The Roche Family and Irish Cycling

[Dr. Maserati]

Roche has always been seen as a competent all-rounder, with TTing being his major weakness (that and his mental attitude). He could generally hang with climbers until the final ramp or so, where he'd shed time.

But, but, but - Roche has become a natural climber even though he rides like Jens Voight.

Roche looks like he is fighting his bike extracting every ounce of energy in a desperate effort to hold on to the wheel in front - although this could be because he is fighting his bike extracting every ounce of energy in a desperate effort to hold on to the wheel in front.

 

[Cycle Chic]

But, but, but - Roche has become a natural climber even though he rides like Jens Voight.

Roche looks like he is fighting his bike extracting every ounce of energy in a desperate effort to hold on to the wheel in front - although this could be because he is fighting his bike extracting every ounce of energy in a desperate effort to hold on to the wheel in front.

Nicolas is a very good actor in my opinion....don't forget Mr Kimmage bases a lot of his evidence on how tired a rider looks when crossing the finish line. Nicolas does a very good 'open mouth, I,m at my extreme' impression.

His blogs are very well written as well...'yo-yo ing' is his latest term of phrase. He's VERY AWARE of his move to Saxo and what it looks like.

This was just as well because the polka-dot skinsuit of King of the Mountains that the race organisers had ready for me was tiny.

http://www.independent.ie/incoming/...hind-me-i-felt-like-a-superstar-29554005.html

that's because King of the Mountains aren't usually built like you Nicolas !

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Nicolas is a very good actor in my opinion....don't forget Mr Kimmage bases a lot of his evidence on how tired a rider looks when crossing the finish line. Nicolas does a very good 'open mouth, I,m at my extreme' impression.

His blogs are very well written as well...'yo-yo ing' is his latest term of phrase. He's VERY AWARE of his move to Saxo and what it looks like.

Evidence?? Don't confuse evidence with forming an opinion.

http://www.independent.ie/incoming/...hind-me-i-felt-like-a-superstar-29554005.html

that's because King of the Mountains aren't usually built like you Nicolas !

So, Nicholas is acting when he huffs and puffs. Ok.
So, this mean that he is indeed a 'natural climber' but is just doing academy award stuff to throw people off the scent.

He should get an oscar for being dropped on the MTF, that was a performance.

 

[fmk_RoI]

But, but, but - Roche has become a natural climber even though he rides like Jens Voight.

Roche looks like he is fighting his bike extracting every ounce of energy in a desperate effort to hold on to the wheel in front - although this could be because he is fighting his bike extracting every ounce of energy in a desperate effort to hold on to the wheel in front.

Yeah, he sure looked like natural climber today, didn't he? ;o)

 

[fmk_RoI]

Nicolas is a very good actor in my opinion....don't forget Mr Kimmage bases a lot of his evidence on how tired a rider looks when crossing the finish line. Nicolas does a very good 'open mouth, I,m at my extreme' impression.

His blogs are very well written as well...'yo-yo ing' is his latest term of phrase. He's VERY AWARE of his move to Saxo and what it looks like.



http://www.independent.ie/incoming/...hind-me-i-felt-like-a-superstar-29554005.html

that's because King of the Mountains aren't usually built like you Nicolas !

1) If you think his diary is well written you really need to up your standards:

2) He does have a journalist (well, an Indo hack) doing the actual writing, you do realise that, don't you?

 

[gooner]

His column is heavily ghost written. No different to Martin's with the Times or Deignan's with the Star a few years back.

This thread might be a bit quieter after today. It was always better to reserve judgement as the whole race progresses than to jump the gun and come to a conclusive accusation on the basis of one or two performances in isolation.

 

[Le Baroudeur]

Nicolas is a very good actor in my opinion....don't forget Mr Kimmage bases a lot of his evidence on how tired a rider looks when crossing the finish line. Nicolas does a very good 'open mouth, I,m at my extreme' impression.

His blogs are very well written as well...'yo-yo ing' is his latest term of phrase. He's VERY AWARE of his move to Saxo and what it looks like.

He arrived from AG2R who's recent track record is? Remind me... So which team should really be concerned about his true abilities then?

http://www.independent.ie/incoming/...hind-me-i-felt-like-a-superstar-29554005.html

that's because King of the Mountains aren't usually built like you Nicolas !

And the beanpole Horner who split his awarded skinsuit is built like a weightlifter right?

I don't think I'd be wrong in saying you sound bitterly biased.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

He's VERY AWARE of his move to Saxo and what it looks like.

Which cycle team(s) should he have gone to in order to minimise suspicion?

And, I too also hope he is VERY AWARE of his move to Saxo otherwise it must have come as one hell of a surprise to him.

 

[Cycle Chic]

nope I didn't realise Roche had a ghost writer, but that doesn't make much difference to what he wants to portray.

And...it is well known that Kimmage bases some his judgement on a rider's fatigue on the finish line. WELL KNOWN. I have even stood next to Kimmage at a time trial of a pro tour race and that is what he was monitoring. I spoke to him. I cant be bothered looking for any links.

And if only Sky took some acting notes from Roche they wouldn't be under so much scrutiny...Roche is a smart cookie.

And - what about BMC ? Garmin ? Sky ? OPQS ? Lampre. Cant see anyone being unhappy with his team choice there !!

nb. haven't seen todays stage yet

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

And - what about BMC ? Garmin ? Sky ? OPQS ? Lampre. Cant see anyone being unhappy with his team choice there !!

Have no idea whether you are being sarcastic or not. Assuming you are then you still have not answered the question.

 

[fmk_RoI]

nope I didn't realise Roche had a ghost writer, but that doesn't make much difference to what he wants to portray.

"Ok, so I haven't got a clue what I'm talking about but let's just ignore that because being wrong is no impediment to me being right."

And...it is well known that Kimmage bases some his judgement on a rider's fatigue on the finish line. WELL KNOWN. I have even stood next to Kimmage at a time trial of a pro tour race and that is what he was monitoring. I spoke to him. I cant be bothered looking for any links.

"Well, when I say I talked to him I mean I shouted across to him but he just blanked me. And when I say shouted I mean Tweeted. I think it was the day he declared Bernie Kohl clean."

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Well, I dont like Epo dad but son Roche I always liked. Top 20, top 15, top 10 of a major Tour is his top. Yes, he got a very good first week and a half. Messed up today, perhaps due to the rain and cold.

He worked the whole Tour for Cantodor and Kreuziger and peaked for the Vuelta, given the fact Saxo need points there is no real surprise in that.

Its not his fault his father was a lying cheat of a blooddoper.

 

[Cycle Chic]

"Ok, so I haven't got a clue what I'm talking about but let's just ignore that because being wrong is no impediment to me being right."

"Well, when I say I talked to him I mean I shouted across to him but he just blanked me. And when I say shouted I mean Tweeted. I think it was the day he declared Bernie Kohl clean."

your posts are illegible..I suggest you read them before posting.

 

[Digger]

I wouldn't say Roche Snr visited some Italian doctor. He was employed by the team. A subtle difference.

Same end result - so stop using semantics to obfuscate.

 

[AcademyCC]

I said this a few months ago. Nico wasnt going anywhere, His da has always been banging on about he had to work with Johan or Bjarne. He moves to Saxo and hes a grand tour contender. Im sorry but something not right

 

[elduggo]

I said this a few months ago. Nico wasnt going anywhere, His da has always been banging on about he had to work with Johan or Bjarne. He moves to Saxo and hes a grand tour contender. Im sorry but something not right

Define 'grand tour condender'?

 

[elduggo]

nope I didn't realise Roche had a ghost writer

<snip>

And if only Sky took some acting notes from Roche they wouldn't be under so much scrutiny...Roche is a smart cookie.

<snip>

And - what about ....Sky ?..... Cant see anyone being unhappy with his team choice there !!

<snip>

nb. haven't seen todays stage yet

Are you David Walsh?

 

[Cycle Chic]

Nico top 10 climbers

I said this a few months ago. Nico wasnt going anywhere, His da has always been banging on about he had to work with Johan or Bjarne. He moves to Saxo and hes a grand tour contender. Im sorry but something not right

agree with above.... and on Sunday...

Roche and Rodriguez were now attacking Nibali's resolve...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-16/results

and he came in with Pozzovivo. So are we all still claiming Nicolas hasn't become a climber not the all rounder he was with AG2R ? he's climbing alongside the top 10 climbers in the Vuelta. That's quite a step up he's done since going to Riis.

 

[elduggo]

agree with above.... and on Sunday...



http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-16/results

and he came in with Pozzovivo. So are we all still claiming Nicolas hasn't become a climber not the all rounder he was with AG2R ? he's climbing alongside the top 10 climbers in the Vuelta. That's quite a step up he's done since going to Riis.

clutching at straws.

He came in behind Horner, Valverde, Purito, Pinot, Sanchez, of the GC contenders.

Rather than asking why he came in ahead of Possovivo, I think you should be asking why Possivivo came in behind Roche.

Also, what about sunday? You might clarify, given your post the other day, when you refer to a stage on a particular day, whether you've actually seen that stage or not.

 

[Opalius]

agree with above.... and on Sunday...



http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-16/results

and he came in with Pozzovivo. So are we all still claiming Nicolas hasn't become a climber not the all rounder he was with AG2R ? he's climbing alongside the top 10 climbers in the Vuelta. That's quite a step up he's done since going to Riis.

Roche has had a pretty good Vuelta, but he is far from proving himself a superior climber; nor is he even close to attaining alien status.

He has ridden with guts, ambitions, tactical considerations, and with a better-than-before team behind him.

Doubt that if he's doing anything, he's doing it more than before. Most of the above comes from changing to a larger team/better management/better equipment. No matter how you twist or turn his performance does he appear like the super-doper-beating-the-rest-of-the-peleton that you'd like him to be.

Sure he's on dope, but the worst of them? Nah. He seems like a genuinely good guy. Can think of so many other people I'd rather bash.

 

[Cycle Chic]

clutching at straws.

He came in behind Horner, Valverde, Purito, Pinot, Sanchez, of the GC contenders.

Rather than asking why he came in ahead of Possovivo, I think you should be asking why Possivivo came in behind Roche.

Also, what about sunday? You might clarify, given your post the other day, when you refer to a stage on a particular day, whether you've actually seen that stage or not.

Sunday it was freezing cold so that negates performance...which incidentally he dropped at only 2.7kms to go. Monday he launched off the front of the climb - with his weight !!??

The bolded above puts him in rather good company...and I,d say they were top climbers. Roche has performed the best he has ever ridden. Now that's more than coincidence now he's riding under Riis.

Just sayin....

 

[elduggo]

Monday he launched off the front of the climb - with his weight !!??

2nd last climb.

Thats a lot different than if he did the same on the last climb.

Personally I thought they were excellent tactics. 2 teammates up the road, Sorenson having put the heat on up to that point. I think Roche/Saxo deserve a pat on the back for their attempts

shame it only amounted to a 15 (or so) second gain but it was worth a shot because Roche knows he can't compete mano-a-mano on the final climb on a mountaintop finish.

 

[pmcg76]

agree with above.... and on Sunday...



http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-16/results

and he came in with Pozzovivo. So are we all still claiming Nicolas hasn't become a climber not the all rounder he was with AG2R ? he's climbing alongside the top 10 climbers in the Vuelta. That's quite a step up he's done since going to Riis.

You truly are clueless, you clearly don't know jack about Roche's past.

2012 Tour de France, on the La Planche des Filles stage that SKY decimated everyone on, Roche finished ahead of F.Schleck, T.Pinot, S.Sanchez, J.Van den Broek, A.Valverde, C.Horner, D.Martin. 4 of those guys finished ahead of him yesterday!!!

Same Tour, on the stage to Bagneres-de-Luchon over the legendary Cols of the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresoude he finished 4th of the GC contenders/climbers, only Froome, Wiggins and Nibali of the big guns were ahead of him.

Roche bombed on one stage to La Toussuire but still made Top 20 on that stage. Otherwise he would have been in the Top 10 on GC in Paris.

So when you say Roche never climbed like this before he joined Riis, it is very obvious you are talking out of your ***. We have his results from the 2010 Vuelta in which he finished in the top 10 on almost every hilly/mountain stage and the 2012 Tour where again he was among the best 10 or so climbers.

Roche has 6 previous Top 20 finishes in the Tour/Vuelta, if you are a mediocre TT rider then how is it possible to consistenly make Top 20 on GC.

 

[Cycle Chic]

I would argue the field in that Vuelta was potentially the weakest of any gt in a decade. Sastre came top 10 after 2 successive gt's, LLS came top 10 in that gt without even being in a breakaway

Murito went into that Vuelta in even worse shape than even this year cos he had been on peak for the whole season not just the Tour, and he came 4th (3rd).

Nibali won despite cracking on about 3 occasions, Tondo was a great rider no doubt but was still learning the ropes of gt contention.

Frank Schleck in 5th fair enough though the injury may have still been affecting him and we also know Frank doesn't give a **** about the other 2 gts so motivation?

And then theres Peter Velits.

IIRC the numbers for that Vuelta were pretty low too.

PCMG76 we aready covered your response which Hitch answered above....how about some other races which Roche has climbed well in ??

 

[pmcg76]

PCMG76 we aready covered your response which Hitch answered above....how about some other races which Roche has climbed well in ??

Hitch also think's nobody in this Vuelta is in top form other than Horner!!

It is just as easy to point out that Valverde, Rodriguez, Pinot were all targeting the Tour as their main objective this year so are not in top form here. Sammy Sanchez is nowhere near his previous level and even Nibali himself has admitted he is not in top shape. Who does that leave?? Horner and maybe Pozzovivo but how much does an Italian care about the Vuelta???

How many of the guys below Roche on GC currently would realistically be stronger than Roche in general on top form?? Also lets not forget Valverde, Rodriguez and Sanchez are hitting their mid 30s so technically past their peak whilst Roche is bang on his peak years. Any circumstances can be used to put down or build up performances. Pointless.

Right now Leopold Konig is sitting in the Top 10 with a stage win. Konig is a Pro Continental level rider. Hardly suggests the field is stacked.

Also nice how you completely ignore the results I posted from the 2012 Tour. If Roche was capable of finishing ahead of these guys in the 2012 Tour mountain stages, why would it be unusual for him to be up there with them at the Vuelta.

I think the most realistic view here is the riders themselves. When Roche attacked on Sunday and rode with his team-mates pacing, surely if he was considered a real climbing threat, he would have been closed down immediately. Nope they just let him ride off the front, only Pinot showed any concern as he was most at risk on GC. The other clearly didn't think Roche was going to take time out of them.

Also love how an off day can be written of as not relevant.