Pro-cycling thread

This is exactly why I said revenue for teams and included "(and maybe riders?)" in brackets and as a question.

Riders/Teams get safer races AND make money off on-board cameras. What's not to like?

Suck it up UCI/ASO.

Does anyone see a chance of Boonen finding royal form by Paris Roubaix? I hope he can win one more.

He's been in good shape. Was putting in some big turns in E3 to pull that brake back.

But he's not the rider of years past.

If he does win, it'll be via nous rather than strength. But EQS need to re-think their tactics before the weekend, otherwise they'll come away empty handed again.

I think they've more chance of winning Liege than any other monument this spring.

And remember all the hype when Tony Martin announced he'd be riding the cobbled classics? That's gone strangely quiet.

They did manage live on board cameras at one of the middle eastern races, but it was on a fairly small circuit.

What do you think if Sagan's team wasn't so crap he might win either or or both?

I was just thinking about Tony Martin. He is riding three days of De Panne this week, but the Etixx 'A' team are all sitting out. Kristoff is also in 3 days - I wonder if he will find any form this week.

Luke Rowe might do something over the next couple of weeks as well. He seems to be coming into form.

Everyone rips tinkoff for being crap team for sagan. But they're far from that. I bet they get lent on a huge amount and have to do a lot of work before the TV comes on and thus burn off riders more so than other teams.
They're not super hitters like sky or ettix, but they're good strong riders.

I'd be mighty pissed off if I were a rider for Sagan and always getting labeled as shit.

it's the corners that are giving him troubles on the cobbles

Sagan is the five star favourite for Flanders in my mind.

trying to repeat last year's platinum week I s'pose

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@andyp can you give me the winning time for this weeks Rapha comp?

Yes like Kwiatkowski will win Flandres.

Sagan should be able to win both races the way he can ride away at the moment.

I see fabs winning one if not both.

He is a monster and has the hunger. He's had some bad luck thus far, but I also think he's been keeping his powder dry, not stamping out just how good his form really is. I think he could have won a few races thus far this year if he wanted. But he's been keeping his eye on the big prize and keeping his profile as low as possible...

/armchairds

Or environment friendly from that statement....

Helis are actually pretty dangerous.

I think Flanders is a particularly tough call this year.

Bookies' odds are certainly interesting. Rowe is incredible value and I'm going to have an e/w punt on Tony Martin too.

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cycling/tour-des-flandres

I don't think he's been doing a good job of hiding his form, the opposite in fact.

It should be a good race on Sunday with Cancellara, Sagan, GVA and Vanmarcke all in good form. Factor in Sky and EQS and we should have an interesting tactical battle too.

Only if we split the prize 50/50.

Yes good point agreed, riding between groups wasn't hiding much. Forgot about that because didn't watch all of E3.

Etixx tactical masterclass in action again

Spartacus riding past everyone, getting back on after a snapped hanger, commentators having previously said how sad it is that his race was over.

Brilliant.