No. It probably started in 2018 or 2019. It went to a different level two years ago.
- May 9, 2025
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Tim Rex: “I thought 'what is going on here, am I standing still?' I was doing 500 watts and those guys still came past me, not normal."
That's the thing, the vast improvement of all of UAE so that the doms are putting their top competition in the red even before Pog goes.
It really is laughable now. And feels very reminiscent of rider reactions at the start of epo.
That's the thing, the vast improvement of all of UAE so that the doms are putting their top competition in the red even before Pog goes.
It really is laughable now. And feels very reminiscent of rider reactions at the start of epo.
- Feb 20, 2012
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This is beyond omerta. It's not like there's reason to believe the losers were ever off the sauce but they've questioned their rivals plenty of times.
- Jul 4, 2010
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You'll have the sycophants like Blythe and Stephens just telling us it's all because gels have more carbs and it's all Z2 and now they've added 'robustness' into their training.
- Aug 13, 2011
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The Mystery Black Sensor Pogačar Wore at Strade Bianche Is Not What You Think It Is
Pogačar kicked up a storm of speculation about the unusual bicep sensor he wore at Strade Bianche. We found out what it actually is.
- Apr 8, 2023
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Don't foget, cycling has credibility now. Boy, I cann't wait for the new Lance movie to come out.
I don't really know what else you expect from mainstream television commentators to be fair. It's not like they can just say "we think he's doped, by the way" while we all watch Pog do a long solo.
- Jul 31, 2024
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I find myself thinking on wether i even want Remco & others capable of competing with UAE.
Clearly whatever program Visma, Decathlon, UAE, Alpecin are running is not on the same level as UAE.
Now do I want their programs to be as good as UAE to level the playing field? On one hand those programs (programs from Visma, Alpecin, RBH, Decathlon) probably already have a certain level of doping/grey areas mixed in, and once science improves on detecting stuff those riders might already be in trouble as well (if my assumption is correct). So maybe it's better they reach the same level as UAE. To even the playing field and have competition again.
On the other hand, maybe what UAE is doing is even more unhealthy than what the other teams are comfortable with doing. Which make you think it's better to not equal UAE program.
If it's just not morally sound to up the game to UAE levels, then one has to take a good look at the schedule and just avoid Pogacar and UAE as much as possible with your star riders. The problem is the Tour is so much bigger than anything else.
Better for sponsors to fight for podium/top 5 in the tour than to possible fight for the win in other GT. On top of that Pogacar rides all the monuments. So those are basically a wash. Add in Del Toro and it becomes increasingly difficult to find a worthy schedule for the star riders of other teams.
Honestly cycling is in a very bad place right now.
Clearly whatever program Visma, Decathlon, UAE, Alpecin are running is not on the same level as UAE.
Now do I want their programs to be as good as UAE to level the playing field? On one hand those programs (programs from Visma, Alpecin, RBH, Decathlon) probably already have a certain level of doping/grey areas mixed in, and once science improves on detecting stuff those riders might already be in trouble as well (if my assumption is correct). So maybe it's better they reach the same level as UAE. To even the playing field and have competition again.
On the other hand, maybe what UAE is doing is even more unhealthy than what the other teams are comfortable with doing. Which make you think it's better to not equal UAE program.
If it's just not morally sound to up the game to UAE levels, then one has to take a good look at the schedule and just avoid Pogacar and UAE as much as possible with your star riders. The problem is the Tour is so much bigger than anything else.
Better for sponsors to fight for podium/top 5 in the tour than to possible fight for the win in other GT. On top of that Pogacar rides all the monuments. So those are basically a wash. Add in Del Toro and it becomes increasingly difficult to find a worthy schedule for the star riders of other teams.
Honestly cycling is in a very bad place right now.
It might continue like this for a decade or so if UAE signs Seixas and upgrade him to Pogacar-level.
- Jul 31, 2024
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I will be posting my opinions in the clinic from now on. It is not possible to give honest thoughts on races in this thread atm.
- Jul 31, 2024
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Not gonna lie. Saturday broke current day cycling a bit for me. It was the insanely alien performance too much.
- Apr 13, 2021
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I don't really understand why now is the breaking mpoint when it has happened for 2 years straight and he was already over the top in 2019-23.
- Jul 31, 2024
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Yes i know. Maybe it was cause i just saw the womans race and ended up watching despite my initial choice to avoid this race. I just found myself not only not enjoying the race but getting filled with disgust. I kept telling myself pogacar is maybe the goat. Seixas and del toro are young but cycling biggest talents. But i could not enjoy any of it. Not the fight for second. Not them 2 talents easily dispatching more experienced riders save for Pogacar. Not Pogacar riding away with ease. Going off the gas and casually strolling in high fiveing and all that. Add the bleached hair and it all just felt like they were making a mockery out of the sport.
- Jul 7, 2013
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Nothing that hasn't been seen over the last two seasons (and also in some races in 2020-2023).
The difference between UAE riders and the rest after the finish line is insane to see. Seriously, what's going on? Someone said "he was only 1 minute ahead of the number 2". Yeah, because he was just playing with the rest. He did not even break a sweat.
- Jul 16, 2015
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I have a feeling you'll love this story: https://www.eurosport.fr/cyclisme/p...ret-duae-emirates-xrg_sto23279197/story.shtml
First serious transfer rumor... of Seixas to UAE!
Apparently contract extension negotiations have been "suspended" with Decathlon. Yeah we could have Pog, Del Toro and Seixas all on the same team next year.
- Apr 13, 2021
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All im saying is if I was the agent of olaf kooj, I would definitely be starting such a rumour
- Jul 7, 2013
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Embrace it! The French Messiah will be winning the Tour (after gazillion years of waiting since Hinault) while the Alien (fed up with the Tour and released from this duty) will gain more kilos to smash cobbles and San Remo (and Vuelta at times).
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- Jul 31, 2024
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I just hope that instead of all the cheers, more people will start voicing displeasure.
Or their bottom line gets affectted (less people watching, .. ) or both.
Only way UCI & WADA will step in.
Or their bottom line gets affectted (less people watching, .. ) or both.
Only way UCI & WADA will step in.
- Jul 30, 2011
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There are arguments that at certain points branding and its attentions overtake the product and it doesn’t really matter.
- Feb 20, 2012
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Because there was a novelty to him at first and because he still lost often enough.
I still can't believe how much that one dumb line while getting dumped on Col de la Loze got him so much credit.
- Jul 7, 2013
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Teddy is a good boy who wins races sometimes. He died on Loze but resurrected afterwards and that's why we all love him!
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Armchair Cyclist
Moderator
- Mar 22, 2010
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Fewer people watching means less sponsorship, fewer teams, less racing being broadcast, fewer races: not sure how that is to be hoped for no matter what rider you prefer.
is there really fewer people watching? did you see the crowds at Strade Bianche? I mean, Pog and Strade/Sanremo/Roubaix reach the big public, not just us fans here analyzing the race moves and watts. I too wished he could get caught on Saturday or I'll wish he loses the TDF (but I wish he beats VDP in Sanremo-Roubaix)
I understand he's too strong. te race was over 15 minutes after the broadcast started on Sat
but I don't know if the viewing is lower
I understand he's too strong. te race was over 15 minutes after the broadcast started on Sat
but I don't know if the viewing is lower
- Jul 16, 2025
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If he beats VDP in San Remo and Roubaix I think that may be my tipping point to never watching cycling again. Preferably someone else entirely wins though.
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