Doping

Yeah, I just read up on that as well - but the pics I can find of that prologue don't appear to be the full-on track Lotus bike or superman position, so I can't imagine the aero advantages were that significant, so it still seems surprising that none of the great and/or doped riders who have come since could beat his average speed...

The fact that Boardman's career was "ruined" by the rampant doping in 90s cycling was the source of my parents' cycling-is-not-a-proper-sport stance when I was growing up.

Rubbed off on me, I can tell you.

He broke Merckx's Hour record in a 'normal' position*.

*Boardman's normal position was, 'fucking aero', I believe the experts call it.

Genuine question

Genuine answer; the parcours and particularly the weather has more to do with it than talent, equipment or even doping. Tour TTs are often straight out courses, and it doesn't take much of a following wind to get even an average rider up to a higher speed than a great one could manage on an out-an-back course.

Boardman was clean. A pretty good test of whether a cycling fan is worth talking to or not is if they believe otherwise. He achieved what he did because he was so good. It's sad to think what he would have achieved had EPO not been used by almost everyone else.
I have to admit a certain interest here, I am deeply, deeply, in love with Chris Boardman and were it not for the restraining order we would be husband and husband by now.

Tailwind, mad watts and so much more aero than most tour riders. Boardman was ahead of his time and cheated out of a lot of success.

I thought about the course and conditions but almost certainly underestimated how much of an impact they could have had - and certainly thought it was unlikely that similarly favourable conditions hadn't been experienced since by a great/doped tester. Seems like he was damned good and probably damned lucky with conditions too...

Especially Luc Leblanc, who he caught on that prologue! Who apparently stated that 'half the pro peloton could have broken Boardman's hour record'
Boardman's response after the prologue, ' Guess that show's which half Leblanc is in' Class !
I've no doubt that he was clean, personally.

BT

haha brilliant

Boardman was just such a scientist at that TT shit. He was totally nerding out and maximising on his talent. Had he been doping he'd have way more race palmares than his TT talents suggested.

Boardman is also the most sensible man on the planet. He'd never do anything as risky as blood doping.

It's difficult to dope knackered bones.

Chris was clean, and pure class, Nicolas Aubier (who rode with him at Gan) said he'd never seen him take vitamin injections!

I didn't know they injected vitamins.

I didn't know they injected vitamins.

They used to in the olden days, these days there's a no needle policy

From what I understand, the 'vitamins' weren't necessarily just the stuff which you find added to your breakfast cereals. Not unless you have unusual taste in breakfasts...

https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1033149476696091&id=213103522034028

Francesco Reda, who had his previous ban reduced because he testified to the CIRC, has tested positive for EPO at the Italian Nationals.

Dope.

Those boxes always say "make sure you comlete the full course, even if your infection has cleared up". I'm sure he was just following the instructions...

What has happened to Nibbles this year?

Ask in the Tour thread and you might get a sensible answer.

@andyp told me that he accidentally deleted his dealer's number from his phone and Froomey won't give it to him on account of him not letting Porte have the Giro.

As much should be asked when people under perform as well ? .

Those "viruses" that appear and linger
Kittle, Evans, Froome, Hushovd .

A pedant would point out that Bilharzia isn't a virus...

Can't go in there until I've caught up with todays stage.