2013 Pro-cycling season thread

granted i'm not a pro athlete but i've been drunk in public at least once before and it wasn't a sign of clinical depression or a nervous breakdown.

Are you sure?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqyiYd4iCYY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPHIEKxtRFA

velogames fantasy spring classics anyone?

http://www.velogames.com/spring-classics/2013/index.php

Looking at the provisional start list it could play out in many different ways. Whilst Sagan has dominated early season, I think this is wide open. If both are delivered to the line in a bunch sprint I think Cav would probably beat Sagan. If it is selective, will Sagan get in the right move? Astana, BMC, Cannondale, Movistar, OPQS, Sky all have multiple cards to play, and possible contenders on other teams as well.

I hope it comes down to a bunch sprint and Cav nips it.

I'm just into watching things on the day. I don't see the point in idle speculation. Is that weird? Is it why I'm no good at being a normal bloke?

^introspective speculation (introspeculation?) is fine, of course.

Fuck you, world.

I think what you do here is hot. We should meet up some time. ASL?

I don't use the ASL. Prefer to wait in the queue, in primary; scoblestyle.

Predictions are as banal as they are pointless, but I still indulge in them. As regards 'just watching it play out', I find that some prior thinking on the entrants, teams, form and conditions helps inform my understanding whilst watching.

Does your point boil down to 'is there any point thinking about the future before it happens?' or is that too sweeping?

Perhaps better expressed as 'is there any point thinking about future events you cannot influence and can only observe?'

It's mainly about sports punditry really. To be sweeping about things, I just associate it with mediocrity, lazy thinking, barely disguised prejudice(s), misdirected gravitas, cyclical blinkered uninspiring 'insight', blah blah blah.

Regarding your first point, I've never really found any meaningful advantage to studying form (I don't gamble). Enjoyment/understanding has only ever been heightened by having partaken in the type of activity being watched for entertainment.

I just associate it with mediocrity, lazy thinking, barely disguised prejudice(s), misdirected gravitas, cyclical blinkered uninspiring 'insight', blah blah blah.

Whilst I'm aware of these facets in all my modes of expression, I haven't opted out of communicating with others yet.

It's the others who are particularly bad.

I've *seen *them; with their coldly confident at-the-end-the-days.

Great so now we can't talk about the race before Sunday, thanks a lot

Although I will say this is the last race we'll see on this route apparently. Supposedly future routes will have a parcours more suited to the puncheurs, so maybe a hill-top finish or the finish at the bottom of the descent from the Poggio. So this is likely to be the last hurrah for the sprinters.

So presumably OGE, OPQS and cannondale are going to do most of the work closing down the breaks. Fortunately that means Sky don't so they should try and sneak G or EBH into an elite break and it will be game on.

Ooof, excited.

Oops, wasn't supposed to talk about it. Dammit

Fill yer boots. I'm an outlier, lost in a hostile environment.

Gossy or Gerro for the win!

Who let the Aussies in again?

misdirected gravitas - I like that

I think it will be a real shame if they change the course too much. I love the dynamic meaning a breakaway can win or a sprint from a smaller group. Or indeed a bigger bunch sprint. Its subtle yet highly complelling.

Dont the puncheurs have enough?

Ardennes Week, Lombardia a quarter of the stages in each of the GTs, the World Champs in a favourable year and a clutchful of other minor classics seems enough to me.

Thanks BMMF.. You've ruined this thread for me..

I'm filled with guilt and self loathing.

misdirected gravitas - I like that

I think it will be a real shame if they change the course too much. I love the dynamic meaning a breakaway can win or a sprint from a smaller group. Or indeed a bigger bunch sprint. Its subtle yet highly complelling.

Dont the puncheurs have enough?

Yeah it's a shame, I think the organisers are going for the insame spectacle of a hilly classic, a nod towards the 'success' of Stage 6 of the T-A this year. I love a bunch sprint me. Nothing like the tension ratcheting up and the Ks clicks away. Hope OPQS do a better job of keeping Cav in touch than Sky did. And if G is in with a shout I'll likely to spill my milkshake. I mean beer.