Pro-cycling thread

It worked for Kristen Armstrong.

Armstrong, or Pooley? Armstrong has certainly justified her un-retirement, Polley not so much. Dani King was desperate to go the games

As was Hayley Simmonds...

I think Pooley should've gone if she'd shown decent form beforehand. But she didn't and it appeared, to me at least, that she was selected on reputation rather than form, which doesn't seem to fit with the BC ethos of performance based selection.

I don't know what Dani King did that upset the selectors so much, but she should've gone in Pooley's place.

Armstong's selection was challenged by Carmen Small who had beaten her a load of times in domestic TTs and is current US TT champ.

Trying to think of a riskier selection than a retired rider who's been out of the testing pool coming back for one last big event to win at all costs.

Iris Slapendel has said the riders on top two steps of podium shouldn't have been there for diff reasons.

This. A bit like Kennaugh getting the nod ahead of Cummings, and let us not forget it was Kennaugh withdrawing rather than the British selectors choosing Cummings that meant he actually went in the end. Pooley didn't finish the RR and underperformed in the TT, and she wasn't riding well ahead of the games.

Small has never translated that TT success to the international stage.

But that's not really about justifying un-retirement, that's about justifying selection. And it is worth bearing in mind that, unlike men's cycling, retirement for women frequently involves finances as part of the decision. Since retirement from professional racing, Pooley has continued as an athlete in triathlon and running partly because she can pay her way by doing it. Something she could do as a cyclist.

Couldn't do?

Fair enough, but its also about un-retiring just to ride the Olympics, and the fact her form didn't justify her selection ahead of the games, and the fact her performance at the games hasn't justified it either. I've always been a big fan of Pooley, a great heart and wonderful attacking rider, but I think someone else i.e. Dani King, should have gone in her place.

Said on Guardian (or maybe BBC) that it was based on London 2012 results for TT.

it's based on country with wiggle room for current form

#comeonfabs

Correction, Pooley did finish the RR, I watched her ride across the line.

I'm not saying she should have been selected for it but coming out of retirement shouldn't be a barrier, particularly given the current state of women's cycling. Annie Last nearly retired from cycling in 2015 at the age of 23 simply because she couldn't get a team. That was despite coming 3rd in the CX National Champs ahead of sponsored riders.

Ha, so much for Phinney having a shot...

The US Tim Henman

This is not OK

Is there any point trying to predict who's going to win from here? Seems like such an arduous course that anything could happen in the last 15 ks...

Dennis
Dumoulin
Froome

Bold. I have a feeling Dennis will fade, but beyond that, clueless.

Dennis looked like he was going up that climb at walking pace.

Cancellara goes fastest at 34 kms.

BC still resorting to pinning their number on then?

Would like Cancellara to medal here after his crash in 2012. Currently up on Dennis in the last time check.

Bike change for Dennis.

Dumoulin 25 seconds down on Cancellara at 34 kms.