The professional cycling thread

[Nom de ploom]

there was a short vid posted on FB last week i think of a TT with a guy pedalling with a helmet cam and wiggo flashes past him as if he were stood still....

yesterday was astonishing and emotional, hard to imagine being able to do something like that...

wonderful effort from a legend

[johnxjsc1985]

The Stiglet said:

I think you're right, it's beatable. Bit of a shame with the weather front if he's ruled out ever doing it again.

Do Tony and Fabian care enough to bother though?

the problem for them is two fold.
1 can they afford the time out of a busy schedule to train for it
2 can they afford to fail when they do it.
I think if he had gone over the 55k it may have been far enough to deter people but its around the mark that top guys like Martin may feel its possible.
Its far enough to make sure people who do challenge it do so seriously or they would look silly.
Going a mile further than Alex Dowsett in 1 hours is very impressive.

[WestyCarl]

nammynake said:

I suspect that most people don't comprehend just how difficult that was. What do you reckon his average power was? 420W or there abouts? Most people would do well to hold that for a minute.

100% agree. A few mates and I went to Manchester to have a taster session last year. Just to try to see how hard it was I wanted to do 2 laps in 34 sec (the hour record at the time)
Although I'm just the wrong side of 40, I've been exercising all my life, run marathons, adventure raced, etc (last year averaged 6hrs / week cycling) so would consider myself reasonably fit.
I failed, 2 laps took 40sec before I crumpled in a wheezing heap.

[Katzenjammer]

Another nice account of an amateur hour attempt:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/02/putting-the-hour...

If you haven't already read Michael Hutchinson's "The Hour" book, it's great read.

[Nom de ploom]

pablo said:

And so it begins....

man at work "what did Wiggins do this weekend?"
pablo "he set a new distance record for cycling in an hour"
maw "it wasnt that far was it"
pablo "it was 54.5 kms or about 33 miles"
maw "doesnt seem that far for an hour"
pablo "he averaged 33mph for an hour....."
maw "hmmm, its still not that fast, if i found a steep hill i could do that"
pablo "if you found a 33 mile long steep hill you could yes....."

cant wait for le tour to start and the stuupid questions to come round again!....

Remindsme of peopel who used to diss Paula Radcliffe and others for running poorly or losing a race....try running ONE mile as fast as they run 26..go on try it....

[johnxjsc1985]

Katzenjammer said:

Another nice account of an amateur hour attempt:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/02/putting-the-hour...

If you haven't already read Michael Hutchinson's "The Hour" book, it's great read.

just google Hutchinson and see his record in time trials and national titles he is an awesome rider and it puts into context Bradleys achievements.

[anonymous-user]

The Stiglet said:

el stovey said:

johnxjsc1985 said:

Well done Brad what a star. Lets see who fancies a go at that.

Tony Martin
Fabian Cancellara
Alex Dowsett

I think as the record is under 55, there will be people who fancy themselves to beat Wiggins time especially with more favourable meteorological conditions.

Edited by el stovey on Sunday 7th June 20:38

I think you're right, it's beatable. Bit of a shame with the weather front if he's ruled out ever doing it again.

Do Tony and Fabian care enough to bother though?

Cancellara was set to do it earlier this year but rule changes put him off, he then said he couldn't be arsed. Tony Martin was definitely planning an attempt this year or next after Wiggins.

[Get Karter]

No one else will have a chance of beating Wiggo's record, unless they also get "too much assistance from British Cycling". :roll eyes: (Ref Alex Dowsett's coach complaint)

[johnxjsc1985]

Get Karter said:

No one else will have a chance of beating Wiggo's record, unless they also get "too much assistance from British Cycling". :roll eyes: (Ref Alex Dowsett's coach complaint)

just read the report...what a little st talk about bad loser. Once the UCI give the OK then thats it what is the man on about.

[Get Karter]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Get Karter said:

No one else will have a chance of beating Wiggo's record, unless they also get "too much assistance from British Cycling". :roll eyes: (Ref Alex Dowsett's coach complaint)

just read the report...what a little st talk about bad loser. Once the UCI give the OK then thats it what is the man on about.

Yep. Most of us men are bad losers, but have the self respect and dignity to keep our sour grapes to ourselves!

[Dr Imran T]

ewenm said:

Good ride from Kennaugh in the Dauphine and great to see Froome so obviously delighted for him - far more animated than usual.

It was indeed superb. He's a class act froome, it took me a while to warm to him - he's very sincere.

Back to the hour record. So much interest in this.. I don't know how much prep goes into it but it certainly looks tough.

I'd rather do that than a grand tour though...

[Digger]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Get Karter said:

No one else will have a chance of beating Wiggo's record, unless they also get "too much assistance from British Cycling". :roll eyes: (Ref Alex Dowsett's coach complaint)

just read the report...what a little st talk about bad loser. Once the UCI give the OK then thats it what is the man on about.

Do you have a link for that? I'll have a look on CyclingNews in the meantime.

[The Stiglet]

Dr Ferrari on why Wiggins got robbed.

http://53x12.com/do/show?page=indepth.view&id=...

Rumblings in Martin's camp that he might do it...I reckon he'll beat it in the right circumstances.

[Digger]

Digger said:

Do you have a link for that? I'll have a look on CyclingNews in the meantime.

Found some info on the old Beeb.

[ewenm]

Poor TTT for Sky in the Dauphine has left Froome ~30s down on GC rivals. It'll be interesting to see how they go in the first big mountain stage today.

[ewenm]

BBC have an article today about Armstrong comparing himself to Voldemort Why report anything he says?

Much better is the article about Shusanah Pillinger's failed solo RAAM attempt last year and her second attempt coming up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33020308

A work colleague of mine is part of the DSRA 8-rider team heading out for it too.

[anonymous-user]

Great stage today, had pretty much everything!! TvG looks really good.

[anonymous-user]

Yeah its been a while since the French had any one to really champion, and whilst they are not GC guys, the likes of Bardet, Pinot, Bouhanni and Riblon can pull off big stage wins and Bastille day once again finishes with a HC climb, I'll have a fiver on Riblon thanks...

[whatleytom]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Superb stuff, fantastic to watch that from the motorbike footage.

[DJRC]

ewenm said:

BBC have an article today about Armstrong comparing himself to Voldemort Why report anything he says?

Much better is the article about Shusanah Pillinger's failed solo RAAM attempt last year and her second attempt coming up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33020308

A work colleague of mine is part of the DSRA 8-rider team heading out for it too.

It isn't because she is a nobody and it's dull. Worthy, but dull.

Lance has been holding some kind of press junket I think out in Texas as Matt Dickenson for The Times had a side article also and he explicitly makes the point that those asking why bother reporting about Armstrong now don't realise - the Armstrong story will still be talked about in 100yrs.