Pro Cycling Discussion 2016

Playing devils' advocate, he does at least come across as human. A lot of the criticism he gets is deserved (sticky bottle), but he's very passionate about racing. When he's feeling good he attacks, when he's not he blames himself for it. You won't see him with some meticulously calculated plan of attack on each stage based on mathematical predictions of what his opponents can do. Often said that he's a racer from a different era, and you can see why.

Plus he's never actually been caught doping and he often speaks against it, so I don't think it's entirely fair to judge him based on that. Especially when certain other podium members have been and were largely unapologetic about it.
 
Eurosport highlights for this giro have been absolutely terrible tbh. All over the schedule - sometimes only after midnight so you've got no chance of watching on the same day as the stage itself. Makes it a bugger to find considering they don't have series link. Showing a couple of random segments of the race rather than well selected key moments or attacks. Completely missed the "orica power play" yesterday and today we went straight from 128km to go to 1.6km to go, what's all that about?

I also still have no clue why there are two separate English language broadcasts, and the UK seems to get the second class commentary team. I've got nothing against Hatch and Kelly personally, but compared to Boulting and Lloyd their commentary is often painful to listen to, with how long it takes Kelly to remember a rider's name.

And they wonder why people pirate it...
 
I've been recording the live races on my virgin stb, the only problem I've had was when they moved the race from Eurosport 1 to 2 so it didn't record last weeks but that it really.
 
With two grand tours on the trot I think Astana are teaching us the importance of saving something in the tank for the last couple of days. A lot of other teams come to the grand tours with the aim of getting a stage win or two, maybe an outside chance at a decent result in GC. And as a result of trying for that stage win at every opportunity they sometimes end up in the lead. But they pay for that effort later on when they decide to try and hold onto it.

Kind of surprised that Nizzolo was DQ'd considering the Italian bias (Nibali motorpacing anyone?), but it was quite clearly the right call imo.
 
Only now I've been at a level of annoyance where I feel I could comment....
Kruis is the man, I was seriously gutted the other day, the last time I was so gutted at sport was Scotland getting knocked out the last time they made world cup (19 bloody 98!).

The good flip side was that Chaves is a cool dude, I really like him and I love Orica. Astana/Nibs give me nothing but a sour taste in my mouth, they thought of them stealing it at the death even made me not tune into yesterdays stage, like I knew the potential outcome would make me so annoyed that it would have course be the outcome and it was. The Giro was superb this year, fair play to Nibs and Astana, I just like neither of them at all and was so hyped for Kruis appearing to be on the verge of having it in the bag. Cycling truly is a brutal sport.

Nibali is the very stereotype of Italian cylists from what I read, it annoys me a lot. Considering a few days ago he was cracked and speak of him dropping out as he could potentially be ill, and then this. GRRRRR.
 
To be fair, I think that's a credit to the rider. To win in spite of all the pressure from the Italian press, criticism from your own team mates, your DS and team owner making it clear that they're not confident in your ability, and your coach trying to talk you into dropping out, you yourself not being able to attack... I'm sure that takes some resolve.

Anyway, looks like he might not be with Astana for much longer with this new Bahrain team announced. Totally better reputation :rolleyes:
 
PermaBanned said:
To be fair, I think that's a credit to the rider. To win in spite of all the pressure from the Italian press, criticism from your own team mates, your DS and team owner making it clear that they're not confident in your ability, and your coach trying to talk you into dropping out, you yourself not being able to attack... I'm sure that takes some resolve.

Anyway, looks like he might not be with Astana for much longer with this new Bahrain team announced. Totally better reputation :rolleyes:
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That new Bahrain team can do one.
 
Lot of my thoughts echo xdcx. Just cannot stand nibali, but he does make races entertaining. Chaves future grand tour winner for sure!

Henao cleared to race again. That sky squad could be ridiculous for le tour with possibly froome, landa, Henao, Thomas, nieve all potentially available.
 
I don't think it's fair to cast aspersions on Nibali based on this at all, he just has more experience than Chaves and Kruiswijk and could easily be a case of him losing less than the other contenders as the Giro wore on. He's only ever DNFd one GT and that endurance was clearly something the others lacked.

Froome would have beaten Nibali in that form but no one seems willing to countenance that...
 
One More Solo said:
I don't think it's fair to cast aspersions on Nibali based on this at all, he just has more experience than Chaves and Kruiswijk and could easily be a case of him losing less than the other contenders as the Giro wore on. He's only ever DNFd one GT and that endurance was clearly something the others lacked.

Froome would have beaten Nibali in that form but no one seems willing to countenance that...
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I dont think anyone is casting any aspersions about Nibali :confused: Hes obviously very capable else he wouldn't have won the amount of Grand Tours he has.

The problem here is hes not liked very much and the race was Kruiswijks to lose, which he did, but thats racing **** happens.
 
Seemed to be a fair few insinuations from the posts above. I like Nibali, his best is a level below Froome and Contador of the last few years but he's great to watch and comes across well IMO. Was a class touch going to Chaves' parents after the stage.
 
Any rider on Astana is allowed to be viewed as potentially sketch.
Any rider who takes the most ridiculous sticky bottle on TV and shows a will to cheat is, of course, allowed to be viewed as potentially sketch.

Please forgive me :p
 
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Supposedly the Tour of Ukraine is turning out to be a right mess. Peleton went the wrong way and only one rider actually crossed the finish line. Some riders saying "No hot water in hotel and riders turned away from dinner without food." Doesn't sound great :eek:
 
There was a stats thing on Reddit... Team Sky were the most hated team for the past 3 years except for this year where Astana have finally taken top spot and put Sky 2nd haha. I think in the UK it is less likely people don't like Team Sky, but across the world they aint exactly loved!
 
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