2013 Pro-cycling season thread

Soon to be broken? Wouldn't think it'll take that long.

What's the reason for no SKY. Better things to do?

How many times has he ridden a prestigious one day race?
Wiki says :
2nd Gent–Wevelgem
3rd Amstel Gold Race
4th Milan – San Remo
5th Tour of Flanders

Were these his first attempts?

@skinny

I can't see it lasting past the end of April.

Sky didn't request an entry as far as I understand.

Sky are bringing their big guns for Tirreno-Adriatico, but their classics team is effing off to Teide for more training before MSR. A very scaled back programme: not even sure who they are sending to Paris-Nice

I can't see it lasting past the end of April.

Sagan you mean?

Yes. He'll win a one day race soon I think, maybe even a monument.

agreed!

also, TJ Slagter (Blanco's #1 for saturday) might be one to keep an eye out for, uphill finishes seem to be his cup of tea too

La Samyn on Eurosport today, Sky's classics team in the mix. Paris-Nice at the weekend, who are people fancying? De Gendt? Roche maybe? Most of the big guns are staying away.

Also Cav is racing this over the weekend:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-to-race-driedaagse-van-west-vlaanderen

3 day stage race, should be interesting

looking coooold at La Samyn. Sky fan photo's

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151488254244873.508283.194104484872&type=1

Low tire pressure. Must be wet.
Stannard is the business.

bloody fog

Yes. He'll win a one day race soon I think, maybe even a monument.

you HAVE changed your tune from last season....

I have, last year I said he was in danger of becoming a flat track bully who only won races when the field was weak. He showed at the Tour that he was more than that.

He was also there or thereabouts in a couple of monuments, so with a bit more maturity is likely to be contesting for the win.

"was in danger of"?

haha, I don't think you put it that mildly at the time ;-) but that's the thing with predictions

La Samyn looking glorious now..

It was obvious from Paris-Nice in 2010 that he had talent, but then he never really confirmed that, and always seemed to be in form at the wrong point of the season (i.e. the Tour of California). It wasn't until the Tour last year that he showed he could win when the field was in form and deep.

god it feels good to be right

in form at the wrong point of the season (i.e. the Tour of California)

I'll ask Robert Gesink to give him a call for training suggestions!

FFS. Just realised I'm not watching La Samyn on Eurosport. Repeat of Haut Var..

FFS. Just realised I'm not watching La Samyn on Eurosport. Repeat of Haut Var..

I lolz

Me too. I was like.. That bloke with the funny hat clapping the riders was also at haut var...... oh.. Wait.. I can't see Sky.. Oh wait.. this ins't Samyn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku_t6qpVoHU

I think I might move to where that Haut Var was run. It looked warmer than everywhere else and not too lumpy. So, who wants to give me regular rub downs?

@ 5'7 and a half do I qualify as a midget, or are you not fussy anymore?

Let's be honest.. I've never been the fussy type.

Here's a P-N preview.. because this is getting boring waiting for some decent racing.

http://roadcyclinguk.com/news/racing-news/paris-nice-preview-2013.html