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February Road Cycling Thread

rich-t [Edit] [Delete] 66 replies 13:03, 7 February '13

The Lance Armstrong row continues to rumble on with US Attorney Andre Birotte claiming LA wasn't under investigation, whilst other federal government sources saying he is. Tyler Hamilton still dipping his oar in. SCA move ahead with their case and Floyd landis joins the whistleblower case of the US government's. What a fucking mess.

The new season kicked off a fornight ago at the Santos Tour Down Under. A good week for Team Sky, with Geriant Thomas in the leaders jersey for a couple of days. Tom Slagter (Team Blanco, formerly Rabobank) wins overall and Andre Greipel wins a couple of stages.

Cav's new season at Omega Pharma Quickstep has started well. A win in the Tour de San Luis in Argentina and picking up his third stage win in the Tour of Qatar and leads the GC by 15 seconds.

Classics season starting in a couple of weeks. Boonen is recovering from an infected elbow and intestinal infection by riding 1000km in 6 days to get his fitness back, after missing preseason training. Another shootout for the king of the classics between Boonen and Cancellara, or will Gilbert actually turn up this year? Sky are also targeting the classics season, unlike last year.

A.O.B?

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which of the schleks is in/out for drugs this year?

Matt_was_taken | 7 Feb '13, 13:07 | X
- Frank Schleck
  
  has a backdated 1 year ban, which means he can race again from 14th July.
  
  In other Schelck related news, Andy was 40 mins down on GC at the Tour Down Under and has dropped out of the Tour Mediterraneen due to breathing problems.
  
  rich-t @Matt_was_taken | 7 Feb '13, 13:19 | X
  - :(
    
    He's a doper isn't he. I mean, he worked with Johan Bruyneel. His brother doped. He was the only one who could keep up with Contador - who also doped. It's gonna be a real downer seeing him go for another Tour this year.
    
    In other news, I bought a nice long-sleeve BMC jersey yesterday.
    
    powerfulmellow @rich-t | 7 Feb '13, 14:25 | X
    - Good jersey that
      
      I've got my eye on the Sky kit as it's made by Rapha now, not Addidas, and Rapha is the nicest kit out of all that I own (it is very pricey though).
      
      We'll see about AS, I hope he's alright as he had a stinker last season with crashes and injuries. It's not starting well for him though.
      
      rich-t @powerfulmellow | 7 Feb '13, 14:38 | X
- makes it sound like they take it in turns
  
  or are serial offenders!
  
  hibster @Matt_was_taken | 7 Feb '13, 14:16 | X
g was unlucky in the tour down under

or tactically naive
he blew up in that last climb after taking it on himself at the end

but a good showing from him nevertheless

hibster | 7 Feb '13, 14:16 | X
Allez Phillipe.

totally pumped for the classics this year.

meths | 7 Feb '13, 14:19 | X

thewarn and rich-t this'd this
- oh and i'd forgotten thomas even existed after dropping out of le tour last year.
  
  good to have him back.
  
  meths @meths | 7 Feb '13, 14:22 | X
well excited about the classics.

very unlikely boonen will dominate like he did last year, but I'd never write him off.

thewarn | 7 Feb '13, 14:19 | X
- spartacus has to have a shout this year?
  
  hibster @thewarn | 11 Feb '13, 09:02 | X
Will Purito Rodriguez be left without a team?

He was absolutely thrilling to watch in last year's Vuelta, brilliant race that.

Froome & Wiggins both riding the Tour of Oman - who will be Sky's race leader?

Donnie | 7 Feb '13, 15:10 | X
- Nah,
  
  He has offers. Waiting for a CAS ruling re Katusha, but if they're definitely denied World Tour license he'll be jumping ship.
  
  _meh @Donnie | 7 Feb '13, 15:19 | X
  
  thewarn and rich-t this'd this
Spartacus has something to prove this year for Flanders / Roubaix.

Hopefully Tommekke will be back to good form by then.

Talk of Sky using G for the Ardennes, and Stannard for Flanders / Roubaix. Hopefully EBH gets a crack too - he could do well in the classics if he had full team support.

The Wiggins v Froome thing for the Tour is wearing thin. Contador is probably going to win anyway.

Hahaha Frandy! Whingey cunts. Ridiculous that Frank has been treated so leniently considering the Fuentes links as well. More and more seeming like Andy's crash at the Dauphine is one of those "and he was never the same again..." things.

_meh | 7 Feb '13, 15:13 | X
- I reckon EBH could be a great classics rider within a couple of years.
  
  thewarn @_meh | 8 Feb '13, 14:43 | X
  - I reckon he could be pretty great now if Sky really got behind him.
    
    _meh @thewarn | 11 Feb '13, 09:58 | X
    
    thewarn this'd this
    - i reckon he will be their man for the likes of milan san remo
      
      And Paris roubaix, maybe the tour of flanders as well. Long and flatish would suit ebh. Don't know who they'd back for the ardennes though.
      
      rich-t @_meh | 11 Feb '13, 10:06 | X
Cav wins the Tour of Qatar

Something about sprinters winning tours doesn't sit right with me.

powerfulmellow | 8 Feb '13, 14:19 | X
- The Tour of Qatar is dead flat though
  
  so anybody other than a sprinter winning it would be odd. Previous winners include Tom Boonen (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012), Mark Renshaw (2011) and Robbie Hunter (2004).
  
  Marco Pinotti has crashed in the Tour Mediterranean time trial and has broken 2 ribs. And stage three of the race has been cancelled due to the organisers not be able to secure the route.
  
  rich-t @powerfulmellow | 8 Feb '13, 16:00 | X
Garmin Sharp had 16 brand-new race bikes stolen from their lorry last night at the Tour of Med.

But they clearly didn't fancy the bunch of TT bikes.

https://twitter.com/mattrabin/status/300154437899538432/photo/1

svenrokk | 9 Feb '13, 10:30 | X
- Cash-strapped team that can't time-trial?
  
  They should start the search in France.
  
  powerfulmellow @svenrokk | 10 Feb '13, 15:44 | X
Marcus Kittel (Argos-Shimano)

Wins stage one of the Tour of Oman.

rich-t | 11 Feb '13, 13:18 | X
- Good to have him back
  
  thewarn @rich-t | 11 Feb '13, 13:54 | X
peter Segan wins stage 2 of the Tour of Oman and takes the lead in the GC

In other news, three ex pros take to the stand in the Operation Puerto trial and refuse to break the omerta surrounding doping within cycling. Reading this piece, it all seems like they are trying to cover their backs.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/operacion-puerto-trial-beloki-etxebarria-and-osa-deny-links-with-fuentes

rich-t | 12 Feb '13, 19:43 | X
HULK SAGAN CRUSH ALL YOU PUNY HUMANS

_meh | 13 Feb '13, 14:47 | X
- then sign ladyz breasts
  
  _meh @_meh | 13 Feb '13, 14:47 | X
  
  rich-t, Matt_was_taken, and brusma this'd this
More enlightening news about the ingrained doping has risen from the Puerto trial

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/manzano-delivers-shocking-evidence-at-puerto-trial

rich-t | 13 Feb '13, 17:38 | X
- good read that
  
  cheers
  
  Matt_was_taken @rich-t | 15 Feb '13, 11:20 | X
Purito Rodriguez wins today's stage of the Tour of Oman

and then says in an interview that he will quit katusha if CAS do not overturn the UCI's decision not to grant them a World Tour license.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rodriguez-will-leave-katusha-if-it-loses-cas-appeal

Staying at the Tour of Oman, Chris Froome takes the red leader's jersey after finishing second 4 seconds behind Rodriguez and 18 seconds in front of Evans. he now leads by 24 seconds over Evans, Contador is third at 25 seconds back and Nabali fourth at 34 seconds. Wiggins apparently riding like a train today, obviously using this race as a training race after losing time in a crash on the first day.

rich-t | 14 Feb '13, 19:53 | X
CAS ruling this morning.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cas-orders-worldtour-licence-for-katusha

SHIT : FAN INTERFACE

_meh | 15 Feb '13, 11:18 | X
- the right decision in the end
  
  But why it ended up in CAS is beyond me. Looking forward to seeing Rodriguez in the big races and challenging again.
  
  rich-t @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 11:22 | X
  - Aye.
    
    Whole can of worms now re who loses their WT place.
    
    Saxo Tinkoff and Argos Shimano were the last two in as far as I'm aware... are they going to be dropped now? What about the races that have already announced their wildcards?
    
    _meh @rich-t | 15 Feb '13, 11:53 | X
cycling jerseys..

only suitable for skinny cyclists? which are best? do they do ones for tall people?
cheers

Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 11:55 | X
- Nah, you don't need to be 'skinny' to wear proper cycling gear.
  
  If you're doing big miles, you need proper gear. I wear my club jersey all the time with Specialized Roubaix shorts (which are deadly).
  
  You get what you pay for really, the good stuff isn't cheap, but it's made to last. Rapha make lovely jerseys (but are very expensive). I've heard good things about Santini stuff also.
  
  _meh @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 12:01 | X
  - i made the switch to tights
    
    this winter. (still with some shorts over the top mind you) and they are great.. was thinking if the upperbody would feel the same benefit or if im ok with my waterproof jacket/T-shirt.
    
    Matt_was_taken @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 12:04 | X
    - I'd go with a jersey instead of a tshirt. Sweaty tshirts might chaff you. Santini stuff is good (i have a few team jerseys made by santini, sportful, vermac and moa and they are all comfy). My rapha needy is a thing of beauty, although pretty expensive. I also have a campagnolo jersey that is fleece lined for winter. Buy a size above what you would wear in a shirt or tshirt (i'm a m tshirt, but have to wear a L jersey).
      
      rich-t @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 12:10 | X
      - Definitely take note of getting at least a size bigger than you'd usually go for.
        
        Especially if you're worried about it fitting length-wise.
        
        svenrokk @rich-t | 15 Feb '13, 12:44 | X
        
        yeah
        
        when I got my tights I got XXXL i think.. like the extra X's are for length.. cos they arnt for no 40 stone cyclist or owt.
        
        Matt_was_taken @svenrokk | 15 Feb '13, 13:56 | X
    - Shorts over are for Freds.
      
      _meh @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 12:36 | X
      - ?
        
        Matt_was_taken @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 12:41 | X
        
        Joke.
        
        Freds are 'uncool' cyclists.
        
        It's very important for amateur cyclists to 'look pro'. People who don't are Freds.
        
        Wearing normal shorts over cycling shorts would definitely be a Fred move.
        
        _meh @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 13:53 | X
        
        oooh.. good to know
        
        my shorts are like mountain bike shorts that are meant to be worn with cycling shorts underneath.. I just wear my tights in winter instead :/ still well Fred though..
        
        Matt_was_taken @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 13:55 | X
        
        meh, it's all bollox.
        
        Great to see the lengths some people will go to to look pro though. 50 somethings at sportives with €2k carbon wheels, Oakleys, shaved legs, Di2 etc, and a beer gut
        
        _meh @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 13:57 | X
        
        :D
        
        it seems to be the new mid life crisis
        
        Matt_was_taken @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 13:58 | X
        
        _meh this'd this
        
        i love that
        
        Got a 5 grand build, full team kit (including socks and mitts), 300 quid sidi shoes, 200 quid giro helmet, shaved legs, rudy project or oakley shades and still have a beer gut get blitzed on the climbs by a guy wearing cheaper clothes and on a Claude butler. It's not the bike, its the rider that determines your performance.
        
        rich-t @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 14:25 | X
        
        they almost always have powermeters
        
        and spend the winter talking about base miles and heart rate zones.
        
        _meh @rich-t | 15 Feb '13, 14:45 | X
        
        rich-t this'd this
        
        The amount of big middle aged blokes
        
        on the glasgow edinburgh bike ride who had clipless pedals (amongst other nice n shiny things) and rode like they'd only just fitted them for the first time the night before...
        
        I might have been the one chugging along on a fifty tonne MTB like an ultran00b, but at least I wasn't a prick unable to come to a stop without falling over, or a cock complaining to the stewards (who'd asked us to dismount cos of a bottleneck) about the safety of walking up a hill in cleats.
        
        TheWza @_meh | 15 Feb '13, 21:18 | X
- cheers guys
  
  :)
  
  Matt_was_taken @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 12:11 | X
- I know wearing replica jerseys is a contentious issue
  
  but I've got quite afew things from here and have been really pleased with them. http://www.samewood.com/
  
  You can get virtually any team's jersey - including all the various leader's jerseys and national champion tops - for the past three years delivered for £20. Their shorts are great too - better padding than anything I've ever got elsewhere for a similar price. Went out for a ride today in my Team GB olympics jersey and pretended I was Chris Froome.
  
  Donnie @Matt_was_taken | 15 Feb '13, 14:54 | X
Ireland will host the start of the Giro d'Italia in 2014

Dublin and Belfast are expected to be the departure cities when the announcement is made tomorrow.

Nothing much else going on at the moment. The usual rumblings of doping with the Operation Puerto trial continuing and Scarponi and his lawyer talking to Lampre about a suspension he served for links to Dr Ferrari.

rich-t | 20 Feb '13, 15:36 | X
Lance Armstrong refuses to cooperate with USADA in exchange for a possible reduction to his lifetime ban

But claims that he would be willing to testify to an "international Tribunal".

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-declines-to-cooperate-with-usada

rich-t | 20 Feb '13, 18:58 | X
- la is a bellend.
  
  Giving out that USADA don't go after the athletes that they don't have jurisdiction over?
  
  Rly?
  
  _meh @rich-t | 21 Feb '13, 13:31 | X
Can we talk about the Track World Champs too?

Martyn Irvine (IRL) in the Gold medal ride off in the individual pursuit. HELL YEAH!

_meh | 21 Feb '13, 13:30 | X
- did even better in the scratch
  
  hibster @_meh | 26 Feb '13, 17:05 | X
  
  rich-t this'd this
  - really clever break with 10 laps to go
    
    It was a great race too.
    
    rich-t @hibster | 26 Feb '13, 17:31 | X
Team Sky announce their March race teams

Wiggins not going to defend his Paris-Nice title. Froome to lead the team in the Terrino Adriatico and the the Criterium International at the end of march as a recce for the start of the TdF.

Wiggins' build up to his Giro d'Italia will start at the Volta y Catalunya along with Rigoberto Uran, Peter Kennuagh, Christian Knees and Danny pate to name a few.

Vasil Kiryienka, Richie Porte and Kanstantsin Siutsou will ride Paris - Nice. Thomas and EBH ride Milan - San Remo.

Then the classics team (Edvald Boasson Hagen, Bernhard Eisel, Mathew Hayman, Salvatore Puccio, Gabriel Rasch, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard, Chris Sutton, Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas) will ride the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen (March 22), Gent-Wevelem (March 24) and then the big one, Ronde van Vlaanderen on March 31.

Big month ahead for all of the team.

rich-t | 26 Feb '13, 14:55 | X
- exci
  
  meths @rich-t | 26 Feb '13, 15:15 | X
  
  thewarn and rich-t this'd this
  - ...ting.
    
    wish i had more holiday/money to go to one of the classics.
    
    le tour de france attendance is looking likely tho :)
    
    meths @meths | 26 Feb '13, 15:16 | X
    - This year or next year?
      
      rich-t @meths | 26 Feb '13, 15:17 | X
      - this year.
        
        meths @rich-t | 26 Feb '13, 15:18 | X
        
        Where abouts?
        
        rich-t @meths | 26 Feb '13, 15:18 | X
        
        probably the last week.
        
        á les alpes, as they say, en france.
        
        meths @rich-t | 26 Feb '13, 15:20 | X
        
        Nice one
        
        I'm going to the Pyrenees riding, about two weeks before the tour hits the region. Cool story.
        
        Definitely doing at least a week next year though.
        
        rich-t @meths | 26 Feb '13, 15:22 | X
        
        we're debating getting a winnebaygo (sp)
        
        and parking it on the alpe d'huez. seems to be astronomically expensive tho.
        
        meths @rich-t | 26 Feb '13, 15:25 | X
        
        It is
        
        A friend done both the Alps and the Pyrenees a few years ago and camped the rode up the mountains before the race hit them. Sounded like a good way to do it on the cheap and get a good cycling experience in.
        
        rich-t @meths | 26 Feb '13, 15:29 | X
        
        we'll be based at my friends (handily placed) chalet in the alps.
        
        but we wanted to do a bit of road tripping to get there. we did 10 days last year tho, and i dont think i can afford that again. :(
        
        meths @rich-t | 26 Feb '13, 15:35 | X
- sky have a fucking amazing team
  
  gecko @rich-t | 27 Feb '13, 00:38 | X

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