General News Thread

[The Sheep]

I was actually starting to look forward to all those Blanco riders at another team, to see if it was really Blanco causing some of these seemingly talented riders to underperform, or whether they just arn't that talented.

but ah well, I guess it's a good thing for the sport, so I should be glad about it.

I doubt Belkin will focus on the dutch, probably will become a more international team.

 

[Arnout]

It's good though that a regular company is willing to sponsor. Currently, a lot of teams lose sponsorship which is then taken over by bike manufacturers, which transforms the sport from a global sponsoring exercize into a really specialistic one, which in the medium run you are gonna notice in terms of interest and financial possibilities.

 

[theyoungest]

I doubt Belkin will focus on the dutch, probably will become a more international team.

NTTAWWT. A predominantly Dutch team only leads to frustrated Dutch fans, who think cycling is still the same as in the eighties, when Holland was a major cycling nation.

 

[Dutchsmurf]

NTTAWWT. A predominantly Dutch team only leads to frustrated Dutch fans, who think cycling is still the same as in the eighties, when Holland was a major cycling nation.

Being frustrated with our sportsmen is one of our favorite ways to spend time. I doubt it will get any less if they spread out over multiple teams.

 

[theyoungest]

Being frustrated with our sportsmen is one of our favorite ways to spend time. I doubt it will get any less if they spread out over multiple teams.

No. But now the frustration is always vented on one team and one team only. Even Vacansoleil, by all means a lesser team than Rabo/Blanco, always gets a free pass.

 

[Dedelou]

Does that mean the ghost of Rabo team is now considered an "American" team?

 

[roundabout]

For those wanting some rest from the bore de France : no live coverage of Austria this year

 

[jens_attacks]

sad news, one of the nicest broadcasts of the year

 

[Zam_Olyas]

For those wanting some rest from the bore de France : no live coverage of Austria this year

What about highlights?

 

[Afrank]

It wasn't all bad news today, Ballan will be returning to racing at GP Kanton Aargau-Gippingen.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...g-Ballan-to-make-racing-return-this-week.aspx

 

[pastronef]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/move-to-saxo-tinkoff-strictly-financial-says-rogers

Rogers went to Saxo just for $$$ reasons.
He signed so late for Saxo and he was copy-pasted on the Saxo team pictures

 

[pastronef]

lot of snow on the Pyrenees

https://twitter.com/Jesusiri/status/342662768404598785/photo/1

 

[Ferminal]

If only they were doing Tourmalet and it got snowed out

What about Bales I wonder? Route du Sud due to pass it (and Peyragudes/Azet) next weekend.

 

[spalco]

For those wanting some rest from the bore de France : no live coverage of Austria this year

The Austrian public tv station is such a piece of ****; making ****loads of money off taxes (mandatory "fees"), but instead of helping out a traditional race like this, which could be a huge advertisement for Austrian tourism, they pump all their money into ****ing F1 and ****ty licensed game shows and American sitcoms that nobody even watches anymore because anyone who's interested can just torrent them.

 

[pastronef]

I like when Gerard speaks


http://www.twitter.com/gerardvroomen


Things you rarely read: "I changed teams for the money". Zero-tolerance allegations make people do strange things.

 

[Afrank]

Cancellara will skip the Tour!!!!

And he has set the worlds road race as his target.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-of-winning-world-road-race-championship.aspx

 

[Pulpstar]

ROAD RACE O_O ?!?!?!

Either Cancellara is more incredible than I will ever know or thats the sloppiest headline to an article I've ever seen.

One of the two.

 

[maltiv]

ROAD RACE O_O ?!?!?!

Either Cancellara is more incredible than I will ever know or thats the sloppiest headline to an article I've ever seen.

One of the two.

Yes, road race. The course isn't too hard for him if he's in top shape. Mendrisio had like 1000 more climbing meters and he was the strongest there.

 

[Pulpstar]

Epic

 

[spalco]

Makes sense. The Road rainbow stripes would be a huge boost to his palmares. Especially since Martin's performances have lowered his chances of winning the TT again anyway.

 

[Pulpstar]

How strong are the rest of the Swiss ?

World Champs Time Trial will be a straight shoot out between Martin & Wiggo I think now.

 

[Afrank]

How strong are the rest of the Swiss ?

World Champs Time Trial will be a straight shoot out between Martin & Wiggo I think now.

The Swiss should be able to field a pretty good team, not Spanish/Colombian/Italian level, but still a good solid team. They have Albasini, Morabito, Rast, Zaugg, Wyss, Schar, Elmiger, Frank, Tchopp, Kohler to choose from.

Don't forget Phinney, and Froome maybe. Not convinced Wiggo will be contending at this point actually. Will have to see how the Vuelta goes (if he does the Vuelta).

 

[roundabout]

The Swiss should be able to field a pretty good team, not Spanish/Colombian/Italian level, but still a good solid team. They have Albasini, Morabito, Rast, Zaugg, Wyss, Schar, Elmiger, Frank, and others to choose from.

Don't forget Phinney, and Froome maybe. Not convinced Wiggo will be contending at this point actually. Will have to see how the Vuelta goes (if he does the Vuelta).

You have listed all of them. Well, except Tschopp.

And most of them are rather hit-and-miss on that sort of course.

 

[Afrank]

You have listed all of them. Well, except Tschopp.

And most of them are rather hit-and-miss on that sort of course.

I did didn't I, I'll have add in Tschopp.

True most can't do too much on this course on the really hard climbs, but most are domestiques who can put in a good turn of work if Cance gets in trouble. They won't have to set pace at the front anyways though, so don't need to be as strong as the top teams.

 

[jens_attacks]

Yes, road race. The course isn't too hard for him if he's in top shape. Mendrisio had like 1000 more climbing meters and he was the strongest there.

actually this

at first they said the climb is longer and harder...now it looks fab can stay with the climbers here. probably phil too