General News Thread

[Berniece]

It was rumoured weeks ago that the original 2020 route was a back-up, but until it has been officially decided as the contingency plan, the official position of a political organ like the UCI can only be that they have no (official) Plan B. That's just how politics works.

Yeah, Devil's Elbow explained it. I just didn't think that much about it, since UCI is known to make dumb moves and decisions.

 

[Brullnux]

Grand Depart 2027 in the UK, apparently, with stages rumoured to go across England, Wales, and Scotland. Could either be excellent or terrible – if we go by recent GDs/2014, the former; if we go by recent Tour of Britain routes, the latter.

 

[YavorD]

Grand Depart 2027 in the UK, apparently, with stages rumoured to go across England, Wales, and Scotland. Could either be excellent or terrible – if we go by recent GDs/2014, the former; if we go by recent Tour of Britain routes, the latter.

It probably depends on the starting location. If its London, it's unlikely we get a nice stages.
If it's Wales or especially Scotland, they will most probably make at least one good stage.

 

[Unchained]

Can't believe I just saw another race where riders in the sprint went wrong way!!Faun Ardeche !!! Wtf

 

[Tanakka]

Can't believe I just saw another race where riders in the sprint went wrong way!!Faun Ardeche !!! Wtf

Especially considering it has only been 10 days (19th Feb -> 1st Mar) and we are talking about two races at the 'UCI ProSeries' level - meaning the one just below the 'UCI Worldtour'.

Should I be worrying that a bunch of people might miss the turn to the right into the velodrome at the next Paris-Roubaix, or what?

 

[RedheadDane]

Should I be worrying that a bunch of people might miss the turn to the right into the velodrome at the next Paris-Roubaix, or what?

A look at Wikipedia gives you this:

The result in 1949 took several months and two international conferences to sort out. André Mahé was first but his win was challenged because he took the wrong course. Mahé was in a break of three that reached Roubaix velodrome in the lead, but he was misdirected by officials and entered the track by the wrong gate. Mahé was declared winner but a few minutes later other riders arrived using the correct route and Serse Coppi, brother of famous Fausto, won the sprint for what was assumed to be the minor placings. After a protest and several months, Serse Coppi was named joint winner with Mahé.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Nairoman in trouble again:

https://latinamericanpost.com/sport...s-doctor-doping-scandal-shakes-cycling-scene/

 

[Red Rick]

So Milano Sanremo for women is 160km starting from Genova.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

So Milano Sanremo for women is 160km starting from Genova.

That nullifies the whole point of the race.

Not really blaming RCS here, it's past time the UCI realises that the women's side of the sport has evolved dramatically since the 160k maximum was adopted and that the monuments/monument equivalents are being held back by current race length rules. A women's Sanremo would mean so much more if it was also the first 200k+ women's race.

 

[pastronef]

That nullifies the whole point of the race.

Not really blaming RCS here, it's past time the UCI realises that the women's side of the sport has evolved dramatically since the 160k maximum was adopted and that the monuments/monument equivalents are being held back by current race length rules. A women's Sanremo would mean so much more if it was also the first 200k+ women's race.

well, let's see how it goes this way. then for the next editions there can be changes. maybe starting from Ovada, to climb the Turchino.

 

[Red Rick]

That nullifies the whole point of the race.

Not really blaming RCS here, it's past time the UCI realises that the women's side of the sport has evolved dramatically since the 160k maximum was adopted and that the monuments/monument equivalents are being held back by current race length rules. A women's Sanremo would mean so much more if it was also the first 200k+ women's race.

I think thematically it needs to be longer. I think the other thematic part, the ride along the coast and the finale on the Poggio it does get hard.

I don't really believe some extra zone 1 work makes that much difference.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

That nullifies the whole point of the race.

Not really blaming RCS here, it's past time the UCI realises that the women's side of the sport has evolved dramatically since the 160k maximum was adopted and that the monuments/monument equivalents are being held back by current race length rules. A women's Sanremo would mean so much more if it was also the first 200k+ women's race.

The original rumours had it starting somewhere around Arenzano so it is an upgrade, and the old Primavera Rosa was also only a 3 hour race. I wouldn't mind seeing a 5 hour race, which would make it feel like more of a proper MSR, but it would probably not make it more entertaining.

 

[YavorD]

That nullifies the whole point of the race.

Not really blaming RCS here, it's past time the UCI realises that the women's side of the sport has evolved dramatically since the 160k maximum was adopted and that the monuments/monument equivalents are being held back by current race length rules. A women's Sanremo would mean so much more if it was also the first 200k+ women's race.

Hopefully they don't go the FIS way and reduce men's length in order to make it equal for men and women.
I won't be shocked if UCI does something like this.

 

[AmRacer]

Hopefully they don't go the FIS way and reduce men's length in order to make it equal for men and women.
I won't be shocked if UCI does something like this.

50k is on the schedule. 30 -> 50 for women.

 

[YavorD]

50k is on the schedule. 30 -> 50 for women.

Yeah, but they messed up everything else.

 

[AmRacer]

Yeah, but they messed up everything else.

Not sprint and sprint relay.

 

[Netserk]

That nullifies the whole point of the race.

Not really blaming RCS here, it's past time the UCI realises that the women's side of the sport has evolved dramatically since the 160k maximum was adopted and that the monuments/monument equivalents are being held back by current race length rules. A women's Sanremo would mean so much more if it was also the first 200k+ women's race.

Is Wollongong the only race that has been over 160 km?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Is Wollongong the only race that has been over 160 km?

If we're purely talking one-day races, last year's EC race and editions of RVV, Drenthe, GW and Brugge-De Panne have been longer as well. The Kigali route will be so, too.

However it makes more sense to look at time duration rather than distance. A winning time of 4 hours and 46 minutes is the longest stage I can remember coming across.

 

[pastronef]

situation gets more pessimistic about the Randa worlds https://www.relevo.com/ciclismo/crece-pesimismo-ruanda-protagonistas-creen-20250306103537-nt.html

 

[Squire]

Nairoman in trouble again:

https://latinamericanpost.com/sport...s-doctor-doping-scandal-shakes-cycling-scene/

That article reads like it's written by a 10 year old with the help of AI. The least concise thing I've read in a long time.

 

[Pozzovivo]

That article reads like it's written by a 10 year old with the help of AI. The least concise thing I've read in a long time.

Agree. I recommend listening to Daniel Friebe's summary of the case on The Cycling Podcast instead if anyone is interested.

 

[pastronef]

Danish members on here what's the matter?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1897651117732819274

View: https://x.com/Lp213/status/1897651117732819274

 

[RedheadDane]

Danish members on here what's the matter?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1897651117732819274

View: https://x.com/Lp213/status/1897651117732819274

Holm made a comment about kids feeling like they need to have all the expensive equipment when racing.
He wasn't talking about e-bikes at all...

 

[Unchained]

Holm made a comment about kids feeling like they need to have all the expensive equipment when racing.
He wasn't talking about e-bikes at all...

Don't know how big the bicycle industry lobby is in the US but currently China and Taiwan are the American bicycle business and prices set to increase by @25% from tariffs being imposed. Likely dramatic price increases to already expensive equipment. Parents already have sticker shock if your child shows an interest in bike racing!!! I hope sudden increase in prices doesn't deter people from exploring bike riding and racing but that's a likely byproduct of everything costing more!!!

 

[Finn84]

It probably depends on the starting location. If its London, it's unlikely we get a nice stages.
If it's Wales or especially Scotland, they will most probably make at least one good stage.

Seeing that three stages is probably most likely, I would think something like this.

Stage 1 - GD in Edinburgh or Glasgow, hilltop finish
Stage 2 - flat stage, maybe ending in Liverpool
Stage 3 - hilly stage around Wales