12 questions

[BlueRoads]

Hey there, with the forum existing so much longer than I have been here, there have probably been a few threads like this before, but I haven't seen any and maybe the questions are different or there are new members. Anyway, I made this questionnaire and I would love you to answer it!

Where are you from?

Who's your favourite cyclist?

Your favourite moment in cycling history?

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?

What is the best stage or race design of all times?

Which other sports do you watch the most?

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?

How do you feel about women's cycling?

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?

TT or hard climbs?

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

 

[BlueRoads]

And I'm also answering them myself.

Where are you from?
Germany

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Álvaro Hodeg. Historically: Ullrich. Or Pantani. Depends on my mood.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
When Bölts told Ullrich „Quäl dich, du Sau“, although I only knew it happened afterwards...

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Sun-glasses. Too many sun-glasses, always, everywhere. F** that money and take them off when giving interviews and taking photos...

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
That there are always so many small stories mixed. That in each race there are so many athletes, there's always someone to cheer for and someone to dislike. The slow build-up to the climax. The background, which is way more pleasing and relaxing than a stadium or a hall. That there's a lot of room for surprises.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
No idea. Probably one of those stages of the Pais Vasco that end in Eibar... or just Strade Bianche.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Football. Athletics. Figure Skating.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I would like to like it better, but when watching it I often see how it's not on a broad professional level like the men's, yet, and then I turn back to the men.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
An older rider takes up the role of a mentor for a younger rider, wants to protect him from doing stupid things just because he's provoked by a rivalry with another rider, but loses to the young rider's obsession of winning, of course.

TT or hard climbs?
I like hills.

If you could rent a current pro rider to help you improve your cycling for one day, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Sepp Kuss, to show me how to look so cool on an insane climb.

 

[Koronin]

Where are you from?
United States (currently live in North Carolina)


Who's your favourite cyclist?
Alejandro Valverde (although I think every already knows this)


Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Valverde's first Tour stage win beating Armstrong
(close second is Cancellara's 2013 Paris-Roubaix victory)


What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
One or two teams having budgets that are 3-5 times more than everyone else.


What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Hockey's actually my favorite sport to watch (live or on TV).


What is the best stage or race design of all times?
don't know about best but I'll give Rodriguez's design for that Andora stage a few years ago was insane


Which other sports do you watch the most?
Hockey, football (American), college basketball, auto racing


Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No (played basketball and softball competitively)


How do you feel about women's cycling?
It needs to get better


You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
A young US born rider leaving for Europe to join a U-23 team in an attempt to make it in the European peloton.


TT or hard climbs?
If I'm watching a great TTer like Cancellara or Gana I love watching TTs. Otherwise watching a mountain stage is always interesting.
If you're talking about me riding, I'll take the TT every time.


If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

Cancellara to teach me how to ride a good time trial.

 

[Leinster]

Where are you from?
Ireland, live in Northern California

Who's your favourite cyclist?
My twin son and daughter (age 5).

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Too many to mention, but one that jumps to mind was Contador reeling in Astana on the Mortirolo, 2015.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Electronic shifting.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Continuous motion. The race keeps going until the riders finish.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
I like the new Liege course.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Rugby

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
I did a triathlon once? But most of my adult life I've been a rugby player.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I think there should be more of it.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Arthur wakes up to find that his house is to be demolished for the construction of a 42km time trial course. And then he finds out that his planet is to be demolished to allow a starcycle race through his solar system. May not be all my own work.

TT or hard climbs?

Hard climbs, preferably with screaming fast downhills after.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
I would rent Cecile Uttrup Ludwig, and just hang out with her and my family and ride bikes and have fun.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Where are you from?
Belgium

Who's your favourite cyclist?
van Aert

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Never really thought about that.
Contador flipping Armstrong the bird in 2009 and launching a nuclear attack first.
Van Aert winning Strade after his injury.
Evenepoel winning San Sebastian after being dropped with a mechanical, bridging, bringing water bottles to his teammates and attacking.
De Gendt on Stelvio.
Musseeuw on a womens bike in Paris Roubaix.
Claude Criquielion losing the WCC due to Steve Bauer pushing him into the boarding, crossing the finishline after the bunch with the bike in his hand. (it's not something that made me happy, but a memory that i will never forget)

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Social media.
ASO
UCI
Hypocrites
Lack of money/monopolies

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Pure emotion, bodies breaking down.
I also love how a team can be dominant due to superior tactics.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Not my strong-suit. I'm taking the fifth.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Football, cyclocross, tennis (though since Goran quit, it's never been the same).

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Against imaginary opponents, sure.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
It's not at a level that makes me inclined to watch it often. It's basically the Netherlands vs the world, and that's not a fair shake for the world.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Pogacar quits cycling after one too many defeats to Evenepoel and turns to football and goes on to win the Champion's League 3 times with Barcelona.

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs tend to be snorefests far too often, decided by the strongest team or the best puncher. Or by fear of losing. TT's are the single most honest stages there are. Even if they end up being boring, at least they are pure.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
I would ask Valverde the secrets of eternal youth.

 

[jnormanroach]

Where are you from?
Virginia, USA

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Jakob Fuglsang - because those blogs were the best. Also my uncle is Danish, so I adopt all Danish riders until America gets its act back together.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
LeMond beating Fignon in the TT to win the 1989 Tour. (Which is why the Pogacar win was especially thrilling for me - never thought I'd see something like that again on that grand a scale)

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Jumbo Visma

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
I love the long burn of a grand tour - plenty of time for back and forth battles, plots and subplots, all occurring on the most beautiful canvas imaginable - cities, towns, hills, mountains, countryside. Living in America, I especially love cycling coming on in the morning, a perfect thing to wake up to and have on as I get into the day.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Anything involving the Stelvio - there is not a more incredible, daunting, and beautiful place to decide a race.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
American football, basketball

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Not a chance

How do you feel about women's cycling?
Wish I had more opportunities to watch it.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
A post-modern stream of consciousness novel with Jakob Fuglsang as the protagonist narrating every single annoyance in real time over the course of a grand tour. Can he find a way to navigate all his husbands and finally win the big one?

TT or hard climbs?
I like a TT at the end of a grand tour because there is no where to hide.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Jakob Fuglsang - maybe I can become one of his husbands if I don't get on his bad side.

 

[kdawg]

Hi all,

This is actually my first post on this board. I've actually lurked for a long time but I haven't always been able to watch Pro Cycling because of work and school. Because of lockdown and the condensed schedule, I've been able to watch a lot of racing and I've really loved watching the sport.

Where are you from?
New York City, USA

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Vincenzo Nibali. I've been really lucky to watch a lot of his most memorable moments live. Of all the riders I've seen he contests and is competitive in the most important races, GT's, Monuments and Worlds/Olympics.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
2018 Milan San-Remo finale. I was expecting Nibali to get caught by the peloton on the Via Roma and so when he held on I was stunned.

Milan San-Remo is my favorite race to watch because since I live on the east coast I usually wake up in the morning, turn on my computer and watch the peloton on the Cipressa. I don't have to watch a 7:00 hour pan flat prelude. The last five years have also been helped the race by reduction of team sizes.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
In the States, its lack of visibility, other than the Tour no races make any impact.

I would also look at the schedule. There's a gaping hole after the Tour. You could put the Ardennes classics, then the world championships, and then the Italian classics, with Strade Bianchi moved to the summer, to try to get the best riders to ride those races and increase their profiles. FInally, end the season with the Vuelta in September.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Just how painful it looks watching the riders go full gas on the cobbles or in the high mountains. Pro cycling is a really extreme sport, especially the Grand Tours which are crazy sporting events.

I also second jnormanroach, it's great watching a sport in the morning.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?

2011 Giro d'Italia Stage 15, the Gardecchia stage. I actually didn't watch this stage live but I read so many references of it on the forum that I checked it out on youtube. To me it's what a modern cycling epic should be.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
American football and Baseball.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I haven't gotten to watch much. I hope it continues to grow.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
The story of a second rate Grand Tour GC contender. I just want to see if there is anything interesting about someone who follows wheels for three weeks.

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs have a higher ceiling as stages but a bad stage with Hard Climbs like the Farrapona stage in the Vuelta or the Madonna di Campiglio stage in the Giro is much more disappointing.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Froome. I want to learn how to do a Landis

 

[Cookster15]

Hey there, with the forum existing so much longer than I have been here, there have probably been a few threads like this before, but I haven't seen any and maybe the questions are different or there are new members. Anyway, I made this questionnaire and I would love you to answer it!

Where are you from?

Who's your favourite cyclist?

Your favourite moment in cycling history?

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?

What is the best stage or race design of all times?

Which other sports do you watch the most?

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?

How do you feel about women's cycling?

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?

TT or hard climbs?

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

Thanks for the thread, good idea

Where are you from?
AUSTRALIA (Sydney)

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Primoz Roglic

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Cadel Evans winning the 2011 TdF.

I started following this sport closely back in about 1992 which was in the twilight of Phil Anderson's career. So once Phil moved aside we only had sprinters in Europe to follow. O'Grady, McEwen etc. A few like Patrick Jonker or Brad McGee showed GC promise. But Cadel announced himself on Mt Wellington in 1999 when he was still a mountain biker. I followed him ever since hoping an Australian might finally win the biggest race in the sport. He did. Our Prime Minister even suggested we have a public holiday in his honor. It was a big deal here.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Covid-19

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
I can relate to it because I have raced and having done so I understand the suffering, skills and temperament needed. Few footballers have any idea at all. Possible exception is AFL as there is a high aerobic content so some of those guys have huge endurance engines. Also, the scenery of the races in Europe can be breathtaking. The history and the mountains of course.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
2011 Giro. Don't ask me why others here will have better memories than me. I just remember Contador taking control on Etna early in that edition and just demoralized the competition all the way to Milan. He paid for this in the TdF though.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Rugby League, Cricket, Swimming and Formula One.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Yes. Weekly club racing and triathlon.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I hope it grows. I have great respect for the strong female riders I have met. Also in my previous sport of Triathlon I can say many women have a high pain threshold. Not sure if physiology helps?

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Pass - this is a difficult question, might try to answer later when I have more time

TT or hard climbs?
Both, I like balanced riders who are good in all disciplines of the sport. One dimensional climbers, TT specialists and sprinters need not apply.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
I am getting a bit old to be shown new tricks. I guess I would choose an older pro like Valverde who might be able to help on recovery as I age.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Where are you from?
England

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Cav

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Froome on Finestre

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Dangerous parcous - street furniture, unnecessarily technical sprint finishes, horribly scary descents, etc. Just seems like we have more and more serious incidents, and race organisers and governing bodies care less and less.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
The scenery and the epic scale of it all.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Paris-Roubaix

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Test cricket, not the silly stuff they play in pyjamas, and rugby union.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Rode, yes, lots. Raced, hell no. I ran competitively though.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
Same as I feel about mens.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
God knows. I have no imagination.

TT or hard climbs?
Climbs.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Boonen, to show me how to ride cobbles.

 

[RedheadDane]

Where are you from?
Denmark, but I think my username kinda gives that away.

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Too many to count, but I think it's pretty clear that I have developed a bit of a soft spot towards Pinot.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Again, too many to count. However, I quite liked what happened in Yorkshire last year , and of course for Danish cycling that was quite historical.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Right at this moment? The fact that the (road) season has ended, so there's no more (road) cycling. * Goes to obsessively check the cross schedule.*

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
The fact that there are so many different types of racing. In football it's always the same number of players on the field, always 2x45 minutes, and the field always looks the same. Nobody is going to decide that a match will last 7 hours, or that there will be a giant mountain in the middle of the field.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
I can barely remember the stage or race designs from this season...

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Atletics, partly because I've done it a little myself. (I'm absolutely horrible at shot-putting...)

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I'd like to be able to watch more of it. Then again; I'd like to be able to watch more of all cycling.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Women's team has to convince sponsors that there is indeed a future in women's cycling, and face difficulties from lack of exposure.

TT or hard climbs?
TTs up hard climbs!

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Hey, @Leinster! Can I come hang out with you and Cille?

 

[OlavEH]

Where are you from?
Norway

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Ah, difficult. Perhaps Gilbert. And earlier Cunego.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
From a biased and patriotic point of view; Kristoff's win in Flandern. Otherwise perhaps some of the toughest Giro mountain stages. First time on Finestre i 2005. Gardaneccia 2011, etc.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Well, the worst doping is probably gone, so I've to say team strength and poor stage design eliminating/reducing the chance of aggressive and entertaining riding in the mountains.. And also agree with @kdawg in his post above. The calendar after the Tour is lacking something.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Scenery and nature combined with extreme sports achivements.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Gardaneccia 2011. At least in the 18 years I've watched cycling

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Football and diverse winter sports like cross country skiing, biathlon and speed skating

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No

How do you feel about women's cycling?
Nah, difficult question. Moderately interesting. Nowadays the Dutch woman are just too superior to make it really interesting.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
No idea

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs by a mile

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Mohoric. To help my descending skills. They're just awful.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Where are you from? A: Originally United States, but in Thailand since 2005.

Who's your favourite cyclist? A: Alejandro Valverde

Your favourite moment in cycling history? A: 2018 World Championships

What's wrong with cycling at the moment? A: Team Time Trials, Individual Time Trials and valleys. Also, no real rider's union and poor revenue model.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)? A: Mix of geography, culture and sport that you can't get in a stadium. Intensity of Grand Tours. Constant action action an in the northern classics. Wind.

What is the best stage or race design of all times? A: Not sure. For stage races, probably one of the rare Giro that didn't have a bunch of sprint stages in the first week. This year's Dauphine was a good design.

Which other sports do you watch the most? A: Cyclocross. Also some football (soccer) and basketball.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself? A: No.

How do you feel about women's cycling? A: I like it and the quality has improved a lot in the last 10 years.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot? A: Peter Sagan travels through time to race in various 20th century classics. A few subplots where he also thwarts pre-20th century historical despots.

TT or hard climbs? A: Hard climbs.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you? A: Valverde. Everything!

 

[Pantani_lives]

Where are you from? Belgium

Who's your favourite cyclist? Pantani, Hinault, Cancellara, Gilbert...

Your favourite moment in cycling history? Pantani on the Galibier in 1998.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment? Trains are dominating the mountain stages, there aren't enough open, individual battles.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)? An individual struggling against a rough landscape, and the complicated team tactics.

What is the best stage or race design of all times? Paris-Roubaix.

Which other sports do you watch the most? Tennis, athletics, biathlon.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself? No.

How do you feel about women's cycling? I like it, although it's currently too much dominated by one country. The Giro should be on television. It's good that more races are getting exposure.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot? A rider from a small budget team tries to beat the star from the biggest budget team in the Tour de France with insane attacks. He comes close to winning, but then he's brought down by the cycling mafia.

TT or hard climbs? Hard climbs often make the best races, especially when there's more than one.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you? Peter Sagan should teach me how to do a wheelie.

 

[SafeBet]

Where are you from?
Milano, Italy.

Who's your favourite cyclist?
All time: Pantani.
Active: Van der Poel.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Probably this

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDjb1j1pwTw&t=78s&ab_channel=Niko76

The happiest I've felt during a race was Strade Bianche 2013, when Moreno Moser won.
Being on Finestre when Froome attacked in 2018 is also worth mentioning.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Wide gap in budget among teams.
Unwritten rules.
Historical races being cancelled and never coming back.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
It's the only sport I used to watch with my grandpa.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Paris-Roubaix.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
NFL, Biathlon, Tennis, NBA, Ski-jumping, Alpine Skiing.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Yes in my backyard against my brother when I was 7.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I love the old school vibe I get from women's cycling. Racing is more chaotic and less controlled.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Kid from Rwanda dreams of going to France to watch the TdF in person. He is forced to live his country because of famine/climate change/etc when he's 15. Gets to Italy on boat as a refugee without his family. Starts working as a dishwasher and gradually becomes a very good cook. The newly re-founded Liquigas team decides to make him team chef for the TdF. The end.

TT or hard climbs?
Long climbs. Possibly with snow walls on the road side.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Mathieu van der Poel. How to clean roads with your bike.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1114175728059285511

View: https://twitter.com/flobikes/status/1114175728059285511?s=20

 

[Cookster15]

Wow, I am surprised by the lack of racing experience in replies so far. I just assumed most here had raced. Interesting.

 

[RedheadDane]

Wow, I am surprised by the lack of racing experience in replies so far. I just assumed most here had raced. Interesting.

I like watching people suffer, I don't like suffering myself!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Wow, I am surprised by the lack of racing experience in replies so far. I just assumed most here had raced. Interesting.

I don't think people who visits zoos frequently, used to be captivated animals either

 

[davebqvst]

Where are you from?
Germany

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Active: Nibali. All time... probably Andreas Klöden due to his impeccable style on the bike

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
TDF 2003, that TT that Ulle won convincingly. First time ever it felt like he had a real shot at beating Armstrong

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Budget disparity between teams

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Its many layers: the races within the race, the tactical component, plus the opportunity to learn about local culture, history and geography

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Not as adept at stage design as many posters here, so I'll pass

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Tennis, F1

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Nope

How do you feel about women's cycling?
Would love to watch more of it, but since I have to budget my time with a full-time job and other stuff anyway usually it's women's cycling that I don't get around to watching when I try to catch up

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
A cycling version of Sartre's "No exit", where Armstrong, Bruyneel, Hamilton and some of the other guys of that era meet in the afterlife and argue for all eternity

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
If I spoke Spanish definitely Rigoberto Uran, as I imagine spending a day with him would be a blast. Since I don't... maybe Hirschi to teach me how to climb

 

[Avoriaz]

interesting thread so I thought I’d throw my casquette in the ring and surprise myself with my choices.

Where are you from?
UK

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Kelly, Nibali

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Robert Millar winning in Bagneres de Luchon in 1983 Tour de France

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Power meters, too much money, not enough money

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
the scenery and the history

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Tour of Trentino, the year Pozzovivo won

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Rugby Union

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
no

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I enjoy it. Would like more coverage and greater depth

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Mayor of a small village in the Pyrenees sees the place decimated by the building of a new bypass, so rallies the villagers, including an old pro, to build a road up the mountain to create a mythical TDF stage finish. They risk further ruin when the Tour opps for a finish in Pau instead. Rescued by La Vuelta...

TT or hard climbs?
hard climbs, but there have to be many. It’s a conundrum that TTS create the gaps but are dull to watch, while hard climbs are great to watch but no longer create gaps

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Tim de Clercq to teach me the art of suffering in the wind

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Where are you from?

Denmark.

Who's your favourite cyclist?

Samuel Sánchez.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?

There's a few.

Samu wise it's definitely the 2006 Züri Metzgete, his Vuelta stage wins and podiums, his Tour stage win and polka dot jersey, his Vuelta al Pais Vasco GC and stage wins, and his victory at the Beijing Olympics. An honourable mention is his leadout for Valverde at the 2006 WC in Salzburg. A piti that Valverde's sprinting was already in decline back then

Cycling is definitely better, when strong emotions are involved. When your compatriots or favourite riders do well, you're almost a part of it yourself. Being a Dane the 96 Tour, the 2005-07 Tours, although the 2007 one was a whirlwind of emotions, Lasse Norman's gold in the omnium at the 2012 Olympics, Amalie Dideriksen's sprint in Doha, Fuglsang's victory in LBL and Mads Pedersen's WC win last year were all very pleasing.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?

Samu has retired.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?

The clashes between team and individual sports, stunning nature and scenery, the rivalries and the myths.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?

I like Milan San Remo and the eternal hope of Poggio really making the difference. A lot of years, you'll end up disappointed, but when Nibali makes it on his own, or Sagan, Cancellara, Kwiatkowski (not Gerrans) etc. distances the bunch, it's just wonderful.

The race also signals that the season has properly begun with the sprinters, classics riders and GC men alle duelling against each other.

Which other sports do you watch the most?

Football, athletics, swmming, biathlon and snooker. The latter became a favourite when I finally gave it a chance after being frustrated for a long time by snooker always being on Eurosport when I turned on the TV.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?

No. I have created the winning break on a small hill in a local race. Unfortunately I killed myself in the process and finished third.

How do you feel about women's cycling?

I enjoy watching women compete in a lot of sports. In biahtlon for instance, the women usually deliver more competitive races than the men. In cycling and football it's more apparent that there's both a difference in physiology, but definitely also in the amount of money being put into the women's fields. I hope that will change a lot in the future.

We also need more TV coverage of the women's races, where the races don't finish long before the men's editions.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?

A comedy about Dr. Totes van Honest, who's not a real doctor but still only gives his riders placebos and salt water.

Another option is a story about a climber who's never in good shape, because he comes from a country with no mountains.
This naturally results in him suffering quite a bit when he climbs mountains abroad during holidays. He then sweares that he will be in the shape of his life the next time. That never happens though and the suffering continues.
Obviously not based on my own experiences.

TT or hard climbs?

I like TTs on hard climbs

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

Proper downhill training with Samu and Rachel Atherton and her family. I would definitely die, but I would die a happy man.

 

[Boes]

Where are you from?
Belgium

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Tom Boonen all time favourite. Today favourite i'd say the new kids on the block; WVA, MVP, Remco & Pogacar

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Tom Boonen winning PR after a solo of 50k
clicky here

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
The business models of the racing teams. The complete lack of certainty when it comes to sponsor deals. Corona happens and 2 World tour teams have to stop and 40-50 rides go on a forced early retirement. The worst part is, not only did all major races take place, the tension and quality of these races were huge. Whereas other sports can brigde 1-2 corona years with entire seasons being cancelled.

Something is completely wrong if the UCI gets richer while professional teams hope to make ends meet each year.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
The pureness of man to man fight (or woman to woman). WVA against Alafpolak in MSR, WVA and MVP in rvv, Roglic vs Pogacar in the tour final TT. The situation where there's nowhere to hide and you have to go all in to win.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
I'm Belgian, I have to say RVV. However Strade and Roubaix are right up there.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Football (not egg hand football but the soccer one).

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No. Only for fun and relaxation.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
The problem is the complete lack of broad bases of good riders. There are 20-ish real pro riders and the rest is simply not up for it. The beauty is, that the stronger riders always win because the peleton lacks the quality to force tactic riding.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
New kid on the blocks overthrows established values. Young Sagan winning the classics over Boonen/Cancellara. Bernal winning TdF last years. Pogacar winning this year.

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs. However, not mountain climbs, more classic climbs such as Kwarement/Paterberg/Koppenberg/Cauberg/Mur de Huy/Roche au faucons/...

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
MVP to teach me the trick to bounce stones of the road during a race (Nokere koers).
clicky

 

[Eclipse]

Where are you from?

England

Who's your favourite cyclist?

Active (for a little longer anyway) it's probably Nibali but I had a big soft spot for spartacus.

In general though... are you a small almost certainly doomed climber? You'll do!

Your favourite moment in cycling history?

There are so many and it's really hard to choose. Pantani dancing up mountains has been an image seared in my mind since I was a kid watching highlights on channel 4 with my dad at the end of the day. It's more of a warm feeling of nostalgia really, but that's something I will keep with me for life.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?

Control. Both in terms of on the road knowledge and budget discrepancies.

It's not wrong, but helmets and shades have had a massive impact on how easy it is to identify riders (particularly for more casual viewers) and there needs to be more done on that front.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?

The scenery and the direct physical confrontation. Nothing else gets quite as mythical as cycling, the images of riders ascending into the clouds and confronting the elements are just incredible.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?

Paris Roubaix is a beauty.

In general I think any race design that actually gives multiple realistic possibilities can be lauded.

Which other sports do you watch the most?

Football. MMA. I used to be huge on tennis but the next gen failing so badly led me to fall out of love. I still queue for Wimbledon every year though. I will watch any sport though, the Olympics and World Athletics championships will have me glued to the TV.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?

Nope, my childhood cycling ended up migrating into trials and dirt jumping in my teens and these days I enjoy a gentle spin on my road bike but nothing serious.

How do you feel about women's cycling?

I think it's great. More coverage and support and there is no reason it can't be as engaging as men's cycling.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?

I had envisaged something similar to Avoriauz (I love the story of Dashrath Manjhi who single handedly cut a path through a mountain to help his village, and was thinking something similar with building a road).

However, as they've got there first...

Let's go with a comic story about a mild mannered sporting doctor whose technical incompetence continually gets him into scrapes with the courts while working for one of the big cycling teams.

TT or hard climbs?

The only time TT is even an acceptable answer is if it's up a hard climb ¬_¬

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

Mohoric for some descending, if only because hill bombing has always been dicey where I grew up on narrow country roads so I've never really pushed it.

 

[Bolder]

Where are you from?

US, live in France with dual citizenship

Who's your favourite cyclist?

Now, Alaphilippe/MVDP. Those guys just make me want to get out and ride. In the past it's been Le Mond, Sagan, Nibali and a few others

Your favourite moment in cycling history?

Sadly, it was Floyd's raid to Morzine. A few days later, it was also my least favorite moment.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?

Doping/omerta. Too many races.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?

It's the perfect blend of tactics/technology/training. Plus great scenery. And I can ride the same courses as the pros, on the same equipment. Can't say that about too many other sports.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?

Paris-Roubaix. It NEVER disappoints.

Which other sports do you watch the most?

Skiing

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?

Yes, MTB back in the glory days of the mid-90s.

How do you feel about women's cycling?

It's a chicken/egg thing. You need more women who are into competitive cycling to make it a stronger sport, but if it's a weak sport then it won't have an audience. There is nothing wrong with the top level races I've watched, however.

Edited to add: The industry has to step up and support women's cycling with trade teams. You can't have outside sponsorship when teams like Paule Ka are collapsing every year.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?

I'd call this more of a daydream, but it involves my 22 year old self and a surprise TdF victory...

TT or hard climbs?

Climbs any time. I actually wouldn't care if all TTs were eliminated from the sport. I liked the AdH TT a few years ago, however.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

I'd go for MVDP, just because I think he's got the greatest form, and we could hit the trails, too...

 

[bajbar]

Where are you from? Slovenia

Who's your favourite cyclist? Curently, Mr. Roglič. Before him - Contador from the moment I started watching cycling in 2007. The breaking point when my favourite cyclist changed is stage 17 in the 2017 Tour (the Galibier one) - started the stage hoping Contador would win, ended up cheering for Rogla.

Your favourite moment in cycling history? Contador showing who is the boss on Verbier (Tour 2009)

What's wrong with cycling at the moment? I try to enjoy cycling as a sport, not look into its faults. But cycling does need more transparency from the riders and teams (some are getting better at that). And UCI has to set its priorities straight with its silly rules, laws and such and do more to reduce crashes and improve rider safety.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)? That you need a brain to understand it. It is not a mindless sport like football. And that you see the world and get ideas for iconic and beautiful places to visit. Especially the mountains in France and Italy.

What is the best stage or race design of all times? Hard to answer this one... it is riders who make the race, not necessarily the design. And we have seen that numerous times.

Which other sports do you watch the most? Tennis, Alpine skiing, Ski jumping, winter sports in general - ocassionaly basketball and volleyball.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself? Nope.

How do you feel about women's cycling? I do watch it if it is somehow "connected" to a big men's race that is happening - like the Worlds, La Course... I do believe it should be done better though. There is no reason why it could not be more popular. In Alpine skiing for example - women's skiing is basically on the same level of popularity as men's. Tennis as well. So cycling could do more in this regard.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot? A fan falls in love with a beautiful sport and a decade later all of a sudden his nation starts doing super duper awesome in it (based of true events!)

TT or hard climbs? An exciting mountain stage.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you? How to descend like a demon with Matej Mohorič. Though I would probably just watch and not try it myself haha.

 

[BlueRoads]

Great to read all your answers so far!!