Pro Cycling Discussion 2016

PermaBanned · 1 May 2016 at 17:10

Another great edition of the TdY. Definitely getting into their stride, putting this stage on the last day was the right decision. Hopefully next year they can swing the fourth stage they wanted, maybe hold a multi-stage women's event too. I think it's clear that there's definitely an appetite for it.

The UK on the whole could do with a few more big races or one day events. There's really only London-Surrey, Tour of Britain and Tour de Yorkshire. Definitely think there's scope for something in Scotland with the hills they have there.

pumaz · 1 May 2016 at 21:08

Was in Scarborough today watching the race and it was absolutely freezing! There's a huge appetite for cycling in Yorkshire they love it, was on the train back to York after it finished and overheard 3 middle aged ladies talking about cycling and they really new their stuff even down to tactics and new which rider was which by riding style!

I'd love to see a 4 day race for both men and women, I'd also like it to be warm sunny and dry next year please

PermaBanned · 6 May 2016 at 10:16

Start of the Giro today! Get hype.

SoliD · 6 May 2016 at 10:21

GRAND TOUR SEASON IS HERE!!!!!

xdcx · 6 May 2016 at 10:51

SoliD said:
GRAND TOUR SEASON IS HERE!!!!!

Can't wait for todays TT, my ultimate TT fantasy team is selected and I am firmly placed at work ready to watch it on my second monitor as I work away.... yep.

Dumoulin in pink today, by a GOOD margin.

One More Solo · 6 May 2016 at 11:05

I think Dumoulin will do it today but I've got £3 on van Emden on the recommendation of padsbets on Twitter. Got 33/1 before Cancellara announced his stomach issues so that would be a nice windfall! Backed Jungels for the young rider jersey too.

Kimi · 6 May 2016 at 11:21

Can we watch todays stage online anywhere?

xdcx · 6 May 2016 at 11:26

Kimi said:
Can we watch todays stage online anywhere?

Yes, but if I link you to it a mod with nothing better to do will see it and give me another warning :rolleyes:

So I have simply trust messaged it to your email address! I am such a bad person.

Berger · 6 May 2016 at 11:59

Steephill.tv usually has news and tells you who is showing it.

SoliD · 6 May 2016 at 21:41

Blimey! That was close for Pink, fair play to Dumoulin, few relatively big gaps between the people who are expected to play out GC.

GSVBagpuss · 7 May 2016 at 16:33

Not close today - Kittle bossed that one so easily. Love that he smashed the TT as well, he's clearly on fantastic form

SoliD · 8 May 2016 at 08:56

Absolutely killed that sprint, huge gap back to second! Will be in Pink tomorrow!

physichull · 8 May 2016 at 16:50

Watched most of today's stage but sprint stages are pretty dull until the last half hour. Bring on those Italian mountains!

PermaBanned · 8 May 2016 at 20:02

Thought van Zyl was actually in for a chance... until Jungles hit the front

Rest day already. Need my fix!

The Mad Rapper · 8 May 2016 at 20:19

Kitten is in incredible form. Even the Gorilla couldn't get any where near him!

PermaBanned · 8 May 2016 at 20:43

Haven't heard that nickname before

Greipel didn't seem to have any help today, he was working himself close to the front from 10k to go.

The Mad Rapper · 8 May 2016 at 20:49

How many more sprint stages are there before the mountains? I haven't looked at the parcours this year, but usually the sprinters stay for the first week then go home. It'll be interesting to see if any of them stay for the whole race.

PermaBanned · 8 May 2016 at 20:58

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 17 and 21 all have the potential to be somewhat sprint stages. I don't think Kittel has ever even raced a Giro stage in Italy, much less won one. Will be interesting to see how far he goes.

Roady · 9 May 2016 at 12:19

xdcx said:
If you missed it today, 100% get it watched, brilliant.

Went to hunt down some of the channel4 TdY coverage on their catchup thingy and there's nothing listed?! Couldn't find any Youtube coverage of it either, anyone have any links?

Also struggled to find any for Paris-Roubaix, if anyone has some?

PermaBanned said:
The UK on the whole could do with a few more big races or one day events. There's really only London-Surrey, Tour of Britain and Tour de Yorkshire. Definitely think there's scope for something in Scotland with the hills they have there.

There's plenty of racing, just need more of it televised as it'll then naturally get more sponsors involved!

Although things tend to be going the opposite around here at the moment - one of the big sponsors of the Abergavenny Road Race has stopped getting involved so they may not even be able to secure closed roads for it as the council have gone and arranged something else in the town the same weekend! :confused:

The 'Hitter' Road Race they had here (Hereford) for the first time last year, was really really popular, even had spectators out for the Sportive I rode ~4-6 hours before it. The sportive(s) filled to capacity and they tied it all into a 'Festival of Sport' in the city with various other events (half marathon & 10k etc) and there was even talk of a Triathlon for the next one. Heard a few weeks back that the guy involved (and driving force behind organising it) from the council actually lost his job over the winter 'due to cutbacks' and now nothing will be going ahead. The sponsored road race also won't go ahead as the council 'cannot afford the disruption' of closing roads. Utterly useless! :confused:

PermaBanned said:
2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 17 and 21 all have the potential to be somewhat sprint stages. I don't think Kittel has ever even raced a Giro stage in Italy, much less won one. Will be interesting to see how far he goes.

Hope he sticks to it with the form he has, really feel he thinks he's got something to prove after last year and really good to see some more sprint competition for Gripel!

SoliD · 9 May 2016 at 12:39

I'm intrigued to see how long the sprinters stay this year, as they have a good chance of being in for the red jersey with sprints spread.