Pro-cycling thread

Although they were REALLY ugly

those ridiculously ugly 'secret-squirrel' bikes that cost 20k plus and that you couldn't even buy if you wanted to.

Uh yeah.

Jersey comments pt2.

Can anyone tell me why Rui Costa is still wearing the WC jersey at LBL?

Portuguese National Champ jersey, note the bands on the chest, rainbow hoops on the sleeve as a former World Champ

It's not a WC jersey...rainbow bands on sleeves for being a previous World Champ, green and red bands with Portuguese coat of arms on chest for being current Portuguese national champ.

EDIT: too slow...

He's not. He's wearing a National Champion's jersey (the green and red stripes) being the Portugese national champion, and he's got World Champion stripes round his sleeves and on his collar because he's a former world champion.

I'll admit to a double take during the race though

@danstuff @Jimmy_Fingers @SCS My bad, thanks guys...

I asked the exact same question on Sunday before noticing!

Columbian jersey too, always gets people.

Sutton's resigned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/36153485

His statement on BC: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20160427-about-bc-news-Statement-from-British-Cycling-0

Seems appropriate

Even following his resignation BC (Drake) seems to be taking a side. You think they'd be a tad more neutral all things considered. But maybe not? I guess "Official responses to resignations of people under ethics investigations" isn't a genre I'm overly familiar with.

“I want to put on record my thanks to Shane for his work with British Cycling and the part he has played in our success. We have a lot to be proud of and, with the Olympics and Paralympics this summer, a lot to look forward to.

“I understand and respect Shane’s decision to stand down. His primary focus has always been the athletes, and this decision is something he has taken to allow them to focus on their preparation for Rio."

His primary focus has always been the able-bodied male athletes

Could have used more precise wording.

Sutton resigns.
Who's stepping into this shitstorm.....

Another source quoted by the Mail described an incident in which he says he heard Sutton describe para-cyclists as “f**king gimps”, and revealed that para-cyclists “were referred to as wobblies"

Sounds charming.

You've been coached by Sutton and most RL coaches then?

Sutton - no. but i've seen his type. one of which threatened to "personally come on that pitch and fuck you up the arse if you miss a tackle." presumably during a break in play.

I don't see too much wrong with the statement. It's the usual extension of support and thanks - see also the way the Chelsea dealt with Jose Mourinho after the Eva C mess.. It's fairly standard.

It was always going to be a risk putting someone as abrasive as Sutton in charge. Whatever the methods, the results have been world class. Which is not to say the ends justify the means.

Their main priority right now is going to be keeping the ship steady going into the Olympics. Aside from this palaver, let's not forget things like the fact that the BC / Sky deal is up after this cycle and a lot of good people are employed by BC. Sutton stepping down is a way of them getting some control back of the narrative, before the press run wild with it and disrupt the squad any further.

http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_4&VBID=2K1HZOQ0TN1M93&IID=2K1HRGP0GZ6M

Had the launch for this tonight at the Rapha Cycle Club in Soho, it was packed. The book is lovely.

Also, balanced article about the effect Shane Sutton might have on the remaining athletes coming up to Rio: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/27/british-cycling-team-chaos-shane-sutton-rio-olympics-2016

I wish the guardian covered cycling as enthusiasticly as they are covering this issue

I wish the media covered women's cycling (and sport in general) as eagerly as they are covering this story.

It's wishful thinking though.