Pro-cycling thread

I don't know about that-he's no longer a paid PR stooge for ASO so more likely he's just put out by Froome being put in the same category as he and Merckx and trying to get him frozen out. Or genuinely indignant about the perceived lack of consistency in treatment between riders.

In himself rather? Same as all of those ex-racers commenting on Froome’s case for a few months now

Nothing to do with Hinault not wanting anyone else to join the all-three GTs and 5 Tours club.

. Or genuinely indignant about the perceived lack of consistency in treatment between riders.

What inconsistency? Froome has a right to due process like anyone else. I don’t see anyone complaining that Samuel Sanchez hasn’t been sanctioned yet, and his case was a) before Froome’s and b) for a banned substance not a specified substance.

Did you read what Hinault said about it?

Didn’t realise he’d been left off the Tour team. Wow.

Rumour has it that he’s off to Lotto-Soudal to replace Greipel.

I’m travelling back from Finland, so have only seen a single report in the Guardian. From that, Hinault seems not to understand the rules of the sport.

It could be the likelihood of him leaving that has kept him off the team?
Also the impact of the TTTs seen in recent races has probably meant they needed to bolster their TT powerhouses.

On the subject of sprinters, just had a look through Cavendish's stats for the season, he doesn't look to be in any kind of form at the moment based on results. Although he has at least got through California and Slovenia unscathed (I assume?)

Cav is never in form. He’ll win at the tour no doubt. An immense ability to rise to the occasion.

Competition looks fierce this year, though no Caleb Ewan will mean he is the most aero sprinter there, which should go in his favour.

Very true. 'Only' another 4 to match Merckx. I'd guess his biggest aim left is to surpass him.

Everytime he has got fit he has had another crash. Amazingly unlucky start to season

Oh no. Nothing like that.

I don't doubt that, but I think this year will be a horrible tour for him.
I know everyone says, every tour, "THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE AWFUL FOR CAV. IS THIS THE END?"

But who knows? I don't know what DD have got planned this year for a tour strategy, more banditry?
If there's sprints, I can't see how QS won't be absolutely killing themselves to get #thewolfpack all over the front.

Why the fuck is Ewan off the Tour team? This was supposed to be his Tour debut and there was a lot of mentions of that too. What happened?

It probably confirms that he's leaving at the end of the season - Mitchelton won't care about his UCI points and they have an extra rider to back Yates on an 8-rider team.

Since they nearly came up trumps as a grand tour winner callum must of seen the writing on the wall . Tuff but sponsors want exposure .

clears throat, adjusts pince-nez

It seems to say here that Tejay "Get in the car" Van Garderen is signing for EF Education First

http://www.wielerflits.nl/nieuws/368718/tejay-van-garderen-naar-ef-education-first-drapac.html

Armstrong will love that.

Retirement home.

I thought EF was more Silicon Valley i.e. 'circle-jerk of self-congratulating white hipster bros no republicans allowed'

I’m struggling to think of a rider who has gone to Team Vaughters and improved.

I’m travelling back from Finland...

Oi!

I was in fucking Oulu, not ‘Stinki. Sadly.