Pro-cycling thread

Ha, one of the quickstep guys almost took out Jungels as he went after Nathan Haas' wheel. Could've been a tad awkward.

gaviria!

Aren't they first at WT wins classification this year?

Maybe so, but they have a recent rep of making poor tactical plays from strong numerical positions.

Greipel not a happy face for the purple jersey!

All began at the 2015 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad I guess

I'm very glad to be wrong, was like HTC in 2011, surprised more didn't follow QS, was surely telegraphed they were going to try it.

what a final, brutal! didn't even dare to go to the fridge for a beer within the last 20k

How strong was Bob - great finish.

all teams knew where it was going to happen from the start of the stage. QS had almost the entire team at the front at the right time. not easy to get all of them over there in a situation that hectic.

Well they are the experts, and Lotto Soudal had spent all day in the front. Anyone see what happened to Greipel? I thought he had a mechanic and suddenly found himself with Geraint, but talking to Flecha he indicated he had crashed or at least almost come down after a collision.

Missed the majority of yesterday, pretty much as soon as it got 'interesting' at sub-50km, had to go out and have a 'life', was so tired watching the review til gone midnight. Must have been dozing as the camera showed the gorilla get pink.

Watching the review of today though, fair play QSF, nice to see a team effort to push a rider up. Would have been gutting for them to lose the stage/jersey opportunity after so many in the late break, but good push and fun to watch.

Really looking forward to the later stages now. Greipel in that interview, 'no flecha, tomorrow is a rest day'... ha.

I though he turned pro in 2005, that ^ was 2007?

Great spectacle to see a big wide road with seven/teams all drilling it to protect their man and constantly trying to move up at 50kph before the crosswinds hit.

Incredible work by Jungels and Keisse. Thomas and Greipel were close to getting across but that was pretty much textbook by Quickstep.

He was riding for a semi-pro German domestic team, part funded by BC. Most of his racing was on the German club circuit, with the odd international race in BC colours as part of the track programme.

Just seen yesterdays Giro.
And bob jungles, proves the team work point, what a champ he is.

Nathan hass got nervous and went way to early, silly.

Once again the giro produces!

Haas knew exactly what he was doing, just read/watch interviews with him afterwards. He knew he had no chance in a straight sprint with Gaviria, so he went early in the hope that they hesitated for a moment. It didn't work out, but he tried at least.

More here - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-no-regrets-for-haas-after-late-attack-foiled-in-cagliari/

Fair enough then. But still, he says he went too early. A few moments later and it might have worked. That's racing.
But they're never going to hesitate.

Still Haas has stepped up a level this year, good to see.

The problem riders are going to face with Gaviria, is he can win a bunch sprint, a sprint from a group or just do this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEl7htpw5bA

Yes, the power he can put out for 30seconds - 1 minute is insane.

Andy 'cycling encyclopedia' P

Also just watched yesterdays stage. Awesome stuff. Those last 10k. Jungles move. And Nathan Haas just missing out on a podium again! Soon.

Thinking on it, Jungles performance was exceptional. He was pulling like a train.

Sort of like a neo-pro? Did it even exist back then?

Neo-pro is just a first year pro. Think you mean a stagiaire?

Should be in pink after the Etna stage.

So strange having a rest day so early.