Pro-cycling thread

Thanks. Apparently Thomas is team leader for the race.

Carlton kirby and his bezzie bertie.

Bell end.

Spanish TV and their complete lack of meaningful onscreen graphics. How hard is it to pop a graphic in the top left corner saying how many kms to go?

They must have heard you. Kms to go visible now, but intermittent time checks from the break to the bunch are still frustratingly 'authentic'.

Part of the charm of Spanish & Italian tv coverage innit

Maybe they didn't bother with showing the gap because they already knew it was to be a bunch sprint

I don't care about the gap, just want to know how long is left so I can ensure I'm watching when for the finish.

I don't know why, but it's always good to see Bouhanni lose to a FDJ rider.

We all know why, he's a grade a C.

Nah, I quite like him. I like that he winds people up and isn't some anodyne character, sprinters should be entertaining and he is. I just like it that Madiot decided Demare was a better bet and let Bouhanni go, yet can still beat him with other riders from time to time.

it's always good to see Bouhanni lose

Indeed.

I think he verges beyond 'character' and into just being an idiot. How many instances have we seen of him causing issues. He's a liability.

IMO.

He's going to be the classics hope G never was.

But, but, G's been a Classics hope for a long time. What we need is someone who fulfils those hopes. :)

Are your talking about Cav?

No, boxer bouhanni.
Cavs cool. He's got character!

But cavs caused some issues.

I don't think Rowe is that rider either on current ability. Much like G he'll be there at the pointy end, but doesn't have the ability to make the selection or win a sprint.
Spends too much time being a bunch engine rather than riding tactically

Surprised Sky aren't racing Dwars Door Vlaanderen. They've got a massive squad.

Was it Kennaugh who went off the front a few kms out? Whoever it was, they were doing the 'pedalling while sat on top tube' manoeuvre and somehow, probably because they were on the tops and their elbows were jutting out, managed to make it look even more ungainly and uncool than usual. I had to look away in disgust. I lose a little bit of respect every time I see someone do it. I was appalled when I saw Contador pulling it recently. I thought he had more style.

/rant

It was Kennaugh. It looked ridiculous, even more than when Froome did it.

even more than when Froome did it

I vaguely remember this... Was that the solo breakaway in last year's tour?

Without looking it up, can you name the last 5 winners of the race?

That's why Sky aren't riding it.

Yes, on the stage he won.

That's why I only vaguely remember it. As a card-carrying disliker of Froome that stage has been melted from my brain, despite it being pretty amazing.

I remember him running up Ventoux as clear as day though.

Lots of WT teams with little prayer and fewer resources are lining up.

Does anybody know if E3 Harelbeke is live of Euro sport on friday. I'm just considering moving some meeting so I can work from home on friday afternoon.

Yes it is.

Clearly Sky don't think it's worth turning up for. With the expanded WT calendar this year, I think they are prioritising those races ahead of all others.