The professional cycling thread
Discussion
pablo said:
Cummings stage win at least years tour was awesome, he will be a marked man this year but I think he'll bag another stage.
News today that the 211 coded blood bags used as evidence in the Operation Fuentes scandal will be handed over to the authorities for investigation...
Cummings was great, and that mugging on the Magny-Cours circuit (IIRC) last year was excellent.News today that the 211 coded blood bags used as evidence in the Operation Fuentes scandal will be handed over to the authorities for investigation...
The blood bags are all outside the statute of limitations now, so symbolic at best.
No Dani King in the GB Olympic squad. Interesting decision but TT rider must start road race apparently so that means Armitstead as best GB medal prospect and Pooley are two of three places. Apparently they've given the third spot to Nikki Harris who is a fantastic rider and easily as deserving as King imho. Harris has been in great form and although a cx racer, is as strong as anyone else in the field and could be really useful for Armitstead.
I assume after her accident King was not training in the track squad?
I assume after her accident King was not training in the track squad?
pablo said:
No Dani King in the GB Olympic squad. Interesting decision but TT rider must start road race apparently so that means Armitstead as best GB medal prospect and Pooley are two of three places. Apparently they've given the third spot to Nikki Harris who is a fantastic rider and easily as deserving as King imho. Harris has been in great form and although a cx racer, is as strong as anyone else in the field and could be really useful for Armitstead.
I assume after her accident King was not training in the track squad?
Assume you're right but it does seem very murky and subjective at times. I assume after her accident King was not training in the track squad?
I was rather hoping we might see Shanaze Reade (sp?) back on the boards sometime.
Harris signed for Armitsteads team on a one year deal to try and get a place in the Rio squad too so has been combining cx with road as Lizzies domestique this year.... On paper the selection is questionable but that said, I think Harris is the stronger rider compared to King.
There's talk of rankings and King having the higher of the two but wouldn't Harris' higher ranking events be cx centric?
Really hope King rips the nationals this weekend just to prove a point and I can understand people thinking she deserves a place but I think too many people are thinking back to 2012 with rose tinted glasses
I understand Reade did do some track events as part of the team Sprint but was off the pace.
There's talk of rankings and King having the higher of the two but wouldn't Harris' higher ranking events be cx centric?
Really hope King rips the nationals this weekend just to prove a point and I can understand people thinking she deserves a place but I think too many people are thinking back to 2012 with rose tinted glasses
I understand Reade did do some track events as part of the team Sprint but was off the pace.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 22 June 20:17
ewenm said:
Anyone else looking forward to LeTour starting? Hopefully it'll be a close battle all the way. Only watching via TV this year sadly.
Not really. Froome/Sky will dominate and it's like watching paint dry. Contador, sadly, is looking a little past it and Quintana is not quite "there" yet (may never be, of course) also Movistar not strong enough (and Valverde will ride just for himself, as usual).Another green jersey for Sagan and hopefully no more stage wins for Cavendish (as I don't want him overtaking Hinault's 28).
johnxjsc1985 said:
can't wait for it . This is the best 3 weeks TV of the year.
Yep my favourite TV sport now I'm an old man. I'm still a Eurosport man after all these years even though ITV4 are showing as much live these days. Although I much prefer Eurosport when their other pundits join Carlton Kirby, the likes of Brian Smith, BigMaggy et al bringing a better insight of modern pro cycling than SK IMHO. As for winner I do have a sneaky side bet on Quintana, plenty of mountains this year and with all the top names riding this year to attack Sky might make it a bit more of a tight battle.
counterofbeans said:
Not really. Froome/Sky will dominate and it's like watching paint dry. Contador, sadly, is looking a little past it and Quintana is not quite "there" yet (may never be, of course) also Movistar not strong enough (and Valverde will ride just for himself, as usual).
Another green jersey for Sagan and hopefully no more stage wins for Cavendish (as I don't want him overtaking Hinault's 28).
Sky's tactics have been less dull in the races this year so I'm not so sure it'll be a Sky-train lockdown.Another green jersey for Sagan and hopefully no more stage wins for Cavendish (as I don't want him overtaking Hinault's 28).
I am by chance going to be in Morzine on the 23rd July so hope to see some of the spectacle at the crucial end point.
I love that over a whole tour you get twists and turns as teams/GC riders win and lose, the tactics, the scandals, the politics... can't wait. I'll watch it which ever way it comes by highlights as I can't usually watch all day. I can't get on with Eurosport's player or their failure to stick to timetables so will be with ITV4's coverage most likely with I'm guessing Sherwen, Ligget, Imlach, Boulting, Boardman, Millar etc.
ETA - Sad day in a way, sounds like the old guard are moving over and the commentary will be Millar and Boulting. I liked Boulting on the Giro so it's ok with me. http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/itv4-to-cover-2016...
I love that over a whole tour you get twists and turns as teams/GC riders win and lose, the tactics, the scandals, the politics... can't wait. I'll watch it which ever way it comes by highlights as I can't usually watch all day. I can't get on with Eurosport's player or their failure to stick to timetables so will be with ITV4's coverage most likely with I'm guessing Sherwen, Ligget, Imlach, Boulting, Boardman, Millar etc.
ETA - Sad day in a way, sounds like the old guard are moving over and the commentary will be Millar and Boulting. I liked Boulting on the Giro so it's ok with me. http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/itv4-to-cover-2016...
counterofbeans said:
Not really. Froome/Sky will dominate and it's like watching paint dry. Contador, sadly, is looking a little past it and Quintana is not quite "there" yet (may never be, of course) also Movistar not strong enough (and Valverde will ride just for himself, as usual).
Another green jersey for Sagan and hopefully no more stage wins for Cavendish (as I don't want him overtaking Hinault's 28).
They'll be a couple of key stages that Sky will look to domiante, but the rest of it should be brilliant.Another green jersey for Sagan and hopefully no more stage wins for Cavendish (as I don't want him overtaking Hinault's 28).
I'm personally looking forward to seeing how Dan Martin goes, there are 1 or 2 stages with steep summit finishes that could suit him, also Steve Cummings, be great to see him take another solo win.
Trigbert said:
Yep my favourite TV sport now I'm an old man. I'm still a Eurosport man after all these years even though ITV4 are showing as much live these days. Although I much prefer Eurosport when their other pundits join Carlton Kirby, the likes of Brian Smith, BigMaggy et al bringing a better insight of modern pro cycling than SK IMHO.
As for winner I do have a sneaky side bet on Quintana, plenty of mountains this year and with all the top names riding this year to attack Sky might make it a bit more of a tight battle.
after years of suffering Dave Duffield and his discussions of his latest meal I think I will still stick with Eurosport.As for winner I do have a sneaky side bet on Quintana, plenty of mountains this year and with all the top names riding this year to attack Sky might make it a bit more of a tight battle.
It's the irish chap I can't abide by. Incredibly knowledgable, but dull as dishwater.
On the other side, Gary Imlach's deadpan matter of fact summaries of the previous stage are a total highlight of the tour for me. Makes it sound really interesting, whilst sounding disinterested himself. Truly a unique effort! The cheating bloke has discovered how to commentate as well now, I wasn't a fan at first but I'm looking forward to his insight over the whole tour..
On the other side, Gary Imlach's deadpan matter of fact summaries of the previous stage are a total highlight of the tour for me. Makes it sound really interesting, whilst sounding disinterested himself. Truly a unique effort! The cheating bloke has discovered how to commentate as well now, I wasn't a fan at first but I'm looking forward to his insight over the whole tour..
Some Gump said:
It's the irish chap I can't abide by. Incredibly knowledgable, but dull as dishwater.
On the other side, Gary Imlach's deadpan matter of fact summaries of the previous stage are a total highlight of the tour for me. Makes it sound really interesting, whilst sounding disinterested himself. Truly a unique effort! The cheating bloke has discovered how to commentate as well now, I wasn't a fan at first but I'm looking forward to his insight over the whole tour..
Do you mean Sean Kelly ?On the other side, Gary Imlach's deadpan matter of fact summaries of the previous stage are a total highlight of the tour for me. Makes it sound really interesting, whilst sounding disinterested himself. Truly a unique effort! The cheating bloke has discovered how to commentate as well now, I wasn't a fan at first but I'm looking forward to his insight over the whole tour..
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