Pro-cycling thread

Poker car in second too.

Van Der Poel to miss Het Nieuwsblad and ride Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne instead.

thus passing on the chance of a historic double win in the opening weekend 😜

coward

Good one, although not a rider that makes suspicious efforts with top results. I'm just wandering, if you grow up to a father that is very hard to clear from certain accusations and you are repeating the same or similar results, you are bound to be a subject of discussion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to make him suspicious, this is just my father-complex talking. And I love doping intrigue. Never mind, carry on.

absolute nick of de gendt's team mate's socks at UAE

Froome trundling in a minute behind Valverde no es bueno

Apologies for another Carlton Kirby rant, but what the fuck is the point of a commentator who can't accurately identify the rider leading and winning a stage? Quite apart from the constant wheezing, tooth-sucking and clicking noises.

Whoever did the broadcasting also put Harper’s name on screen. French telly also got it wrong.

I don’t like Kirby but is far from the worst thing he does.

Sometimes it's almost as if people don't read previous comments.

Whoever did the broadcasting also put Harper’s name on screen.

I know, but surely one of the basic jobs of a commentator is being able to accurately identify the riders, not just relying on on-screen graphics? It's not as though Harper is Vingegaard's doppelganger.

French telly also got it wrong.

Well they're bloody useless as well then!

Soz. Needed to vent.

They are all commentating from home with the same stream as us - not sure they have the race radio they'd normally have either. I can't stand Kirby either, but I'll forgive him this one. He could have been a bit more apologetic afterwards...but I don't think that's in his nature.

something something commentator something

I am unashamed full-fledged froome fan. UAE has been mildly distressing but we must maintain hope.

Why do people read into some chipper race in the desert? He clearly doesnt care and is just there for training/numbers/sponsor demand.

Chipper, yeh. We could all ride it if we wanted to.
I don't think it's a stretch to say that if he wants to win the Tour this year then this week suggests he has a very long way to go and that is does look a bit like every race last year, the same optimistic talk every day, the physio has done its job, the same story that it's only a training race and so on. I'd love Froome to get back to his best but he wasn't even at his best last time he won the Tour. How he can win I don't know, I think admitting that it's over and retirement this year is more likely at the moment.

It's the hope that kills you. Allez Froomey!

UAE Tour is the equivalent to Tuesday night Hillingdon for a TdF contender. Froome is no contender though.

The reason he thinks he can win is the same one that lead him to win multiple times. You have to believe when no one else does.

I am not saying I think he will be back to his best. But judging anything from a race in UAE is not valid.

UAE is about as bleak as west London ...

He revealed over the break in interviews that a plate in his leg was holding him back last year. That’s been removed now (more surgery). He also said he lost more muscle than he thought.

Although he consistently says he believes he can get back to his best, he’s also been quite honest about his condition. If you put the drive and optimism to one side, it’s clear he can’t compete for GC again against this new generation. I don’t think he can even beat teammates Woods/Martin, who have been making progress on two complete legs for the past few years that Froome has been trying to recover.

Despite all that, I’ve warmed to him through this injury. So I wish him all the best (hope you’re reading this Froomedog!) and Yalla!

Is it clear? I don’t think he knows yet, so no-one else can know for sure.

His biggest asset was his drive and determination, as long as that remains he has a chance of getting back to the top. But that chance appears small right now.

I’d say almost crystal. He might have one of the strongest heads in the sport but it’s a leg game, and one of his is still in recovery. He’s said it himself.

I want to be wrong though!

For someone who is building up after undergoing some pretty intense surgery and is still aiming at the grand tours I wouldn't expect him to be hitting peak form until the day the tdf starts and honestly maybe even a week in to it when it starts to get mountainous.