The professional cycling thread

[Rich_W]

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)

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.

[anonymous-user]

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.

[okgo]

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.

[Grandfondo]

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?

[okgo]

Grandfondo said:

"up his sleeve" is that some sort of code?

As in he dropped that 50 year old Columbian like a sack of st 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.

[anonymous-user]

Suspect Contador will look to the ITTs to put time on Quintana. Gutted for Dan Martin today.

[Kermit power]

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!

Seriously, what exactly do Lampre get out of their sponsorship? It certainly doesn't seem to be brand exposure!

[anonymous-user]

Those crazy Europeans still love the 80s neon colours and buy Lampre kit by the truck load.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

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 ^^

Must be a leap year or something

[Dr Imran T]

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)

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.

Well that's a lot of big teams that haven't signed up. Surely it would be more effective if everyone was made to sign up. Having Vino in there is as bad as Tony Blair in the middle east peace en envoy!

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.

[thanetspeedshop]

pablo said:

Those crazy Europeans still love the 80s neon colours and buy Lampre kit by the truck load.

[okgo]

That answered a few questions then didn't it.

[Johnny]

Good finish

[jesusbuiltmycar]

okgo said:

That answered a few questions then didn't it.

Exciting finish! How does the GC look now?

[Highway Star]

jesusbuiltmycar 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

[Gizmoish]

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".

[Highway Star]

Gizmoish said:

Garmin seem to have bad things happen to them, wonder why that is. Perhaps they're just a bit too "cool".

Their shades are too big.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Highway Star said:

jesusbuiltmycar 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

That read like a whose who of the runners and riders. Suspect the final 10 will look similar - although perhaps not in the same order.

[Dr Imran T]

Great stage yesterday and been interesting to see the main GC guys coming to the front.

I wasn't sure what to make of NQ at the end of yesterday's stage. I saw him in the Giro and he was simply unstoppable. Then I watch him in the ENECO tour and he was low key. Given that was not his kind of race or his priority but wasn't sure what to make of his form.

J-Rod looks to be coming good just at the right time, so he will certainly like to contest an overall GC win. He slightly burn't out yesterday at the end of the stage but had a good go of it, looked like he was about to drop off the bike at end of the stage mind.

Valverde looked super strong even with all that pacing on the front. Movistar must be well happy as they have 2 riders in contention for the overall. Hard to see who will take the lead role at movistar even though Valverde openly stated that NQ is the one he is there to support.

[Highway Star]

Dr Imran T said:

I wasn't sure what to make of NQ at the end of yesterday's stage. I saw him in the Giro and he was simply unstoppable. Then I watch him in the ENECO tour and he was low key. Given that was not his kind of race or his priority but wasn't sure what to make of his form.

Was Nairo at the Eneco? His brother, Dayer, was there and they look very alike on a bike...