Pro-cycling thread

Contador didn’t need bodyguards.

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Froome to come second after numerous dubious fines and time penalties for punching dangerous French spectators.

Meanwhile Bardet wins after a controversial decision to neutralise the TT due to safety concerns.

Heard it here first...

It's not directly the (absence of a) doping charge they claim is the problem here, ASO has the right to block anyone that 'threatens the reputation or image of the organisation or the event'. Not very clear cut in any case.

Some Redditors view on that:

"It doesn't allow anyone to ban anyone they don't like. If you try that, the rider will appeal and you'll get your ass handed to you in the court. ASO tried that with Boonen in 09 after his cocaine positive, and they lost badly. If they had tried with Contador, there's no doubt they would have lost as well, since he had been cleared to ride by the Spanish authorities. I have doubts ASO will win here either. The rule is in the books, but history has shown that it's hard to actually use it."

So far from clear cut indeed.

ASO will not allow Froome to start in Le Tour de France, according to Le Monde

For God's sake, will someone not think of the children Fantasy Cycling Teams

They should have let him start then just flung him out with no appeal for some impenetrable rule
infraction like they did Sagan last year.

Which they’ve tried to do before and failed, not just with Boonen but with Virenque way back. Froome can point at any number of riders who’ve served bans who are allowed to ride, like Valverde. How does allowing them to ride not damage the image of the race?

They do have a rule about denying someone to preserve the image and reputation of the race though.

Edit: wrote this about half an hour ago but didn't post

reputation of the race

The ASO aren’t worried about the salbutamol, it’s about his climbing style.

How does allowing [Valverde] to ride not damage the image of the race?

In the same way that dick dastardly doesn't damage the image of whacky races. He's the best character

I get that. But he’s a convicted doper and the rules allow him to return after he’s served a ban. Froome has yet to be banned, he has every right to start the race

What an almighty coincidence; Dan Roan has an interview in the bag with Dr Freeman

https://twitter.com/danroan/status/1013413539665661954

This, and they would admit to their own failure at handling the case. So probably won’t fly.

Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel became the new Dutch road champ, in an impressive fashion - forming a breakaway, getting caught in the last circuit and sprinting to the win

National Champ road race on itv4 right now.

And adverts with 10km to go.

Useless bellends.

Connor takes it for madison .

.... Fred Wright ... fifth ... ! well done Fred - top ride ... what a good lad ....

Jacob's Cracker Crisps for everyone!

Colin will be pleased

Actually, I don't care.

Gazetta reporting Froome will be cleared by the UCI today.

And the UCI have just confirmed Froome has been cleared of any wrongdoing, keeps his Vuelta and Giro wins and is free to ride the Tour.

That's the end of that then.
There'll definitely be no more conversations about this topic. I'm sure everyone will now move on completely and quickly.

/s

Seriously though, glad it's resolved officially ahead of the Tour. Hopefully we can all enjoy the next three weeks of racing...

Convenient timing.