2014 Pro-cycling season thread

Expect a twitter meltdown in 3, 2, 1....

Sky riders cheating? No ways! You said it couldn't happen! Lance lied to us? OMG!

Uh oh

What? Seriously?

Nibali is epic.

He was a beast at the end of last years Giro. Parking People on Climbs at will.

I'd quite like to see him ride a easier Giro, and attack Bert and Froomedog in the Tour. Its too easy for teams to defend a single challenger. More fun when theres 3.

I wish people would just sit down and think about this for a second, before they make themselves look stupid.

Comparing times on a climb is essentially meaningless, as there are so many variables that can change and be a factor. To then hold this up as proof (or not) of someone doping is arse hattery of the highest order.

This. Performance is not proof, there are too many variables that are impossible to quantify. You could only compare times if the conditions are exactly the same, same bike, same road surface, same wind speed and direction, same air pressure, air temperature, road temperature etc etc.

how about er... the tactics and dynamics of actual racing?

riders don't just blast uphill all out every time, but ride tempo, accellerate and slow down, then attack again etc. (especially Contador) all depending on the race situation at hand.

This is also very true, they don't TT up climbs, unless it is an uphill TT.....

He was a beast at the end of last years Giro. Parking People on Climbs at will.

I'd quite like to see him ride a easier Giro, and attack Bert and Froomedog in the Tour. Its too easy for teams to defend a single challenger. More fun when theres 3.

Vavlerde and Rodriguez will also be there.

and Horner

lolz

Frank Schleck

Seriously though... if Quintana does go to France Yorkshire (in a supporting role). I'd put him higher in the GC than Nibali. Maybe.

Nairo can TT these days.

Supporting Valverde? Urgh...

Seriously though... if Quintana does go to France Yorkshire (in a supporting role). I'd put him higher in the GC than Nibali. Maybe.

Naro can TT these days.

Really? Nibali has won 2 GTs and finished on the podium in another 4, Quintana has finished on the podium once so far.

I think Quintana is an exciting prospect, but Nibali is the finished article.

Well its early doors. I'd love to see Berty in good enough form to be a Complete cnut on the Climbs. I'd also like to see a serious 3rd contender that gives the teams something to think about.

Quintana has finished on the podium once so far.

He finished on the podium last year!

If Valverde has a chance. I cant see him being allowed to do anything.

He finished on the podium last year!

I know. He'll do it again too, and probably win a fair few as well.

It'll be a shame if he isn't at the Tour this year, but learning how to win a GT at the Giro may be more beneficial for him in the longer term.

He, more than anyone else, stands to lose the most from stage 5 at this year's Tour, and the likes of Sky, BMC and Tinkoff-Saxo know it.

Stage 5 I have to admit I'd not noticed this stage.

Yeah, I'd expect him to struggle on that.

it

especially Flanders and PR, looking forward to a both fabs and boonen being on form and seeing how others mix it up. Will geraint thomas crash? Stybar's looking awesome too, stannard going well. Can Sagan mix it on the cobbles? should be some mighty fine racing in the next few weeks.

Vanmarcke is going to be a serious contender along with those two.

I agree. Of all the up and coming riders who are looking to take over the mantle from Boonen and Cancellara as their powers inevitably decline, Vanmarcke looks to me like the next dominant force.

Expect a twitter meltdown in 3, 2, 1....

This is interesting (although I'm not sure I fully understand it all).

http://decaironman-training.com/2014/03/19/the-challenge-of-monitoring-altitude-natives-in-professional-cycling/

Also interesting are GT contenders who won't be competing at all for 2 months before the Criterium du Dauphinee.

http://exroadman1.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/pro-riders-race-schedules/

Clinic

Except the argument for doing specific training rather than let races dictate pace, etc is totally valid.

check