The Official UCI Pro Cycling Thread
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:53 pm
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Yep, early days but looks very dominant so far.BlackMac wrote:Kittel putting in some impressive performances in Dubai.
Was never really in with a shot of that one with the uphill finish, but then again he wasn't really in the frame before it kicked up. Like you say, he's struggling to even get to the business end of flat sprints, let alone out kick the young guns he's now surrounded by.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
The Quicksteps seem to be totally off the pace altogether in the sprints, which is odd when you see who they have.Margin_Walker wrote:Was never really in with a shot of that one with the uphill finish, but then again he wasn't really in the frame before it kicked up. Like you say, he's struggling to even get to the business end of flat sprints, let alone out kick the young guns he's now surrounded by.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Not seen too many finishes they've been involved in this season, but last year they seemed to hit the front far too early and try to dominate the last 5k like HTC Highroad used to, only for Argos to nip in into the last k. Even with Petachi and Renshaw in, I just can't see the long lead-out being successful anymore. Not to mention that Cav is no longer the quickest in the peleton and will have to be a bit cuter in future to continue picking up wins (as in the cross wind affected stage of the TdF last year)BlackMac wrote:The Quicksteps seem to be totally off the pace altogether in the sprints, which is odd when you see who they have.Margin_Walker wrote:Was never really in with a shot of that one with the uphill finish, but then again he wasn't really in the frame before it kicked up. Like you say, he's struggling to even get to the business end of flat sprints, let alone out kick the young guns he's now surrounded by.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Early days for OPQS. Lets see how the season unfurls.Not to mention that Cav is no longer the quickest in the peleton
He is no longer with team SKY so can't take the undetectable drugs anymore.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Think he's 8 seconds down but he's doing very well. Thought he may end up further back after today, but still finished in the hunt. Great move the other day when he took the lead. He's an odd one, in that whenever he looks like he'll push on he ends up getting injured/crashes. Good to see him up there.Gospel wrote:Early days for OPQS. Lets see how the season unfurls.Not to mention that Cav is no longer the quickest in the peleton
Good effort by GT in Paris-Nice. He's in second place, 3 seconds behind the superb young Columbian Bentancur.
The cheeky taff would probably win this race if they hadn't removed the ITT.
Anonymous wrote:He is no longer with team SKY so can't take the undetectable drugs anymore.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Shame
And as if by magic he crashes out of contention. Has no luck at all.Margin_Walker wrote:Think he's 8 seconds down but he's doing very well. Thought he may end up further back after today, but still finished in the hunt. Great move the other day when he took the lead. He's an odd one, in that whenever he looks like he'll push on he ends up getting injured/crashes. Good to see him up there.Gospel wrote:Early days for OPQS. Lets see how the season unfurls.Not to mention that Cav is no longer the quickest in the peleton
Good effort by GT in Paris-Nice. He's in second place, 3 seconds behind the superb young Columbian Bentancur.
The cheeky taff would probably win this race if they hadn't removed the ITT.
Yeah, because his year at Sky was when he got most of his winsAnonymous wrote:He is no longer with team SKY so can't take the undetectable drugs anymore.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Shame
Prophetic. On the descent too. I wonder how much is down to poor bike handling.Margin_Walker wrote:And as if by magic he crashes out of contention. Has no luck at all.
You fell in the sarcasm.Seez wrote:Yeah, because his year at Sky was when he got most of his winsAnonymous wrote:He is no longer with team SKY so can't take the undetectable drugs anymore.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Shame
Fucksocks. Wasn't sure he was one of them but thought I would risk it.Gospel wrote:You fell in the sarcasm.Seez wrote:Yeah, because his year at Sky was when he got most of his winsAnonymous wrote:He is no longer with team SKY so can't take the undetectable drugs anymore.BlackMac wrote:Worrying times for Cavendish. He can't even get himself in position to compete, never mind win.
Shame
Yeah, there has to come a point where you start looking at that. Porte out of tirreno adriatico overnight as well with illness. Not Sky's weekGospel wrote:Prophetic. On the descent too. I wonder how much is down to poor bike handling.Margin_Walker wrote:And as if by magic he crashes out of contention. Has no luck at all.
Sky's squad looks to be coming apart a bit. They don't seem to have the overall talent of the likes of Quickstep, Moviestar etc. It's all very well putting all your eggs in the TDF basket but it would be nice to see them having more options than Froome and Porte in the big stage races and showing more in the Classics.Margin_Walker wrote:Yeah, there has to come a point where you start looking at that. Porte out of tirreno adriatico overnight as well with illness. Not Sky's weekGospel wrote:Prophetic. On the descent too. I wonder how much is down to poor bike handling.Margin_Walker wrote:And as if by magic he crashes out of contention. Has no luck at all.
Hard to keep multiple potential GC guys happy I guess as with Uran leaving last year. Would like to see a bit more variety from them as some riders can be stifled. Would love to see Stannard riding for another team and get an opportunity to challenge for stages in TdF, Giro etc. Always a great rider to watch when he has a free reign.BlackMac wrote:Sky's squad looks to be coming apart a bit. They don't seem to have the overall talent of the likes of Quickstep, Moviestar etc. It's all very well putting all your eggs in the TDF basket but it would be nice to see them having more options than Froome and Porte in the big stage races and showing more in the Classics.Margin_Walker wrote:Yeah, there has to come a point where you start looking at that. Porte out of tirreno adriatico overnight as well with illness. Not Sky's weekGospel wrote:Prophetic. On the descent too. I wonder how much is down to poor bike handling.Margin_Walker wrote:And as if by magic he crashes out of contention. Has no luck at all.
Daniel Friebe @friebos 3m
Gazzetta today quotes Sergio Henao's agent, Giuseppe Acquadro, saying client isn't racing pending investigation of anomalous "values".
Daniel Friebe @friebos 2m
Gazzetta's report deliberately vague. Doesn't specify what "values" are and doesn't quote anyone from Team Sky.
http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290, ... 91,00.htmlDaniel Friebe @friebos 1m
According to agent, Henao seeking expert advice to explain values and "protect his own image and that of team".
It appears that SKY have raised their concerns rather than the anti doping authorities, but depending on your point of view, this is either further evidence of Sky's all out doping programme or their continued and well documented anti doping stance.Margin_Walker wrote:Daniel Friebe @friebos 3m
Gazzetta today quotes Sergio Henao's agent, Giuseppe Acquadro, saying client isn't racing pending investigation of anomalous "values".Daniel Friebe @friebos 2m
Gazzetta's report deliberately vague. Doesn't specify what "values" are and doesn't quote anyone from Team Sky.http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290, ... 91,00.htmlDaniel Friebe @friebos 1m
According to agent, Henao seeking expert advice to explain values and "protect his own image and that of team".
That's the problem with cycling. Despite internal/external controls they can spend months away training on their own and are very susceptible to the temptation of a wee boost outwith the team. I doubt SKY would be so quick to hang Henau but ignore the likes of Froome if they had the slightest suspicion. If he were to test positive the damage to the sport, especially in Britain would be extraordinary.Margin_Walker wrote:Yep, appears to be based on internal controls rather than a letter from the blood passport people. Will be interesting all the same.
Personally don't believe there is any kind of sanctioned doping programme at Sky, but it must be hard to keep a lid on a team of 20-30 riders, when just one or two doing something privately can bring massive reputational damage. All you can do is make sure your internal controls are stricter than the official ones and be the first to raise any anomalies.
To be honest I don't think Froome will alter the status quo of opinion at all. The general public seem not to care much for him, he isn't an Armstrong as hype or publicity goes and cycling's reputation is so bad that I doubt the fans who are passionate about cycling would let any new doping stories make them lose interest anyway.BlackMac wrote:That's the problem with cycling. Despite internal/external controls they can spend months away training on their own and are very susceptible to the temptation of a wee boost outwith the team. I doubt SKY would be so quick to hang Henau but ignore the likes of Froome if they had the slightest suspicion. If he were to test positive the damage to the sport, especially in Britain would be extraordinary.Margin_Walker wrote:Yep, appears to be based on internal controls rather than a letter from the blood passport people. Will be interesting all the same.
Personally don't believe there is any kind of sanctioned doping programme at Sky, but it must be hard to keep a lid on a team of 20-30 riders, when just one or two doing something privately can bring massive reputational damage. All you can do is make sure your internal controls are stricter than the official ones and be the first to raise any anomalies.
The Poggio is just at the point of severity where it starts to test the sprinters so it's going to be fascinating. If I was betting I'd be putting most of it on Peter Sagan though as he's got terrific form.Margin_Walker wrote:Interesting article here about the issue of 'altitude natives' in cycling.
http://decaironman-training.com/2014/03 ... l-cycling/
While unfortunately cycling fans are required to be cynical bastards, it's important not to discount the possibility of innocence, if not the likelihood of it.
Anyway enough doping talk for today. Who are people picking for Milan San Remo at the weekend? Sprint friendly course. Can Cav/Greipel get over the Poggio, or is it Sagan's year? Degenkolb may be worth a look too as well as the usual suspects.
Yeah, Sagan clear favorite, but despite some unreal form over the last few years, he's yet to win a monument. Can only be a matter of time though.Gospel wrote:The Poggio is just at the point of severity where it starts to test the sprinters so it's going to be fascinating. If I was betting I'd be putting most of it on Peter Sagan though as he's got terrific form.Margin_Walker wrote:Interesting article here about the issue of 'altitude natives' in cycling.
http://decaironman-training.com/2014/03 ... l-cycling/
While unfortunately cycling fans are required to be cynical bastards, it's important not to discount the possibility of innocence, if not the likelihood of it.
Anyway enough doping talk for today. Who are people picking for Milan San Remo at the weekend? Sprint friendly course. Can Cav/Greipel get over the Poggio, or is it Sagan's year? Degenkolb may be worth a look too as well as the usual suspects.
OPQS are well set with Boonen and Cav. The former to follow any breaks and the latter if they all come together.DOB wrote:With Pompeiana out, the course is "almost identical to 2007" when the top 10 was;
1 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank 6.43.59 (43.665 km/h)
2 Allan Davis (Aus) Discovery Channel
3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep-Innergetic
4 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor-Lotto
5 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC
6 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram
7 Gabriele Balducci (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo
8 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Milram
9 Vicente Reynes (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
10 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
at the front of a peloton of about 70.
Make of that what you will.
Very sad news.Margin_Walker wrote:Boonen now out in unfortunate circumstances
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonen- ... n-san-remo