Pro Cycling Discussion Thread 2015

I just cannot bring myself to accept Astana over the tour, and Aru over the past few days. I almost want to say it's just pure comedy.....
 
Tbh there were very few straight up dull stages. There were no "easy" days, which meant that most of the peloton were absolutely drained in the last three days. Quite fun to watch really :p

Anyone been catching ITV's coverage of the Pearl Izumi tour series? Actually quite good. There are a lot of things ITV does better than eurosport...
 
All of the stages were great. Even the pan flat "sprinter" stages I wasn't fussed about watching I even enjoyed them.

Stage 20 over the Cima Coppi where Contador gets dropped was awesome. As was Mortirollo stage where Contador guns it from mins behind Astana, catches them and sails on through. Amazing!

Hesjedal is a beast! Exactly as you say, never amounted to much form wise after hitting the top with the Giro win, but the last week of the Giro he was my favourite rider. He's all tough guy, grit and determination. Great to watch.
 
I did feel Aru was too good given his age, I don't think Astana will last. Contador again peerless but i'm not 100% convinced he is completely without help either. I was disappointed for Porte.
 
SoliD said:
Took drugs for the Giro, then stopped when he went to Slipstream I believe, but didn't come out when everyone else did.
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Slightly misleading. He admitted doping earlier in his career but there was no suggestion of this being the case when he won the Giro at which time he was riding for Vaughters in the Garmin Sharp team. He then had a bad season with injury caused in the Tour and has taken some time to find his form. I like him.

For a big guy he climbs pretty well and always looks to attack. He also has played key domestique roles in helping the likes of Dan Martin win big races and stages. The Giro he won didn't have the most stellar field but the way he took it from Purito (I think) was very impressive.

This years Giro showed a lot of fortitude as he recovered from a bad start to take fifth. For me that's credible and is enough to suggest that his win in 2012 was not a one off fluke. As for doping well lets face it, who knows - you'd like to think that Garmin were one of the cleaner teams.
 
Calpol said:
Slightly misleading. He admitted doping earlier in his career but there was no suggestion of this being the case when he won the Giro at which time he was riding for Vaughters in the Garmin Sharp team. He then had a bad season with injury caused in the Tour and has taken some time to find his form. I like him.

For a big guy he climbs pretty well and always looks to attack. He also has played key domestique roles in helping the likes of Dan Martin win big races and stages. The Giro he won didn't have the most stellar field but the way he took it from Purito (I think) was very impressive.

This years Giro showed a lot of fortitude as he recovered from a bad start to take fifth. For me that's credible and is enough to suggest that his win in 2012 was not a one off fluke. As for doping well lets face it, who knows - you'd like to think that Garmin were one of the cleaner teams.
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Agreed it was a bit sensationalist, and I quite like the bloke, should not be doing what he is doing with his stature, and Garmin do come across as one of the better teams in the peloton that is for sure.
 
Great weekend for British Cycling

Wiggins Hour
Pete Kennaugh wins the 1st stage of the Dauphine (great solo escape in the last few KM)
Lizzie Armitstead wins the Philly Classic
Rachel Atherton wins the World Cup DH at Fort William

:cool:

By the way, ITV4 is showing live coverage and highlights of the Dauphine this week
 
#Chri5# said:
Great weekend for British Cycling

Wiggins Hour
Pete Kennaugh wins the 1st stage of the Dauphine (great solo escape in the last few KM)
Lizzie Armitstead wins the Philly Classic
Rachel Atherton wins the World Cup DH at Fort William

:cool:

By the way, ITV4 is showing live coverage and highlights of the Dauphine this week
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It's good having the ITV highlights on, as they're actually highlights, unlike Eurosport, that just play back the last 80-90 minutes. It's just trying to avoid the result until 7 that's the problem.

Great win by Kennaugh to break and finish it off, looking strong!
 
SoliD said:
It's good having the ITV highlights on, as they're actually highlights, unlike Eurosport, that just play back the last 80-90 minutes. It's just trying to avoid the result until 7 that's the problem.

Great win by Kennaugh to break and finish it off, looking strong!
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That was a great ride by Kennaugh - he had no right to win even think about winning that stage. Brilliant that he rode it the way he did and had the zip to get away and the endurance to hold off the pack. Interesting to hear Dave Millar doing his bit of co-commentary on ITV.

for me that win was better than Wiggins #myhour b*****ks. I respect what Brad has achieved but I don't really like him and watching someone ride round in a circle for an hour isn't entertainment - it was marginally less processional than the F1!
 
Yes I enjoyed that latest edition. It confirms my fears over a lot of what we saw at the Giro. 6 Astana riders in the top 25 says it all really. The problem is that the sport hovers close to financial meltdown all the time and the UCI doesn't have funds to fight a state sponsored sports team or a Russian oligarch. If they do suspend on anything other than cast iron case they will end up in CAS and spunking millions fighting the dopers.

The tour will be interesting but I doubt you can believe any of its real!
 
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