The professional cycling thread

The professional cycling thread

Author
Discussion

Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

199 months

Thursday 13th September 2018
quotequote all
Yates looking increasingly strong. Agree with the comments about it being possibly one of the best grand tour victories. He's had to work like hell (yates).... not a bad team M. Scott but certainly not as strong as sky or movistar etc.

Hats off to valverde too. That man was born to race bikes, unbelievable that he can still mix it with riders much younger than him.

His stats for consistency are truly remarkable smile

I've really enjoyed the Vuelta yet again, I think it's the unpredictability that makes it so open and fun to watch!



johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Dr Imran T said:
It would be great to see Yates win the Vuelta, his interview post stage yesterday was funny smile

Still think Quintana is the biggest threat to GC mind.
Still think so. I am kind of disappointed in Quintana he burst on to the scene and looked like he could destroy people in the mountain stages but it just hasn't happened. Yes he is superb but not quite at the level he should be maybe he needs a change of team.

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

152 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Agree re: Quitana

He was going to sweep all before him in 2013 - and he has done well, but people were expecting the next mega-star

Don1

15,945 posts

208 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Quintana.... I really liked him but then his antics and rudeness has dimmed his star in my eyes. Things like attacking when the leader of the race has a mechanical. He's as bad/petulant as Nibbles, IMO.

I really like the Yates brothers, but why do they talk through their teeth? biggrin

Fingers crossed three different Brits hold the title for the 3 Grand Tours this year.

But my, hasn't the race been exciting with Sky sitting at the front? Yesterday the break held off the peleton on a 'sprint' day.... Cracking stuff.

Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

199 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Agree with the above about Quintana too. Expected so much more from him but he hasn't really delivered to his true potential. He certainly has the natural climbing ability.

Today's stage looks great, huge climb at the end to over 2000+ metres.

JuniorD

8,624 posts

223 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Attacking the leader having a mechanical is a good thing IMO. Racing is a test of man and bike, and if the bike cocks up, well that’s your problem really.

Yiliterate

3,786 posts

206 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Great day for Simon Yates - gap to Valverde over a minute and a half now!

Johnny

9,652 posts

284 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Smashed it

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
OMG I dare not watch this for fear of a collapse just one more day to go for the greatest Tour victory by a British rider.

Yiliterate

3,786 posts

206 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
johnxjsc1985 said:
OMG I dare not watch this for fear of a collapse just one more day to go for the greatest Tour victory by a British rider.
hehe

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
just watching the highlights on ITV4 watching Yates looking super strong on the big ring up the climb . Valverde looking at Adam Yates probably thinking why is he not in the leaders Jersey.

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Watching Yates interview he reminds me and looks like a 60's rider. Just one more stage to survive although I think he will if he has the legs try to put Valverde to the sword

anonymous-user

54 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
Excellent vuelta.

Fingers crossed Yates hangs on to red

I think he will and deserves to

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Friday 14th September 2018
quotequote all
I will celebrate his ( potential) win far more than any other GT winner he really has done it the hard way.

Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

199 months

Saturday 15th September 2018
quotequote all
He certainly has done it the hard way. He's still looked strong at the end of yesterday's stage. Unless something catastrophic happens, he should hold on to red.

Unlikely that valverde can close deficit now but at least was saw a real GC battle right to the end.

Pinot also looked in top form. Been a great grand tour for him to cap of the season. Shame he lost out on a lot of time at the start, if that wasn't the case has possibly be in challenging the GC guys.

spikeyhead

17,312 posts

197 months

Saturday 15th September 2018
quotequote all
Is Sunday's stage processional, as per the TdF or is there a chance of significant time gains?

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

117 months

Saturday 15th September 2018
quotequote all
spikeyhead said:
Is Sunday's stage processional, as per the TdF or is there a chance of significant time gains?
Yes. No, not really.

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Saturday 15th September 2018
quotequote all
Valverde blown a gasket with Yate well up the road gaining even more time on his rivals just 2.4km to go he is on his own 20 seconds of the three riders up front.

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

164 months

Saturday 15th September 2018
quotequote all
Another sensational and mature ride by Simon Yates. It is possible his blow up in the Giro could turn out to be the best thing to happen to him he looked so strong today and got stronger throughout the Tour.

spikeyhead

17,312 posts

197 months

Saturday 15th September 2018
quotequote all
Awesome performance from Yates

Chapeau