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Post by thequietman on Aug 2, 2018 12:19:25 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. Aside from the sniping from the sidelines by Hinault etc. and the occasional spectator being a tool, it was one of the best TdF's I've seen. Lots of positivity, lots of drama right up to the end and a win for someone who so deserved it. Acknowledged as an all-round good guy even by one or two Frenchies.
Sagan too, whether you love him or hate him, showed his undoubted talent & guts again. Cycling's own rock star.
Boy do I feel for Richie Porte, though!
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Post by Kewstokie on Aug 17, 2018 21:57:05 GMT
Tour of Britain is shaping up nicely, Froome and Thomas in Sky's squad. Some top sprinters chosen this race too instead of schlepping over the Spanish mountains for 3 weeks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2018 23:00:34 GMT
It should be a good race this year especially with Froomey and G as well.
I'm going to watch on stage 4 and/or 7, and I'm thinking of going to the Lake District for stage 6. Just hope it doesn't rain !
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2018 11:49:43 GMT
La Vuelta started on Saturday. Stage three today. Stage two was officially designated as a flat stage but was pretty hilly. Valverde just won ahead if Michal Kwiatkowski who moved into the leader's red jersey. Some main GC contenders suffered big time losses, Martin, Nibali, Adam Yates, Richie Porte, so it looks like Valverde or Quintana (spits) are the main contenders to Team Sky. The other teams are already moaning about Sky's early dominance even without Froome or Thomas. Question is how long can Kwiato keep the jersey for. Good stuff ! Read more: oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/282104/la-vuelta-espana#ixzz5PNWWDzDF
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2018 7:49:32 GMT
Viviani wins stage 3 in a sprint finish. Kwiato still in red jersey.
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Post by salopstick on Aug 28, 2018 17:13:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2018 17:53:06 GMT
Well done Salop Are you going to watch the Tour of Britain this year ?
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Post by salopstick on Aug 28, 2018 20:17:59 GMT
Well done Salop Are you going to watch the Tour of Britain this year ? Cheers pal Nah not got the time mate
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Post by Clem Fandango on Aug 29, 2018 20:52:46 GMT
Shame about the news about Cav. makes you wonder if he can come back from this at his age.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2018 21:09:45 GMT
Yes it depends how long his recovery will take but at 33 he's probably going to struggle to get anywhere near his previous level if/when he does return. With the latest batch of sprinters, Gaviria, Groenewegen, Viviani, and Kittel and the rest it's probably going to be impossible for Cav to return to winning ways. It's a real shame as in his prime he was almost uncatchable.
Stage 5 of La Vuelta today, already, and Kwiato surrendered the leaders jersey to Molard by about a minute after he won in a breakaway. Kwiato still second but Simon Yates and Quintana (spits) are ominously close in GC.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2018 5:52:18 GMT
So far I'd say La Vuelta's not quite got the same "attraction" or interest this year without Chris Froome, G, or Dumoulin in it. I'd say that the racing has so far been fairly boring to be honest. Kwiatkowski is Sky's GC contender but unfortunately I can't see anything but a win for Quintana (spits) once it gets into the mountain finishes. Maybe Simon Yates could get his first Grand Tour but Quintana (spits) looks most likely.
Even Carlton Kirby on Eurosport, who can normally make an empty tin can sound exciting, admitted on Thursday (I think) that it's been lacking any real excitement so far and has been a bit boring.
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Sept 3, 2018 20:40:20 GMT
So far I'd say La Vuelta's not quite got the same "attraction" or interest this year without Chris Froome, G, or Dumoulin in it. I'd say that the racing has so far been fairly boring to be honest. Kwiatkowski is Sky's GC contender but unfortunately I can't see anything but a win for Quintana (spits) once it gets into the mountain finishes. Maybe Simon Yates could get his first Grand Tour but Quintana (spits) looks most likely. Even Carlton Kirby on Eurosport, who can normally make an empty tin can sound exciting, admitted on Thursday (I think) that it's been lacking any real excitement so far and has been a bit boring. I'm hoping that Simon Yates is going to inject some excitement into the race. I'm recording the Tour of Britain at the moemnt, and I'm tempted to watch that instead, then go back to Spain.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2018 20:49:58 GMT
I watched the TOB on Eurosport this afternoon and they lost pictures for about 20 minutes about 20+kms from the finish but got pictures again just going in to Barnstaple. It all seems a bit low key this year for some reason.
Likewise La Vuelta, it just seems flat this year. For me the Grand Tours aren't as interesting without Chris Froome or G, or without Sky being competitive. As you say it's to be hoped Simon Yates can liven things up a bit, but I think Quintana (spits) is hovering dangerously.
Edit: Yates into red today by 1 second (I think). Hopefully he can go on now and win but I still think Quintana (spits) is going to be the one to beat especially in the high mountain stages. Without Froomey and G Sky haven't really got a true GC contender. Kwiato was in red earlier but there's no way he'd beat Quintana (spits) or Valverde in the mountains day after day. Bernal is the hope for the future but he's not here and still needs to develop yet.
I've been consistently disappointed with Aru who never seems in contention anymore. I've never liked him but maybe he needs to leave for another team to rediscover his fighting spirit. Richie Porte and Nibali clearly aren't fit and IMO shouldn't have entered the race but they were supposed to be using it to prepare for the World Championship in Innsbruck in September.
Just have to hope that Yates can win.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2018 20:04:40 GMT
Congratulations to Simon Yates on winning La Vuelta ! Superb performance and well deserved victory, especially after coming so close in the Giro in May ! So all three grand tours now held by three different British riders ! Froomey holds the Giro, G holds the TdF, and Yates with La Vuelta !!
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Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Sept 15, 2018 20:59:05 GMT
As usual I've been watching the race on catch up, so I've avoided the thread...
Anyway it was great to see Simon Yates get over Stage 19 of the Giro and go on to win a Grand Tour. It's fair to say that he won the race in a weakened field, but he's now shown that he's the real deal as well as demonstrating the current strength of British Cycling.
The best parts of the race for me has been watching the Quint go backwards and then having to finally put a shift in to help Valverde.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2018 22:39:55 GMT
It has been an excellent race. Great racing in stunning scenery. Nice to see a non Sky brit winning a grand tour. Well done Simon and well done Bury Clarion a great traditional English cycling club. Bury Clarion
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2018 3:50:24 GMT
I'm on holiday in the Austrian Tirol and have avoided any mention of La Vuelta for the last few days as I'm recording the stages for when I get home. However my missus switched the BBC news on in our room last night and there it was in the main headlines !
As an aside I was in Innsbruck on Thursday and they were erecting the finish line for the upcoming World Championships in a couple of weeks time. Bought myself a very nice souvenir drinks bidon while I was there.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2018 21:17:53 GMT
Last day of this years World Championships and Alejandro Valverde finally becomes world champion after just finishing ahead of Romain Bardet, Michael Woods, and Tom Dumoulin in a sprint finish. I just read that Valverde had previously been on the podium 6 times so he probably deserved the win for persistence, and undoubted consistency.
Got to feel sorry for Dumoulin who had finished second in the time trial earlier in the week. I'd love to see Tom sign for Team Sky at some point.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Sept 30, 2018 21:59:44 GMT
Worlds was a great race. Was sure Woods was going to drop them on the steepest bit of the last climb, fuck that looked brutal, but Valverde was only winner once he got over the top in that group.
Got his operation Puerto ban cloud hanging over him but he's apparently a universally liked guy and certainly good to watch race so well done Valverde.
(Panyagua my arse ;p)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 19:37:02 GMT
Sky ending sponsorship of Team Sky at end of 2019 season. End of an era or will they find a new sponsor to keep the team together, and with the same dominance ? link
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Post by partickpotter on Dec 12, 2018 19:56:45 GMT
Sky ending sponsorship of Team Sky at end of 2019 season. End of an era or will they find a new sponsor to keep the team together, and with the same dominance ? linkThis is a Comcast decision not prepared to bankroll a James Mudoch indulgence. It makes me wonder about how healthy Sky's balance sheets are. And whether they'll be looking at what they are putting into the Premier League. That gravy train has to run out of steam at some point.
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Post by teenagefanclub on Dec 12, 2018 20:50:20 GMT
Sky ending sponsorship of Team Sky at end of 2019 season. End of an era or will they find a new sponsor to keep the team together, and with the same dominance ? linkWonder if sir Peter and Denise might fancy a dabble, from what I understand he loves his cycling. They seem to think 40 million would cover it, which in reality is not that much.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 20:52:27 GMT
Sky ending sponsorship of Team Sky at end of 2019 season. End of an era or will they find a new sponsor to keep the team together, and with the same dominance ? linkWonder if sir Peter and Denise might fancy a dabble, from what I understand he loves his cycling. They seem to think 40 million would cover it, which in reality is not that much. Would it be frowned upon for a betting company to take the title sponsorship though ?
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Post by RipRoaringPotter on Dec 12, 2018 20:56:46 GMT
Wonder if sir Peter and Denise might fancy a dabble, from what I understand he loves his cycling. They seem to think 40 million would cover it, which in reality is not that much. Would it be frowned upon for a betting company to take the title sponsorship though ? There's at least two top tier cycling teams ran by dictators with pretty shoddy human rights records - I'm sure the UCI would be fine with some people who offer the chance to have a flutter. Given the amount of interest in betting within the cycling community, the more I think about it then the more it seems like a decent idea.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 21:39:40 GMT
Would it be frowned upon for a betting company to take the title sponsorship though ? There's at least two top tier cycling teams ran by dictators with pretty shoddy human rights records - I'm sure the UCI would be fine with some people who offer the chance to have a flutter. Given the amount of interest in betting within the cycling community, the more I think about it then the more it seems like a decent idea. I agree, it could be a good fit. Not sure those at Festival Park would be interested although the TV and media exposure with the number 1 team would be excellent value for money. Get it done Peter, you know it makes sense
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Dec 12, 2018 22:59:23 GMT
Would it be frowned upon for a betting company to take the title sponsorship though ? There's at least two top tier cycling teams ran by dictators with pretty shoddy human rights records - I'm sure the UCI would be fine with some people who offer the chance to have a flutter. Given the amount of interest in betting within the cycling community, the more I think about it then the more it seems like a decent idea. What's this interest in betting among the cycling community? Genuinely never heard of such a thing. Guess you're looking at about 5 years to make it worth your while to get involved as a solo title sponsor, so something in the region of 180million over that period. Gets you a hell of a lot of time spent looking at logos on Eurosport and if they carry on being as successful a hell of a lot of media coverage. Probably pretty modest compared to what bet365 must spend advertising on sky. They are also looking to push into south America hard so if bernal becomes a tour winner very good investment.
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Post by RipRoaringPotter on Dec 13, 2018 20:30:08 GMT
There's at least two top tier cycling teams ran by dictators with pretty shoddy human rights records - I'm sure the UCI would be fine with some people who offer the chance to have a flutter. Given the amount of interest in betting within the cycling community, the more I think about it then the more it seems like a decent idea. What's this interest in betting among the cycling community? Genuinely never heard of such a thing. Guess you're looking at about 5 years to make it worth your while to get involved as a solo title sponsor, so something in the region of 180million over that period. Gets you a hell of a lot of time spent looking at logos on Eurosport and if they carry on being as successful a hell of a lot of media coverage. Probably pretty modest compared to what bet365 must spend advertising on sky. They are also looking to push into south America hard so if bernal becomes a tour winner very good investment. I know of at least three fairly prominent Twitter betting clubs - where you pay a monthly subscription and get tips. Then there's always quite a few of the fans of professional cycling that are talking about having a dabble. In total I'm sure it's a small pool compared to the likes of footy and horse racing, but it's quite sizeable within the cycling fandom (or at least the English speaking community).
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Dec 17, 2018 21:48:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2018 21:56:18 GMT
Good - the Giro should be a cracker with those two as well as Bernal, Nibali, Landa, Lopez and others. Similarly the TDF should be another great race with Froome and G going for the win. I'm going to see the finish in Paris next year (Father's Day pressie) - can't wait - well, Brexit permitting !
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Dec 18, 2018 10:41:31 GMT
Agree that the Giro looks great - Yates, Dumoulin and Nibali should be a great three way battle. From a sporting perspective I think Dumoulin should really be doing Giro - Vuelta and leave the Tour alone, obviously commercially it doesn't quite work like that.
Tour might suffer for the strength of the Giro. Probably the biggest intrigue will be the intra-Sky dynamics. Who are the other GC contenders going to France? Porte, Quintana, Dan Martin. Am I forgetting someone? Enric Mas perhaps but quick step won't be able to support his as well as Viviani and Alaphillipe's ambitions, and in any case he is far too green to challenge Froome.
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