2014 Pro-cycling season thread

The equivalent of the Athletes Hour, Timewarp Testing?

Norman's debut in his pro career yielded 3rd. in todays stage - ahead of Panzerwagen in 4th.

10th for Germain Burton at Herald Sun.
11th For Gerrans.

Gerrans did 512W for 3:06 at 66kg. Strong ride from Germain.

Which do you prefer; unfettered doping with outrageous attacks, or cleaner, less spectacular racing?

Ummmm

If you're not going to let them bring TT bikes, don't have a TT.

Since when is a TT bike required for a TT? As andylancep said, it's not WorldTour so why waste the time, effort, fuel, money for an event they probably won't gain any useful info from anyway (windy and too short).

Look pretty.

A 3 minute prologue only but fuck a doodle doo Germain Burton took a few scalps at the Sun Tour

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Herald_Sun_Tour_2014_Prologue_Melbourne_Southbank

desert racing is a bit meh and all but yesterday's stage in the Tour of Qatar was a HELL of a FAST one

People are saying is the fastest ever average - anyone know of a quick way of checking that?

Dunno. Get on with the Classics

^ if only we could!

fastest TDF prologue was 54 km/h and the hour record is 56km/h so 57 km/h is nucking futs

"Sergei" has some Lampre Merida bikes for sale

Looks familiar

http://singletrackworld.com/2013/11/thieves-make-off-with-lampre-merida-bikes-and-cars/

now we just wait for the Cannondales to appear...

fastest TDF prologue was 54 km/h and the hour record is 56km/h so 57 km/h is nucking futs

Cycling Weekly has it covered:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/tour-qatar-stage-four-fastest-road-race-history-114642

Good interview with Wiggins here;

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/14/bradley-wiggins-not-done-yet-with-tour-de-france

#aerobeard

I'm pleased he's chosen to ride the cobbles this year and hope he does well but getting sick of hearing him.

Spartacus calling it a day after 2015. Interview on Road.cc. Hope he and Boonen properly slug it out this year. Think Sagan might have something to say about it.

Is Wiggins really in with anything resembling a chance in P-R?

It would be cool if he won some kind of Classic, too, of course.

I think a lot of people are riding PR to prepare for the Tour this year. What's to stop Wiggins placing well? He can produce the big diesel-type efforts needed on the cobbles.

Plenty going against him. Last year's Giro raises some questions over his bike handling.

Also - you need a shit load of luck to win PR

Not to mention the speed and power needed to drop Boonen and Cancellara before the track...

I wish the classics would hurry up and start...

Kittel & Degenkolb - bosses.

How about wiggo for Strade Bianche? It takes similar strengths.

I wish the classics would hurry up and start...

Cannot.
Wait.

Wiggo had an ambition to win Paris Roubaix long before he even considered becoming a Grand Tour contender. He's got the build and power and may well have the endurance. As for bike handling, there are no descents which seem to be his problem.

It's certainly a race he could do well in, but I'd prefer to see Sky support Stannard.