The professional cycling thread

The professional cycling thread

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Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

151 months

Monday 19th August 2013
quotequote all
There have been noises about moving off the TdF thread to a more generic one, and this seems like a good place to start*.

Wiggins announces he will return to the track after the 2014 season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23754381

Reasonably magnanimous by his standards. Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.

Personally a shade confused by people on other threads saying Sky wouldn't pick him as there are better riders in the squad - I find it very hard to believe he is the 8th or 9th best rider Sky have. Of course he can't climb like Froome, but he has the wallop to put in some valuable stints on the front, and also is a real engine for the TTT (if there is one in 2014).

  • awaits zero responses as the other thread rumbles on!

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Monday 19th August 2013
quotequote all
Vocal Minority said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23754381

Reasonably magnanimous by his standards. Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.

Personally a shade confused by people on other threads saying Sky wouldn't pick him as there are better riders in the squad - I find it very hard to believe he is the 8th or 9th best rider Sky have. Of course he can't climb like Froome, but he has the wallop to put in some valuable stints on the front, and also is a real engine for the TTT (if there is one in 2014).

  • awaits zero responses as the other thread rumbles on!
The BBC are quoting from an interview in The Times....he comes across as being very magnanimous in that article. He himself says he may not get picked for le Tour next year.

central

16,744 posts

216 months

Monday 19th August 2013
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Vocal Minority said:
There have been noises about moving off the TdF thread to a more generic one, and this seems like a good place to start*.
Was thinking about starting one myself.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Monday 19th August 2013
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Coverage of USA Pro Challenge 7 day stage race in the Rockies is live on Eurosport now. Froome riding much to the excitement of my British Cyclocross-racing mate who now lives in Boulder.

mcelliott

8,626 posts

180 months

Monday 19th August 2013
quotequote all
Vocal Minority said:
Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.
Eh? Tour completion? What on earth do you mean? Trundle round? Podium? Stage winner? He's already won it, why would he be interested in anything other than coming first.

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

151 months

Tuesday 20th August 2013
quotequote all
He wouldn't win another, lets be realistic. 2012 was his opportunity and he took it, but Froome would lead the show.

Shall I qualify that as part of a winning team.

BlackVanDyke

9,932 posts

210 months

Tuesday 20th August 2013
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I'm really looking forward to this year's Tour of Britain. ITT in safari park is genius! biggrin

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 20th August 2013
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The Tour of Britain looks like another good route following last year, I'll be out on stage 5 somewhere north of Merthyr. Its certainly a lumpy route, stages 4, 5 and 6 have some good climbs which will encourage attacks.

I'd love to see a major one day race in the UK to rival the Spring Classics, we could have an awesome race through Yorkshire and over the dales or through the Lake District over crappy badly maintained roads to replicate cobbles, the weather would be atrocious and the Belgians would love it!

Tour of Britain teams entered are:
UCI Pro Teams
Cannondale Pro Cycling (Ita)
Garmin - Sharp (USA)
Movistar (Spa)
Omega Pharma - Quick Step (Bel)
Sky Pro Cycling (GBr)

UCI Pro Continental Teams
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox (Ita)
IAM Cycling (Swi)
MTN Qhubeka p.b Samsung (RSA)
Sojasun (Fra)
Team NetApp Endura (Ger)
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)

UCI Continental Teams
AN Post Chain Reaction (Irl)
Madison Genesis (GBr)
Node4 Giordana Racing (GBr)
Rapha Condor JLT (GBr)
Team IG Sigma Sport (GBr)
Team Raleigh (GBr)
Team UK Youth (GBr)

National Teams
Great Britain (GBr)


mcelliott

8,626 posts

180 months

Tuesday 20th August 2013
quotequote all
Of course years ago there was a race (if my memory serves me correctly) called the Wincanton Classic (spelling?). It ran from the early to mid 90's and was part of the then world cup round of races. Died a death, don't know why. Yes a classic would be nice in the UK, but it won't happen, regardless of the prominence Froome, Wiggins and Cav have brought to the public fore. Far too many nimbys in your country for the race ever to be held.

On a side note, really loving the US Pro Challenge - scenery is fantastic and brilliant commentary by Rob and Maggie. smile

BlackVanDyke

9,932 posts

210 months

Tuesday 20th August 2013
quotequote all
mcelliott said:
Of course years ago there was a race (if my memory serves me correctly) called the Wincanton Classic (spelling?). It ran from the early to mid 90's and was part of the then world cup round of races. Died a death, don't know why. Yes a classic would be nice in the UK, but it won't happen, regardless of the prominence Froome, Wiggins and Cav have brought to the public fore. Far too many nimbys in your country for the race ever to be held.

On a side note, really loving the US Pro Challenge - scenery is fantastic and brilliant commentary by Rob and Maggie. smile
We have now got the Surrey classic, which seems to be set to be establishing itself nicely. I don't think it's a huge stretch to set up a few more, gradually - we've got some fantastic countryside and I think public opinion, sponsorship etc would back it now - NIMBYs notwithstanding.

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

151 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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Stage 2 looks excellent. Past Buttermere, over the Honister and through the Borrowdale is a seriously pretty part of the country. I know the road well but have never cycled it. Will be sure to record those highlights.

Would go up, but committed elsewhere.

TheFungle

4,069 posts

205 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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pablo said:
I'd love to see a major one day race in the UK to rival the Spring Classics, we could have an awesome race through Yorkshire and over the dales or through the Lake District over crappy badly maintained roads to replicate cobbles, the weather would be atrocious and the Belgians would love it!
+1

Although a bit too much focus IMO is spent on trying to have a glamorous headline in event in London town, see the recent Surrey classic, as great as it is to see another race come to the UK I don't really think a quick blast to Box Hill and back is really worthy of a classic status.

Hopefully the stages 1 & 2 of the TdF will show the appetite and potential for a 'genuine' classics stage.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
quotequote all
I think it would get a better reaction in the North personally, no disrespect to the Southern cyclists but I honestly dont think there would be much local protest if there was a classic-esque race in the Dales each year.

The Surrey Classic/Ride London needs to change its route to not annoy the NIMBYs, the organsiers could easily take the route west through Berkshire one year, North East into Essex the next, then back through Surrey. Sadly we really do need to consider teh locals in all this even if it is just one weekend per year.

Sonmeone wrote recently that the French towns PAY to host the TdF whereas here they complain bitterly if they are held up behind a rolling road block for the ToB!!!! things wont change for a while.

Roman

2,031 posts

218 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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A Lakes classic would be great (slight bias as I'm from there) or similar events in Scotland/Wales/Ireland/Yorkshire (mini series?).

Any of these could offer a more spectacular race and disrupt fewer people than London/Surrey.


On the subject of Wiggins, I'd love to see him sign off by going head to head with Cancellara (and maybe Martin?) to challenge for the Athletes Hour record.

That would be the kind of spectacle that could potentially overshadow a Grand Tour victory. Great for the riders, sponsors, public and the sport.

Exactly the kind of single minded challenge I could see Wiggins excelling at too..

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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Interesting chat on Eurosport about hydraulic brakes on road bikes. Magnus saying he's never felt under-braked. Also Jens Voigt's bike fitted with under-chainstay rear caliper - that was old school when I started riding 25 years ago! Apparently it allows a little more flex in the seatstays for increased comfort without significant performance loss.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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Jens "Shut Up Legs!" Voigt away and clear with a 30km descent to go. Old guys rule!

BlackVanDyke

9,932 posts

210 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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Jensie amazes me. Legend. biggrin

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Thursday 22nd August 2013
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It was a good effort by Voigt but he got caught with a few km to go.

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

151 months

Thursday 22nd August 2013
quotequote all
Great to see he has signed on with Trek next term.

A tour won't be a tour without him (he will be picked on the basis of 'you try not picking him')

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Friday 23rd August 2013
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He's great from a sponsor's viewpoint as he's always in breaks so on TV and the commentators + camera bikes love him so maximum exposure.

Tejay Van G has taken the lead in the USA ProChallenge in rather soggy conditions yesterday. BMC seem to be doing well.