Recent content by Cookster15

I mentioned some. e.g. Emirates airlines are UAE. You can also Google what UAE invest in cycling, I added that up-thread. But that spend is dwarfed by what they spend on European soccer for example.

I think @Red Rick had a theory? Something like cycling was better value for money relative to other options UAE had. For example, Emirates sponsor Real Madrid, AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Olympique Lyonnais, FC Bayern Munich. I think that would dwarf UAE's investment in cycling (between €60 million...

Also late to the bandwagon. This 19 year old kid is rising like a rocket. I vaguely knew who he was before the Euro champs. Now he comes 3rd ahead of riders like Ayuso and Skjelmose? If Pog retires early he might well win the Tour before 2031 when he would be still only 25. Hopefully another...

These polls are becoming predictable. But I like the creativity for humor :laughing: Would be nice to see Remco escape but I doubt UAE will allow that. Anyone else would be a surprise.

I was only referring to the 2008 Tour de France. I was right that nobody took Ricco seriously then. Cadel Evans certainly didn't. And Ricco was the best rider on that Saunier Duval team. Piepoli was not. Piepoli at age 34 suddenly becoming one of the best climbers in the world - I raise you...

Thanks for this. I recall that story. Not sure how many here actually read it closely enough to understand. Basically the biopassport boils down to tracking the 14 markers listed below against a rider's baseline (not sure how that is obtained either). According to the WADA guidelines, the...

The point is Ricco was laughable. Nobody was surprised when he was busted for CERA. And pretty sure Saunier Duval wasn’t the only team with dodgy management who are still involved in other teams today?

But 2024 TdF PdB is a very valid point of reference. For the record I think they are all doing something. But I do tire of a lack of objectivity in The Clinic by rival fans. Pog, Vingegaard and Remco all went under Pantani’s record by a significant margin that day. Vingegaard did despite his...

I think we can be sure something is going on with all these riders - 2024 PdB is virtually proof. What I find frustrating here is a lack of explanation how. The Clinic becomes a place where fans of other riders come to vent when their rider doesn't win. I am still unconvinced of the...

Well, I've been watching pro cycling since 1992. Obviously I am well aware of doping. But I also know doping doesn't explain everything we see. When we begin to explain everything through the lense of doping we are undervaluing other variables. Doping doesn't fully explain what happened today...

That's fair. But it was only a 1.6km climb albeit at 9.7%. And getting back to motivations by UAE, why would UAE care about the European road championships?

Road trauma has been steadily reducing in recent decades with improved safety built into cars - think airbags, stability / traction control, stronger cars etc. But that trend has leveled out in recent years. An over-reliance on technology for poor driving habits is why, led be more driver...

I was reminded of this in the 2024 Tour when all three riders were faster than Pantani's 1998 record time on Plateau de Beille: http://www.climbing-records.com/2024/07/new-top-100-plateau-de-beille-takeover.html I wish the fan groups of other riders would try to be a little more objective when...

Why would a journalistic white flag be raised - serious question? This goes to the heart of a free press. But I think we need to ask - what was wrong with Remco today? He finished only 31 seconds down when Pog attacked at 75km to go. Why couldn't Remco hold his wheel when Pog attacked? It...

Thank you. I am a bit slow this morning :blush: