Pro-cycling thread

What a fucking finish by Kennaugh at the Dauphine.

Took off with 2km to go and rode it home.

Li'l Pete has just won the opening stage of the Dauphine.

He went away with a group of 5 on the last, small climb, held a 10 second lead or so until just over 2 kms to go then jumped away solo to hold off the peloton to win by 2 seconds.

Impressive that he managed to get away considering that Oss - who's a bit of a monster - got reeled in.

Kirby's commentary was below his usual poor standard. Said Kennaugh had 50 to go as he crossed the line.

He looked the strongest of the break, was doing longer turns than anyone else and forcing the pace more.

Well timed move too. In two senses.

I was screaming myself hoarse through a broken collar bone - hurts a little now...

Loved Dreamy Pete's win, what a way to show off the jersey (which looks great in Sky kit, unlike for example Astana's rotten Italian jersey) showing real race craft and some big nipples as he crossed the line, ooo-err

enjoyed that! one of the nicest ways to grab a stage win, the well-timed escape that has the lead group surprised and looking at each other for just a second too long, edge of the seat material

another Grand Tour start party in NL next year, how nice

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/giro-ditalia/leak-confirms-dutch-start-for-2016-giro-ditalia-175679

Bouhanni was miles clear when he crossed the line today. Not exactly up against a great field of sprinters, but nobody's really setting the world alight at the momen.

Reckon Cavendish will get a couple (minimum) at the Tour as long as he stays upright.

Or ensure that those near him don't stay upright eg veelers...

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/06/the-secret-pro-on-the-giro-there-were-days-when-youd-just-despair/

Yeah that's a depressing read, but confirms a lot of suspicions. He does laud Contador though, which is kind of encouraging I guess, in a weird way.
Who is TSP? If he raced with Wiggo as a junior then he'd be around 33-35 now...? And he mentioned his sponsor being one that would like to be prominent in the US during ATOC?

Scoffs at Giro performances, yet nothing but praise for Contador. Not a bad word to say against the Kreuziger case being dropped?...
Rogers?

Given what he said about title sponsors that makes me think it's Trek, BMC or C-G, but nobody on those teams fits the other clues.

Is Tinkoff trying to break America? Given sexy Petr won ATOC this year he already has.

I can't see any other sponsor brand being as bothered...

"How I became a drug cheat athlete to test the system"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32983932

I saw that. There was disappointingly little detail on exactly how the dosing fooled the system and a lot of emphasis on the guilt felt by the journo that his results with EPO weren't 'real'.

I can see why this was done because, like, drugs is bad, but I still feel if they were actually going to give someone the stuff it could have been a far more interesting watch. In any case, it's the total * lack * of remorse or shame displayed by certain individuals that makes the subject compelling.

Makes lots of unsubstantiated claims about certain teams, but omits the fact that Hesjedal, Konig and Geniez all finished in the top ten.

I don't doubt the race was hard, but to claim that it was filthy when riders like this are doing well is somewhat far fetched.

He's going to throw in useless info like that to keep people guessing. His opinions about riders are better indications of who he is as that's the stuff he would actually want to get out.

Hesjedal has doped before though. But not suggesting in any way that he is now.

I know. But only the clinically insane think Garmin are running a team wide doping program.

He's definitely a cyclist not a journalist, it's not well written at all. What he said about Astana mirrors comments in the doping thread at the end of that first week.

He does come across as being very sneery of the Italians, both riders and race organisers. Didn't enjoy that bit.

it's not well written at all

Possibly translated as English not first language?

Thought the same

Dauphine TTT pretty toight; 5 secs covering top 3 at the moment

secret pro, do your homework...

Astana had a great race didn’t they? Six riders in the top 25, and with guys that I’ve not seen that high up on a GC list before. They sure rode out of their skins!

2: Aru - before: 3rd in Giro & 5th in Vuelta
13: Kangert - 11th in Vuelta & 13th in Giro
19: Tiralongo - 8th in Vuelta & 15th & 18th in Giro
23: Rosa - 22nd in Giro
25: Cataldo > 2x 12th in Giro
3: Landa - the only one never in a top 25 before