Pro cycling thread

[yermum]

https://www.tissottiming.com/2023/gfowch?day=219

Are these age groups? If so, fair fucks to over 80s

I did the Tour of Cambridgeshire (UCI amateur event) a few years ago as they had a vintage section - bicycles, not people. The most competitive age groups were the age 50+ and the average speeds were scary high.

Super Gentleman's age categories are the most competitive. Folks that started racing pre wiggins and the cycling explosion.

Can handle a bike in a bunch properly and know all the tricks.

I lined up against the V50 cx world champion a couple of seasons ago. he lapped me. Was very cool to see the rainbows in a central league race though!

[Jock42]

If anyone clocked a fat lad in black running alongside the time trick route. That was me.

[Slick]

If anyone clocked a fat lad in black running alongside the time trick route. That was me.

My apologies for calling you a cunt.




Jokes

[Jock42]

If anyone clocked a fat lad in black running alongside the time trick route. That was me.

My apologies for calling you a cunt.




Jokes

[Jim Lahey]

Fair play to the locals that let VDP take a dump in their house during the protest.

Having done many a cycle while needing a shit, I reckon it is worth a 10% improvement in performance

Hope he sends them a nice gift.

[Hugo]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... e-obituary

^Cycling fans, I have read a couple of books on athletics this summer by Richard Moore (tragically he passed away at the age of 49 last year). Anyway, he is a brilliant storyteller (truthfully I've never enjoyed someones writing as much as his) and his work is so well researched. Anyway, he was a cyclist and I think he has written a few books on the sport, I could not recommend him highly enough. I am sure you will not be disappointed if you buy one of his books on cycling.

[fishfoodie]

Carnage in the U23s race around the Glasgow circuit. The seniors will be won by whoever can stay upright for the duration, if it stays greasy

[GrahamWa]

Carnage in the U23s race around the Glasgow circuit. The seniors will be won by whoever can stay upright for the duration, if it stays greasy

The senior men's was last week. Women's senior tomorrow. You'd think they would have a tyre that would better cope with a damp surface or understand the conditions better and slow the fuck down for the corners.

[Blackmac]

Tom Pidcock masteclass in the Mountain Bike Cross Country

[fishfoodie]

Carnage in the U23s race around the Glasgow circuit. The seniors will be won by whoever can stay upright for the duration, if it stays greasy

The senior men's was last week. Women's senior tomorrow. You'd think they would have a tyre that would better cope with a damp surface or understand the conditions better and slow the fuck down for the corners.

Damn. I'd hoped it was this wkend.

[Guy Smiley]

Stage 3 of the Vuelta done and dusted after 2 days of horrendous rain wreaked havoc with the opening TTT seeing multiple crashes in almost darkness...

Evenepoel made the decisive break at the finish and crossed the line first, only to crash into a fucking journalist past the line resulting in a nasty looking cut to the head.

[Biffer]

Cav not retiring, having another crack at breaking the TdF record

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/66786721

[Jim Lahey]

Sickening crash in the Basque country.
Jonas looks fucked, Remco's collarbone looks broken and Roglic came off best but still looks battered. A few other cyclists in bits as well.

Feel sick after watching it. Hope its all just procautionary but Jonas and a Total Energie rider looked particularly bad.

Hope everyone recovers soon.

[Guy Smiley]

Holy shit... saw your post and did a quick search




that looks horrific.

EDIT

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/roa ... %2Ctwitter

Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard, and Primož Roglič all crashed Thursday in a horrific high-speed spill in stage 4 at Itzulia Basque Country.

Three of the peloton’s biggest stars were among several others who fell in a sweeping descent with about 35km to go in the stage.

One rider’s front tire appeared to slip out and caused a chain reaction behind. Roads were dry and it was not clear what might have provoked the high-speed chain reaction.

Evenepoel bounded off the pavement and fell into a wooded area. He later appeared walking and clutching his chest.

Roglič, who crashed heavily Wednesday, also fell into a what appeared to be a drainage ditch. He was later spotted walking to a team car, and drove away with a Bora-Hansgrohe team staffer.

Other riders fell into a cement drainage ditch and boulders that were alongside the roadway.

Worse off was two-time Tour de France winner Vingegaard, who was being attended to by medical staffers. The Visma-Lease a Bike star was placed into a stretcher with an oxygen mask, and transported into an ambulance.

[Jim Lahey]

I hope everyone is OK first and foremost, but that one crash could derail the whole cycling season. It doesn't look like either of the 3 look like they'll be back racing any time soon, especially Vinny.

The Giro was always likely to be a procession for Pogi, especially after WVA's crash last week. But now so does the TdF.

Jorgonnson, Bernal, Landa, Hindley, Carapaz etc., all need to make up a lot of ground to make it competitive.

[Marylandolorian]

I hope everyone is OK first and foremost, but that one crash could derail the whole cycling season. It doesn't look like either of the 3 look like they'll be back racing any time soon, especially Vinny.

The Giro was always likely to be a procession for Pogi, especially after WVA's crash last week. But now so does the TdF.

Jorgonnson, Bernal, Landa, Hindley, Carapaz etc., all need to make up a lot of ground to make it competitive.

Yes nasty, they ended on concrete blocks. Collarbone and broken rib for Vingegaard. Hoping I’ll be fine for the TDF and mainly for the Olympic Games (if he planned to participate in)

[fishfoodie]

Sounds like Jay Vine has the longest recovery time

Reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard suffered a broken collarbone and several broken ribs following a high-speed crash at the Itzulia Basque Country stage race.

Vingegaard, 27, was among several riders caught up in the incident which occurred on a bend on a descent.

Race leader Primoz Roglic and fellow Grand Tour winner Remco Evenepoel were also forced to abandon the race.

The remaining 35km of Thursday's fourth stage were neutralised.

Only the six riders in the front group contested the stage win, with Louis Meintjes taking victory.

"It's not the way you want to win," the South African said.

Meintjes' team Intermarche-Wanty said: "Our thoughts are with all the riders involved in the nasty crash. Safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, it's all that matters."

The crash occurred after one rider fell, leading to several others leaving the road. Ambulances attended the scene and Denmark's two-time Tour de France winner Vingegaard was taken away on a stretcher.

Team Visma-Lease a Bike said Vingegaard is stable and conscious but remains in hospital "as a precaution".

Belgian Evenepoel, the 2022 Vuelta a Espana winner, suffered a fracture to his right collarbone and his right scapula and will have an operation on his collarbone.

Also taken to hospital was UAE Team Emirates rider Jay Vine, whose medical director later confirmed had sustained cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/68729075

[Jim Lahey]

Christ. Bad times.

I've done my fair share of sportiffs like the Maratona and Mallorca, and I detested every second of descending. I'm fine if its just me, but with guys changing lanes all over the shop in front and behind you, it becomes very sketchy, especially when you chuck in some not very confident descenders (like me) into the mix.

Last year within about 30 seconds out of the tunnel at the top pf Puig Major, on the descent, I saw some lad in the rocks off the road covered in blood being seen to by a few medics. I took the next 14km of descending at a glacial speed thereafter . . . .

[fishfoodie]

Things go bad very, very quickly if you have an incident when descending, & it's usually dumb luck how it goes for you.

I was out on just a training run one day in the Dublin Mountains, & was rattling downhill at ~50mph when I saw 3-4 sheep on the RHS of the track, while I was over on the LHS; I expected them to go right if I startled them, & sure enough all but one did .....

I clipped the arse end of the one Ewe that decided to run in front of me, & because I was clipped in I did a cartwheel into the ditch on the LHS of he track, & was blessed that it's all boggy ground.

It took about half an hour before I stopped shaking enough to roll on, but by some miracle there wasn't a mark on me.

[Jim Lahey]

Things go bad very, very quickly if you have an incident when descending, & it's usually dumb luck how it goes for you.

I was out on just a training run one day in the Dublin Mountains, & was rattling downhill at ~50mph when I saw 3-4 sheep on the RHS of the track, while I was over on the LHS; I expected them to go right if I startled them, & sure enough all but one did .....

I clipped the arse end of the one Ewe that decided to run in front of me, & because I was clipped in I did a cartwheel into the ditch on the LHS of he track, & was blessed that it's all boggy ground.

It took about half an hour before I stopped shaking enough to roll on, but by some miracle there wasn't a mark on me.

Jesus, shit luck on that front!

I tend to take it easy on descents in the countryside as one of my commom routes goes past a farm on a descent, and frequently there'll be dogs out in the yard that are prone to running out onto the road ffs.

Best saving your gas for the uphill battles!

Back to the pro-level guys, there should hopefully be a more concious effort for the big teams to go full gas and attack on the uphills to ensure the safety of their GC guys and avoid large peletons on the descent, which might prove to make the racing more exciting.

[SaintK]

Sounds like Jay Vine has the longest recovery time

Reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard suffered a broken collarbone and several broken ribs following a high-speed crash at the Itzulia Basque Country stage race.

Vingegaard, 27, was among several riders caught up in the incident which occurred on a bend on a descent.

Race leader Primoz Roglic and fellow Grand Tour winner Remco Evenepoel were also forced to abandon the race.

The remaining 35km of Thursday's fourth stage were neutralised.

Only the six riders in the front group contested the stage win, with Louis Meintjes taking victory.

"It's not the way you want to win," the South African said.

Meintjes' team Intermarche-Wanty said: "Our thoughts are with all the riders involved in the nasty crash. Safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, it's all that matters."

The crash occurred after one rider fell, leading to several others leaving the road. Ambulances attended the scene and Denmark's two-time Tour de France winner Vingegaard was taken away on a stretcher.

Team Visma-Lease a Bike said Vingegaard is stable and conscious but remains in hospital "as a precaution".

Belgian Evenepoel, the 2022 Vuelta a Espana winner, suffered a fracture to his right collarbone and his right scapula and will have an operation on his collarbone.

Also taken to hospital was UAE Team Emirates rider Jay Vine, whose medical director later confirmed had sustained cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/68729075

Bloody hell. That all sounds horrific!!!

[Marylandolorian]

For years the team’s managers have been blaming the race organizers ( see this year Paris-Roubaix about the new chicane), but I also saw a lot of articles where the riders are blaming the riders for tacking too much risks.
yesterday crash

[Dinsdale Piranha]

For years the team’s managers have been blaming the race organizers ( see this year Paris-Roubaix about the new chicane), but I also saw a lot of articles where the riders are blaming the riders for tacking too much risks.
yesterday crash

Plenty of blame to go round on this one.

Most of the riders who crashed did so individually, it wasn't one rider crashing and everybody hitting him. They just all overcooked it - going too fast on a difficult corner. I believe somebody in the breakaway also failed to make it round the corner so you should be able to let the riders behind know to take it easy.

Working out that it's a dodgy corner should be the responsibility of the race organisers and teams scouting the route.

[yermum]

Surely the DS need to have scoped a bad corner like that and be warning the riders.

[Blackmac]

What a disasterous couple of weeks for cycling's top stars.

[fishfoodie]

What a disasterous couple of weeks for cycling's top stars.

and the Hell of the North to come tomorrow !

[Jim Lahey]

Really enjoyed Stage 6 today in the Basque country.
Was actually quite refreshing when there was no big dogs in contention. Some effort from Soller, shame he couldn't go the distance but fair fucks to him for helping Ayuso out.

[fishfoodie]

Gotta say, the crowds out for the ladies Paris-Roubaix today were brilliant, & those lucky enough to be in the velodrome were treated to a barnstorming finish !

[Jim Lahey]

Gotta say, the crowds out for the ladies Paris-Roubaix today were brilliant, & those lucky enough to be in the velodrome were treated to a barnstorming finish !

Ladies cycling is quality. Only saw the highlights of yesterday but watched the last hour of the Tour of Flanders last week. It was a lot of fun, not as calculated or premeditated as the men's imo. Girls just going all in and attacking all of the time

[Guy Smiley]

What a disasterous couple of weeks for cycling's top stars.

and the Hell of the North to come tomorrow !

I'd been thinking to post here last week about the golden era of cycling we are witnessing... been a bit awestruck by Mathieu van der Poel's efforts this year as I caught up with the CycloCross series as he went on his undefeated run there before taking that form onto the road and some sort of assault on the Monuments that has just been incredible to watch... then Wout van Aert went down fracturing ribs, a sternum and damaging a lung before the Big Three went tits up in the Basque country. It's been brutal everywhere... and MvdP is a Golden God of Brutality.

[Blackmac]

What a disasterous couple of weeks for cycling's top stars.

and the Hell of the North to come tomorrow !

I'd been thinking to post here last week about the golden era of cycling we are witnessing... been a bit awestruck by Mathieu van der Poel's efforts this year as I caught up with the CycloCross series as he went on his undefeated run there before taking that form onto the road and some sort of assault on the Monuments that has just been incredible to watch... then Wout van Aert went down fracturing ribs, a sternum and damaging a lung before the Big Three went tits up in the Basque country. It's been brutal everywhere... and MvdP is a Golden God of Brutality.

It's ridiculous to watch. There was only ever going to be one winner this afternoon, but it's noticeable that he is a lucky bastard as well. Rarely seems to get a mechanical or crash.

I suppose it's the old Lee Trevino saying, " the more I practice, the luckier I get"

[fishfoodie]

and the Hell of the North to come tomorrow !

I'd been thinking to post here last week about the golden era of cycling we are witnessing... been a bit awestruck by Mathieu van der Poel's efforts this year as I caught up with the CycloCross series as he went on his undefeated run there before taking that form onto the road and some sort of assault on the Monuments that has just been incredible to watch... then Wout van Aert went down fracturing ribs, a sternum and damaging a lung before the Big Three went tits up in the Basque country. It's been brutal everywhere... and MvdP is a Golden God of Brutality.

It's ridiculous to watch. There was only ever going to be one winner this afternoon, but it's noticeable that he is a lucky bastard as well. Rarely seems to get a mechanical or crash.

I suppose it's the old Lee Trevino saying, " the more I practice, the luckier I get"

Race craft & bike handling; it's one of the reasons why you get Classics specialists who'll never grace the podium of a GT, but they're hard bastards who can do a job in a Classic

[Jim Lahey]

Bit of a boring P-R yesterday. Basically if VdP is involved in a classic, the rest of the field are fucked Doubt even WVA would've been able to put up much of a fight yesterday.

Likely to be similar for the rest of the year on the road with Pogi. I love watching Tadej, but there needs to be some jeopardy with Vinny, Remco or A.N. Other to make it fun.

[Guy Smiley]

I didn't watch the race as usual, it's overnight my time.

As for boring... I guess so when one rider is dominant but it IS Roubaix and anything can happen anytime. Meanwhile, there is something absolutely glorious about the season MvdP is having... watching him in the CX series was impressive for the sheer power he was showing along with the control he has of a bike when it's dancing around. He's showing that same power in the Monuments. Watch the way his pedal stroke urges the bike forward. He's on another plane right now, it's fantastic to see.

[clydecloggie]

I was on the Trouee d'Arenberg yesterday. The speed with which MvdP and the other lead riders tackle it is simply ridiculous. i arrived well on time and walked the cobbles in my hiking boots - slipped away a few times. Then an hour later these riders come barreling past at 55 km/h without a care in the world.

The last rider on the road, right in front of the broom wagon, was already so fucked that he rode through the grass and the moment he had to go back on the cobbles, he dismounted and walked. A reminder of how brutal a race it is.

Then went to the Velodrome to join in the heroes' welcome for every single rider completing the course. Awesome atmosphere. Great day out.

[Jim Lahey]

I was on the Trouee d'Arenberg yesterday. The speed with which MvdP and the other lead riders tackle it is simply ridiculous. i arrived well on time and walked the cobbles in my hiking boots - slipped away a few times. Then an hour later these riders come barreling past at 55 km/h without a care in the world.

The last rider on the road, right in front of the broom wagon, was already so fucked that he rode through the grass and the moment he had to go back on the cobbles, he dismounted and walked. A reminder of how brutal a race it is.

Then went to the Velodrome to join in the heroes' welcome for every single rider completing the course. Awesome atmosphere. Great day out.

Awesome

Would love to see it live some day. Or Flanders.

[Blackmac]

I didn't watch the race as usual, it's overnight my time.

As for boring... I guess so when one rider is dominant but it IS Roubaix and anything can happen anytime. Meanwhile, there is something absolutely glorious about the season MvdP is having... watching him in the CX series was impressive for the sheer power he was showing along with the control he has of a bike when it's dancing around. He's showing that same power in the Monuments. Watch the way his pedal stroke urges the bike forward. He's on another plane right now, it's fantastic to see.

To be fair. The race was far from boring. As usual full of incident and drama. Unfortunately MVDP and his team were totally in charge from the get go and once he went it was a foregone conclusion.

[Slick]

Fantastic end to le tour yesterday. Had the wife and kids moaning at me most of the time I was watching then the 4 of us screaming at the TV for the last 5 minutes.

[Guy Smiley]

Fantastic end to le tour yesterday. Had the wife and kids moaning at me most of the time I was watching then the 4 of us screaming at the TV for the last 5 minutes.

Again, I'm in the wrong timezone and relying on highlights packages... but that was a fairytale finish. Beyond scripting, just a magical way for day one to unfold and WvA taking the bunch sprint for third is icing on the cake.

[Blackmac]

Fantastic end to le tour yesterday. Had the wife and kids moaning at me most of the time I was watching then the 4 of us screaming at the TV for the last 5 minutes.

Again, I'm in the wrong timezone and relying on highlights packages... but that was a fairytale finish. Beyond scripting, just a magical way for day one to unfold and WvA taking the bunch sprint for third is icing on the cake.

Don't think I have ever seen a more brutal first stage. Reminded my of the Yorkshire stages with constant sharp climbs.
You have to wonder if someone wanted to sabotage Cav's record attempt on the first day.