2013 Pro-cycling season thread

Infection in his arm "picked up at Team Presentation"
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonen-i-almost-lost-my-arm-due-to-infection

Does Oman start today or tomorrow? First chance for the big names to cross swords and interesting to see how competitive Froome and Wiggins will be. Althought they may ride for a domestique to keep 'em happy riding for them the rest of the season.

It seems finally Eurosport are showing it too, result

Started today.
Highlights on the morning after.

Check inrng.

Froome and wig riding for Porte. Or so the word is. Makes sense and is fair.

https://twitter.com/TourofOman_live

Like they did in the Algarve last year. Chuck 'Little Richard' Porte a bone early season and he'll break himself for you for the rest of the season.

Which is a shame, because Porte has serious potential, possibly even as a GT winner in the future. Certainly according to Antipodean sources anyway

I'm sure he's happy getting paid tonnes of money to work for other people

Sure he'd like to have a crack at winning more though, soon

Porte's only 28, if he wants to lead a team, he's still got a while yet, and also, he'll be learning alot at Sky, especially in watching how they are grooming Froomedog for this years TdF. Also it should be noted that he may not want to be a team leader? He may just want to pad the bank balance, work for the team and be part of a successful pro cycling team, that wins lots...

Its no big deal really, just there's a few boys at Sky (Uran and Henao come to mind also) who are due a shot at a GT. It's likely that Uran will lead the team at the Vuelta so we will see.

And I'm sure Porte wants to lead

Porte is a top ten contender in a GT.at best.

That's one of the things I like about cycling 8th place can sometime be as legendary as winning.

...also I often finished 8th or there about when I was competing ;-)

Porte is a top ten contender in a GT.at best.

You think? I'm not one to judge really, but the Aussie fans I speak to big him up, think Sky is hiding his light under a bushel. A good proportion of them also think he's doped to the gills however .

His best finish in a GT is 7th, thanks mainly to getting in a break that gained 13 minutes. He's 28 and time is running out, especially when you look at the younger riders Sky have coming up, like Uran, Henao etc, who've shown more talent.

I think he's found his natural level, i.e. leading a team in small stage races with a TT, then riding as a decent domestique for more capable riders.

You think? I'm not one to judge really, but the Aussie fans I speak to big him up, think Sky is hiding his light under a bushel. A good proportion of them also think he's doped to the gills however .

Richie Who? I don't follow him on twitter and he cries himself to sleep at night about that.

That's what you need to know about Porte.

You think? I'm not one to judge really, but the Aussie fans I speak to big him up, think Sky is hiding his light under a bushel. A good proportion of them also think he's doped to the gills however .

Aussie fans in 'talking up athlete' shocker. Next you'll be telling us they drink beer and like flip flops (thongs) :)

Next you'll be telling us they lose burger bets to Brits.

Wiggo DFL in Oman. Sky looking to upgrade his place as he was caught in a 2km from finish

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21414768

Not like he'll give a fuck.

Kerrison still got him and froome doing set training intervals during the race - assumption. He ain't there but to train.

He was still doing hour TTs before riding the Mallorca stages and riding a couple hours to them other days.

Next you'll be telling us they lose burger bets to Brits.

We win Belgian (just like Wiggo) beer bets to Brits too so it's swings and roundabouts as those tally ho types like to say.

Sagan wins stage 2 of TOO..

Highlights on Eurosport later today/this evening

On that note the cyclocross worlds are repeated on Ch4 2.05am Wednesday.

http://wielrennen.startpagina.nl/prikbord/addon.php?3313,module=embed_images,url=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FBC50KEpCMAAwTND.jpg%3Alarge

solo...

spring's going to be exciting!

TOO stage one highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1QMuNFtwgY&feature=youtu.be

Froome was in a lead group which dropped Porte, so doesn't sound like he's riding very hard for him

Love P.Sags.

So excited for the classics. Shame Boonen isn't going to be on top game, but that's how it goes.