The Official UCI Pro Cycling Thread

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:55 pm

Dimension Data rider Nic Dlamini got his arm broken “while resisting arrest” while training in Cape Town.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nichol ... th-africa/

I watched the vid down in the link, and if the click heard is his arm breaking it probably explains why my breakfast nearly came back up.

guy smiley · Post by **guy smiley** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 10:02 pm

DOB wrote:Dimension Data rider Nic Dlamini got his arm broken “while resisting arrest” while training in Cape Town.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nichol ... th-africa/

I watched the vid down in the link, and if the click heard is his arm breaking it probably explains why my breakfast nearly came back up.

This came up in my Instagram feed... I hadn't taken time to follow the detail. That is insane

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 10:04 pm

The rangers are claiming he resisted arrest. It’s as yet unclear what he was being arrested for, that he felt the need to resist.

guy smiley · Post by **guy smiley** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 10:14 pm

Yeah... they also claim he injured himself.

Sounds like they just tried the usual assault a cyclist technique of trying to grab his bars as he rode past, there's your resisting arrest right there. The fact it caused him to crash just confirms it.

Bullettyme · Post by **Bullettyme** » Sat Dec 28, 2019 3:01 am

Was chatting to a couple SA mates about it. They reckon the rangers in that particular section (tokai/silvermines) are complete plum. Always there to check the permits, never there to, you know, actually ranger the park and protect people who pay fees. Muggings and car breaking are common but that type of action isn't rare against regulars who might not have a visible permit on a bike.

Also happy Christmas all.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:44 pm

Tour Down Under under away. Pretty nasty fall on stage 2 with big names down.

On another subject, Pevenage is in need of money and publishes a book about doping... the shameless rat...

Interesting website here : https://www.dopeology.org/

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Tue Feb 04, 2020 8:35 pm

Fuglsang in hot water apparently... A Danish newspaper accuses him of suspicious relationships with Dr Ferrari...

https://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/art7 ... ing-doctor

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:17 pm

TheFrog wrote:Fuglsang in hot water apparently... A Danish newspaper accuses him of suspicious relationships with Dr Ferrari...

https://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/art7 ... ing-doctor

Holy shit. Surely he could not be that stupid.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:48 pm

BlackMac wrote:
TheFrog wrote:Fuglsang in hot water apparently... A Danish newspaper accuses him of suspicious relationships with Dr Ferrari...

https://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/art7 ... ing-doctor
Holy shit. Surely he could not be that stupid.

Nothing official for the moment... But that would be sad...

A lot of suspicions surround Astana anyway...

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:57 pm

Vino has said it’s all rumours, nothing to see here.

So that means it’s probably 100% true.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:36 pm

Reminds me when our previous President was caught by the media heading discretely out to meet his mistress on a scooter. I can't wait for the photos of Ferrari

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:49 pm

It is interesting. The Anti-Doping body confirmed they indeed investigated Fuglsang and Lutsenko following informations they received that they may have been working with Dr Ferrari but stated that, after inquiry, they did not report to UCI.

This statement is strange because it doesn't say they cleared Fuglsang and Lutsenko, only that they did not follow through.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:57 pm

Classics are on us and Quickstep seem to be ready with 2 victories at KUURNE-BRUSSEL-KUURNE and OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD.

In the meantime, Bruyneel is opening up about how deep he collapsed in the aftermath of the US Postal scandal... Personally, I struggle to have sympathy, though I am convinced there is a lot of hypocrisy around this too. While US Postal have paid, may got away and still get away with cheating.

https://www.cyclingopinions.com/2020/03 ... ical-help/

Do I regret the doping? That's a very difficult question. In fact, my biggest regret is how we were so arrogant and the way we behaved. I think that doping was inevitable and quite possibly still is.

clydecloggie · Post by **clydecloggie** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 9:37 pm

TheFrog wrote:Classics are on us and Quickstep seem to be ready with 2 victories at KUURNE-BRUSSEL-KUURNE and OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD.

In the meantime, Bruyneel is opening up about how deep he collapsed in the aftermath of the US Postal scandal... Personally, I struggle to have sympathy, though I am convinced there is a lot of hypocrisy around this too. While US Postal have paid, may got away and still get away with cheating.

https://www.cyclingopinions.com/2020/03 ... ical-help/

Do I regret the doping? That's a very difficult question. In fact, my biggest regret is how we were so arrogant and the way we behaved. I think that doping was inevitable and quite possibly still is.

Jasper Stuyven, who won the Omloop, rides for Trek-Segafredo. Belgian TV commentator actually analysed that lots of teams seem to be copying the Quickstep tactics of riding with multiple main men, one of whom will attack early to force others on the defensive. Could be an interesting spring classics season if that continues.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 9:39 pm

clydecloggie wrote:
TheFrog wrote:Classics are on us and Quickstep seem to be ready with 2 victories at KUURNE-BRUSSEL-KUURNE and OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD.

In the meantime, Bruyneel is opening up about how deep he collapsed in the aftermath of the US Postal scandal... Personally, I struggle to have sympathy, though I am convinced there is a lot of hypocrisy around this too. While US Postal have paid, may got away and still get away with cheating.

https://www.cyclingopinions.com/2020/03 ... ical-help/

Do I regret the doping? That's a very difficult question. In fact, my biggest regret is how we were so arrogant and the way we behaved. I think that doping was inevitable and quite possibly still is.
Jasper Stuyven, who won the Omloop, rides for Trek-Segafredo. Belgian TV commentator actually analysed that lots of teams seem to be copying the Quickstep tactics of riding with multiple main men, one of whom will attack early to force others on the defensive. Could be an interesting spring classics season if that continues.

How many teams can however afford the quality of riders that Quickstep can line up on a single race?

clydecloggie · Post by **clydecloggie** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 9:59 pm

TheFrog wrote:
clydecloggie wrote:
TheFrog wrote:Classics are on us and Quickstep seem to be ready with 2 victories at KUURNE-BRUSSEL-KUURNE and OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD.

In the meantime, Bruyneel is opening up about how deep he collapsed in the aftermath of the US Postal scandal... Personally, I struggle to have sympathy, though I am convinced there is a lot of hypocrisy around this too. While US Postal have paid, may got away and still get away with cheating.

https://www.cyclingopinions.com/2020/03 ... ical-help/

Do I regret the doping? That's a very difficult question. In fact, my biggest regret is how we were so arrogant and the way we behaved. I think that doping was inevitable and quite possibly still is.
Jasper Stuyven, who won the Omloop, rides for Trek-Segafredo. Belgian TV commentator actually analysed that lots of teams seem to be copying the Quickstep tactics of riding with multiple main men, one of whom will attack early to force others on the defensive. Could be an interesting spring classics season if that continues.
How many teams can however afford the quality of riders that Quickstep can line up on a single race?

None. But if, say, Mads Pedersen, Bettiol, Teunissen go early, one of Quickstep's men has to go too. And those three teams would still have top quality riders in the bunch who could profit if the early(-ish) break fails.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Mar 03, 2020 8:21 pm

Nico Portal has died suddenly today. Sad news.

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Tue Mar 03, 2020 9:41 pm

Big D wrote:Nico Portal has died suddenly today. Sad news.

Just read it on Facebook. So young. RIP.

terryfinch · Post by **terryfinch** » Tue Mar 03, 2020 9:45 pm

BlackMac wrote:
Big D wrote:Nico Portal has died suddenly today. Sad news.
Just read it on Facebook. So young. RIP.

So sad. Seemed such a happy, approachable guy. RIP

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:40 pm

Ineos have just released a statement that he died from a suspected heart attack. He retired at 30 after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

Miguel Indurain · Post by **Miguel Indurain** » Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:07 am

BlackMac wrote:Ineos have just released a statement that he died from a suspected heart attack. He retired at 30 after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

I remember him at Sky where he was a pretty good domestique. After he retired I think he stayed with the team working as support staff, if I recall correctly.

Sad loss for his family and friends

Edit: I see Portal was DS at Sky/Ineos.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:23 am

BlackMac wrote:Ineos have just released a statement that he died from a suspected heart attack. He retired at 30 after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

Terrible

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:58 pm

Froome's tweet

fishfoodie · Post by **fishfoodie** » Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:00 am

TheFrog wrote:Classics are on us and Quickstep seem to be ready with 2 victories at KUURNE-BRUSSEL-KUURNE and OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD.

In the meantime, Bruyneel is opening up about how deep he collapsed in the aftermath of the US Postal scandal... Personally, I struggle to have sympathy, though I am convinced there is a lot of hypocrisy around this too. While US Postal have paid, may got away and still get away with cheating.

https://www.cyclingopinions.com/2020/03 ... ical-help/

Do I regret the doping? That's a very difficult question. In fact, my biggest regret is how we were so arrogant and the way we behaved. I think that doping was inevitable and quite possibly still is.

Like the Alpha-Shitball; Lance; Bruyneel regrets being caught; nothing else. The morality of a sewer rat.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:29 pm

Good work by Trek-Segafredo and EF Pro Cycling to put Nibali and Higuita in good positions at the Paris-Nice race. It looks like FDJ on the other hand doesn't still know how to handle echelon as Pinot lost 18s. Worse for Alaphilippe who took a bike change at the wrong time and Quintana who fell. They both lost 1:25.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:33 pm

The racing at P-N is full-on crazy this year. There’s some top quality sprinters there, but at this rate none of them will get a look in.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 1:17 am

So it looks like Strade Bianche is going ahead this year.

And Milan-San Remo will also go ahead, but with a new inland route instead of going over the Turchino and up the coast.

The new route might be harder, or it might be easier. It will definitely be hotter. It'll be a Primavera like no other.

And then Il Lombardia will be just one week after that. The races are coming thick and fast now.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:37 pm

Well young Evenepoel is not late in his development! He sent a big hello to all Giro contenders. Early days and so on... but the way he accelerated away from Benett and Chaves, seating in his saddle, was impressive.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 11:54 pm

Not pro, but kinda-pro related. Let's say pro-adjacent. An Irish lad has just broken Contador's World Everesting Record.

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news ... DZlrlpnqOs

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 4:45 pm

Annemiek VanVleuten wins Strade Bianche for her 4th win on the bounce going back to Worlds last year.

Very tasty 6 man group off the front of the men’s race with 38km to go and no real peloton formed to chase. Fuglsang, vanAert, Schachmann, Bettiol, vanAvermaet and Formolo.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Tue Aug 04, 2020 3:52 pm

Wout Van Aert in an impressive performance really

And Bernal, Evenepoel sending messages to the competition. The shortened season is going to be exciting.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:26 pm

Can't wait to see Quintana on the Mont Ventoux as well. Especially since Warren Barguil has shown he is in good form on the Route d'Occitanie with a good ride there. A strong support for Quintana at the tour.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:11 pm

Mont Ventoux shows that Quintana is far from top form yet... Not sure he will have caught up in time for the Tour de France. More importantly, his team didn't see very strong and was nowhere to be seen when it became hard.

Guillaume Martin is to be watched for a top 10. Porte seems also on track for the TdF.

kiap · Post by **kiap** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:18 pm

What happened in the tour of Poland?

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:23 pm

kiap wrote:What happened in the tour of Poland?

Yesterday? Fabio Jakobsen tried to take Groenewegen on the inside, and Groenewegen ran him into the barriers.

Jakobsen was in an induced coma last night, and a race official who was behind the barriers at the time was taken to hospital unconscious.

kiap · Post by **kiap** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:32 pm

DOB wrote:
kiap wrote:What happened in the tour of Poland?
Yesterday? Fabio Jakobsen tried to take Groenewegen on the inside, and Groenewegen ran him into the barriers.

Jakobsen was in an induced coma last night, and a race official who was behind the barriers at the time was taken to hospital unconscious.

Nasty. I hadn't seen the overhead shot but looked like he fully elbowed him into the barricade.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:26 pm

kiap wrote:
DOB wrote:
kiap wrote:What happened in the tour of Poland?
Yesterday? Fabio Jakobsen tried to take Groenewegen on the inside, and Groenewegen ran him into the barriers.

Jakobsen was in an induced coma last night, and a race official who was behind the barriers at the time was taken to hospital unconscious.
Nasty. I hadn't seen the overhead shot but looked like he fully elbowed him into the barricade.

Yup. It's as clear a case as you'll ever see.

Groenewegen and Jumbo-Visma have been appropriately contrite on social media. Patrick Lefevere is demanding that Groenewegen get locked in a Polish jail and the key be thrown away.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 7:32 pm

DOB wrote:
kiap wrote:
DOB wrote:
kiap wrote:What happened in the tour of Poland?
Yesterday? Fabio Jakobsen tried to take Groenewegen on the inside, and Groenewegen ran him into the barriers.

Jakobsen was in an induced coma last night, and a race official who was behind the barriers at the time was taken to hospital unconscious.
Nasty. I hadn't seen the overhead shot but looked like he fully elbowed him into the barricade.
Yup. It's as clear a case as you'll ever see.

Groenewegen and Jumbo-Visma have been appropriately contrite on social media. Patrick Lefevere is demanding that Groenewegen get locked in a Polish jail and the key be thrown away.

That sort of behaviour at 80km/h is criminal. He may not have expected Jakobsen to have such a horrible fall, but still, Groenewegen knew Jakobsen would hit the deck and deliberately elbowed him into the barriers. He knew that would have meant injuries for Jakobsen at the pace they were racing. This deserves a lengthy suspension by UCI. Whether this has to go to a tribunal... I don't know but I have sympathy for Lefevere's reaction.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:58 pm

Jacobsen out of coma. He should not suffer major neurological consequences but apparently all his bones in his face are broken and he has lost all his teeth...

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:36 pm

Great that he's awake, and this might be getting too far ahead, but with that much facial damage there must surely be concerns about how it will affect his breathing if/when he tries to get back to riding his bike.