Pro-cycling thread

Bit more common recently with the departs in far away countries.

Gives Nibali time to consider his preparation for the mountains.

Yeah I suppose. I understand when the start in Northern Ireland but didn't imagine Sardinia to Sicily would be such an issue but it's a 12 hour ferry or a flight so makes sense.

J-U-N-G-E-L-S

It's going to be a looong 3 weeks otherwise

Nope, he rode for a development team essentially, one who probably paid him a small wage, if at all, but gave him a good calendar of racing in Germany. He could then ride some international races, like the Tour of Langkawi or the Tour of Britain with the GB squad, mainly as prep for track racing. It was a pathway from junior racing to pro racing, basically a team focused on U23 rider development, similar to Axeon now (the Axel Merckx set up) or what Team Wiggins aspires to be.

Awaits imminent "because the Jungels is massive" joke.

Its always annoying when there is a rest day so soon after the start, but at least tomorrow's stage looks like it could be spicy, two big lumps and a summit finish. What are the odds that Teklehaimanot will get in the break?

(And yes I did have to google to spell his name)

why's Jonathan Edwards wearing a dressing gown?

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His reportage makes us all sleepy?

Please let this put an end to this ridiculous silly nonsense http://www.velonews.com/2017/05/news/study-froomes-super-tuck-actually-isnt-faster_437636

From the results i dont think it will. Sagan is on the top tube and he is the fastest.
Froome is also pedaling while in position, so that should be taken into account.

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Today! Will the big boys stick together or will we see an attack? I can imagine Nibs will want to ride into his hometown in pink tomorrow... but no one will be really keen on defending the pink from this early on.

Hopefully no commercials in the last 30 km (a promise Eurosport has broken every stage so far)

Hope Jungels can cling on. But if he doesn't, I'd gladly see Nibali in pink.

I think (hope) Quintana's going to dismantle all comers today-he's looking on form and motivated and I don't see any other riders capable of living with him on the 12% sections... Would be nice to have an exhibition of total dominance this early in the race instead of cat and mouse marking too

Froome commutes in London one day...

http://www.twitter.com/chrisfroome/status/8­61860980430696448

I'm expecting a Sky train of death on Etna a la the Wiggo days, to deter any attacks and allow Thomas to ride tempo. I can't see Quintana attacking today, but Nibali might have a go.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-hit-by-car-on-training-ride/

According to Inrng the 12% section is tiny and on the inside of a hairpin.

There's two schools of thought on Quintana's approach to this race;

1. He gains time early then defends using the strength of his team.

2. He stays close to the lead but saves his attacks until the final week.

I think the one who chooses depends on his condition and how realistic his plans for the Tour are.

Option 2. imho. Although I'd love him to light everything up early on.

actual Stelvio situation, 14 days left to shovel!

At the risk of being shouted down and also being W R O N G.
It's only day 4, why would he go for it now? Is Etna REALLY all that? Where are the bigger monsters? In the last week (isn't that normal for the Giro - big stuff at the end?)?

He'll race conservatively today.

I think you're right. But I'd expect a couple of teams to test the others out today, it's a good opportunity to see who has the legs and, more importantly, who hasn't.

It would be insanity to take the lead this early if he's planning to have a tilt at the TdF too.

He might be forced into racing by other teams if course.

I think Sky might try and make the race as hard as possible, mainly to knacker out Quintana for the Tour.