2014 Pro-cycling season thread

Just in: Former (2x) World champ cyclocrosser Niels Albert (28) ends career, cannot continue due to heart problems. Sad.

Niels Albert by 伟业 wei yuet, on Flickr

Ah what?!

That's fucking gutting, his battles with Nys have been totally making the CX seasons for the last few years. :(

Bart Wellens suffered from something similar, no?

Ullrich crashes car, fails breatho

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-craven-to-sign-with-europcar

Good news: Craven gets a ride with Europcar and a Vuelta berth. I'm jealous of his rich mane

He's been fairly enigmatic on Twitter the past week or so, everything became crystal clear today.

I'm pleased for him, he's a decent rider and very entertaining to boot.

And he's a geniunelly good guy. Amazing how things have turned out for him.

Indeed! Excellent news!

I was thinking he may have to cut his luxurious head of hair to cope with the Spanish heat, but then he is Namibian, and his hair is the source of his power.

Feeling sorry :(

David Walsh must be on a retainer from Brad to make Froome sound like such a nob-end in his book.

Which reminds me - that book is sitting on my shelf unread...

BMC are reporting that Taylor Phinney has broken his leg in a crash at the US Pro championships.

Oh, rubbish. Hope it's not too serious a fracture?

BMC are reporting that Taylor Phinney has broken his leg in a crash at the US Pro championships.

What?!

Crashed on a downhill.

Gutted for him.

That's a real shame, one of the most admirable riders around.

A complex compound fracture apparently, and he was operated on last night. Let's hope he can make a full and swift recovery.

This but he won't be riding the Tour now. :(

Brian Holm, say it ain't so!

Phinney and another rider caught up with a moto that was descending nervously and both crashed trying to avoid it.

Fucking motos.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/henao-could-be-cleared-to-race-in-the-next-two-weeks

Henao should be racing for Sky again soon. All very bizarre what has being going on there.

BMC are right out of luck, Steve Cummings crashed on the opening stage of the Tour of Belgium today and broke his elbow, which probably puts paid to his hopes to ride the Tour this year.

Ahh Steveo. Shame.