The professional cycling thread

[john2443]

Do racing bikes have wet and dry tyres? Just wondered based on how wet it is in Italy today.

[Gizmoish]

john2443 said:

Do racing bikes have wet and dry tyres? Just wondered based on how wet it is in Italy today.

Yes and no - they don't have 'treaded' wet tyres like F1 cars, but they do have different compounds (grippier) for different conditions sometimes.

I was just thinking that it looks like a few of the riders seems to be running Open Pave tyres - usually seen on the cobbled classics.

[Dr Imran T]

Damn, was hoping Rodriguez might get that.

Race was too long in my opinion.

[Gizmoish]

Dr Imran T said:

Damn, was hoping Rodriguez might get that.

Race was too long in my opinion.

Why?

[Dr Imran T]

because when it is so long you get massive periods of when not much happens. 7+ hrs of racing is a long time.

The shorter races/stages encourages more attacking/exciting racing.

The last bit of today's race was very good but I just though certain parts of it were a little slow. I do accept the weather didn't help.

[Gizmoish]

But if they hadn't been riding for seven hours, everyone in the front group would have been able to stay with the attacks Scarponi and Rodriguez made. There are lots of short races (for instance the Noddy 88km Stage 8 of the ToB): the world championship should be one by the rider who can stay the distance IMO.

[Vocal Minority]

Whilst excitement is important in modern sport due to media, you need to preserve the integrity of the title, and you need a tough bd event for tough bds.

You focus on entertainment too much and you lose the mystique. IMHO F1 is a prime example of what I mean.

[Dr Imran T]

^^ I agree with lots of the above. Maybe I've just seen so many 'races' where riders are aware of the fact that it is a long race and just 'cruise' it for ages.


It's probably me more than anything else.. but found today's race really dragged on. Also I personally don't like the circuits at the end.

[okgo]

Yep too long, and too much use of circuits, dull.

However UCI rules mean it has to be that long I think, annoyingly.

[BlackVanDyke]

I started saying this: "I'm absolutely sure that UCI rules do not dictate 270km of racing - the 2011 one that Cav won wasn't anywhere near that, nor was Valkenburg last year..."

then I went and looked it up on Wikipedia and it does indeed appear to be mandated - the last 3 worlds mens elite races have all been within 4k of this year's one, and have all been about 100k and then a load of shortish circuits.



Why?!

[ewenm]

Circuits are good for spectator numbers - standing at the side of the road on a wet Tuscany afternoon is more appealing when you get to see the cyclists 10 times rather than just once.

The World Champs are an interesting and often awkward intersection between the national and trade team aspects of cycling. I've just finished reading Charly Wegelius's book Domestique which paints a fascinating picture of the conflicting pressures on riders at this seemingly confused event.

[TheFungle]

okgo said:

Yep too long, and too much use of circuits, dull.

However UCI rules mean it has to be that long I think, annoyingly.

I didn't think it was the most inspiring of races however TV coverage IMO does play a big part in how a race is presented, witness the first two stages of the ToB on just how dull a rainy stage with no helicopter shots can be.

[Gizmoish]

And they have to have a 100k start bit that isn't on the lap so riders have somewhere to stop and piss.

[Dr Imran T]

ewenm said:

Circuits are good for spectator numbers - standing at the side of the road on a wet Tuscany afternoon is more appealing when you get to see the cyclists 10 times rather than just once.

The World Champs are an interesting and often awkward intersection between the national and trade team aspects of cycling. I've just finished reading Charly Wegelius's book Domestique which paints a fascinating picture of the conflicting pressures on riders at this seemingly confused event.

I personally think a new format for the worlds would be better. To wear the rainbow jersey should be based on a number of season performances.

So for example for a rider that has been there or there abouts all season deserves to wear the rainbow jersey for the next season.

I know the UCI already do a points system, perhaps the UCI could link this to the new rider to don the rainbow jersey.

It seems unfair that one race determines who wears the coveted rainbow jersey for a whole season.

[Gizmoish]

Anyone watching Il Lombardia?

Pretty good race so far - Voeckler doing what Voeckler does, 10km to go and it's still in the balance...

edit: great result I had 1-2-3-4 on my fantasy team...

Edited by Gizmoish on Sunday 6th October 16:12

[Dr Imran T]

^^where is it on?

[Gizmoish]

It was on Eurosport; most stuff is

[Dr Imran T]

Gizmoish said:

It was on Eurosport; most stuff is

thanks - I watched the highlights

Great race and I'm very pleased with the end result too!!

[Vocal Minority]

Dave Millar says one more season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24529061

So after 2014 it will be A' bientot Daveeeeeeeed.

[mcelliott]

Yes indeed, we'll miss his pontifications and lectures on drug taking in cycling. Don't know why he's had to give everyone a year's notice. Anyway, make sure you close the door on the way out - thanks for the 'memories' Dave.