Catch all Professional Cycling Chat (Possible Spoilers)
#1351
Nonsense
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I think there is value in a course like that. You have to survive all the attrition beforehand and then still have enough in the tank to smash out a final climb. I'm sure it's far less boring when you're the one racing it!
#1352
Senior Member
It is amazing how much Valverde races and how much he wins. I prefer it over showing up once a year for the TdF and then not doing anything else for the rest of the season.
#1353
Senior Member
From a competition perspective, sure - though really I don't think that's much of an accomplishment for a modern pro cyclist, all these guys can survive the 198 km before the final climb just fine, and the big teams have this thing on total lockdown. From an entertainment perspective, which is what these races are supposed to be, it's garbage.
#1354
fuggitivo solitario
late race features (from 50-10 km out) that encourages attacking + flat run-in seem to produce races that are more entertaining
In that sense, UCI Worlds have been such a bore as of late; all the key moves happen on the final lap, with riders too afraid to attack beforehand for the fear of blowing up. Only the 2013 edition in Firenze and 2009 edition in Mendrisio seem to be more interesting, but even for those two, the peloton was still together with 15 km left to race
#1356
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Michele Scarponi has died in a training accident with a van. Astana announced the sad news little over an hour ago.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...uring-training
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...uring-training
#1358
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very sad.
on a different note, I read "The Secret Race". I'll never be able to look at a pro-cyclist the same way. I really liked the writing.
on a different note, I read "The Secret Race". I'll never be able to look at a pro-cyclist the same way. I really liked the writing.
#1360
Not actually Tmonk
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Valverde is a class act and one for the history books. It's great to see him have such a successful season so late in his career.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#1362
Not actually Tmonk
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literlol
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#1366
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Light humor, low time commitment.
https://scontent-ord1-1.cdninstagram...58031616_n.mp4
https://scontent-ord1-1.cdninstagram...84988928_n.mp4
Source
https://scontent-ord1-1.cdninstagram...58031616_n.mp4
https://scontent-ord1-1.cdninstagram...84988928_n.mp4
Source
#1367
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Thread Starter
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Had to drive south in the Central Valley for work this AM, stopped by the start of the Amgen. Pro bike racers are fit/lean. Even the "heavy" guys like Kittel are thin. Amusing to see the differences between gear management. Astana staff leaned the bikes against the RV, QuickStep against a chain link fence, BMC was much more organized and had a little sectioned off area with bike stands.
#1368
**** that
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Ugh that crash today (really the aftermath) by Skujins was so hard to watch!
It literally made me feel sick watching it. Been there, sorta.. but to a way lesser extent.
A bunch of people in comfy chairs are shouting on FB about how he shouldn't have been allowed back on the bike, but I don't see how that's really feasible. Who's going to take the bike away? I would imagine he'd only listen to his DS, not the neutral service guy or a spectator.
It literally made me feel sick watching it. Been there, sorta.. but to a way lesser extent.
A bunch of people in comfy chairs are shouting on FB about how he shouldn't have been allowed back on the bike, but I don't see how that's really feasible. Who's going to take the bike away? I would imagine he'd only listen to his DS, not the neutral service guy or a spectator.
#1369
Nonsense
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I just saw that and had the same reaction as you. Then I saw this and was OK again - https://twitter.com/Tomashuuns/statu...492800/photo/1
But still. Yikes.
But still. Yikes.
#1370
Senior Member
Ugh, yea, poor guy. It's a good thing he didn't get hit by someone else while crossing back over the street. Glad to see he's doing alright.
#1371
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He was clearly concussed in the video and should not have been allowed back on the bike. Tough to enforce that kind of stuff tho.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#1375
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Decorum along with any frail remnants of unspoken code of respect for the pink jersey have completely disappeared. Dumoulin pulled over to make water and his rivals outright attacked instantly.