Pro-cycling thread

Not quite sure how Sky just let Soler ride himself into the lead without putting up much of a fight. Feels a bit odd.

What was odder was that Sagan and Colbrelli were in that second group with teammates but didn't close it down to go for the stage.

#froomewatch

112th today, 19:01 behind Soler. Drops 32 places to 95th on GC.

Will he go to the tour regardless?

How did Ineos survive the rainy conditions today riding in a bunch of disc-equipped teams on their carbon rims with calliper brakes? I’m not trying to kick off a disc/rim mud-slinging match, but are carbon rims not that bad on wet roads? No traffic or red lights, but still.

Kung crashed and poor, sweet, sweet, Rohan crashededed.

I don't know what the point of froomewatch is but here's a fairly frank view on Froome's progress and potential from his DS.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-i-wont-wake-up-one-day-and-suddenly-win-again/

And a reminder that women's cycling is still in a dire condition.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/racing-below-the-breadline-the-womens-cycling-omerta/

I must say I respect Froome even more for doing what he’s doing. He didn’t have to come back - with 4 tours he is already a legend. I think he has every right to try to get back to his best, even (especially) if he doesn’t manage it, and it’s pretty brave to even try. He strikes me as quite a humble man in contrast to a lot of riders who have achieved far less than he has.

Same here. He's in the arena. He doesn't need to be, and it can't be an easy place to be.

I think, ironically, his legacy will be built by the fact he's tried to come back rather than "just" the 7 grand tours.

I do wonder if there is some 'come-back' film being made of the process, a bit like David Millar's record of his final season - albeit, I'd hope, without the narcissism, pretension and missing out on the Tour.

I don't. Look at Hinault, barely anyone remembers his two years of injury problems, but instead remember his final two Tours and mis-remember his win at Paris-Roubaix ("he only rode it once, you know").

Look at Hinault

Who?

Chris Fro-who?-me

Did lol, would enjoy again.

Look at Hinault, barely anyone remembers his two years of injury problems

It's like how nobody will remember the time when hippy changed his avatar to a cat.

ha ha #rep

Would love to see Froome on the dance floor at the end though.

Just watched the highlights from Stage 4 of the Tour de Romandie. That looked pretty grim. Not exactly an a sales pitch for spending Spring in the Swiss Romande.

The distance that Kung slid when he came down ... very alarming crash.

Froome is on a reported 5 million euro a year 5 year contract. Who wouldn’t give it another go? Like he says life’s too short.
He doesn’t really have anything to loose.

this, like a pinball

Is there any confirmed change to today's stage in Romandie as hinted at yesterday?

Yes, it started 2 hours early. I think Eurosport coverage starts in 15 mins or so. It will no doubt come down to the last climb anyway so might not miss out on much.