Pro Cycling Discussion Thread 2015

Berger · 13 Apr 2015 at 08:50

Jonny69 said:
I was disappointed with Wiggins' performance. I thought he was holding back to make a planned break which he looked like he did at the 30km point, but he didn't or couldn't stick with it. It was probably a blow losing Geraint Thomas, but the other guys weren't relying on team-mates for their positions.

When he had two riders bridge to him who would just sit on there was no point in continuing. He seemed to ride well, early on I was worried he was a bit far back in the bunch but he was at the pointy end when it mattered.

Giant got it right with their tactics, having a rider there to help JD bridge over to the lead pair worked, then having the fastest guy there at the end to win!

Sounds easy, but I didn't see Giant doing much work all day, it seemed to be EQS always on the front trying to cause a split. When a group of 13 or so favourites formed with maybe 50-60km to go I thought that was the winning move (with no Wiggo in it) but it came back together.

Calpol · 13 Apr 2015 at 08:50

One More Solo said:
Not a classic Roubaix by any means, again not helped by the weather. Good ride from Degenkolb and Rowe was impressive too. One for the future perhaps.

A bit harsh. I thought it was a great edition of the race and really enjoyed it. Ok it would have been more exciting if the parcours was sodden but we did see some fantastic racing. Wiggins acquitted himself credibly. Lets face it - he is not an explosive rider than can make an effort and drop people. He tried and got reeled in but at least he tried. Importantly he had a clear ride without any incident unlike "crasher" Thomas who yet again saw his chances fade with a moments inattention. It happens too often with Geraint and he could be so much better if he eliminated these seemingly avoidable spills.

Kudos to Luke Rowe also who has shown great strength at the front of the peloton over the last few weeks.

Degenkolbs victory was sweet. He solo reigned in the two men that were up the road with 5km to go. You can't underestimate just how hard that is to do - seriously its hard to close a gap of 80m but when you are riding at 45kmph and have 250km in your legs across the pave. Its just awesome. I bet on Boom again and whilst he was in the final there was only going to be one winner. Degs seems a fantastic bloke and its brilliant to see him and Kristoff emerge as successors to Boonen and Cancellara.

All in all a great race. COmpared to the F1 earlier - no contest.

GSVBagpuss · 13 Apr 2015 at 11:47

Wiggins should never have talked himself up like he did. The only way he could win was going from further out for me, like Boonen going from 50kms out. That attack needed to be from a smaller group though with less super-domestiques to grab his wheel but the bunch was too big. Sky burnt Bernie early bringing G back from his crash which may have hurt them.

Luke Rowe is a hitter - really hope he can get some race leadership opportunities next season.

Calpol said:
He solo reigned in the two men that were up the road with 5km to go. You can't underestimate just how hard that is to do - seriously its hard to close a gap of 80m but when you are riding at 45kmph and have 250km in your legs across the pave.

Completely agree- he was just far too strong for everyone yesterday

PermaBanned · 13 Apr 2015 at 12:19

It's like he said in one of the pre-race interviews, if this was a time trial he could win it. But rarely have sky won through wit and tactics.

Vonhelmet · 13 Apr 2015 at 13:01

Kamerad said:
Insanity on level crossing on Paris-Roubaix.

They should fine the riders who jumped the barriers. Completely stupid behaviour.

Thomas. PLease. · 13 Apr 2015 at 15:50

EDIT - Wrong thread

xdcx · 19 Apr 2015 at 10:06

Amstel Gold - heads up!!

1400 - Eurposport - http://www.steephill.tv/classics/amstel-gold-race/

One More Solo · 19 Apr 2015 at 13:11

Calpol said:
All in all a great race. COmpared to the F1 earlier - no contest.

It was a great ride from Degenkolb but the rest of the race didn't grab me like some editions have.

I want to like Degenkolb but the unzipped jersey, pornstar tache and horrible nodding dog sprinting style are just so bad.

SoliD · 20 Apr 2015 at 09:28

Good finish in the Amstel Gold yesterday, nice few attacks in the last few K and a good sprint in the end.

xdcx · 20 Apr 2015 at 13:24

SoliD said:
Good finish in the Amstel Gold yesterday, nice few attacks in the last few K and a good sprint in the end.

Very entertaining race. Some of the pinch points going into the populated areas were properly cringe!

A superb and deserved win though for Kwiatkowski, watching him on the last few climbs over 30km he just looked on form and easy, could tell he was contending it from quite early on and he finished great :cool:

Calpol · 20 Apr 2015 at 14:25

xdcx said:
Very entertaining race. Some of the pinch points going into the populated areas were properly cringe!

A superb and deserved win though for Kwiatkowski, watching him on the last few climbs over 30km he just looked on form and easy, could tell he was contending it from quite early on and he finished great

It was ok as races go. I actually had a couple of pounds on Kwiatkowski as I thought it suited him well and he has shown good form this season. Gilbert did his usual attack at the bottom of the Cauberg. Can't blame him as its worked so many times before. The main contenders were quite well positioned on the run in and this made for a contested last 2km.

Got to love Nibbles for having a go, might have been better if he hadn't lost his team mate in that crash. He will try again at LBL no doubt. He might be in a dodgy team but he is a racer and always tries something.

Berger · 22 Apr 2015 at 10:22

A good behind the scenes for the spring classics explaining what the podium girls do, a bloody lot as it turns out, organising most of the VIP and behind the scenes stuff.

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/04/beyond-the-podium/

xdcx · 2 May 2015 at 20:14

TDY has been good viewing past 2 days, stage 1 was awesome over last 10km.

ToR has been insanely wet past 2 days. Queen stage today was a beast, the final climb to the finish is all I have seen coverage wise and that did not look fun for those guys. Was sad to see Froome settle and not put in an attack in the final few KM's, he is looking strong.

dodg3rman · 2 May 2015 at 21:53

xdcx said:
TDY has been good viewing past 2 days, stage 1 was awesome over last 10km.

ToR has been insanely wet past 2 days. Queen stage today was a beast, the final climb to the finish is all I have seen coverage wise and that did not look fun for those guys. Was sad to see Froome settle and not put in an attack in the final few KM's, he is looking strong.

Cracking days racing yesterday , thoroughly enjoyed them having a proper dust up without the teams controlling things. Did you see Kittel so far back the road closures had finished and he was cutting in and out of traffic going both ways ? Dodging the old folks on their Sunday outings

Havnt seen any of the ToR but just read that Froomey struggled up that last climb setting his own pace again.

FrenchTart · 2 May 2015 at 22:14

Edit: gah, wrong thread.

Berger · 14 May 2015 at 08:13

How is this on page 2!

Great to see the Giro favourites getting down to business so soon.

Sagan blew everyone away in the TOC finish too!

Thomas. PLease. · 14 May 2015 at 09:04

Didn't manage to keep my eyes open long enough to watch the ToC finish last night. Have managed every stage up until then.

Caught up on the Giro this morning, awesome finish with the main protagonists already going at it. Still I think they all looked pretty comfortable up the climb with the exception of Aru who looked liked he was killing himself, don't think any of them were near full gas.

touch · 14 May 2015 at 09:35

Thomas. PLease. said:
Still I think they all looked pretty comfortable up the climb with the exception of Aru who looked liked he was killing himself, don't think any of them were near full gas.

Maybe just suffering from the day before? Aru looked stronger than the others and pushed on quite hard. Both Contador and Porte looked like they were struggling.
Looking forward to some big hills!

SoliD · 15 May 2015 at 15:55

Just catching up on the last couple of days, fantastic stage on Wednesday in the Giro, hopefully tomorrow and Sunday will give us some real fireworks. Surprised by how much Uran is off the pace, he isn't as strong as Contador/Porte, but didn't think he would be that far behind.

ToC, great win by skujns sp? and Sagan timed to perfection on that little lump. Can't believe how wet it was on yesterdays stage!

Just watching this afternoons Giro live!

dodg3rman · 15 May 2015 at 17:27

Very steady day today in the Giro , seemed like everyone was happy to pootle along. I guess its all gonna kick off big time tomorrow with the top boys testing out Contadors shoulder.

Incidently i've got £15 on Porte so come on geezer