Pro-cycling thread

Kopecky seemed to switch off when her and Faulkner made the catch. You knew Faulkner was going to attack, as it was the only way she could get a medal, so Kopecky should've been very alert to that.

That was even better than the men's race. I suppose Paris couldn't hold a race like that every year, and trade teams wouldn't tolerate squads of 3 or 4, but it would be great to have more variety. The last 2 days have been a lot more interesting and exciting than the classics were this year.

Fair to day the tour needs a last day like that.

As someone who's not entirely up to speed with race strategy, I thought this was super odd. It's as if they went nah, can't be bothered. Or worse, like chasing was beneath them or something. It didn't look like they were dropped, it looked like they slowed down to play cat and mouse when there was a race to be won right in front of them.

It happens all the time - if one of them chases the others sit on and the chaser probably won't win a sprint for first. . But if no one chases they all definitely won't win. By the time they've dared the others to go first it's too late. Pull the group along and you look like a mug for leading out your rivals even though the only other option is guaranteed defeat for all of them. It will never add up.
There's a bit of "it's even more important that the others lose than I win" to it which is what makes a lot of sports people so unbalanced and more likely to feel relief than joy when they do win.

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Aka “group 2 syndrome”

It’s funny they underestimated Faulkner so much, she won a stage in the Vuelta this year in much the same fashion

She “only” needs to win a stage of the Tour to have wins in all three grand tours in only 4 or so years at the top level. She’s a hilly one-day sort of rider so this course was always going to suit her.

I love these 2.Pro races like Vuelta a Burgos where ProTour teams can compete decently. A shame my beloved Green Team are not there..

I think Laura Kenny has just predicted eight GB golds in the track events. Did I hear it right?

Yeah, she’s been drinking the cool aide!

Said that this women’s track team is best since Vicky P’s day.

Fair play if true but very big chat.

Ethan Hayter off to Soudal Quickstep now

Clearly loves the hardstep.

Tao crashed in Burgos and has abandoned. He's got no luck this year.

Crap news. Is he injured? I can't see anything about it on-line yet.

Any news on a Pidcock transfer to Bora/Red Bull?

I used to have options on the Eurosport app to choose a channel without ads. On Discovery+ app they are showing an ad between each race on the track, which is ridiculous. Sometimes cutting back to the track and the next race has already started.

How do I get the ad free view on disco?

I think you have to scroll down the 'uninterrupted' section.

No update on Tao yet. Don't know if he was hanging out with his friends but of the 8 British riders in the race, 3 didn't finish today.

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Oooft. Sub 41 for Netherlands is nuts. Absolutely wrecked team GB

Well deserved gold.

Dutch Roy absolute unit

tao crash; fred wright's dads costume sorted!

Said he fell heavily on his head and was wobbly so decided not to continue in case of concussion

Tao's crash. He's right next to Quintana who tangles with Simon Carr.

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Thanks, what Kat says also reported here:

“Thanks for the messages of concern. Sad for the team that despite perfect positioning we couldn’t avoid this,” Geoghegan Hart wrote on X. “I landed directly on my head and with some dizziness decided it was not wise for myself or others to continue.”

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/massive-burgos-pileup-sees-geoghegan-hart-crash-out/

Also here:

https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/my-helmet-is-destroyed-but-thankfully-did-its-job-tao-geoghegan-hart-updates-on-his-health-state-after-scary-vuelta-a-burgos-crash