Or an old man from the USA who showed him a clean pair of heels.

Yeah, Nibali's crap. Can't climb, can't do cobbles in st weather. Useless TT'er. Has only ever won the three different GT's. As opposed to Froome, serial victor in one whole GT, who powered to victory over the very best in the world in 2013 (!) and who surely would have won this year had he not fallen, even though his entire team pretty much disintegrated and collapsed in a heap when put under pressure.

Horner? Nothing suspect about his performance. Nothing whatsoever. No suspicions among US rivals of his systemic doping.

I don't think anyone said anything of the sort did they? Just that Froome would have beaten Nibali this year had he not crashed. I happen to agree. But we'll never know, and Nibali's name will go down in the record books (and hopefully stay there) as one of the few people to win all three GTs. Whatever you might think about his position in the upper echelons of the sport, that is a very distinguished club of which to be a member.

[anonymous-user]

Joey Ramone said:

okgo said:

There is no chance Froome would have been well beaten by Nibali, the same Nibali that went backwards on every climb when they all raced not long before the tour. Possibly Bertie, but in shape Froome is still the best GC rider around. Shame he isn't on it at this one. But all to play for. Tomorrow will be interesting!

Amazing isn't it. Didnt do too much in prior races but flew up those TDF climbs. It's almost as if Nibali had thought things through and preserved himself for the one GT he'd be riding in. How dastardly.

Nibali's MO is clear to see. He targets specific races. Big ones.

£20 says he doesn't target le tour next year...

[Kermit power]

pablo said:

To me its obvious that Froome's injury in the Dauphine was worse than Sky made out and he was still injured going into le Tour.

If that's accurate, just what does it say about the relative relationships of Froome and Wiggins with the team?

[Joey Ramone]

pablo said:

£20 says he doesn't target le tour next year...

And why would he? As an Italian, the logical target would be a second victory in the Giro. Or maybe a one-day Classic.

[Jonnny]

Jens just announced in Facebook he's attempting the Hour Record on 18th September.

[okgo]

Joey Ramone said:

And why would he? As an Italian, the logical target would be a second victory in the Giro. Or maybe a one-day Classic.

Because its the biggest race in the world, and the most prestigious by a country mile!

[anonymous-user]

Jonnny said:

Jens just announced in Facebook he's attempting the Hour Record on 18th September.

Awesome, I reckon He'll do it in about 55 minutes.

[anonymous-user]

Joey Ramone said:

And why would he? As an Italian, the logical target would be a second victory in the Giro. Or maybe a one-day Classic.

Because he is the defending champion?!...because Froome, Quintana and Contador will be there?!... As for the classics, he rides well on a short cobbled section of a tour stage in filthy weather and now he's capable of winning Roubaix, Flanders, MSR or LBL, really?, this Nibbles love-in just keeps delivering!

[mcelliott]

Great win from Aru today, surely a rider for the future, but there are a few things that go against him though.

a. He rides for Astana
b. His Nationality
c. He beat Froome

Hmmm, he's really not going to endear himself to the numbskulls. Ride of the day, Robert Gesink.

[Joey Ramone]

okgo said:

Because its the biggest race in the world, and the most prestigious by a country mile!

Not if you're Italian it isn't.

Edited by Joey Ramone on Wednesday 3rd September 19:37

[Joey Ramone]

pablo said:

As for the classics, he rides well on a short cobbled section of a tour stage in filthy weather and now he's capable of winning Roubaix, Flanders, MSR or LBL, really?, this Nibbles love-in just keeps delivering!

I dunno, I reckon 2nd place in 2012's Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and 3rd in the same year's Milan-San Remo, hints at a certain ability in that regard.

Edited by Joey Ramone on Wednesday 3rd September 19:45

[Grandfondo]

Joey Ramone said:

pablo said:

As for the classics, he rides well on a short cobbled section of a tour stage in filthy weather and now he's capable of winning Roubaix, Flanders, MSR or LBL, really?, this Nibbles love-in just keeps delivering!

I dunno, I reckon 2nd place in 2012's Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and 3rd in the same year's Milan-San Remo, hints at a certain ability in that regard.

Edited by Joey Ramone on Wednesday 3rd September 19:45

Great victory today from Nibali's apprentice!

[BMWBen]

mcelliott said:

Great win from Aru today, surely a rider for the future, but there are a few things that go against him though.

a. He rides for Astana
b. His Nationality
c. He beat Froome

Hmmm, he's really not going to endear himself to the numbskulls. Ride of the day, Robert Gesink.

I don't see how "a" would be a numbskull factor. Maybe to ignore it would be. The other two obviously are.

[Grandfondo]

BMWBen said:

mcelliott said:

Great win from Aru today, surely a rider for the future, but there are a few things that go against him though.

a. He rides for Astana
b. His Nationality
c. He beat Froome

Hmmm, he's really not going to endear himself to the numbskulls. Ride of the day, Robert Gesink.

I don't see how "a" would be a numbskull factor. Maybe to ignore it would be. The other two obviously are.

Better not ignore the team that sacked JTL then!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

pablo said:

Jonnny said:

Jens just announced in Facebook he's attempting the Hour Record on 18th September.

Awesome, I reckon He'll do it in about 55 minutes.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Joey Ramone said:

okgo said:

Because its the biggest race in the world, and the most prestigious by a country mile!

Not if you're Italian it isn't.

Edited by Joey Ramone on Wednesday 3rd September 19:37

I'm not sure it's nationality dependent...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Grandfondo said:

BMWBen said:

mcelliott said:

Great win from Aru today, surely a rider for the future, but there are a few things that go against him though.

a. He rides for Astana
b. His Nationality
c. He beat Froome

Hmmm, he's really not going to endear himself to the numbskulls. Ride of the day, Robert Gesink.

I don't see how "a" would be a numbskull factor. Maybe to ignore it would be. The other two obviously are.

Better not ignore the team that sacked JTL then!

To be fair to Sky JTL's infringements pre-dated his employment with them. As soon as he was sanctioned he was sacked. But that Vino had the same principles.

Good win for Aru today, compounding a fabulous season. He looked very strong. In my view it is fair to question, but right to believe until and unless there is evidence to the contrary. Contador looked exceptionally strong, and Valverde rode better than I thought he would, albeit on a short climb and it's still early (ish) in the race. Froome had to battle hard today but got his reward only losing a second to the "udder big favourites". It would be a brave man to think he'll be at the very sharp end in a week's time though.

[Dr Imran T]

Froome did really well to stay in contention. He dropped back a few times then made his way back up. I hope he has more fight left in him to challenge AC and the like.

Fortunately for Froome todays stage is pretty much flat so he can recover a little more before the mountains again.

[Grandfondo]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Grandfondo said:

BMWBen said:

mcelliott said:

Great win from Aru today, surely a rider for the future, but there are a few things that go against him though.

a. He rides for Astana
b. His Nationality
c. He beat Froome

Hmmm, he's really not going to endear himself to the numbskulls. Ride of the day, Robert Gesink.

I don't see how "a" would be a numbskull factor. Maybe to ignore it would be. The other two obviously are.

Better not ignore the team that sacked JTL then!

To be fair to Sky JTL's infringements pre-dated his employment with them. As soon as he was sanctioned he was sacked. But that Vino had the same principles.

Good win for Aru today, compounding a fabulous season. He looked very strong. In my view it is fair to question, but righ


t to believe until and unless there is evidence to the contrary. Contador looked exceptionally strong, and Valverde rode better than I thought he would, albeit on a short climb and it's still early (ish) in the race. Froome had to battle hard today but got his reward only losing a second to the "udder big favourites". It would be a brave man to think he'll be at the very sharp end in a week's time though.

And the "specialist" doctors they had to "let go"?

I believe Team Sky is as clean as any other pro team!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Grandfondo said:

And the "specialist" doctors they had to "let go"?

I believe Team Sky is as clean as any other pro team!

You mean Leinders? Can't recall any others. At least they did let him go. Many of the other teams continue to employ doctors known in the past for only one thing. Now they may be reformed characters, or they may not be...