The Cycling Thread

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Props to Jens for setting the hour record.

 

[Fighter]

Great way to end an amazing career, congrats Jens!

 

[The Imp]

I admire Jens for being outgoing and outspoken, and ever highly entertaining on and off the bike.

However, it does not quite feel right that he holds the record. I think we all agree that Tony Martin in form would destroy his time?

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I admire Jens for being outgoing and outspoken, and ever highly entertaining on and off the bike.

However, it does not quite feel right that he holds the record. I think we all agree that Tony Martin in form would destroy his time?

Probably. But good for Jens to get in there and set the record first. Guys have been talking about that record for a long time and nobody has attempted it. I don't mind Jens doing it. He will forever be in the record book as a one time holder of the record. I'm OK with that. It's almost as if he sets the current mark as a domestique for Fabian or Tony to give them a target to shoot for. A fitting end to his career.

 

[The Imp]

Sold. Good way of looking at it.

 

[Fighter]

What's new is that Marianne Vos DIDN'T win the World Championship at Ponferrada. Crazy finish, Ferrand-Prevot new world champ, Brennauer silver, Johansson bronze. Bronzini only fourth

 

[Fighter]

Congrats Miko, great, intelligent race.

Valverde is among the biggest losers EVER in the history of cycling: the guy will NEVER win anything notable. Boy, yet ANOTHER chokejob from him.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Valverde is among the biggest losers EVER in the history of cycling: the guy will NEVER win anything notable. Boy, yet ANOTHER chokejob from him.

He has won 2 LBL as well as 1 grand tour and dozens of victories in classics and grand tour stages, anyway I get what you say.

It is a shame that the most talented rider in the past 20 years will never dress the rainbow jersey, this was his last chance, and he didn't seize it. If only his cycling IQ were up to his legs...

 

[Fighter]

He has won 2 LBL as well as 1 grand tour and dozens of victories in classics and grand tour stages, anyway I get what you say.

It is a shame that the most talented rider in the past 20 years will never dress the rainbow jersey, this was his last chance, and he didn't seize it. If only his cycling IQ were up to his legs...

2 LBLs and the Vuelta are the notable wins I give him, even though the latter smells of doping (whatever, I don't want to open a can of worms once again) and that's a PITYFUL palmares for such a talented cyclist.
You nailed it, this guy, along with Filippo Pozzato, are the most talented riders I've seen in the past 10+ years but the IQ is comparable to a rock. I cannot count how many times these guys have finished 2nd, 3rd or 4th in their career, geez...
Valverde in particular has been the favourite to win the rainbow jersey countless times because he can win EVERYWHERE, but every single time there's someone who beats him.
Total waste of talent.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Sagan is also trending that way this year... favourite everywhere but barely wins

I do expect an unreal season coming from Sagan with oleg though

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Sagan is also trending that way this year... favourite everywhere but barely wins

I do expect an unreal season coming from Sagan with oleg though

It will be interesting to see what kind of support Tinkoff gives him in the classics. And if they do, how well he adapts to having and utilizing a team. I'm not sure he has much experience working with teammates. Having a good DS/coach could be very beneficial to him.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Valverde

 

[Fighter]

Daniel Martin surprised everybody in the last 600 metres and won an exciting Giro di Lombardia.

Guess who came in second place? Valverde...

 

[Fighter]

Valverde

Told you so

 

[Vasilevskiy]

The ending was pitiful.
Valverde is an idiot, simple as that

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Samu Sanchez also with a golden performance

 

[Fighter]

Samu Sanchez also with a golden performance

No, he was trying his chances and at the same time helping Gilbert: it didn't work, **** happens. Still, favourites in a sprint were Albasini and Valverde and they failed.

 

[HighAndTight]

Finally caught Slaying The Badger on netflix. What a fascinating watch.

I can see it from both sides, but what really got me was how full of **** Paul Koechli seemed.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Finally caught Slaying The Badger on netflix. What a fascinating watch.

I can see it from both sides, but what really got me was how full of **** Paul Koechli seemed.

Was that Hinault's DS? If I remember, he did sound like he was completely full of **** most of the time.

BTW, for those interested it (Slaying the Badger) can be found on youtube for free.

 

[HighAndTight]

Was that Hinault's DS? If I remember, he did sound like he was completely full of **** most of the time.

BTW, for those interested it (Slaying the Badger) can be found on youtube for free.

Yeah that was him.

[SPOIL] I can obviously see why LeMond was pissed I get it and agree, but you can also see he knew in the back of his head that was just the kind of guy Hinault was. If he saw the opportunity, especially with something like a 6th maillot jaune, he would do anything to win.[/SPOIL]

 

[Vasilevskiy]

I don't know what's more impressive...

if the Froome/Contador duel already in february
or
the two out of this world sprints that Lobato gave us... those sprints reminded me of Sagan or Valverde in their best moments... just unreal

 

[The Imp]

+1 Vasi. Both Lobato's sprints and the Berti-Vroom duels were - hopefully - harbingers of a great season to come.

 

[Fighter]

I'm having very bad feelings watching Pozzovivo lying down... Shades of the poor Wouter Weylandt...

It seems he's moving though. Get well Domenico!

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Seems Pozzovivo is out of danger... that was a very very very scary moment

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I just finished watching the race. That was a scary thing to see him motionless on the ground. Reminded me a bit of Beloki in the tour back in the LA era.

Hope he makes a full and healthy recovery.