Paris-Nice

[karlboss]

Gerrans a classics rider? Not sure I agree, his success is in stages of stage races and a couple of smaller one days. In the real classics, he's good, but i can't see him winning.

Maybe too harsh.

Unless brailsford has installed bionic legs, or bribed the competition, gerrans will be lucky around 10th.

 

[cyclopeon]

According to your logic, there is the UCI's 'honorable' way to organise dope controls, and the AFLD's 'over the top' way.

Surely you agree with the principle that all legal methods of attempting to expose drugs in cycling must be considered desirable by any organisation committed to stamping out doping.

For a team to know that their hotel bins could be searched leading to jail and prosecution is surely going to make it harder for them to dope.

There is absolutely no logical argument for the expertise of the AFLD not to be included in Paris Nice doping controls. Think of the message that sends out to the riders and the teams... they know they will be more likely to be caught if the AFLD are on their case.

... unless Swordsman, you are actually saying that it is not fair or realistic to get too tough with the riders and that the UCI need to be able to decide themselves which doping cases are going to be publically pursued, in case a few huge stars test positive and the cycle racing industry as we know it comes crashing down in flames... deserted by all sponsors

To me it just seems best that in an international race the international body should be the control authority. Throw in an arguementive national organization as a loose cannon and there is the chance that ulterior motives may come into play. For example, let's say Chavanel is in the running for the podium; his chances could be vastly improved by a 3:00 am police raid on another favourites' team or two on the morning of the Queen stage even if nothing is found: apology be dam*ed, the damage will be done. One could even argue that the threat of a police raid aimed by the national authority is a form of low-key psychological warfare against riders. And I'm not sure that when it comes to this topic that we can really say that if a rider is clean he has nothing to worry about! although I do wish I could have enough confidence in the process and people and politics to believe that.

 

[luckyboy]

To me it just seems best that in an international race the international body should be the control authority. Throw in an arguementive national organization as a loose cannon and there is the chance that ulterior motives may come into play.

An outside body should control testing. You don't think the UCI can be corrupted?

Verbruggen said so in 2000 - http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...agency-should-handle-drug-testing-624354.html

Anyway, testing talk should be in The Clinic really.

 

[cyclopeon]

An outside body should control testing. You don't think the UCI can be corrupted?

Verbruggen said so in 2000 - http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...agency-should-handle-drug-testing-624354.html

Anyway, testing talk should be in The Clinic really.

Sadly: Anyone or any org can be corrupted, outside or in. Unfortunately for my bank balance no one has tried to corrupt me yet -- but I'm willing!!

On your third para: Yeah, fair enough.

 

[il_fiammingo]

Gerrans a classics rider? Not sure I agree, his success is in stages of stage races and a couple of smaller one days. In the real classics, he's good, but i can't see him winning.

Maybe too harsh.

Unless brailsford has installed bionic legs, or bribed the competition, gerrans will be lucky around 10th.

Does winning stages mean you're a stage racer?? IMO a stage racer is someone who is a contender for the final victory. And Gerrans is not ( in GT and hors cat. stage races). As for the hilly classics, he has become a factor. However, more due to his results (top 10 in LBL, Amstel, Fleche, Worlds) than to his active role in the race. He improved slowly year after year. Now turning 30 and being in team where everything goes smoothly, I won't be surprised to see him podium in LBL, Amstel or Fleche.

 

[karlboss]

So the time differences will be 8km time trial, and 3km at 10%, hard to tip against contador, valverde and LLS.

 

[tgsgirl]

Bauke (Mollema) is ill and won't ride Paris-Nice. Koos Moerenhout will be his last minute replacement.

kmoerenhout
Back from training. Now preparation for Paris - Nice. Didn't expect that before I went training this morning.

 

[Sasquatch]

So the time differences will be 8km time trial, and 3km at 10%, hard to tip against contador, valverde and LLS.

Precisely.

That will be the podium. Choose the order. If there was a huge mountaintop finish, I would put a **** load of money on Conti at his current odds.

 

[thehog]

To me it just seems best that in an international race the international body should be the control authority. Throw in an arguementive national organization as a loose cannon and there is the chance that ulterior motives may come into play. For example, let's say Chavanel is in the running for the podium; his chances could be vastly improved by a 3:00 am police raid on another favourites' team or two on the morning of the Queen stage even if nothing is found: apology be dam*ed, the damage will be done. One could even argue that the threat of a police raid aimed by the national authority is a form of low-key psychological warfare against riders. And I'm not sure that when it comes to this topic that we can really say that if a rider is clean he has nothing to worry about! although I do wish I could have enough confidence in the process and people and politics to believe that.

3am police raid? What the AFLD control the police now? Do they call up inspector crusoe and he orders the troops in?

Fool.

 

[Condorman]

3am police raid? What the AFLD control the police now? Do they call up inspector crusoe and he orders the troops in?

Fool.

"Troops" is not that inaccurate as the Gendarmerie are military, and the other lot, Ofalesp or something, are a branch of them.
Think of the Festina raid. Who did it? What time did they do it?

This is France FFS! But as I said in another post they will wait until July.

 

[thehog]

Huh?

The Festina raids were not ordered by te AFLD, UCI or any other cycling related body.

The Gendarmerie were involved because Willy Voet happened to drive his car across the French border with a boot full of gear.

Now I'm not sure how you feel about drug trafficking but if a fat team mechanic were to importing *** into my country I'd want the police to act.

What did you want the UCI to clean up what was going on in 1998? They did a fine job up to that point !!!!! Ha aha ha ha !!!!

Loser.

"Troops" is not that inaccurate as the Gendarmerie are military, and the other lot, Ofalesp or something, are a branch of them.
Think of the Festina raid. Who did it? What time did they do it?

This is France FFS! But as I said in another post they will wait until July.

 

[Condorman]

Huh?

The Festina raids were not ordered by te AFLD, UCI or any other cycling related body.

The Gendarmerie were involved because Willy Voet happened to drive his car across the French border with a boot full of gear.

Now I'm not sure how you feel about drug trafficking but if a fat team mechanic were to importing *** into my country I'd want the police to act.

What did you want the UCI to clean up what was going on in 1998? They did a fine job up to that point !!!!! Ha aha ha ha !!!!

Loser.

I'm fully aware of what happened in 1998. My car was searched twice by French Customs on my way to Chambery. I said nothing about UCI or AFLD who didn't even exist then afaik.

You are clearly a gob****e.

 

[thehog]

I'm fully aware of what happened in 1998. My car was searched twice by French Customs on my way to Chambery. I said nothing about UCI or AFLD who didn't even exist then afaik.

You are clearly a gob****e.

Sorry to hear that. What did the police do with all the ghey porn and S&M equipment they found?

 

[Angliru]

I'm inclined to agree with you, but maybe mike knows something about specific preparations at sky we don't? I'd love to see his reasons.

Gerrans has been quoted as intending to expand his training to allow him to explore his abilities in week long stage races. He admits that grand tours are beyond his reach but feels that he has potential to improve his performances and this could be the first evidence of the success of his preparations.

 

[Condorman]

Sorry to hear that. What did the police do with all the ghey porn and S&M equipment they found?

You are the only c@nt talking about the police.

Why don't you read what people are saying instead of going off on one?

 

[thehog]

You are the only c@nt talking about the police.

....and YOU question that the AFLD might be agressive and order raids on riders. It's not them that's the problem. It's you.

Thanks for proving my point.

Next time you go looking for French men in uniform to man handle you do it it in the privacy of your own home.

Don't bother replying because you know I'm right.

Mods - sieze this man.

 

[Condorman]

Why don't you read what people are saying instead of going off on one?

You need to take more water with it.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Bauke (Mollema) is ill and won't ride Paris-Nice. Koos Moerenhout will be his last minute replacement.

kmoerenhout
Back from training. Now preparation for Paris - Nice. Didn't expect that before I went training this morning.

well that's dissapointing.

 

[theswordsman]

Contador has another press release out - not on his website yet, and haven't seen it in English yet. The big news is that the Time Trial bike just delivered to him for Sunday's Prologue is a Specialized Shiv. I guess they had time to mold a legal prototype? Anyway, at Algarve they said he had trained on the Shiv for five months. If he knew this was coming, he could have spent more time on his regular Shiv and be pretty dialed in. I'm anxious to see the results.

How can you run this against the clock and what you expect with this new bike?

It's a hard journey, but only 8 km, some differences can be made heavier than usual on some corridors. On the bike, there is a big difference. This is Shiv, with which I used to train and is completely different from the Algarve. I hope to do a good opening tomorrow.

What are the differences between the two bikes?

They are completely different because this is a more advanced stage, is faster in the wind tunnel, lighter and more rigid. There are many factors that change and all the better.

On the eve of Paris-Nice 2009 you said you would never be a great time trial and won the next day. During the year have confirmed your improvement and now has been second in the Algarve, are you against the clock or is already a very easy to enter in shape?

It's a little of both. It is true that since I spent professionals have done well against the clock and I've improved thanks to the materials and taking care of things, but it is also true that I take very quick form. Most importantly, however, is very, very hard behind this. It may seem that I won the race and thanks to my strengths, but what really causes it is work.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=23598

Edit: Contador just tweeted a photo of himself with "Mr. Specialized". I guess the Shiv was hand-delivered, and will be set up perfectly for Sunday.

Here's the English version of the press release:

http://www.albertocontador.es/prensa.detalle.php?id=307

 

[Publicus]

Contador has another press release out - not on his website yet, and haven't seen it in English yet. The big news is that the Time Trial bike just delivered to him for Sunday's Prologue is a Specialized Shiv. I guess they had time to mold a legal prototype? Anyway, at Algarve they said he had trained on the Shiv for five months. If he knew this was coming, he could have spent more time on his regular Shiv and be pretty dialed in. I'm anxious to see the results.


http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=23598

Edit: Contador just tweeted a photo of himself with "Mr. Specialized". I guess the Shiv was hand-delivered, and will be set up perfectly for Sunday.

Here's the English version of the press release:

http://www.albertocontador.es/prensa.detalle.php?id=307

This must be the prototype that they were working on.

 

[Gregory]

The TT will be extremely important. It will be difficult to make differences between the favorites on mountain stages. There are always rather long descents and they are not steep enough to promote a solo escape. Such mild descents are not only about technique - you have to work as well and wind is also a factor. Being in a group is better on such descent.
The TT seems suited to Contador as it is short and has a small climb. I think he is a favorite.

 

[DAOTEC]

Shock and Awe ?

In a press conference on the eve of the Paris-Nice race, McQuaid hit back at statements from AFLD that it would not work with the UCI but would instead inform the French judicial authorities of any suspicions.

The row is expected to rumble on right up the start of this year’s Tour de France, where the UCI has made it clear that the AFLD is not invited.
If the French agency makes good on its claim of informing the French judiciary of any suspicions it has, it could lead to scenes of team hotel and vehicle raids not seen since the Festina Affair at the 1998 Tour.

3:20 PM EST UCI chief reacts to latest AFLD comments Velonation

 

[Anonymous]

I have a feeling young Geraint might be out to try and steal the win today.. might be wrong..

 

[Publicus]

I have a feeling young Geraint might be out to try and steal the win today.. might be wrong..

That might just be a gas bubble you are feeling.

 

[Anonymous]

That might just be a gas bubble you are feeling.

sprouts for tea.. could be that..