General News Thread

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

The retirement of Alonso will restart the bike team project??

Alonso should build a team around Pozzato who as well has been paid for doing absolutely nothing ever since 2012!

I think he's continuing to race the endurance cars, races like Le Mans etc.....but he shouldn't be as busy. Hope he gets the cycling team off the ground. Some more new blood is needed with sponsors etc....

Major rumors are that he's headed to the US to race Indy Cars.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Very sad news. Javier Otxoa has died at age 43 after a long illness. My thoughts with his friends and family. DEp Javier I hope that Ricardo is waiting for you so that you can ride together again.

RIP Javier.

 

[Unchained]

Not sure if there ever is a running list of licenced teams..in the US we only have one level of pro racing w 3 of our major teams announcing a complete withdrawal from the sport..it was mentioned that Silber ..a good Canadian team would fold.and now a story about One switching from men's to women's cycling... " because of greater potential "..
I am personally worried that the lack of domestic work for riders in the US is causing a chicken and egg conundrum ...our best races have had participation by good European teams and that has knocked lesser U.S. teams completely out..if Sagan, Alaphilippe and other talents see the Tour of California and other races as helping there overall yearly campaign small squads will not w seeing any action..
I love seeing some of the best race here in the US..I guess my concern is w talk of logistic and safety concerns calling for smaller sizes both in terms of team members and peloton size were will small teams fit? Where will they get exposure?
Does anybody have the criteria that the Vuelta uses? Is there a mandate for Spanish teams to have guaranteed participation?
Rally in the US has some press this year about the desire to do more and bigger races on the European calendar..

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

But...One Pro Cycling is a British team, isn't it?

 

[Unchained]

Re:

But...One Pro Cycling is a British team, isn't it?

British..100% founded by an ex-pro cricket player..I think 3 pro continental teams will fold in the UK this year..
The place I didn't expect to see 2 decent teams pop up..Israel..
Jelly Belly lasted @18 years..United Health Care also had a good run..Aqua Blue set to fold after being registered in a couple of races..

 

[janraaskalt]

Re: Re:

But...One Pro Cycling is a British team, isn't it?

British..100% founded by an ex-pro cricket player..I think 3 pro continental teams will fold in the UK this year..
The place I didn't expect to see 2 decent teams pop up..Israel..
Jelly Belly lasted @18 years..United Health Care also had a good run..Aqua Blue set to fold after being registered in a couple of races..

You are mixing up US and UK again. The UK (includes Ireland, right?) only has 1 PCT this year: Aqua Blue; therefore unlikely 3 of them will fold. Jelly Belly and UHC are US.

 

[barmaher]

Why do you think that the UK includes Ireland?

 

[42x16ss]

Neil Stephens has left Mitchelton Scott citing a difference in philosophy.

From all accounts he’s very popular amongst the riders and close to Chaves, I hope that this doesn’t come back to haunt them.

 

[yaco]

Thought something was up when there was no Stephens at the Vuelta - Of course philosophical differences would mean anything.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Thought something was up when there was no Stephens at the Vuelta - Of course philosophical differences would mean anything.

Like when someone leaves a rock band for artistic differences..........right......maybe partly the Ewan situation also maybe Michelton going too far on GC and not worrying about other options ? Could be anything but it sounds like he didn't like the direction they were taking for the team. Fair enough, time to move on.

 

[luckyboy]

New finale for Paris-Tours. More hills, and 12.5km of dirt sections through vineyards.

https://twitter.com/ParisTours/status/1037279747838042113

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

New finale for Paris-Tours. More hills, and 12.5km of dirt sections through vineyards.

https://twitter.com/ParisTours/status/1037279747838042113

Kinda unnecessary as the finale of the race has been great for the last few years but I like it nonetheless.

 

[Sestriere]

No San Fermo in Lombardia this year due to landslide danger. Last climb will be Civiglio now. Despite the carnage on the descent of the Muro di Sormano last year it will be featured again this year.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

No San Fermo in Lombardia this year due to landslide danger. Last climb will be Civiglio now. Despite the carnage on the descent of the Muro di Sormano last year it will be featured again this year.

And I thought they were gonna alternate the 2015 and 2016 routes

Really, Civiglio alone is boring.

 

[Gigs_98]

But I guess if there was a landslide there isn't really anything they can do. Now it will unfortunately be a one climb race and I fear the puncheurs will have pretty much no chance against the climbers.

 

[Laplaz]

After Civiglio there is a little bump, someone knows how hard it is?

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

After Civiglio there is a little bump, someone knows how hard it is?

They basically climb half of what is usually the descent of San Fermo. That's about 1.7 km with a 5% gradient. So enough to make a difference from a select group but you wouldn't want to rely on attacking there. I'm very happy about that little bump though as that means the race isn't immediately over after the descent from Civiglio.

 

[Rollthedice]

Lombardia profile. Civiglio 13.6 to the line, that last lump is with 3 km to the finish and it's called Monte Olimpino.

 

[fuiers]

Re:

Lombardia profile. Civiglio 13.6 to the line, that last lump is with 3 km to the finish and it's called Monte Olimpino.

This will be the first Il Lombardia for me. Looking forward to it. Atleast I have something to look forward to since Eurosport does not have the rights so show the Innsbruck WC races.

 

[Nirvana]

Eurosport has the right for all the races of WC (and they'll cover from the start to finish every race), if they didn't air the races in some countries is a local issue.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Lombardia profile. Civiglio 13.6 to the line, that last lump is with 3 km to the finish and it's called Monte Olimpino.

This will be the first Il Lombardia for me. Looking forward to it. Atleast I have something to look forward to since Eurosport does not have the rights so show the Innsbruck WC races.

Iirc there was a livestream for the WC on the uci's yt site only available in countries where the race isn't broadcasted on tv.

 

[Velolover2]

The punching puncheur will win Lombardia. He seems to be in-shape.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

The punching puncheur will win Lombardia. He seems to be in-shape.

Think it's less likely with this route.

Think Sormano+Civiglio will just be ridden more aggressively.

 

[Nirvana]

This joke is this year Gran Piemonte, Vegni has finished the screwing process for this race...

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

This joke is this year Gran Piemonte, Vegni has finished the screwing process for this race...

Well, to be fair, the finishing city does sound like stupid, so it seems fitting