The professional cycling thread
Discussion
There have been noises about moving off the TdF thread to a more generic one, and this seems like a good place to start*.
Wiggins announces he will return to the track after the 2014 season.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23754381
Reasonably magnanimous by his standards. Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.
Personally a shade confused by people on other threads saying Sky wouldn't pick him as there are better riders in the squad - I find it very hard to believe he is the 8th or 9th best rider Sky have. Of course he can't climb like Froome, but he has the wallop to put in some valuable stints on the front, and also is a real engine for the TTT (if there is one in 2014).
Wiggins announces he will return to the track after the 2014 season.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23754381
Reasonably magnanimous by his standards. Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.
Personally a shade confused by people on other threads saying Sky wouldn't pick him as there are better riders in the squad - I find it very hard to believe he is the 8th or 9th best rider Sky have. Of course he can't climb like Froome, but he has the wallop to put in some valuable stints on the front, and also is a real engine for the TTT (if there is one in 2014).
- awaits zero responses as the other thread rumbles on!
Vocal Minority said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23754381
Reasonably magnanimous by his standards. Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.
Personally a shade confused by people on other threads saying Sky wouldn't pick him as there are better riders in the squad - I find it very hard to believe he is the 8th or 9th best rider Sky have. Of course he can't climb like Froome, but he has the wallop to put in some valuable stints on the front, and also is a real engine for the TTT (if there is one in 2014).
The BBC are quoting from an interview in The Times....he comes across as being very magnanimous in that article. He himself says he may not get picked for le Tour next year. Reasonably magnanimous by his standards. Would like to see him get one more Tour completion under his belt.
Personally a shade confused by people on other threads saying Sky wouldn't pick him as there are better riders in the squad - I find it very hard to believe he is the 8th or 9th best rider Sky have. Of course he can't climb like Froome, but he has the wallop to put in some valuable stints on the front, and also is a real engine for the TTT (if there is one in 2014).
- awaits zero responses as the other thread rumbles on!
Coverage of USA Pro Challenge 7 day stage race in the Rockies is live on Eurosport now. Froome riding much to the excitement of my British Cyclocross-racing mate who now lives in Boulder.
The Tour of Britain looks like another good route following last year, I'll be out on stage 5 somewhere north of Merthyr. Its certainly a lumpy route, stages 4, 5 and 6 have some good climbs which will encourage attacks.
I'd love to see a major one day race in the UK to rival the Spring Classics, we could have an awesome race through Yorkshire and over the dales or through the Lake District over crappy badly maintained roads to replicate cobbles, the weather would be atrocious and the Belgians would love it!
Tour of Britain teams entered are:
UCI Pro Teams
Cannondale Pro Cycling (Ita)
Garmin - Sharp (USA)
Movistar (Spa)
Omega Pharma - Quick Step (Bel)
Sky Pro Cycling (GBr)
UCI Pro Continental Teams
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox (Ita)
IAM Cycling (Swi)
MTN Qhubeka p.b Samsung (RSA)
Sojasun (Fra)
Team NetApp Endura (Ger)
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)
UCI Continental Teams
AN Post Chain Reaction (Irl)
Madison Genesis (GBr)
Node4 Giordana Racing (GBr)
Rapha Condor JLT (GBr)
Team IG Sigma Sport (GBr)
Team Raleigh (GBr)
Team UK Youth (GBr)
National Teams
Great Britain (GBr)
I'd love to see a major one day race in the UK to rival the Spring Classics, we could have an awesome race through Yorkshire and over the dales or through the Lake District over crappy badly maintained roads to replicate cobbles, the weather would be atrocious and the Belgians would love it!
Tour of Britain teams entered are:
UCI Pro Teams
Cannondale Pro Cycling (Ita)
Garmin - Sharp (USA)
Movistar (Spa)
Omega Pharma - Quick Step (Bel)
Sky Pro Cycling (GBr)
UCI Pro Continental Teams
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox (Ita)
IAM Cycling (Swi)
MTN Qhubeka p.b Samsung (RSA)
Sojasun (Fra)
Team NetApp Endura (Ger)
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)
UCI Continental Teams
AN Post Chain Reaction (Irl)
Madison Genesis (GBr)
Node4 Giordana Racing (GBr)
Rapha Condor JLT (GBr)
Team IG Sigma Sport (GBr)
Team Raleigh (GBr)
Team UK Youth (GBr)
National Teams
Great Britain (GBr)
Of course years ago there was a race (if my memory serves me correctly) called the Wincanton Classic (spelling?). It ran from the early to mid 90's and was part of the then world cup round of races. Died a death, don't know why. Yes a classic would be nice in the UK, but it won't happen, regardless of the prominence Froome, Wiggins and Cav have brought to the public fore. Far too many nimbys in your country for the race ever to be held.
On a side note, really loving the US Pro Challenge - scenery is fantastic and brilliant commentary by Rob and Maggie.
On a side note, really loving the US Pro Challenge - scenery is fantastic and brilliant commentary by Rob and Maggie.
mcelliott said:
Of course years ago there was a race (if my memory serves me correctly) called the Wincanton Classic (spelling?). It ran from the early to mid 90's and was part of the then world cup round of races. Died a death, don't know why. Yes a classic would be nice in the UK, but it won't happen, regardless of the prominence Froome, Wiggins and Cav have brought to the public fore. Far too many nimbys in your country for the race ever to be held.
On a side note, really loving the US Pro Challenge - scenery is fantastic and brilliant commentary by Rob and Maggie.
We have now got the Surrey classic, which seems to be set to be establishing itself nicely. I don't think it's a huge stretch to set up a few more, gradually - we've got some fantastic countryside and I think public opinion, sponsorship etc would back it now - NIMBYs notwithstanding.On a side note, really loving the US Pro Challenge - scenery is fantastic and brilliant commentary by Rob and Maggie.
pablo said:
I'd love to see a major one day race in the UK to rival the Spring Classics, we could have an awesome race through Yorkshire and over the dales or through the Lake District over crappy badly maintained roads to replicate cobbles, the weather would be atrocious and the Belgians would love it!
+1Although a bit too much focus IMO is spent on trying to have a glamorous headline in event in London town, see the recent Surrey classic, as great as it is to see another race come to the UK I don't really think a quick blast to Box Hill and back is really worthy of a classic status.
Hopefully the stages 1 & 2 of the TdF will show the appetite and potential for a 'genuine' classics stage.
I think it would get a better reaction in the North personally, no disrespect to the Southern cyclists but I honestly dont think there would be much local protest if there was a classic-esque race in the Dales each year.
The Surrey Classic/Ride London needs to change its route to not annoy the NIMBYs, the organsiers could easily take the route west through Berkshire one year, North East into Essex the next, then back through Surrey. Sadly we really do need to consider teh locals in all this even if it is just one weekend per year.
Sonmeone wrote recently that the French towns PAY to host the TdF whereas here they complain bitterly if they are held up behind a rolling road block for the ToB!!!! things wont change for a while.
The Surrey Classic/Ride London needs to change its route to not annoy the NIMBYs, the organsiers could easily take the route west through Berkshire one year, North East into Essex the next, then back through Surrey. Sadly we really do need to consider teh locals in all this even if it is just one weekend per year.
Sonmeone wrote recently that the French towns PAY to host the TdF whereas here they complain bitterly if they are held up behind a rolling road block for the ToB!!!! things wont change for a while.
A Lakes classic would be great (slight bias as I'm from there) or similar events in Scotland/Wales/Ireland/Yorkshire (mini series?).
Any of these could offer a more spectacular race and disrupt fewer people than London/Surrey.
On the subject of Wiggins, I'd love to see him sign off by going head to head with Cancellara (and maybe Martin?) to challenge for the Athletes Hour record.
That would be the kind of spectacle that could potentially overshadow a Grand Tour victory. Great for the riders, sponsors, public and the sport.
Exactly the kind of single minded challenge I could see Wiggins excelling at too..
Any of these could offer a more spectacular race and disrupt fewer people than London/Surrey.
On the subject of Wiggins, I'd love to see him sign off by going head to head with Cancellara (and maybe Martin?) to challenge for the Athletes Hour record.
That would be the kind of spectacle that could potentially overshadow a Grand Tour victory. Great for the riders, sponsors, public and the sport.
Exactly the kind of single minded challenge I could see Wiggins excelling at too..
Interesting chat on Eurosport about hydraulic brakes on road bikes. Magnus saying he's never felt under-braked. Also Jens Voigt's bike fitted with under-chainstay rear caliper - that was old school when I started riding 25 years ago! Apparently it allows a little more flex in the seatstays for increased comfort without significant performance loss.
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