Pro Cycling Discussion Thread 2015

platypus · 8 Jul 2015 at 18:48

Cav has performed poorly, I don't think that is in question.

His lead out train has also been poor.

George Hincapie said:
I think you need to have a little think to yourself and get half a clue. I'm not some spotty little oik that doesn't know what he's talking about; I've probably forgotten more about this sport than you'll ever know. Do not start lecturing me.

There's a means and a way, and this isn't it. No call at all.

Vonhelmet · 8 Jul 2015 at 18:50

Besides, I'm the newbie who doesn't know what he's talking about

George Hincapie · 8 Jul 2015 at 19:00

platypus said:
There's a means and a way, and this isn't it. No call at all.

I have no idea what you mean.

platypus · 8 Jul 2015 at 19:24

Yes, you do.

SDK^ · 8 Jul 2015 at 19:29

platypus said:
Dunno whats happening with OPQ's leadout. They're really messing things up.

He shouldn't need a leadout, but anyway, OPQ start it way too early. Today they started their leadout train with 3km to go. By the time it's the final 1km-800m they are all spent and Cav is left exposed.

They should be starting it with 1.5k to go, that gives enough riders to go as hard as they can, stretch out the field, moving over for Cav at 200m for him to do his stuff.

touch · 8 Jul 2015 at 19:45

SDK^ said:
He shouldn't need a leadout, but anyway, OPQ start it way too early. Today they started their leadout train with 3km to go. By the time it's the final 1km-800m they are all spent and Cav is left exposed.

They should be starting it with 1.5k to go, that gives enough riders to go as hard as they can, stretch out the field, moving over for Cav at 200m for him to do his stuff.

You cant just start a lead out at 1.5k to go. Somebody needs to keep the pace high for at least the final 7-8k. Look at what happened yesterday: nobody working at the front of the peloton caused a dip in the pace and gave Tony Martin the perfect opportunity to get away. Then it was all panic whilst they tried to organise a chase.

The sprint trains might get shouted at a bit if they get it a bit wrong and deliver their sprinter too early or something, but it would be nothing like the beating they'd get if they let a breakaway win it from inside the last 5k.

IMO, Giant-Alpecin messed it up for everyone today. They came through far too fast when Tony Martin was on the front of the Etixx train, then they all blew up and left poor Degenkolb in the middle of nowhere.

PermaBanned · 8 Jul 2015 at 20:27

Just saw Cav's post-race interview, he understandably looked quite upset but he made a good point - don't make the story about him losing, make it about Greipel winning.

Calpol · 8 Jul 2015 at 20:45

PermaBanned said:
Just saw Cav's post-race interview, he understandably looked quite upset but he made a good point - don't make the story about him losing, make it about Greipel winning.

I agree but as the "greatest ever sprinter" its not unreasonable to question when he loses. I wonder if Cav's form really is quite what it was and he may be suffering from a hard Nationals and doing too much work yesterday on the cobbles. What was more concerning for him today was how quickly Sagan was finishing. I think he will get his win but he might have to wait until later in the race. Stage 7 looks possible but 15 looks like the only other one before Paris.

One More Solo · 8 Jul 2015 at 20:49

Very impressed with Sagan's speed today. He looks in great form and can see him tying up the green jersey again once the intermediate stages arrive. I'm a bit disappointed in Cav too though, his timing looks off.

Cosimo · 9 Jul 2015 at 07:19

Stage 5 highlights:

platypus · 9 Jul 2015 at 09:17

One More Solo said:
Very impressed with Sagan's speed today. He looks in great form and can see him tying up the green jersey again once the intermediate stages arrive. I'm a bit disappointed in Cav too though, his timing looks off.

Sagan coming through at the end was amazing.

Vonhelmet · 9 Jul 2015 at 09:19

Away from the tour...

Anyone remember Jonathan Tiernan-Locke? Banned from racing for failing drugs tests? He's now been banned from driving for failing a drink driving test.

Thomas. PLease. · 9 Jul 2015 at 10:00

Vonhelmet said:
Away from the tour...

Anyone remember Jonathan Tiernan-Locke? Banned from racing for failing drugs tests? He's now been banned from driving for failing a drink driving test.

Doesn't surprise me, hopefully this doesn't help his return to the sport

Vonhelmet · 9 Jul 2015 at 10:10

Someone on road.cc quipped that they should have tested his hematocrit levels at the same time, as by his argument they should be sky high.

Thomas. PLease. · 9 Jul 2015 at 10:23

George Hincapie said:
Don't blame the lead out; he doesn't need a train and he is being beaten by riders without one. At some point Cav has to take responsibility for his crap sprinting and poor placement and fans have to stop making excuses. I am rapidly becoming frustrated with his failure to deliver.

lol you seem to be more desperate than him.

Imho his failure to deliver is down to just that, his premature sprints seem to smack of desparation, he wants it too badly, and with no contract for next year its really showing. Sure Greipel is probably on form a touch more than usual having peaked later, but its just lack of timing that's hindered him so far imo.

Vonhelmet · 9 Jul 2015 at 13:00

I don't think this crash from stage 2 made it onto the TV footage:

Roady · 9 Jul 2015 at 14:18

PermaBanned said:
Can't you just use itv player if you're in the UK? And have a TV license technically i suppose.

I found some footage on the 'ITV Player' on my NowTV box but it was only from the previous day... Usually the ~40min part show on ITV4 (I think?). So I've resorted to YouTube for my catchups.

Still it's either a 40 minute TV program with hardly any commentary or a 5 minute catchup trying to show everything. Ideally I want some ~20 minute catchup of the interesting bits along with some commentary to fill in the gaps with maybe the last 25km. Any Youtube channels I should specifically be looking at?

George Hincapie said:
In terms of the photo, there's nothing to ignore. CF is favourite to win and has dieted and trained accordingly. I see nothing wrong with that photo that cannot be easily explained to anyone not wearing a foil hat.

Let us not forget that Froome trains hard and hardly ever stands, not that he needs to, just that he probably doesn't have muscle anywhere other than his legs - as he doesn't need it!

PermaBanned · 9 Jul 2015 at 14:41

https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/tour-de-france/series-26

These are the highlights shows, roughly an hour long but they're pretty good for editing all the important bits plus interviews and obligatory Chris Boardman segments. http://cyclinghub.tv/ has the last 10km or so from each stage.

Roady · 9 Jul 2015 at 14:55

Vonhelmet said:
Blimey, Sagan's had green the past three years. Not bad.

He's a machine but I still think he's done the wrong thing this year - beefing up as a sprinter rather than being so opportunistic as he was before. Previous years he wasn't heavily marked and with his wicked turn of speed (for a slight guy), not to mention his bike handling and momentum, he got some fantastic results and was great to watch.

Now he's older and bigger, he's just another guy trying to muscle into the sprints. I don't see him contesting any climbs with Kwiat anytime soon! He;'s just not as exciting to watch as he used to be!

James07 said:
Comedy performances?

Well worth Youtubing!

George Hincapie said:
Don't blame the lead out; he doesn't need a train and he is being beaten by riders without one. At some point Cav has to take responsibility for his crap sprinting and poor placement and fans have to stop making excuses. I am rapidly becoming frustrated with his failure to deliver.

Agree, I'm semi-hoping Cav shows more form later in the tour as he seems to be miss-firing at the moment. Unsure why, he's either trying too hard (probably) or OPQ are (also very probable). I always thought they were one of the best teams tactically, they seem to have thrown some tactics out the window this TDF.

PermaBanned said:
https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/tour-de-france/series-26

These are the highlights shows, roughly an hour long but they're pretty good for editing all the important bits plus interviews and obligatory Chris Boardman segments. http://cyclinghub.tv/ has the last 10km or so from each stage.

Thanks for that mate, although Boardman and that other joker do my nut in... Trying too hard to be funny like your dad trying to be 'down with the kids'. :rolleyes:

ITV footage has been ok it's just all the wasted time on stupid filler bits and pointless sponsorship/trumpet blowing that infuriates me! :rolleyes:

Bring back the BBC!

One More Solo · 9 Jul 2015 at 15:17

Vonhelmet said:
Someone on road.cc quipped that they should have tested his hematocrit levels at the same time, as by his argument they should be sky high.

Or as someone else suggested, since his drugs ban was down to drinking all night, maybe his drinking ban was somehow related to going on an EPO bender the night before?