The professional cycling thread

[mcelliott]

Heads up - Strade Bianche this Saturday. One of my favourite one day races of the entire calendar.

[okgo]

Ah one of mine too.

Stayed in San Giminagno (sp?) a couple if years ago. It's wonderful round there. Though some steep sods about.

[Highway Star]

Also one of my favourites. Watched the final in Siena a couple of years ago, whilst there on holiday - the year Gilbert won it. Being early season, there weren't many fans, but those who were there were a real laugh.

Beautiful countryside, dirt tracks, cold, beautiful finish, it's a cracker.

[JuniorD]

And Roma Maxima on Sunday, another stunning backdrop for a bike race.

[Gizmoish]

Strade Bianche is wonderful. Not even a decade old yet and already a highlight of the calendar.

[Johnny]

okgo said:

Stayed in San Giminagno (sp?) a couple if years ago. It's wonderful round there. Though some steep sods about.

Stayed there too, 2004 I think, some great driving & cycling roads round that way. And a good base for exploring Tuscany

[okgo]

Its incredible round there, its hard to think how you can get a more attractive place.

Very jealous of Cav, and Phinney etc who live out there.

[Matt_N]

Great finish from Kwiatkowski, he's had a good start to the season.

[Highway Star]

Matt_N said:

Great finish from Kwiatkowski, he's had a good start to the season.

He'll be really dangerous in some of the Ardennes classics and possibly Tour Flanders.

Good finish at Roma Maxima as well, I thought Valverde was going to blow it!

[Dr Imran T]

^^great finish indeed.

Peloton were catching fast. Valverde deserved the win - won by just a second or so in the end.

Good race the R. Maxima

Not sure what went on with AG2R in the end... thought D. Pozzovivo would have got 2nd.

[Highway Star]

Tirreno-Adriatico this week. Anyone know if they are revisiting that stage from last year where Nibali and Astana duffed Froome up? That had some insane gradients!

[mcelliott]

Looking forward to the Tirreno-Adriatico tomorrow. Big hopes for Richie Port to win the race overall - I heard from a very reliable source that both he and Chris Froome have beaten Lance Armstrong's Madone climb record, so obviously Port's in great form. Loved watching the Strade Bianche at the weekend, just what bike racing's all about.

[JuniorD]

Was Armstrong's Madone record set during a race and using the special ribena? If so, that is a concern.

[Gizmoish]

JuniorD said:

Was Armstrong's Madone record set during a race and using the special ribena? If so, that is a concern.

Madone was Ferrari's favourite training ground wasn't it - probably that was the record time as the 'tests' were basically time trials.

[anonymous-user]

TTT just about to start....

[Vocal Minority]

Away from the Hurley Burley of the Adriatico and Paris-Nice...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26557...

• checks calender....nope not April yet.

....huh....ok.

[Highway Star]

Can't wait for Wiggo to pitch up in Ambridge! Seriously.

[Johnny]

GT out after today's crash but will still race Milan-San Remo...

[mcelliott]

Really enjoying the two stage races at the moment - total masterclass from Bertie in the race of the two seas, great watching his attacking style and Betincur winning the Paris-Nice. Pure class.

[okgo]

mcelliott said:

Really enjoying the two stage races at the moment - total masterclass from Bertie in the race of the two seas, great watching his attacking style and Betincur winning the Paris-Nice. Pure class.

Yep. Enjoyed both. That finish in the TA today was bonkers. Contador looking good. Andy schlock looks like a bag of st.

Not long before the big boy classics begin!