Are the 2014 Classics a sign of cleaner sport?

[JMBeaushrimp]

After an awesome Ronde today; and reflecting on MSR, E3, etc this year (as compared to some previous years); I was wondering what The Clinic thought of the performances...

There were no mind-blowing individual performances that were in the realm of full ***. Nothing like Geweis or Mapei of old. Nothing like the Lion, or Ballerini running through the whole field as before. No Gilbert killing every col and dropping the field...

I'm just looking for perspective. And, as you know, I'm sure they're all cranked.

So, are things getting better? I understand the Classics are a different animal from the GTs (which I find overplayed and quite boring), and that there are different approaches to both, but something has happened in the last couple of years.

Theories?

 

[Dear Wiggo]

I guess the first question for me is: why would they be? If doping == advantage, and advantage == improved position / result, and improved position / result == better contract, what motivation do any of the riders have for not doping?

Fabs is older - I think he's showing this age despite the help. (OT: Horner is clearly an anomaly, but perhaps racing significantly less helps?)

If anything, I'd have to ask how the heck Cancellara managed to outsprint the others!? Is he the only rider used to being there at the finish to contest?

 

[JMBeaushrimp]

I guess the first question for me is: why would they be? If doping == advantage, and advantage == improved position / result, and improved position / result == better contract, what motivation do any of the riders have for not doping?

Fabs is older - I think he's showing this age despite the help. (OT: Horner is clearly an anomaly, but perhaps racing significantly less helps?)

If anything, I'd have to ask how the heck Cancellara managed to outsprint the others!? Is he the only rider used to being there at the finish to contest?

I just think Fabian was a better actor in the finale. Made the Belgians chase the final attack by acting b*ggered...

Of course they're all still on the gear. Why wouldn't they be? My point is that there seems to be fewer one-off lunatic performances.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

If anything, I'd have to ask how the heck Cancellara managed to outsprint the others!? Is he the only rider used to being there at the finish to contest?

Yeah, cos GVA had been conserving all his energy for the sprint.

 

[JMBeaushrimp]

VanAmeraet has been awesome this spring! I was rooting for him today...

 

[Ripper]

After an awesome Ronde today; and reflecting on MSR, E3, etc this year (as compared to some previous years); I was wondering what The Clinic thought of the performances...

There were no mind-blowing individual performances that were in the realm of full ***. Nothing like Geweis or Mapei of old. Nothing like the Lion, or Ballerini running through the whole field as before. No Gilbert killing every col and dropping the field...

I'm just looking for perspective. And, as you know, I'm sure they're all cranked.

So, are things getting better? I understand the Classics are a different animal from the GTs (which I find overplayed and quite boring), and that there are different approaches to both, but something has happened in the last couple of years.

Theories?

Yes, I think things are getting better. Not perfect by a longshot, but better.

The other, wonderful thing about the classics, is there are so many other factors that come into play. It is not all about power at VO2 and FTP and playing by the numbers. Hence why it seems to require a different winning 'formula'.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

I just think Fabian was a better actor in the finale. Made the Belgians chase the final attack by acting b*ggered...

Of course they're all still on the gear. Why wouldn't they be? My point is that there seems to be fewer one-off lunatic performances.

Cancellera is not known to be a doper, and he has tons of experience, he is a great cyclist and based on stories in CN and VN he has really been motivated for a Classics win. Put that all together and it spells victory.

The problem is the sordid history makes it so easy to be cynical and sceptical. But lets keep our fingers crossed.

 

[punyhuman]

Cancellera is not known to be a doper, and he has tons of experience, he is a great cyclist and based on stories in CN and VN he has really been motivated for a Classics win. Put that all together and it spells victory.

The problem is the sordid history makes it so easy to be cynical and sceptical. But lets keep our fingers crossed.

The blood bags called Luigi beg to differ.

 

[Digger]

Cancellera is not known to be a doper, and he has tons of experience, he is a great cyclist and based on stories in CN and VN he has really been motivated for a Classics win. Put that all together and it spells victory.

The problem is the sordid history makes it so easy to be cynical and sceptical. But lets keep our fingers crossed.

Luigi says otherwise

 

[rghysens]

Let's wait to answer this question until after AGR, FW and LBL... and Piti's showings in these races.

 

[Gung Ho Gun]

Apart from 2010 Cancellara, has any performance in cobbled classics looked extraterrestrial since, well, the 90s?
Gilbert only started getting ridiculous after the Ronde

 

[Panda Claws]

Apart from 2010 Cancellara, has any performance in cobbled classics looked extraterrestrial since, well, the 90s?
Gilbert only started getting ridiculous after the Ronde

Gilbert did drop everyone with his attack on the Bosberg which was rather impressive.

---

I was not too surprised by Cancellara winning the sprint. He simply had the most power and the sprint was very short. So short in fact that none of the others could have benefited from it if Cancellara was indeed exhausted.

 

[Netserk]

Gilbert did drop everyone with his attack on the Bosberg which was rather impressive.

---

I was not too surprised by Cancellara winning the sprint. He simply had the most power and the sprint was very short. So short in fact that none of the others could have benefited from it if Cancellara was indeed exhausted.

Yep, it was a tailwind sprint, yet the others in the group waited for Canc to start his sprint, which allowed Canc to time it perfectly.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

I don't know if it was clean or not, but it was a good race, and it was fun to watch. I hope the same for next week.

 

[pot belge]

That "motor" + Beer equals victory

Its not like the Norwegians are known for doping. Kristoff + Russian "expertise" any one?

 

[Ripper]

Cancellera is not known to be a doper, and he has tons of experience, he is a great cyclist and based on stories in CN and VN he has really been motivated for a Classics win. Put that all together and it spells victory.

The problem is the sordid history makes it so easy to be cynical and sceptical. But lets keep our fingers crossed.

?????????????????

You've got some reading to do, my friend.

 

[Echoes]

Are the 2014 Classics a sign of cleaner sport?

Milan-Sanremo ended in a bunch sprint ...

After 300km of racing and several climbs, in the cold and the wind.

So, no !

 

[lllludo]

That "motor" + Beer equals victory
Its not like the Norwegians are known for doping. Kristoff + Russian "expertise" any one?

I don't know much about Kristoff. He was a just another 2nd tier sprinter prior to mid-2011. Then at 24 he started to improve big-time specially after he joined Katusha (coaching of Erik Zabel or russian marginal gains ?).
This year he is, without doubt, one of the strongest guy if not the strongest after 250km. It was funny to see his thick muscular body and wonky helmet emerging from the last Paterberg climb and almost bridging a group led by Cancellara.
But at least this proved too ambitious to be true.
Kristoff is very very strong and he knows it. He will be in the top 5 in Roubaix unless there is an accident.
However I may believe in Vanmarcke or GVA but not in Kristoff.

 

[roundabout]

Apart from 2010 Cancellara, has any performance in cobbled classics looked extraterrestrial since, well, the 90s?
Gilbert only started getting ridiculous after the Ronde

Uh, Boonen going full *** in 2012.

Funny how you forgot this one.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Uh, Boonen going full *** in 2012.

Funny how you forgot this one.

Cocaine doesn't improve performances, I guess

 

[DirtyWorks]

I don't know if it was clean or not, but it was a good race, and it was fun to watch. I hope the same for next week.

+1

I found the performances real-er. No multiple, extraordinary attacks the last one as good as the next. The last "lap" over the hills was not too pretty either.

I won't be surprised 10 years from now some doping controversy arises including this time and one-day racing.

 

[Gung Ho Gun]

Uh, Boonen going full *** in 2012.

Funny how you forgot this one.

Not that impressive imho. The guy had lots of luck with Cancellara crashing, Sagan wasting his energy, Freire misjudging sprints, Pozzato being an idiot, and having the strongest team

He was only clearly better than the others in Roubaix, and even there the others did stupid things

 

[EnacheV]

i don't see any signs of a cleaner peleton, au contrary, it get's more *** every year.

 

[zigmeister]

The way we've been getting lab results, which for some reason have taken 3-4 months as of late, when I know personally, they could run the tests and have results back within days if necessary....maybe we will find out come July, right about the start of the TDF...when all the media doping talk really seems to go into full swing!

See you guys in July!!!

 

[Parrulo]

Is Luigi still dominating?