General News Thread

[theyoungest]

some of this will just be smokescreen.
If the Secret Pro starts to deliver serious stuff, fake clues will be needed.

It won't really contribute to the credibility of his blog though...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It won't really contribute to the credibility of his blog though...

well, we are talking pro cyclist here. Most operate with little credibility even when they deliver info incognito. Doesn't mean it can't be interesting, perhaps later.

 

[jens_attacks]

whoever he is ,hope he will get sacked for xenophobia and being an idiot.


BMC, GreenEDGE, SKY, Garmin.

awesome. probably another argos legendary rider,dropped on the first hill

 

[Arnout]

And how he can say BMC is a good performer is beyond me.

 

[afpm90]

I liked the name for Androni Giocatolli: "dicks and vaginas".

 

[El Pistolero]

And how he can say BMC is a good performer is beyond me.

Won the Tour last year, something not may people expected them to do. And they have a WC for next year.

Anyway,

Alessandro Ballan broke 3 ribs and his femur during a training ride. He can probably kiss his classic season goodbye...

 

[jens_attacks]

that's terrible. hope he will be ok and can make a succesful comeback
he could have played a big role next year

 

[Dedelou]

Won the Tour last year, something not may people expected them to do. And they have a WC for next year.

Anyway,

Alessandro Ballan broke 3 ribs and his femur during a training ride. He can probably kiss his classic season goodbye...

Whatta bummer for Ballan. This was a great year of hope for him. I hope he gets back on the saddle fast and strong

 

[Afrank]

Ballan also suffered an injured spleen and he will need two separate surgeries.

Ballan was undergoing surgery to remove his spleen Thursday night and a decision on when and where his broken leg can be operated on will come at a later time, Dr. Testa said.

Hopefully he can recover quickly and get back to racing soon. If not BMC better hope that GVA, Hushovd, and Phinney can deliver in the cobbled races.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Ballan also suffered an injured spleen and he will need two separate surgeries.



Hopefully he can recover quickly and get back to racing soon. If not BMC better hope that GVA, Hushovd, and Phinney can deliver in the cobbled races.

Feel sorry for Ballan, but this may even help the team perform better.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Shocking news for Ballan.

 

[Afrank]

Feel sorry for Ballan, but this may even help the team perform better.

How so? Less riders competing for leadership in the classics?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

How so? Less riders competing for leadership in the classics?

yes, more focus now, enough solid riders left to make big results in the classics. HOshovh + Phinney in P-R is ideal. GvA and Gilbert in RvV looks very good.

 

[Altitude]

phuck, that sucks big time. He had a great spring this year and I was looking forward to seeing him on the cobbles in 2013.

 

[will10]

yes, more focus now, enough solid riders left to make big results in the classics. HOshovh + Phinney in P-R is ideal. GvA and Gilbert in RvV looks very good.

Ballan has been one of the strongest riders in Flanders the last two seasons. Losing him can only be a bad thing for BMC.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Ballan has been one of the strongest riders in Flanders the last two seasons. Losing him can only be a bad thing for BMC.

Maybe, I think the others will deliver.

 

[gerundium]

Wow with that list of injuries i fear this might be end of career for ballan. I wish him all the best, he rode very well this season in the classics and it's sad we will probably have to miss him next year.

 

[Michele]

I know that downhill where he crashed pretty well and even on warm sunny days there's some tight corners that might still be wet and bit dangerous.

Lets hope he recover asap.

 

[trevim]

Poor Ballan he was going very well this last few season despite all that mess about the Mantova investigation that always came up during the classics season. Maybe Gilbert will step up in Flanders again, I would prefer to see him winning there than in Liège. The only upside is that the team will probably be more structured around one leader with only maybe Van Avermaet riding a free role in Flanders.
Bad news for BMC, Hushovd a season out still to prove he can be competitive and now Ballan... There's always Quinziato, Burghardt to guide Phinney in Roubaix I guess.

 

[theyoungest]

Maybe, I think the others will deliver.

I think in your scenario of more focus it would have been better if they didn't lose their strongest cobbles rider... Hushovd, Burghardt, Quinziato, Phinney won't be there in the final of Flanders. Maybe Gilbert, depends on his form.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Ballan also suffered an injured spleen and he will need two separate surgeries.



Hopefully he can recover quickly and get back to racing soon. If not BMC better hope that GVA, Hushovd, and Phinney can deliver in the cobbled races.

did you even read his injuries? this might as well eb career over, and definitely won;'t be back until late next season

 

[RHRH19861986]

Reminds me of Wout Poels, who also managed to come back, so there´s hope.

 

[Afrank]

did you even read his injuries? this might as well eb career over, and definitely won;'t be back until late next season

Yes, I read his injuries, so? The injuries could be career ending but I still hope he can recover from them and get back to racing.

 

[theyoungest]

Reminds me of Wout Poels, who also managed to come back, so there´s hope.

Poels had a ruptured kidney, and yes a few broken ribs as well, but I don't really see the similarity?

 

[Arnout]

Femur injuries are by far the worst injuries for cyclists, so he will be lucky if he can get back to a good level.