Pro-cycling thread

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  • They are undoubtedly good drivers, but remember that most crashes happen at junctions, i.e. where people want to go in different directions. If everybody's going in the same direction, it's all a lot easier. There are very few junctions in pro races, i.e. only where the cars are taken off the course before the finish, or where there is a section of route that's not suitable for cars. There is obviously some potential for crashes even so, but DSs have such a strong interest in the riders that they can generally be expected to pay close attention to them. As we have seen in recent years, the main problems, including a number of fatal crashes, have come from motorcycles used in the race. These have a similar ability to be moved laterally as non-motorised bikes and are more easily missed, e.g. the stopped motorcycle in the Tour of Flanders.

    But yes, there must be a point to why people say DSs should be former riders. They've seen it all from the other side and are able to apply that when driving.

  • He is at-least attentive and respectful to the staff/DS. He knows what he wants (water, checks) and seems to understand the moment he’s living through.

  • It’s hard to judge on such a short clip. Who knows the wider dynamics but I didn’t see any positives for Hindley, thought he showed a lack of empathy and self centrism. The whole thing was pretty bleak really.

  • I drove the neutral service car at the Chittern RR one day as a favour. Fun, nerve wracking and terrifying. Getting screamed at over the radio to move up on a road that wasn't straight when I could just about see a car coming in the other direction, knowing that I might make it if I absolutely pinned it but there were lots of guys trying to move up and one guy making a meal of getting his bidon back in the cage. All the while a kid I'd never met in the passenger seat ready to change wheels was pissing himself with nervous laughter. Maximum respect to the guys doing this when the stakes are infinitely higher and they're on TV.

  • In another clip, can't remember where, I'm sure the Sunweb DS basically said Hindley was to ride his own race, not to expect any help if he gets dropped, but also not expected to drop back to help Keldeman.

  • That's in the Cycling Tips video @amey posted.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh66psrTvE4

    Not a good look when your model struggles to do jacket up off the bike.

  • Yeah, he did say that. I think it might have been the cyclingtips recap vid upthread.

  • Yeah quite but he didn’t challenge that or raise concern over his TT ability against Tao.
    There was concern raised amongst the armchair DS’s here about their tactics they just seemed to sleep walk in to coming 2nd and 3rd which is no bad result but also they didn’t really seem happy with that.
    I found the whole thing very weird.

  • There didn’t seem to be much belief or team spirit in the Sunweb camp on that video.

  • I hope Romain Bardet isn’t reading this ....!

  • Clearly there were discussions about their likely, relative TT performances. It’s literally referenced in the vid.

    Other than binning the jackets (and arguably starting the race with Hindley as leader) I don’t see big mistakes made.

    Kelderman is not happy. This effects the team but I’m not sure it’s the fault of the team.

  • They're just totally flat.

    Perhaps it's their age - they had a really young roster, and they didn't have an Amador, Rojas, Impey or Keisse who has seen it all before and can offer a bit of motivation or perspective.

    It's definitely the cycling video that 2020 deserves. Strange, tinged with sadness and regret and underwhelming.

  • 4 - what a lack of team bond. No wonder riders like to ride at Ineos.

    Watch @12:50 the empathy between riders. Contrasted a moment later with Kelderman’s anger towards the staffer offering the drink.

  • I don’t think Kelderman’s anger is directed specifically at the team worker, it’s just he’s lost his chance to win the Giro. I’m sure he apologised later, but I doubt the bottle offerer took offence as he understood the situation.

  • We are seeing Kelderman at a real low point so you are probably right.

    It does suggest little (or no) bad-feeling between those riders and demonstrates empathy from Hindley.

  • There's no "wolf pack" or "Grenadier spirit" though, just a bunch of sad sacks.

  • They had 2 riders in the top 3 and knew neither of them were going to win the race - you can understand that they might be a bit down, for all the talk of getting on the podium being a great result. For Keldermann especially, it was the best chance he will ever get. Probably true of Hindley too and, actually, probably true for Tao.

  • Jai and Tao are 24! That's quite a prediction for the future. "Might as well retire now kids, you'll be coming in with the cunts in the grupetto for the rest of your career."

  • ^^Yes, that's exactly what I said. And Tao is 25 1/2.

  • someone should say 'cheer up luv' to kelderman in thiccc cockney accent

  • You do need that rapey Wolfpack Spirit™️ to succeed.


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  • You said what I said? You said something else. Either that or it was AndyP, ltc, tbc or miro_o referencing the wrong quote.

  • I hope Romain Bardet isn’t reading this ....!

    Having high hopes smashed on the rocks of reality is one of his specialist areas so I think he'll fit right in.

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Pro-cycling thread

Posted by Avatar for dancing james @dancing james

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