2014 Pro-cycling season thread

^^yeah good result. With the time bonuses it's an extra shame he got out kicked for the stage win. Impressive that sky can have a real tilt at P-N and T-A at same time

First of all, let's get the flag-waving bit out of the way:
Two British riders wearing the Leader's jersey in World Tour events tomorrow.

I'm not getting involved in the Wiggo debate. I've read all of the above and agreed with each comment in turn. None of it is anti-Wiggins in my view. We all think Wiggins can do better. We all want Wiggins to do better. (except maybe Hippy who wants Cadel to do better)

Loads of great racing on at the moment.. The season has really come alive this week now that there is both daily action and still the one-offs of the classics. All the top contenders are on the road showing us what they have (or have not) got. Let's just enjoy that..

Oh, and we just passed 10million seconds until the Tour starts..

Bradley Wiggins to guest star on The Archers...
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/12/bradley-wiggins-the-archers-sport-relief

In today's cycling it's next to impossible to suddenly switch goals at short notice. I'm struggling to think of someone who's successfully done this in the past 5 years.

cuddles last year at the Giro. He came 3rd after only deciding to do it a couple of weeks before...?

It's the 12th of March, hardly time to be judging anyone's season just yet.

I reckon I could have a good stab at judging Andy Schleck's season.

He's out of contract at the end of the year so I predict a sudden resurgence and "finding of form" at the Vuelta. :|

OPQS awesome early season form continues with their TTT win in T-A. I wonder if there will be squabbling over team leadership, with both Uran and Kwiatowski riding.

I'd love Kwiatowski to dominate this race.

Kittel today then?

The TTT result certainly puts Kwiatowski in the box seat, with of course Uran, hence I'm wondering what OPQS tactics will be. Of course it puts them in a very strong position, but when push comes to shove who will get the nod?

Greipel and Cav are at T-A, Cav in the leader's jersey, he'll be wanting to throw down a marker

I like Kittel even more now;

:(

^^

He Tweeted:

I'm VERY sorry for throwing my beloved Giant Propel on the ground. I still love it! We're just having an intense relationship. #deepemotions

"Wiggo" will attend Ambridge to judge the winner of the village's Sport Relief charity event.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26557864

Actual WTF moment

Great racing from Dowsett today

I keep wanting a mad move like that to come off. Not holding back for the time trial

making up

Giant should be loving the publicity he's getting them. Someone give him a bonus.

Now they jsut need to release a PR saying they've x-rayed the bike and it's structurally sound and he will be riding the same frame.

They just happened to have an x ray machine with them? Right...

why is there any controversy over him throwing it?

because it's generally perceived as a spoiled brat thing to do I'd think. also: heat of the moment and big frustration over a missed sprint doesn't fit well with him being/posing as a reserved, polite guy and posterboy for positive and clean racing maybe?

They just happened to have an x ray machine with them? Right...

No. But your see my exaggeration, it's easy to swing the PR for Giant good.

Nothing wrong with heat of the moment action. He lost his chance to battle for a stage win, sprinters are meant to be hot headed. I've done worse in the heat of the moment.

There's only controversy because some bedwetters think that passion shouldn't be part of sport. Idiots like that should just be ignored.

I'm a fan of Kittel anyway, but he went up in my estimation yesterday. The fact that he can now take the piss out of himself has meant I'm now in full on man crush mode.

Still want to Cav to beat him though.

He went up in my estimation when he called out Sayer, got criticised for it by the internet anti-doping crusaders and then got proved right when Sayer was popped. A good man.

Good racing in Paris-Nice again, it's like a week long of classics

I like Kittel even more now;

I swear he clocks the car full of New bikes before committing to the smash.

Still. I agree. If he is as fast as he is, without being properly emotional involved. I'd be pissed at him.

Amazing