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I was thinking that it might favour him alright, but as you say I don't know how his fitness is. From his Instagram he's been out and at it hard around Andorra, so you never know....blindcider wrote:It could favour everyones favourite Brummie Pro cyclist, although what shape he's in with newborn twins recently arrived is anyones guess
In Belgium, the earnings of the top cyclists are comparable to footballers. Van Avermaet, Gilbert, Van Aert will all be paid well into seven figures.ukjim wrote:wow that is commitment to cycling. I cant imagine how many folk in england would give up the prospect of a pro football career for the suffering and pain of elite cycling.
I hate him.guy smiley wrote:Eighteen-year-old Remco Evenepoel has only been riding his bike seriously for just about two years. He only started racing in premier junior races during the summer of last year.
The former captain of the U17 Red Devils, Belgium’s national soccer team, put on incredible performances this week to sweep the junior men’s world road race and TT championships. He had such a massive lead in the road race that he started pumping his fist and waving to the crowd with still 3.5 kilometres to go. That’s not to mention he was two minutes behind at one point after a crash and long wheel change. It’s no wonder Team Sky and Quick-Step Floors fought this summer to sign him.
He's won the Junior TT and the Road Race after crashing and losing two minutes, still winning by over a minute. He's won 35 of the 45 races he's entered since starting racing.
Sweet Jesus Emannuelle... the Belgian press have already nick named him Mini Cannibal. He wants to win a Grand Tour.
190-1 on betfair earlier seemed generous"On paper, they say it's a really hard Worlds designed for the climbers, but in Rio, they said it was a course for climbers too, and we all saw what he did there," Piva said. "In the end, it depends on how it's raced. He's not a favourite, so he won't be controlled as much, and whenever he races, he races to do well. It's not an ideal route for him, but I wouldn't rule him out from getting a good result."
Did Dumoulin ride a bit too much this year? Competing for GC in the great tours takes its toll.Bullettyme wrote:Wow, just saw that result. Dennis has been pretty impressive this year alright, I had a feeling he'd win today but thought it would be closer with Dumoulin. Fair play!
He didn't do Spain right?TheFrog wrote:Did Dumoulin ride a bit too much this year? Competing for GC in the great tours takes its toll.Bullettyme wrote:Wow, just saw that result. Dennis has been pretty impressive this year alright, I had a feeling he'd win today but thought it would be closer with Dumoulin. Fair play!
Yep.guy smiley wrote:I saw something on FB... 34km/h on that ramp, from the seat of the team car, is that what you saw?Bullettyme wrote:Could be, coming second in two grand tours is going to take a toll, but he beat Dennis at the TT of Le Tour right before Paris. Dennis is a very good TT rider himself.
Some some videos of Alaphilippe doing hill repeats in advance of the worlds. Looking really strong.
I'll see if I can find it...
Dropped, caught, and out the back of the peloton with 70km to go. Brave effort, though, and the break is down to 5 or 6, with some big names who weren't in the break going off the back too (Boassen-Hagen and Anacona struggling).ukjim wrote:Conor hoping to ride himself into a contract here. great work from an old clubmate of mine.
And it seems like they burnt all their guys too early.DOB wrote:Italy massing on the front. Only team with a full compliment still in place, surely.
Yeah, within another 20k, only Moscon left. But he's a beast.Beaver_Shark wrote:And it seems like they burnt all their guys too early.DOB wrote:Italy massing on the front. Only team with a full compliment still in place, surely.
Big Tom ftw!Salanya wrote:That climb
Come on Tommy of the mill!
I think it helps when they find bags of blood with poorly concealed "code names" on them.DOB wrote:There will always be a section of cycling fans that don't like Valverde for precisely that reason. It might be a bit unfair, given he's served his time and at this stage absolutely proven that he's one of the most talented bike racers of his era. But at the same time, it's a worthwhile lesson for young riders considering trying something; this guy won a Vuelta, a Worlds, multiple monuments, but for a lot of people, they still talk about the one thing.
The other doping lesson with Valverde is they don't need to actually test you positive to ban you.
Yeah it's a bit of a pity since he has done his time as you say. I don't think there has been any suggestion that he's used since then. I think he's a fantastic cyclist and I'd count myself as a bit of a fanboy, so I'm delighted for him. He's had a very exciting season so it's good to see him come away with a big win like that.DOB wrote:There will always be a section of cycling fans that don't like Valverde for precisely that reason. It might be a bit unfair, given he's served his time and at this stage absolutely proven that he's one of the most talented bike racers of his era. But at the same time, it's a worthwhile lesson for young riders considering trying something; this guy won a Vuelta, a Worlds, multiple monuments, but for a lot of people, they still talk about the one thing.
The other doping lesson with Valverde is they don't need to actually test you positive to ban you.
I am conflicted about Valcerdes win, for those reasons, he is a fantastic cyclist (as were/are many convicted dopers) but I think penalties for proven dopers should be far harsher. As you say he has served his time according to the rules so so be it.Bullettyme wrote:Yeah it's a bit of a pity since he has done his time as you say. I don't think there has been any suggestion that he's used since then. I think he's a fantastic cyclist and I'd count myself as a bit of a fanboy, so I'm delighted for him. He's had a very exciting season so it's good to see him come away with a big win like that.DOB wrote:There will always be a section of cycling fans that don't like Valverde for precisely that reason. It might be a bit unfair, given he's served his time and at this stage absolutely proven that he's one of the most talented bike racers of his era. But at the same time, it's a worthwhile lesson for young riders considering trying something; this guy won a Vuelta, a Worlds, multiple monuments, but for a lot of people, they still talk about the one thing.
The other doping lesson with Valverde is they don't need to actually test you positive to ban you.
He has never been tested positive.blindcider wrote:I am conflicted about Valcerdes win, for those reasons, he is a fantastic cyclist (as were/are many convicted dopers) but I think penalties for proven dopers should be far harsher. As you say he has served his time according to the rules so so be it.Bullettyme wrote:Yeah it's a bit of a pity since he has done his time as you say. I don't think there has been any suggestion that he's used since then. I think he's a fantastic cyclist and I'd count myself as a bit of a fanboy, so I'm delighted for him. He's had a very exciting season so it's good to see him come away with a big win like that.DOB wrote:There will always be a section of cycling fans that don't like Valverde for precisely that reason. It might be a bit unfair, given he's served his time and at this stage absolutely proven that he's one of the most talented bike racers of his era. But at the same time, it's a worthwhile lesson for young riders considering trying something; this guy won a Vuelta, a Worlds, multiple monuments, but for a lot of people, they still talk about the one thing.
The other doping lesson with Valverde is they don't need to actually test you positive to ban you.
On a personal level I'd have preferred Woods to win or Dumoulin for his fantastic chase. From not liking Dumoulin he has changed my opinion since winning the TdF TT and his reaction to winning that stage and coming second in that race
