Pro-cycling thread

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/offredo-forced-into-retirement-and-struggling-to-come-to-terms-with-it/

Great interview - thanks for linking to it. Must be hard to face your retirement when it's due to an injury. Nice to see his openness about it though, think we need more athletes opening up about the dark side of sport

https://www.covadonga.de/shop/detail.php?id=142&cat=1&PHPSESSID=dac3f55303def1902875ee5ad494f463

I always liked Offredo, thought he was going to win a big race at some point in his career based on his early performances but he never really came close. But he was the kind of rider who you'd know was in the race, because he consistently raced aggressively.

I hope he finds a new and fulfilling direction in life.

Ian Stannard retiring as he’s struggling with rheumatoid arthritis.

His second Het Volk/Nieuewsblad win remains one of my favourite ever races.

Amen to not being able to sleep when you can’t train. I’ve had bad vertigo for 3 months so the most I manage is walk the kids to school and a quick light gym session. Being awake when you go to bed sucks! I miss being nice and tired from riding and running and just passing out at bed time. He has my full sympathy and I hope he finds a channel for his obvious brightness

That looks interesting. Can't find an english translation of the book, do you know if there is one?

Ian Stannard retiring due arthritis

The Life in the Peloton interview with Hugh is worth listening to. Good recommendations for where to buy a butter pie in Preston and café stops in the Forest of Bowland.

https://lifeinthepeloton.com/2020/11/04/hugh-carthy-climbing-the-mountain/

Perfect timing for those converting from the Tao to Carthyism.

He's retiring and you pass up one of the last opportunities to say Ian 'The Evening' Stannard? Shame on you.

If Stannard is leaving then does that mean INEOS will extend the contract of the Irish national TT champ Phillip O'Ganna?

His second Het Volk/Nieuewsblad win remains one of my favourite ever races.

Same here, that was just amazing.

He's also been one of my favourite riders of recent years. Shame about his illness, hope he has a good retirement.

Fred Wright just off the podium in today's stage, getting fourth

Brilliant for Fred ... great ride considering the conditions ... well tough

John Archibald off to a pro conti team next year according to Ribble.

Seems like he could have had a bigger career if there’d been an easier/different path for him.

gives us a third scottish rider to follow, alongside hodeg and googanga

You do have monstrously strong GB pursuit Olympic Gold track riders that surprisingly don't get to pro tour, like Ed Clancy, and Stephen Burke.

Obviously Geraint Thomas, Kennaugh, Doull, Wiggins, Cav, Steve Cummings, Simon Yates graduated to pro tour and did alright...

I don't think Stephen Burke ever had any road ambitions though, wasn't he always just track? And pretty much only team pursuit too.

Harry Tanfield was DNF today, which is a shame, his interviews have been funny and interesting.

He's also an absolute machine, I want to see him do well.

Movistar's tactics are still delightfully mysterious. Still, nice of them to work so hard for everyone else's benefit.

Hear Ed Clancy explain his own road career to Thomas and Rowe.

That's a shame. I hope he stays as healthy as possible for a looong time.

They really spice things up. I love the way they ride. Totally irrational but the race needs it sometimes.

Ooof , not the nicest conditions for racing over in Spain ... but .... Fred Wright in the break.. ! come on Fred , only another 130 K in the rain , wind and cold .... just like a south London ride in the lanes ....