Pro-cycling thread

Doesn't sound very clever as he already has a habit of isolating himself, way out front

I think it will be different when there aren't GC favourites looking the other way.

Also it only takes one missed snickers in a long race for Mads to pounce!

Yes, I did wonder what on earth that could mean, but I look forward to seeing them try.

Looking at the size of WVA (and his thighs in particular) it makes no sense that he can climb in the high mountains. His built isn’t dissimilar to Cancellara watching him today on his TT bike.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMfF8LvHJpK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Massive. Like Ganna. I remember that Giro stage he won... Filippo still needs to learn how to sprint though.

TT bike.

I guess 6 seconds is the diff between using a Bianchi and a Cervelo for TT

He was using an aerocoach front and a Roval rear today apparently.

@xavierdisley tweeted that 5w was worth three seconds today so very feasible that kit could have been the difference.

https://twitter.com/xavierdisley/status/1371802798900264962?s=20

There was a ton of non sponsor stuff today. Some teams can get away with it quietly, others are really hampered by contracts (which is fine, if you're being sponsored then of course there is an obligation to ride what you're provided), some of the bigger players have get out clauses if they can prove their alternative is better than the sponsor provided stuff (going through that process is absolutely solid though and fraught with angst).

We're currently involved in all three of those categories - our partner team is Qhubeka Assos for aerobar accessories, but some of the riders are currently using their older ENVE extensions for example, until we finalise setups with all the riders and finish manufacturing our latest batch of extensions. Pozzovivo had an absolute blinder today, it's a pan flat course and he's half the size of everyone yet beat Bodnar, Oliveira, Foss, Bernal etc.

some of the bigger players have get out clauses if they can prove their alternative is better than the sponsor provided stuff

I thought maybe Shimano didn’t do a disc-specific disc wheel. Either way the riders seem more clued up than ever about what’s fast which is good news for some sponsors and less good for others.

he's half the size

And twice the age.

Great work! That must be hugely satisfying for you.

Yes Shimano don't make a disc brake disc wheel, nor a tubeless disc wheel. Just the tubular Pro disc which is quite wide, leading another team to go third party on their bikes with narrow chainstays ...

Thanks - more to do and there are a few riders who want to do well in TTs this year, have got 5hrs of (remote) aero testing to do tomorrow morning! It was a great TT today, really exciting and I hope all the others especially the long ones in the TdF are as good too.

Qhubeka Assos

You can proper nerd out with Victor!

Pls tell us those 36cm bars are bullshit.

I just ordered one of those Pro Vibe Pursuit aero bars in 36cm, so please tell me those are not bullshit.
I promise to only turn the levers in an aesthetically pleasing amount.

Aha 😀 unfortunately narrow bars are a big win (as long as they don’t make/you don’t let your elbows flare out)

As we are rarely in the presence of an expert, would you mind answering another question?

There was some speculation in this thread about the impact of banning supertuck and puppypaws.

How do you think the ban on those aero positions could affect race results?

As we are rarely in the presence of an expert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmcsevHN5s&ab_channel=WED%C5%AA

I can’t

could affect race results

The rules are for everyone, so if everyone follows them there's no effect on results, I would guess?

I'd imagine that not to be true, it'll disproportionately favour some. Just how much I'd have no idea. I think there is also a question of how it might effect break-aways.

It'll be a great benefit to the general wellbeing if we never have to hear 'puppy paws' again.

Having caught up on the weekends action, I still cant get over how badly attired most were to start with and two how much the pros struggle to get a waterproof on and lack of options they had available.

barmy army heartthrob Mark Cavendish racing today, the silence here is eerie, consider yourself deported.

That's Mark Cavendish MBE to you

Flandrien weather in Nokere Koerse today, brrr

could mean breaks are less likely to stick for example

Awful commentary... "Is that the E25?... that goes from France to the Netherlands... Lots of speed cameras"