The professional cycling thread

[ALawson]

Bedford Rascal said:

Wow. What a day. That was the best GT stage in a while.

Today isn't looking to shabby!

[Magic919]

What a great finish to the Giro.

[Granfondo]

That's why the Giro is the best GT.

[ewenm]

Epic couple of days.

[ALawson]

I see the normal FB explosion of doubt has surfaced on all the main cycling press coverage of the result.

[Quhet]

ALawson said:

I see the normal FB explosion of doubt has surfaced on all the main cycling press coverage of the result.

It's hardly surprising - Nibali has looked transformed over the past couple of stages. It's got a bit of a whiff about it...

[mcelliott]

Quhet said:

ALawson said:

I see the normal FB explosion of doubt has surfaced on all the main cycling press coverage of the result.

It's hardly surprising - Nibali has looked transformed over the past couple of stages. It's got a bit of a whiff about it...

Well of course his chances were helped by Kruijswijk crashing on yesterday's stage and breaking a rib, and Chaves blowing up today, but remember this is also professional cycling so it might be far more straightforward, for example a fresh blood bag.

[Dr Imran T]

Unbelievable end to the Giro - Hats off to Nibali for a Herculean effort. Utter brilliance on the descents too

You could see how much it meant to him yesterday he was very emotional at the end!

[anonymous-user]

I just wish I didn't know that Nibali had a visit from his acupuncturist on Wednesday evening..... Some no needles policy huh? Oh but he's Italian and this is the giro so it's all ok.

[Johnny]

Great, powerful pic...

[Granfondo]

pablo said:

I just wish I didn't know that Nibali had a visit from his acupuncturist on Wednesday evening..... Some no needles policy huh? Oh but he's Italian and this is the giro so it's all ok.

More xenophobic moronic nonesence!

[anonymous-user]

I'd say the same regardless of who it was. He was close to dying on his arse halfway into the final week. Then he does a "Landis" and storms back to win. How can you defend that? An acupuncturist ffs? The man and the team have zero credibility.

You keep burying your head in the sand.

[Granfondo]

Who's burying their heads here?

pablo said:

Granfondo said:

Very strange how so many "asthmatics" get to the top of pro cycling with this dibilatating respiratory problem!

It's not that strange, pro cycling places huge strain on the respiratory system so minor complaints can be exaggerated. They are not asthmatics when they start but the symptoms develop the longer they ride. Throwing yourself up steep climbs in hot weather can't help the lungs...

Oh that's right he was a young British rider! (Yates)

[anonymous-user]

So you asked why so many pro cyclists had respiratory issues. I gave a sensible answer which many medical professionals agreed with.

So can you explain why nibbles and Astana have a man with a bag full of needles following them on tour? No one else uses acupuncture, of team sky infamous for their marginal gains. I give it a month before some form of revelation....

[Magic919]

Astana have been doing acupuncture for at least a couple of years. Why the fuss now?

[anonymous-user]

Never knew that, never really cared to be honest what Astana do after the Iglinsky case, the timing on this occasion is suspect though, or maybe they found a marginal gain that even SDB missed!?...

[Magic919]

It was mentioned when he won the TdF in 2014.

[johnxjsc1985]

Isn't it shame we can no longer marvel at outstanding human effort . I have no idea if he gained his performance via alternative therapy but its difficult not to think negatively .

[anonymous-user]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Isn't it shame we can no longer marvel at outstanding human effort . I have no idea if he gained his performance via alternative therapy but its difficult not to think negatively .

I think in most circumstances we can, you have to take results on merit and rarely do they arouse suspicion but Astana? Nibali?

[Granfondo]

If your winning GT against people that are cheating then there is a good chance that the marginal gains are maybe a bit suspect don't you think?
On here when Contador or Nibali or anyone not plastic GB wins then they are on the juice!