Pro-cycling thread

Cocaine use outside competition is not banned. If Paolini can provide credible evidence that he'd taken cocaine before, but not during, the Tour he may get off.

The hearing is the first using a new disciplinary process, it'll be interesting to see if that changes anything.

Hope we get some of this tomorrow for Strade Bianche

https://twitter.com/PeletonGIFs/status/705726060739108864

Unless the UCI contradict their own statement on the Katusha decision - that Paolini's coke use was recreational, and not intended to be performance-enhancing - he'll be free to ride.

Lizzie Armitstead's strong start to the season continues as she wins the Strade Bianche.

Excellent. Also, on this:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/new-era-for-womens-cycling-to-begin-at-strade-bianche/

While this is great, it seems that the women's race wasn't shown on TV? There's nothing about it on the race's web-site and the live coverage announced on the usual suspect web-sites all starts after the finish of the women's race. Or have I missed something?

The women's WT was meant to feature broadcasting:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2016-womens-worldtour-rules-organizers-requirements-and-live-broadcasting/

Let's hope that improves for future races.

So just tuned into Strada Bianche on eurosport player... what's going on? Been watching for a few minutes but no commentary?

Same, just turned it on. A bit odd.

A random Danish guy chatting bullshit (cyclinghub pirate feed) is still better commentary than the majority of Carlton Kirby's output.

I dont think they have commentary unless it is being shown on TV too.

I've watched cycling in Dutch, Turkish, Italian, Spanish and French rather than listening to Carlton Kirby. All make for a more amusing improvement to proceedings.

So it's Puccio, Brambillia, ??? up the road?

Oops... not puccio!

This is great... I didn't think it was going to be shown properly. Kinda prefer it without commentary

Ha! I found out last year the notable alumni of the school I went to includes Carlton Kirby and Seb Coe. So apparently it's a good place to learn how to be annoying and shit at your job.

Seb Coe.... Eww. Perhaps they'll give me an honorary diploma as I too am annoying and pointedly shit at jobs.

In other news, Stybar is looking badass in his Lidl jersey.

What's happened to Sky's shitty bottle-carrying vests? It's all gone a bit hunchback of Notredame under those skintight Rapha vetements.

Astana had the stupid bottle bandoliers, no?

Also, speaking of annoying people engaged in cycling presentation - that Ashley House (?) guy has that charisma of a suburban Gap.

Tinkoff.

^ Sportful teams. But it seemed to just be a gimmick.

was it? My mind automatically associated 'frivolous technical improvement' with Sky's Jaguar team car and motorhome. I still suspect somewhere there's a drawer full of sky branded baseball caps with integrated radio, drinks holders and straws but on this occasion I stand corrected.

Canc struggling...

WOOF. Stybar and Brambilla...

my money's on Cancellara

money well spent