Pro-cycling thread

I thought they were going to stay indie?

Hard to turn down your country when you’re selected for the World Champs, no?

Anyway, I came here to assert that Cavendish is finished as that’s two races now and he’s not won either of them.

Isn’t he normally rubbish at the beginning of the season?
Surprised at Viviani and Groenewegen though.

Neither of them is a surprise really. Groenewegen won on the Champs Elysees last year.

I always wonder whether Cavendish might change his priorities a bit. I reckon he could have a decent crack at Paris Roubaix. He got in the break in 2016 and finished top 20 (I think).

"I think we're always at a disadvantage with the aerodynamic differences between our bicycles. We've got a five-year old bike and I know how fast that Venge goes.

Cavendish on the tremendously shabby S5 he's forced to ride
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mark-cavendish-for-me-its-win-or-nothing/

Refreshing to hear an opinion expressed on bike spec's, albeit from someone who's not short on opinions. See also Tony Martin on moving to Katusha to ride a Canyon TT bike

He did pretty ok on the S5 in 2016, don't think aero bike tech improved dramatically since then (Kittel & Sagan were both on Venges then). Might need all the aero help he can get if he is a couple of % off his best.

He’s not the fastest in the peloton any more but if you watch him on days like today, he’s still got lots of wins in him.

Didn’t use Renshaw, timed it perfectly, drifted just enough to put Bouhanni and Kittel in the wind. Bingo.

Adam Blythe finished very quickly today too. Odd career but reckon he’s got a big win in him.

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/mark-cavendish-takes-first-win-of-2018-with-dubai-tour-stage-three-sprint-victory-368569

Is he wearing a Michael Jackson glove? Good win.

Shitty little race.

To be clear, I am joking. It’s become a well worn cliche to write off Cavendish in the early season. I don’t think he’ll ever be as prolific as he once was, but he’ll still win plenty of races for a few more years.

Needs more diamonds.

Hopefully enough at the tour to take the crown there.

https://www.arewethere.yt/Omloop-het-Nieuwsblad/82107.htm

Egan Bernal looking very good already. Go Berndog!

#zumo

#troll

Bernal looking ridiculous, he’s only just 21!
The Columbian talent at the moment is outrageous.

He had to tell Tao to slow down as he kept dropping him

That wasn’t Bernal. Tao was in the break with Seb Henao, he was the one who was telling Tao to knock it back a notch.

Tao dropped back from the break to pull for Bernal with 2km to go, from 31:40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN8Cq4a8FXk&t

That looks way better than the coverage I saw, where it was impossible to know what was going on, i.e. what happened to the rider leading in the final km, where did Dayer Quintana come from?

Will have to watch that properly later and try and piece it together. Thanks for the correction.

Check out those crowds!

I actually don't think watching that will enlighten you any further. I think the TV director missed all the catches/passing/racing moves except Bernal's jump; Martinez just appears on Bernal's wheel out of nowhere

Team Wiggins now has a yoga and mindfulness partner
https://www.sportindustry.biz/news/team-wiggins-announces-lululemon-partnership

Bet the riders are delighted