Pro-cycling thread

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I'm not sure what I think about GVA. Last year was a bit weird having him racing, but his anger made exciting races. I wonder if that'll change this year.

Tanks do well in classics. This ain't the mountains.

My money's on rider #0, seems to offer the best odds.

likewise, I noticed his name on there and thought the same...

FDJ's Olivier le Gac should bring a certain sparkling energy to the race.

I reckon he'll win by a nose.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/roger-de-vlaeminck-van-avermaet-is-the-rider-i-like-the-most/

Roger de Vlaeminck coming across as the Fred Trueman of cycling.

Kristoff is going to win a few in the next six weeks. Hopefully Sagan will entertain.

A year too soon for Luke Rowe maybe but reckon he's got a decent sub-monument win in him.

I really want Vanmarcke to win one - surely he can't keep being so unlucky.

Think I've named enough that one of them will come off.

I won't bet my money on but Drucker is another one to follow.

Yeah good having a UK pro conti team. With being all the best in the world and all, shit we didn't have one.

Theuns and Stuyven from Trek are both young and could surprise.

This is just too early for Sagan, he's only had a weeks holiday in San Luis so far this season.

Ettix are as always super strong but this might be a bit early for them, that said, if big Tony wants a leadership role in Flanders and Roubaix he's gonna need to do something special, I wouldn't put it past him to just time trial away from a group of 20.

Other than that I can't see past Kristoff, super strong team around him who have all been together in Dubai and Oman showing great form

Ettix are as always super strong but this might be a bit early for them

Surely this, and the following races, are goals for their season?

Yes, but most of that team they've fielded will be aiming for Flanders/Roubaix and most will be peaking in a month's time for them rather than now, as it generally is one or the other. Stannard is missing Omloop this year for that reason.

I still think they'll have at least three riders in the final selection but I'm not sure if any of those three will have enough to finish it off.

if big Tony wants a leadership role in Flanders and Roubaix

He doesn't.

Ok, despite no one-day results, cobbles, more than 250 km, I guess he has a chance at P-R if he's in the front group 30 km out, but Flanders... how's that happening?

I don't believe that he doesn't want to have a leadership role, it's a big thing to commit to these classics for a rider like Martin who will still have the WC TT and Tour on his mind, and if he does it, I think he'll want to give himself the best chance of winning or be thereabouts.

Same way in Flanders, TT away from the group, it's a more successful method in Flanders than in Roubaix, the climbs might be a bit trickier but if he hangs on over them, then he has every chance

Same way in Flanders

The Paterberg says hi.

Form suggests Kristoff. I'd like to see how Tony Martin goes, but doubt he will be a big factor in the finale.

Viviani

We shall see... :)

Is there a decent calendar/schedule I can stick on my desk that has all the main races on!? Last year Eurosport did this and it were right handy

Can't see Tony Martin doing anything this year. If he has a good run at the cobbled classics and gets plenty of experience then maybe next year. He's 30 though so better get cracking.

http://inrng.com/calendar/

Pro Cycling mag has a mini season guide which contains that and other stuff. I think it's with the current issue so you might still be able to get it.

I need something which shows when this stuff is on Eurosport so I can program the Tivo.

isn't Tivo just meant to know? That's the way it's always been sold to me.

You can set it to do that, but I can't remember how. But for anything on Eurosport you need to extend the record times and cross your fingers because the schedule is often only a loose approximation, and if something like tennis is on then the cycling tends to just disappear.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/35650351

Poor Katie, get well soon, Katie...