2013 Pro-cycling season thread

No, it was a panda;

This made me smile;

http://inrng.tumblr.com/post/38154583984/hansentimeline

No, it was a panda;

Thanks for clearing that up.

EuroSport2 has got shit locked down today. I'm going nowhere.

I'd like to see Greg van Avermaet win Paris Tours again. Anyone know why Sky aren't racing it? Ditto some of the other big teams.

Paris-Tours has been dropped from the World Tour calendar, in favour of the loss making Tour of Beijing, so Sky don't have to ride. I assume they've decided to conclude their European season with the Tour of Lombardy.

I like Paris-Tours, it's a nicely balanced race that gives the opportunist a better than even chance of outwitting the sprinters. It's a shame that the UCI have chosen to drop it from the top tier.

I suppose EBH would be their only chance and he's not exactly setting the world alight at the moment.

That was fun.

Degenkolb's sprint, whilst clearly very fast, is a thing of great ugliness. Reminiscent of Boonen's.

Degenkolb lost his lucky charm last weekend, and has now won three races since.

Tyler Farrar was fourth.

Just thought you should know.

I was jumping up and down on the couch for mr. green shoes Jetse Bol! but alas. very nice win by Degenkolb though (who complained about unfair shoulder/elbow rubbing by the Belkin guys trying to block the pursuit of their guy)

The decisive stage today in the Tour of Beijing which includes really good climb up and hill top at Miaofengshan. It should really suit Dan Martin and hopefully he can deliver for all his Panda fans! Tour Of Beijing 2013 Inside Line - Panda Corner - YouTube

Here's a live stream for today's stage Tour of Beijing - LIVE - Day 4 - YouTube

This made me smile;
http://inrng.tumblr.com/post/38154583984/hansentimeline

Ha!

Love Hansen

Mmm bop

Porte is 17 min down. Not interested or going for a stage win?

Maybe it's a way for him to break up the flight back to Oz?

Cracking last few km's in the Tour of Beijing

The Hansen and Martin solo attempts? Yep. OGE got damn close to winning me some beer. Stupid Boohoohani!

Yep so so close for Dan Martin it would have been a very popular win and made tomorrow's drinks much more enjoyable.

Sad to see Dave finally bowing out

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[FONT=Times New Roman]http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/oct/14/david-millar-retire-cycling[/FONT]
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Binche-Chimay-Binche

Cobbles and it has beer in its name.

A saffa, Van Rensburg, gets first pro win after binning it on the course.

chance to race against Geraint Thomas this Saturday in Covent Garden:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1393676294201212

Thought I'd add a few photos I took at the Tour of Beijing

The view from Panda Corner

Dan Martin leading the peloton around Panda Corner

Rui Costa showing off his new Rainbow Jersey

Hanging out with Dan Martin on Tiananmen square on the final day
http://instagram.com/p/fedD5ZpCO8/

Don't know where to put this really but sounds quite exciting.

£95 though. Do you think I'd get away with just waiting outside and following wheels the whole way?

http://www.cadenceperformance.com/event/3805/

Horner seems to be saying he's got a deal for next year away from Trek

Or that Trek have told him to fuck off.

granted, the competition's probably not very fierce but Belkin has a golden duo, taking no. 1 & 2 in almost every stage so far

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Tour_of_Hainan_2013_Stage_5_Sanya-Stages