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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 6:58:07 GMT
A few bits of news. I see Geraint Thomas crashed yet again this time during the prologue at the Criterium du Dauphine - he doesn't seem to have much luck does he ? It's also being reported that Chris Froome's Salbutamol case will now not be decided before the TdF after he and Team Sky provided 1500 pages of supporting technical evidence to the UCI. It'll be interesting to see if he's going to be able to ride in the TdF as previously ASO had said they wouldn't let any rider take part if they have an ongoing drugs case. There's also been news of the TdF stage 17 where it seems riders will be started in waves or groups depending on their GC positions, with the leader and top 20 starting first, and so on. Presumably this is to stop Team Sky or Movistar or whoever dominating the climbs with 4 or 5 domestiques plus the race leader sitting on the front. It'll be interesting to see if the climbers just go for it or if they sit up and wait for their domestiques to regroup as usual. I really wouldn't want that staged start. The whole point is that it is a team effort with 7 others effectively riding for their lead guy! It's all about the French wanting to stop Froome. Simple as that.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 7:37:57 GMT
A few bits of news. I see Geraint Thomas crashed yet again this time during the prologue at the Criterium du Dauphine - he doesn't seem to have much luck does he ? It's also being reported that Chris Froome's Salbutamol case will now not be decided before the TdF after he and Team Sky provided 1500 pages of supporting technical evidence to the UCI. It'll be interesting to see if he's going to be able to ride in the TdF as previously ASO had said they wouldn't let any rider take part if they have an ongoing drugs case. There's also been news of the TdF stage 17 where it seems riders will be started in waves or groups depending on their GC positions, with the leader and top 20 starting first, and so on. Presumably this is to stop Team Sky or Movistar or whoever dominating the climbs with 4 or 5 domestiques plus the race leader sitting on the front. It'll be interesting to see if the climbers just go for it or if they sit up and wait for their domestiques to regroup as usual. I really wouldn't want that staged start. The whole point is that it is a team effort with 7 others effectively riding for their lead guy! It's all about the French wanting to stop Froome. Simple as that. I agree - either they'll stop him from entering because of the Salbutamol case, or they'll change the format to stop him winning the race. Apparently the segmented start is definitely going to happen as they released the details over the weekend.
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Post by salopstick on Jun 4, 2018 18:22:31 GMT
I really wouldn't want that staged start. The whole point is that it is a team effort with 7 others effectively riding for their lead guy! It's all about the French wanting to stop Froome. Simple as that. I agree - either they'll stop him from entering because of the Salbutamol case, or they'll change the format to stop him winning the race. Apparently the segmented start is definitely going to happen as they released the details over the weekend. The more they try and “de-froome” races the harder it gets for the other teams.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 18:33:12 GMT
I agree - either they'll stop him from entering because of the Salbutamol case, or they'll change the format to stop him winning the race. Apparently the segmented start is definitely going to happen as they released the details over the weekend. The more they try and “de-froome” races the harder it gets for the other teams. That's a great point
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Post by salopstick on Jun 4, 2018 18:37:47 GMT
The more they try and “de-froome” races the harder it gets for the other teams. That's a great point Golf tried the same in the 2000s when they tried to tiger proof courses.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 18:40:51 GMT
Golf tried the same in the 2000s when they tried to tiger proof courses. True dat. So those in charge have a better chance waiting for Froomey to get involved in mass adultery, hookers and coke.
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Post by salopstick on Jun 4, 2018 20:27:08 GMT
Froome has announced he's doing the Giro next year so it looks like he will go head to head with Tom Dumoulin after all. This years race was the best Grand Tour of the year for me, so it's going to be really interesting to see how Froome tackles it and whether he will be capable of retaining the Tour de France. It seems that he could not resist the potential of holding all three titles at the same time Beeb mermaidsal any chance you can rename this “The Cycling Thread” Cheers me duck. I’m sure barker won’t mind
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Jun 4, 2018 20:50:31 GMT
I don't mind either way. but I do like having the three grand tours threads, and perhaps we should put this one away for a bit and resurrect the TDF thread as that's now this current topic.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 21:19:06 GMT
There's the Criterium du Dauphine on all this week which is a pointer for TdF form so we could start a TdF one from now, and also keep "The Cycling Thread" at the same time for other races and general news.
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Jun 6, 2018 9:41:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 12:04:11 GMT
I read something similar following an interview with Nicolas Portal of Team Sky - it was really interesting and should hopefully silence some of his Chris Froome's detractors but sadly it won't. I hope he is allowed to take part in the Tour de France and absolutely dominates the race. However ASO do appear to be steadfastly sticking to their guns that he won't be able to compete all the while this salbutamol case is in the background, and it seems that the case won't be resolved until later in the year.
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Jun 6, 2018 18:57:58 GMT
I read something similar following an interview with Nicolas Portal of Team Sky - it was really interesting and should hopefully silence some of his Chris Froome's detractors but sadly it won't. I hope he is allowed to take part in the Tour de France and absolutely dominates the race. However ASO do appear to be steadfastly sticking to their guns that he won't be able to compete all the while this salbutamol case is in the background, and it seems that the case won't be resolved until later in the year. I've not being following the ASO situation, but I guess that Team Sky will take any exclusion to the Court of Arbitration For Sport, and I also guess that the court will rule that seeing that the UCI allow him to race, then the ASO will not be able to stop him. All of this will make great viewing as Froome stuffs it to the Frogs, day after day, no matter how much piss they throw at him.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 19:14:31 GMT
Great performance in the Critérium du Dauphiné stage three team time trial today by Team Sky to put Kwiatkowski back into yellow after he lost the lead following his crash yesterday. Sky won by 37 seconds from BMC over what was basically a dress rehearsal for the TdF 35 km time trial.
Due to their dominance in the TT Sky are also dominating the GC holding the top 4 places but with the mountain stages still to come.
Critérium du Dauphiné stage three: Pont-de-Vaux to Louhans-Chateaurenard, 35km (TTT) 1. Team Sky (GBr), in 36-33 2. BMC Racing (USA), at 37 secs 3. Lotto Soudal (Bel), at 53 secs 4. Mitchelton-Scott (Aus), at 56 secs 5. Quick-Step Floors (Bel), at 1-02 6. Trek-Segafredo (USA), at 1-27 7. AG2R La Mondiale (Fra), at 1-30 8. Movistar (Esp), at 1-31 9. LottoNl-Jumbo (Ned), at 1-33 10. Groupama-FDJ (Fra), at 1-34
General classification after stage three 1 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team Sky, in 9-28-21 2 Gianni Moscon (Ita) Team Sky, at 3 secs 3 Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp) Team Sky, at 9 secs 4 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky, at 21 secs 5 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing, at 48 secs 6 Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC Racing, at 52 secs 7 Joey Rosskopf (USA) BMC Racing, at 53 secs 8 Daryl Impey (RSA) Mitchelton-Scott, at 54 secs 9 Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Lotto Soudal, at 1-01 10 Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors, at 1-08
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Jun 7, 2018 19:39:05 GMT
Fair play to Tom Dumoulin, he's going to do the Tour. I thought he'd give it a rest and maybe go for Spain instead. link
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2018 19:57:25 GMT
Fair play to Tom Dumoulin, he's going to do the Tour. I thought he'd give it a rest and maybe go for Spain instead. linkGood - I like Dumoulin and his presence at the TdF will make the GC even more competitive. I hope Froome is allowed to race and that he wins it but there are several other main GC contenders Porte, Nibali, Landa, numerous others, and even Nairo bloody Quintana although I hope to goodness he doesn't get anywhere near the podium as I really can't stand the guy. Just seeing the list of the stages on that link brings it ever closer - can't wait !
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2018 18:05:40 GMT
G is leading the Critérium du Dauphiné for Team Sky by 1 min 29 sec from Adam Yates going into the last stage tomorrow. Really good stage today which was almost a dress rehearsal for stage 17 of the TdF. Pello Bilbao won for Astana and then in a group of G, Bardet, Yates and Dan Martin, G suddenly made the break and convincingly got second place and the 6 seconds time bonus. Tao Geogeghan-Hart also looking pretty impressive on the mountain stages.
Tour of Switzerland next week, and the TdF is getting ever closer !
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2018 12:29:38 GMT
So G won the Critérium du Dauphiné for Team Sky by exactly 1 minute from Adam Yates after Yates won the final stage with a terrific last minute effort.
It's about time G had some good luck following his recent crashes and the crash on the opening prologue where he came in 21 seconds behind.
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Post by salopstick on Jun 11, 2018 13:01:31 GMT
So G won the Critérium du Dauphiné for Team Sky by exactly 1 minute from Adam Yates after Yates won the final stage with a terrific last minute effort. It's about time G had some good luck following his recent crashes and the crash on the opening prologue where he came in 21 seconds behind. Back up for the tour? Haven’t watched much ive been on my own
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2018 16:51:46 GMT
So G won the Critérium du Dauphiné for Team Sky by exactly 1 minute from Adam Yates after Yates won the final stage with a terrific last minute effort. It's about time G had some good luck following his recent crashes and the crash on the opening prologue where he came in 21 seconds behind. Back up for the tour? Haven’t watched much ive been on my own Yes that's what Eurosport seems to think.
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Post by Kewstokie on Jun 11, 2018 20:48:30 GMT
Will catch a couple of stages live of the Tour du Midi (or Route d'Occitaine as its now known) this week. Kenny Elissonde is rewarded for his sterling efforts supporting Froome on that famous stage of the Giro by leading for Sky in this race. Can't see them winning though with Valverde turning out for Movistar.
Good article on BBC sport how Sky planned and executed the stage of the Giro that launched Froome's win. Makes perfect sense how they did it. Won't change the locals view on Froome though.
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Post by Clem Fandango on Jun 11, 2018 21:01:15 GMT
Will catch a couple of stages live of the Tour du Midi (or Route d'Occitaine as its now known) this week. Kenny Elissonde is rewarded for his sterling efforts supporting Froome on that famous stage of the Giro by leading for Sky in this race. Can't see them winning though with Valverde turning out for Movistar. Good article on BBC sport how Sky planned and executed the stage of the Giro that launched Froome's win. Makes perfect sense how they did it. Won't change the locals view on Froome though. I see beñat intxausti is lining up for sky in only his 3 race in the last 3 years due to a severe case of glandular fever. such a shame as he looked a real climbing talent.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 5:58:56 GMT
Strong rumours that BMC are in serious financial difficulty and likely to fold at the end of the season. Rohan Dennnis looks possible for Bahrain Merida and Richie Porte in big demand. Tejay also has "several options".
It'll be a shame if they do go bust but there currently doesn't seem to be any other big sponsor willing to stump up the cash to save the team.
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Post by salopstick on Jun 13, 2018 6:01:54 GMT
Strong rumours that BMC are in serious financial difficulty and likely to fold at the end of the season. Rohan Dennnis looks possible for Bahrain Merida and Richie Porte in big demand. Tejay also has "several options". It'll be a shame if they do go bust but there currently doesn't seem to be any other big sponsor willing to stump up the cash to save the team. Didn’t cannondale nearly fold
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 6:10:52 GMT
Strong rumours that BMC are in serious financial difficulty and likely to fold at the end of the season. Rohan Dennnis looks possible for Bahrain Merida and Richie Porte in big demand. Tejay also has "several options". It'll be a shame if they do go bust but there currently doesn't seem to be any other big sponsor willing to stump up the cash to save the team. Didn’t cannondale nearly fold Yes - the went from being their own team to then co-sponsor in Cannondale Garmin in 2016. That didn work out and now they're just an afterthought in Team EF Education First drapac (powered by Cannondale). Tinkoff also pulled the plug recently (didn't go bust though), but I suppose there's been a long history of sponsors dipping in and out of the sport. Teams do usually tend to find another sponsor somewhere but this time it seems there's no takers for BMC. It would be good to see Richie back at Sky but I suppose he likes being top dog in a team in the TdF too much now.
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Post by salopstick on Jun 13, 2018 9:44:08 GMT
Didn’t cannondale nearly fold Yes - the went from being their own team to then co-sponsor in Cannondale Garmin in 2016. That didn work out and now they're just an afterthought in Team EF Education First drapac (powered by Cannondale). Tinkoff also pulled the plug recently (didn't go bust though), but I suppose there's been a long history of sponsors dipping in and out of the sport. Teams do usually tend to find another sponsor somewhere but this time it seems there's no takers for BMC. It would be good to see Richie back at Sky but I suppose he likes being top dog in a team in the TdF too much now. I’ve also read that sky are not yet committed to extending their contract
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2018 9:51:09 GMT
Yes - the went from being their own team to then co-sponsor in Cannondale Garmin in 2016. That didn work out and now they're just an afterthought in Team EF Education First drapac (powered by Cannondale). Tinkoff also pulled the plug recently (didn't go bust though), but I suppose there's been a long history of sponsors dipping in and out of the sport. Teams do usually tend to find another sponsor somewhere but this time it seems there's no takers for BMC. It would be good to see Richie back at Sky but I suppose he likes being top dog in a team in the TdF too much now. I’ve also read that sky are not yet committed to extending their contract Oh I hadn't seen that ! That would be a big loss unless the team can find another big sponsor. It would be a great shame if we lost the "British" team in the World Tour.
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Post by salopstick on Jun 13, 2018 10:04:21 GMT
I’ve also read that sky are not yet committed to extending their contract Oh I hadn't seen that ! That would be a big loss unless the team can find another big sponsor. It would be a great shame if we lost the "British" team in the World Tour. It was just umming and arring pinaraello and Castelli are contracted to sky until 2020 but fox is buying 100% of sky tv. Sky generated 550m£ of advertising for Their brands so I assume something will be done. They have a good programme for progression for riders so it is probably a team that could attract a major sponsor easily. If sky pulled the plug
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Aug 2, 2018 8:41:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 10:54:03 GMT
Real gentleman and very sporting by the sounds of that excerpt. I am really pleased that Froome won the Giro and G won the TDf, but in hindsight it seems a bit hard on Tom Dumoulin finishing second on both occasions. It would perhaps be nice if he could maybe win the Giro next year. He needs more support from Sunweb to help him though. Imagine how good he'd be if he was in Team Sky, sign him up !
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Aug 2, 2018 10:58:13 GMT
Another good sport who emerged out of the TDF was Julian Alaphilippe. Who would have thought that France could actually produce a decent man.
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