Pro Cycling Discussion 2017

booyaka · 2 Apr 2017 at 23:05

Epic race - even the wife sat glued to the screen instead of her phone - must have been something special for that to happen!

SDK^ · 3 Apr 2017 at 19:25

Spectators and their coats

And this video : https://www.instagram.com/p/BSbN96DjtZb/

Lethal` · 3 Apr 2017 at 19:57

Interesting choice of camera angle from that spectator. Perhaps a selfie stick.

BennyC · 3 Apr 2017 at 20:53

The sooner they use the same reclined barriers that they do on finishing sprint sections, the better and safer.

Understandably a cost but still...

One More Solo · 3 Apr 2017 at 22:57

Alternatively, riders could actually ride in the middle of the road rather than dodging the cobbles.

SDK^ · 4 Apr 2017 at 07:11

Marginal gains I guess.
Although setting up a bike for cobbles (wider tyres and comfort) and then avoiding riding on the cobbles isn't the best approach.

One More Solo · 4 Apr 2017 at 07:29

I guess it's a risk you have to be prepared to take, and accept the consequences when it goes wrong.

Shadowness · 4 Apr 2017 at 07:32

How can anyone blame the fan in the Sagan crash?! They rest their jacket on the barrier, completely out of the way, and they get blamed because the cyclists chose to ride right on the edge, right next to the barrier?

Some of the posts I've read on FB blaming the fans is ridiculous.

BennyC · 4 Apr 2017 at 09:05

https://www.instagram.com/p/BScBvkdAFFB/?taken-by=cyclingtips&hl=en

SoliD · 4 Apr 2017 at 09:37

Like he said, these things happen, the hoarding could have come loose and caught that, or a leg failed, just lucky it wasn't worse, but they are the risks they take to ride on the smooth part of the road, it's that or the middle and like any form of racing, yes you can take the easier way but it comes with the associated risks, same as riding in the gutter at the Champs Elysses.

touch · 4 Apr 2017 at 09:52

One More Solo said:
I guess it's a risk you have to be prepared to take, and accept the consequences when it goes wrong.

It seems to me that's exactly what Sagan has done.
I think he's just sharing the video to show that it wasnt his lack of bike handling skill (as some have suggested) that put him and the other riders in danger rather than trying to put the blame on the fan.

Roady · 4 Apr 2017 at 12:13

Crash caused by jacket, but fan not to blame, Sagan to blame for riding so close to barriers to try and find a faster & smoother surface. I think he knows that and is acknowledging it! Nothing new to how we see much of the cobbles ridden and is also why the barriers are situated so close to the edge - to try and discourage the riders as much as possible. But they do it everywhere/anyway. Sagan is able to ride closer and faster to objects than many others (due to his amazing handling skills) but just goes to show, he's still human!

Glad Gilbert got a great win, he's been in superb form this spring and great to see him get a result from it. Well done to GVA for getting back on to finish second, DVB (Cannondale rider you can see in the video?) did well too.

Hopefully Terpstra can get some more results as he's also in some great form, but gutted for Boonen!

Berger · 4 Apr 2017 at 21:06

Benoot not listed on the Lotto start list for this weekend.

Found nothing online and expected him to race... hmm.

SoliD · 5 Apr 2017 at 14:50

Vanmarcke and Gilbert not riding Roubaix, Vanmarcke due to injuries, Gilbert to rest in prep for Ardennes Classics.

GSVBagpuss · 9 Apr 2017 at 06:57

Today is tha day - the Hell of the North is here! Shame it's going to be dry. My heart hopes for a Boonen and immediate retirement. Love this quote from Wednesday

How will you feel on Monday?
I'm sure I will have the biggest hangover
But.... happy or sad?
I'm always sad when I have a hangover

BennyC · 9 Apr 2017 at 07:41

^ Awesome.

Sadly I will be in my first RR myself while this is on but I'm rather pleased it's going to be dry

Have this on record and a ES sub as well so will be watching the entire thing, albeit 6 hours behind!

PermaBanned · 9 Apr 2017 at 11:03

Thanks to the portly gentleman with the flamethrower for making this possible.

Also, https://twitter.com/alexdowsett/status/851008071547715584

If riders start tweeting about tactics during the race then that's going to add a whole new dynamic to things

Bear · 9 Apr 2017 at 15:59

QS 2017 wheel sucker specialists

Edit: Haha suck it

One More Solo · 9 Apr 2017 at 16:13

Not a great PR tbh. Great ride from GvA but clueless from the chasing group.

Berger · 9 Apr 2017 at 18:54

GVA gone from the always second man to the best rider in the peloton at one day races in the last 9 months, amazing form this spring and even when luck hasn't gone his way has turned out a result.

When Stybar jumped and got two bike lengths I thought it was game over!