Pro-cycling thread

Orica is best place for them. At sky they would have been cannon fodder and ended up like Dombrowski or Edmonson. With OGE they can do their own thing as they're good enough and not get burned out riding tempo.

They can move to Sky once they're established GC riders. They'll get much more support there than at Ulrika-Greenedge.

Yeah yeah. But even then I don't see them going to sky. I think sky is a death team for a lot of riders really.

I agree, and I'd rather see them riding free there than being subdued at sky. Also agree about your sky death team comment below... Quote a few examples of that.
.But sky definitely missed out on a ruddy good opportunity when they didn't take them both

Sky have goals that only 3 or 4 other teams can realistically achieve, so someone who'd be a team leader elsewhere (Konig, Henao, Porte and, arguably, even Roche and Kennaugh) gets a domestique role at Sky.

I think the Yates brothers could move there in the future, especially if they become genuine GC contenders for the Grand Tours.

Of course some riders don't fit, but I think Luke Rowe and Ian Boswell have both shown this year that you can develop as a rider at Sky even if you join as a neo-pro.

My love for Taylor grows and grows. Best article I've read in a long time.

Shane Stokes interviews taylor for Cycling tips

Sounds like it's all kicking off at the Dauphine today, with Nibali, Froome and others all on the attack. No TV coverage yet though, which pretty much guarantees that it'll all calm down before then.

Yeah luke rowe is a massive talent. Shown some big class this year. You're right.

And Tony Martin riding that Cat 1 mountain hard (with the other escapees) - extending the lead to 3:10 to the peloton

Love it when Martin gets let off the leash

Why Eurosport why can't you show the live coverage!!

Doubt it's ES's fault, it'll be ASO's cameras/broadcast won't it?

Mr Nibbles, Valverde, Rui Costa and Tony Martin in a breakaway?

French Eurosport is live. It's pissing down. The break has 2.45.

ES is on now.

Stage like today though, means we miss lots of the action by only starting coverage for last 40k

Sky aren't chasing at all. Come on Gallopin!

And finally they are. Jalabert makes that nasal French "aaannn" noise.

Have sky lost their drive / sparkle or has everyone else just caught up?

Did you see yesterday's finale?

"Une etape absolutement Dantesque"

How the fuck does a break like that get away?

Go on Yates. I don't know which one it is.

It's Simon.

Valverde nailed to win this.

Benoot with the Froome group. Impressive. I thought he was someone for when it was flat and cold.

Roman baths.

Yates up to 4th on GC.

Rui Costa has Valverde's number. He's also the best rider in the world in June.