2013 Pro-cycling season thread

He over estimated his own strength, and under estimated his breakaway rivals, two basic errors.

Why on earth did he attack with just over 2 kms to go? He was the best sprinter in the group and should've been attentive but not aggressive.

He will probably learn from this.

Love Sagan and Cancellara's faces on the podium

Kiwi actualy. (although most of there editors and contributers are American. So they get pretty terrible weather.

Also, the winters may not get as cold (well, not in the North Island) but you can never underestemate the wind. I did 95k into a block headwind on Saturday. First rain we have had for 2 months.

Ok well I've ridden the North and South islands and experienced the worst rain I have ever seen in my life, utterly unrideable. 425mm in a day, wry smile my arse

Good as Stannard is, I don't think he can ever win big. He doesn't have good enough cards and he doesn't know how to play them. Entertaining though.

Definitely not, only chance if he and Chava could've stayed away and he jumped at 2k out and diesled, and then, maybe. As soon as it came together you just knew he would be last of that lot, even though his ride deserved more.

You're right, he's not cunning, just a monster, but I wonder what he may have done if Sky had been riding for him and he hadn't been putting in big turns for Thomas and EBH before they had to turn to him. Great result nonetheless.

Good as Stannard is, I don't think he can ever win big. He doesn't have good enough cards and he doesn't know how to play them. Entertaining though.

I thought he played the card(s) he had well. After his last attack was chased down by Sagan he had no more cards to play.

He over estimated his own strength, and under estimated his breakaway rivals, two basic errors.

Why on earth did he attack with just over 2 kms to go? He was the best sprinter in the group and should've been attentive but not aggressive.

Maybe. Doubt he would've expected Ciolek to be there and possibly doesn't know enough about him. Put him on ignore.. and paid for it.

Why the attack? Who knows. Maybe he was most worried about Spartacus and when he saw him drop back he figured it was the gap he needed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/17/gerald-ciolek-milan-san-remo

I saw where he got shelled (on Cipressa I think), but didn't realise he had crashed earlier. You are not confusing with the Thomas crash?

ahh yes I was, just watched the highlights again. Apologies for the misinformation :/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/17/gerald-ciolek-milan-san-remo

Fair play that is a terrible report on the race, no drama, bad information and nothing made of the fantastic climax to the race. It's almost as if they didn't watch the race or don't care much about cycling....

Apparently OPQS took the decision not to continue. Someone from the team evidently forgot to tell Chavanel and Cavendish.

Stick all those photos of the riders suffering at the neutralisation point into black and white and you'd be mistaken for thinking they were taken in the 50s and 60s. Proper hardmen in that day and age. BTW I'd include Andy Hampsten in that too :0)

Despite what he said in the build up, I think it is fair to assume that Cav was targeting MSR this year. To get over the Cipressa and Poggio with the bunch today with no team mates was impressive. I wonder if it will dull his top end speed.

Great race tho!

Fantastic Race.
Enjoyed Magnus Backstedt's commentary.
Can't wait for RVV.

Has anywhere in South London started showing cycling?

Cadence shows races.

My gaff has them all.

And Wiggins is back on the road racing today in volta-a-catalunya

Mine does as well but watching with a disinterested girlfriend isn't always fun.

Wouldn't mind a change of scene now and again.

Thanks T-V will get up the hill from Streatham at some point

LOL.
Mine doesn't even bother to be interestingly disinterested.

Despite what he said in the build up, I think it is fair to assume that Cav was targeting MSR this year. To get over the Cipressa and Poggio with the bunch today with no team mates was impressive. I wonder if it will dull his top end speed.

The removal of the Le Marni climb was significant, as I'd think a number of teams were planning on riding up that full gas to ensure they shelled Cavendish, and some other sprinters, out of the back.

If you've ever been to the Isle of Man it should be no surprise that Cavendish did well yesterday, that was a typical Manx summer's day.

That it was.

Fair play that is a terrible report on the race, no drama, bad information and nothing made of the fantastic climax to the race. It's almost as if they didn't watch the race or don't care much about cycling....

Apparently OPQS took the decision not to continue. Someone from the team evidently forgot to tell Chavanel and Cavendish.

British newspapers used not to publish reports on races like this at all. Baby steps.

now let's go to catalunya, spain & support wiggo!

Teams look so so for Catalunya. Hesjedal vs. Wiggins

Does anyone know much about Josh Edmondson? Is he a neo-pro?

Neo-pro good climber apparently. I'm sure Sky will turn him into a proper domestique