Miscellaneous mysteries of pro cycling

[Captain_Cavman]

Flies

On Saturday morning, I was labouring up a small lump in the road when a large bluebottle shot straight down my throat and into my gullet where it buzzed annoyingly until I managed to hawk it back up.

My question is, does this ever happen to the pros? Do they have a technique for avoiding airborne hazards? And has anyone ever lost a race because they were left coughing and spluttering due to accidently swallowing insect life while their rivals took the opportunity to attack?

 

[mr. tibbs]

On Saturday morning, I was labouring up a small lump in the road when a large bluebottle shot straight down my throat and into my gullet where it buzzed annoyingly until I managed to hawk it back up.

My question is, does this ever happen to the pros? Do they have a technique for avoiding airborne hazards? And has anyone ever lost a race because they were left coughing and spluttering due to accidently swallowing insect life while their rivals took the opportunity to attack?

I freely admit that I have nothing useful to contribute to this thread, but I feel that the bold text deserves special acknowledgment.

Chapeau, good captain!

 

[will10]

This is a bit different to other questions, but with fleche wallone coming up, has anyone attacked before the Mur and won?

My you are young aren't you

This is the one I remember, Osa and Astarloa in 2003: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAbrn5vNgUs

I think that's the most recent time it's happened but I haven't checked and may be wrong.