Pro-cycling thread

I've heard they had these little motors that...

Camera man seems to find it funny

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Ah, those were the days, Duffield, Delta brakes, when bikes where bikes etc

https://youtu.be/uqEnvZ1ynng

what happened before this 'correction' of Jules by Boeckmans?

Following on from the Kelly rumour;

https://twitter.com/caleyfretz/status/842089453376147458

I saw that on Twitter, seems Broakmans came up and started gesticulating at him and his team, then did that. Very lucky he didn't react by pushing him off when they were in the middle of the peloton, could have taken everyone down. No DQ though #shakeshead

Argentin kept looking back when he should have been giving it full beans.

#analysingracesfrom25yearsago

Apparently he nearly caused a crash, so was taken to the back for safety.

Jules was pulling Boeckmans' saddle, among other unfair/dangerous moves to keep in the front, according to Boeckmans' claims. In Het Nieuwsblad:

At seven km to go, Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Soudal) held Justin Jules (WB Veranclassic) back by the shoulder and pushed him to the back of the peloton. “I was minding Jasper De Buyst's position when Jules started pulling my saddle. He should keep his hands to himself. He was swearing in all sorts of French. Then I thought: Let me take you to the back."

In spite of Boeckmans’ manoeuver the Frenchman crossed the line in 16th position. “I was too far behind”, was the only thing Jules cared to say. No further comment from him on what happened.

"I did it my way, maybe it's not the best way but always with respect and security for my colleagues. #NokereKoerse
— Kris Boeckmans (@krisboeckmans)"

What a bell end then. Lucky he didn't get a bidon in the face, rather than just moved to the back.

Pro cycling question. Why is it that back in the day Merckx et al. appear just as proficient at winning the classics as they do a GC in a GT? Todays riders are much more specialised: TT/sprinter/climber/GC etc. Why the shift? Sports science?

Teams are less feudal now, with multiple leaders rather than a single one. The role of sports science in training and nutrition has benefited everyone in the peloton so the difference between the leaders and their domestiques is much smaller.

That, plus specialisation indeed and the fact that there are more races on the calendar, on multiple levels as well.

Specificity, both in training and racing. Much more generalist back in the day. Peaking for (1-2) targeted races a year, instead of racing everything through the calendar.

Anyone having a flutter of MSR? Do love this race but its ironic given its the longest monument but the one that is usually decided in the last few Ks. Sagan will start a huge favourite despite never winning it.

Maybe this year is Ben Swift's year #trollingnottrolling

I always liked Cavendish's comment on it (which he probably got from someone else);

"The easiest monument to finish, the hardest one to win."

I would lose my shit if Cav won it.

Gaviria crashed yesterday I just saw on Twitter. He's starting but has pain in his wrist. At least there are no cobbles.

Sonny Colbrelli as an outside bet.

Got to be a good bet on swift. Knocking on the door.

When to switch on coverage, one wonders...

There's usually decent action early on, early break, Cav getting dropped on the Turchino, Cav getting back on, Nibali launching a futile attack on the Cipressa, Nibali getting caught, then all hell breaking loose on the Poggio, then someone unfancied wins.

To truly enjoy the MSR experience, you need to watch at least the last hour of the race to experience a genuine crescendo.

All the favourites make it over together, big crash caused by motorbike or a Belgian with 550m to go, Kwiato narrowly pipped by Ewan (Gerro doesn't have the legs so leads him back up to the bunch when he has in inopportune wheel change).

Degz

He's spotted climbing into the team car at 220k with "gastric issues".