General News Thread

[fraserhughes]

2015 WC Road race

http://richmond2015.com/about/courses/road-circuit/

Not that I was expecting much, but let's hope that those little climbs are really steep

This seems to be the entrance to the first "cobbled" hill

Doesn't exact look selective especially as it is only a 250m long section

Edit:

... and here is the "20% semi-cobbled" hill...

.. the final "hill" ...

 

[togo95]

... and here is the "20% semi-cobbled" hill...

Do you think they will leave it that narrow. That could cause some problems, together with the gradient and "cobbles". It is also less than 3 kms to go.

edit: btw, I don't know where they got the elevation gain of 240 meters from. RWGPS says it is only 170.

 

[fraserhughes]

Do you think they will leave it that narrow. That could cause some problems, together with the gradient and "cobbles".

Don't know, I'm not sure how they can widen it easily though...

I don't believe given the length (100m - distance not vertical!) the gradient will prove very selective but I must say I fear a lot of crashes.

 

[42x16ss]

After 230+ kms it probably will be quite selective. Those hills are very short but if you compare to the surroundings they do look steep.

Any locals here who can give us an overview of the course? Would be interesting to see a "strongman" WC RR.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

After 230+ kms it probably will be quite selective. Those hills are very short but if you compare to the surroundings they do look steep.

Any locals here who can give us an overview of the course? Would be interesting to see a "strongman" WC RR.

Agree, there is enough in it to make a race.
Now I'm begging for 5 man teams (max).

 

[fraserhughes]

Now I'm begging for 5 man teams (max).

That IMHO would make the race.

Also hopefully it will be ridden hard before the last lap...

 

[Red Lobster]

After 230+ kms it probably will be quite selective. Those hills are very short but if you compare to the surroundings they do look steep.

Any locals here who can give us an overview of the course? Would be interesting to see a "strongman" WC RR.

I am not local to Richmond but have raced a lot on the US east coast and done more than a few crits in Richmond over the years (mostly 15-20 years ago). You start to feel those hills coming up from the river in a 30+ lap crit but they are short and my first reaction is that I don't think they will present a significant challenge. On the other hand I think it is surprisingly technical for a WC RR and that could play a big role.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Flanders hills are short too...
(compare to Brabantse Pijl: short and rather easy hills, but always a great race)

 

[Netserk]

I am not local to Richmond but have raced a lot on the US east coast and done more than a few crits in Richmond over the years (mostly 15-20 years ago). You start to feel those hills coming up from the river in a 30+ lap crit but they are short and my first reaction is that I don't think they will present a significant challenge. On the other hand I think it is surprisingly technical for a WC RR and that could play a big role.

Sounds good for Canc, Boonen, Sagan etc.

 

[Red Lobster]

Sounds good for Canc, Boonen, Sagan etc.

Yeah, I agree, would seem to suit Sagan in particular very well.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Wildcards for PR, FW and LBL:

Wildcards for Paris-Roubaix:
Bretagne-Séché Environnement (Fra)
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (Fra)
IAM Cycling (Swi)
Team NetApp-Endura (Ger)
Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Bel)
UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
Wanty-Groupe Gobert (Bel)

Wildcards for La Flèche Wallonne:
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (Fra)
Colombia (Col)
IAM Cycling (Swi)
MTN-Qhubeka (RSA)
Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Bel)
UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
Wanty-Groupe Gobert (Bel)

Wildcards for Liège-Bastogne-Liège:
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (Fra)
Colombia (Col)
IAM Cycling (Swi)
MTN-Qhubeka (RSA)
Team NetApp-Endura (Ger)
Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Bel)
Wanty-Groupe Gobert (Bel)

 

[gooner]

A column by Josh Edmondson,

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co....tion-for-this-year-s-tour-edmondson-1-6470558

 

[senaji212]

I like the helpful information you provide in your articles about . Thanks for putting the effort and time into this article. It was really helpful! Thanks!...

 

[TomasC]

Didn't know where to put this - good interview with Marco Pinotti over on Cycling Inquisition. 2nd part is about Darwin Atapuma and Colombia in general.
Part 1
Part 2

 

[RedheadDane]

Didn't know where to put this but

It's WAR!

Both teams just posted it on FB.

 

[GP Blanco]

The profile of this year's E3 Harelbeke. They added two hills. Maybe time for another courses are becoming harder discussion .

https://twitter.com/E3Harelbeke/status/440412509728542720/photo/1

 

[LaFlorecita]

Didn't know where to put this but

It's WAR!

Both teams just posted it on FB.

What's the idea behind this

 

[RedheadDane]

No clue! Found it on FB and thought it was rather funny.

 

[ianstannard]

Are they going to try to compete with each other in Paris-Nice?

 

[RedheadDane]

All the WT teams are going to compete with each other at Paris-Nice.

But, yeah, I think it's about that, and of course now I just think it would be rather hillarious if Sky and OGE both leave empty-handed.

 

[ianstannard]

Why is OGE trying to compete with Sky? Lots of people say that Porte is a big favourite to win the tour. OGE has Simon Gerrans which is good but not as good as Porte.

 

[RedheadDane]

So... just been communacating a little with the OGE teams and apparently it's an off the bike thing.

 

[al_pacino]

So... just been communacating a little with the OGE teams and apparently it's an off the bike thing.

It will just be about likes on Facebook or follows on twitter. And forgotten in about 1 week.

 

[ianstannard]

Why did Porte pull out of Paris Nice? Does he have a better chance to win in TA?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Why did Porte pull out of Paris Nice? Does he have a better chance to win in TA?

maybe Sky are trying to out-psych Nibali with all these changes