2014 Pro-cycling season thread

Gah! Totally forgot about today's race...

I missed the ending because I couldn't get into my office! Just got home. Weak.

Eurosport highlights now.

Bugger. I read about it this morning, thought about Dan Martin. Didn't do anything else.

Just always feel empty when Valverde wins. Meh

Is the valverde dislike all the same reasons as contador? once-a-doper etc?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Valverde#Allegations_of_drug_use

I see, cheers

He was banned for 18 months, effectively. Since his ban he's continued to maintain innocence, despite the overwhelming evidence against him, and claimed he has done nothing wrong.

Allied to that is the fact that he's a wheel sucker of the highest order, who never ever puts his nose in the wind, and it all adds up to him being an utter and total despicable cunt.

Dan Martin left himself a lot to do and killed himself getting to the front but impressive and bodes well for LBL.

Valverde embodies that Armstrong-esque opinion that is ok to dope, no contrition at all. Plus as Andyp points out, he's the pick pocket of the peloton.

Don't know where to post this but Cav's been on..

Apparently he will be at the Spesh store in Covent Garden at 4:14pm, for a special launch.

I heard Valverde's recent performances described as a 'rich vein of form'.

Brian Cookson was on some BBC sports show recently. I might get a chance to watch it in 6 months time..

In April?

Froome

GT r srs bznz

I heard Valverde's recent performances described as a 'rich vein of form'.

Fastest ever ascent of the Muur de Huy, beating Gilbert's time from 2011, although there was a tailwind

http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/D4B_0279.jpg

From a selection of great pics by the Grubers from Tro Bro Leon

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/04/tro-bro-leon-in-photos/

Wow, thanks, looks like an amazing race, worth going to see next year

thanks for sharing that Chadders81, inspirational! reminds me of L'Eroica/Strade Bianche. worth going to ride (the tourist version) next year

Lads,
I don't think that's going to work...
http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/80B_3466.jpg

Fastest ever ascent of the Muur de Huy, beating Gilbert's time from 2011, although there was a tailwind

If you look at the timings up the Mur, you'll see that times during the height of the EPO era were considerably lower than they are today.

See here for more info.

There could be any number of reasons for this, but two stand out for me;

1. The nature of the race has changed and is now little more than an uphill bunch sprint for explosive climbers, with the peleton hitting the bottom of the climb at much higher speed.

2. Standard gearing has changed, back in the 90s most riders would've had a 39 or even 42 inside chainring with a 23 largest sprocket at the rear. These days most riders will have a 39, 36 or even 34 inside chainring and a 27 or even 29 largest sprocket at the rear. They race up it now, rather than grind up it.

The earlier races were all won from small breaks rather than bunch 'sprints' so twatter tells me.

Yes, as per my first point. None of the favourites even attempt to attack from distance nowadays, they all wait for the drag race up the Mur.