Pro-cycling thread

Yep - I really thought he's was going to be on the level of a Terstra/Stybar with lot's of one day success. There's still time for wins of course.

I thought that about Stybar now suddenly....

The one that finishes in a velodrome?

Yes, but normally no more than 5 people are there at any time to contest the finish.

This feels like the most open Flanders for ages. Sagan not quite on top form so he doesn’t stand out as a clear favourite.

There are 10-12 riders with a decent chance, and you’ve got to include Kristoff in that now.

I’d love to see Van Aert or Van der Poel win, personally.

Eurosport Player users: what’s the on-demand service like? Thinking of cancelling my tv package and I can get the app on my tv. With no means of recording the decision lives or dies on all races being available on-demand

It's great. I rarely watch a race live - go into a welcome hole without social media for the day, come home, start the race from wherever I want and skip adverts.
Other points:
I only use on Web browser through pc, no experience of anything else. It can be tetchy if an event before the race overruns - you generally get a recording of that until it finishes. On demand races aren't available until the race/programme is completely finished so you can just start an hour later

Thanks. It’s probably worth a punt for a month to see how it works out. The other option is using the TV Player app premium subscription for £7/month which lets you record programs, but I can’t seem to get a crisp picture through that on my tv

MvdP for Olympic gold both on and off-road in 2020.

Good call

I bet you €10 he wins neither.

A tenner of confidence. He makes it seem easy though. Such a natural, one with his bike. Bring on Sunday, should be the hardest race he's ever done. Might see him looking for a bit of play like in Nokere Koerse.

Such a natural, one with his bike.

Yes indeed: https://sporza.be/nl/2019/04/03/mathieu-van-der-poel-steentje-voetballen/

I leaned a new word: playoffkwis

He’s an amazing talent. But he’s yet to prove he can win against the best in the world in XC, and the road race course is potentially too mountainous for him. He could well win both, but I’d be very surprised.

as linked in my post ;-) but worth mentioning again!

Woops, didn't see. My bad.

Schurter still holds on to the throne, but probably happening this year if MVDP's as serious about the Olympics as he says. In all MTB races he did in 2018, only finished 4th once, podium in all others. Ranks 11th in the world after only 8 races. But yes, he only won some of the short stage preludes.

There’s definitely room for improvement in XC, and only a fool would bet against him winning races this season. I think focusing on that at the Olympics is absolutely right.

I can’t see how you can do that and win against the best road riders in the same week though.

His training and competition load is already close to ridiculous. But he keeps doing things like becoming national champ in 3 disciplines (did you see the road race?), winning all but a couple of cyclocross races last winter and winning races against the seasoned guys this spring. Must be his DNA, that's some heritage he's got.

Like you said the Olympic Road race does not suit him (close to 5000m elevation, wow). He'll probably be at the worlds in Yorkshire though.

MVDP won Doors door Vlaanderen yesterday from a small group that included Tiesj Benoot and Bob Jungels.

Amusement earlier in the race as Scott Sunderland, the race director, tried to let the break re-establish a 2min gap after the race was neutralised as It caught up to the women's race. Which was delayed due to a crash.

Postlberger who was in the break missed it being sent back up the road as he was having a waz. He caught a lift back up the break hanging onto a moto, whilst also being interviewed.

https://www.bora-hansgrohe.com/en/news/team-news/peter-kennaugh-nimmt-auszeit-vom-radsport/102531748

Sad news, hope Pete recovers

Came here to post that , very honest of him .

I'm going to be in leeds for Paris Roubaix next week - anyone recommend a decent pub/ bar that will be showing it?

Ready.

Just add frites.

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