Tirreno-Adriatico 2020 - 7th - 14th September

[SafeBet]

Yeah, I want him to win the Giro largely so that he will start riding the Tour. He’s just guaranteed action and there’s nothing most editions of the Tour need more than a genuinely top tier climber who will attack until he wins or kills himself.

If he wasn’t boringly English I think he’d have one of the most fanatical followings on the forum. I’m not suggesting here that the Brits are hated or anything like that, but there’s no glamour to them, so people notice his swashbuckling approach less than they would if he was say Basque.

There some truth to this. Though he didn't gain many fans with his statements before the Giro last year.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

There some truth to this. Though he didn't gain many fans with his statements before the Giro last year.

but we forgive our favourites a bit of arrogance, even expect it. Plus it’s amusing when pride immediately precedes a fall. I bet he won’t do that again

 

[Forever The Best]

Yeah, I want him to win the Giro largely so that he will start riding the Tour. He’s just guaranteed action and there’s nothing most editions of the Tour need more than a genuinely top tier climber who will attack until he wins or kills himself.

If he wasn’t boringly English I think he’d have one of the most fanatical followings on the forum. I’m not suggesting here that the Brits are hated or anything like that, but there’s no glamour to them, so people notice his swashbuckling approach less than they would if he was say Basque.

I want him to win the Giro as well. ( but I also want Nibali to win it, can't they both win? )
I also want him to give the one-day races a try, he has great acceleration and can handle shorter climbs very well. He can do great things at Lombardia for example if he has the stamina. I still have doubts about his consistency though, so not sure about what his level will be in Giro this year. In 2018 he dominated Giro before collapsing in the end. He controlled the Vuelta but that had a pretty weak field and last year his level was disappointing in the Giro.

 

[JosephK]

There some truth to this. Though he didn't gain many fans with his statements before the Giro last year.

I still think he was half joking when he said that, deliberately going over the top with his comment--which is the opposite of what many contenders do.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I want him to win the Giro as well. ( but I also want Nibali to win it, can't they both win? )
I also want him to give the one-day races a try, he has great acceleration and can handle shorter climbs very well. He can do great things at Lombardia for example if he has the stamina. I still have doubts about his consistency though, so not sure about what his level will be in Giro this year. In 2018 he dominated Giro before collapsing in the end. He controlled the Vuelta but that had a pretty weak field and last year his level was disappointing in the Giro.

I agree about his consistency, but the possibility that he may just hit the wall suddenly is one of the things that makes his attacks exciting.

 

[SafeBet]

but we forgive our favourites a bit of arrogance, even expect it. Plus it’s amusing when pride immediately precedes a fall. I bet he won’t do that again

I for one love some trash talk in cycling. 99% of what riders say in front of a camera are prefabricated cliches and understatements so I welcome something different every now and then.

But I understand why many don't like it.

 

[Red Rick]

The Yates comment was funny. Not everyone needs to go Nadal at Roland Garros "Red Rick bery touch opponent gotta play my best no?"

That said, i do think that prologue indicated Yates came into the Giro too hot in 2019 and paid for it later.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

It was 'tongue in cheek' northern humour.....

 

[Velolover2]

If he wasn’t boringly English I think he’d have one of the most fanatical followings on the forum. I’m not suggesting here that the Brits are hated or anything like that, but there’s no glamour to them, so people notice his swashbuckling approach less than they would if he was say Basque.

The Yates Brothers were always liked in here. Mostly because there is always a human element to their style of riding. They are never ridiculously overpowered like some of the "time trial climbers".

People want riders with ups and downs.

 

[tobydawq]

Impressive by Merlier. Those crossers surely do know how to sprint.

Also nice sprint by Cort again.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Ackermann with impressive speed and awful positioning, again.

Very happy for Merlier!

 

[RedheadDane]

Alpecin-Fenix joins Total Direct Energi and Arkea Samsic as ProTeams with WT victories this year.

 

[tobydawq]

Alpecin-Fenix joins Total Direct Energi and Arkea Samsic as ProTeams with WT victories this year.

All obtained in Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico yet over a period of half a year.

 

[SafeBet]

Ivan Garcia Cortina was 9th today.
Tomorrow will likely be his last chance to win a stage and be the first rider in a long time (or maybe ever?) to win stages in Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico in the same calendar year.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

That was a really good bunch sprint. Merlier absolutely did Gaviria.

Ackermann has huge speed but is a sprinter who enormously benefits from a train or at least a strong final lead out because his ability to find the right wheels is quite bad by the standards of his elite peers. Merlier was much further back than Ackermann with a km to go and was in a very unpromising position. He was so much better at moving himself up the peloton while extending minimum energy.

 

[SafeBet]

Almost 49km/h in the first hour. Break hasn't formed yet. Lots of walls coming.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Of course La Gazzetta had to call Merlier Cameron Vdb's boyfriend and print pictures of her

 

[Rollthedice]

Kelderman abandon.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Of course La Gazzetta had to call Merlier Cameron Vdb's boyfriend and print pictures of her

...which Dutch newspaper was it that wanted to solicit opinions on ASO not broadcasting La Flèche Wallonne Féminine and thought, "we're a Dutch newspaper, we want some opinions on women's cycling. Who is there to ask? The five-time defending champion and reigning World champion (who is Dutch)? The number one ranked rider in the world who just won LBL (who is Dutch)? The greatest women's rider of all time (who is Dutch)? The breakout story of the Ardennes (who is Dutch)? The young star who just had her first Ardennes podium (who is Dutch)? Nah, they don't fit the bill, what would they know? How about Puck Moonen?"

 

[Mayomaniac]

...which Dutch newspaper was it that wanted to solicit opinions on ASO not broadcasting La Flèche Wallonne Féminine and thought, "we're a Dutch newspaper, we want some opinions on women's cycling. Who is there to ask? The five-time defending champion and reigning World champion (who is Dutch)? The number one ranked rider in the world who just won LBL (who is Dutch)? The greatest women's rider of all time (who is Dutch)? The breakout story of the Ardennes (who is Dutch)? The young star who just had her first Ardennes podium (who is Dutch)? Nah, they don't fit the bill, what would they know? How about Puck Moonen?"

Sometimes I forget that Puck Moonen is actually a cyclist and not just an influencer on aocial media.

 

[Savant12]

Kelderman abandon.

As predictable as a "Dan Martin crashes out".

 

[Red Rick]

Sometimes I forget that Puck Moonen is actually a cyclist and not just an influencer on aocial media.

First led to the latter and now mostly the latter.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Finish for Mathieu?

Kelderman abandon.

What happened?

 

[Rollthedice]

Finish for Mathieu?

What happened?

Not even sure it's correct. Read it on live text tuttobici. Needs further research.

 

[Mayomaniac]

First led to the latter and now mostly the latter.

I can't blame her, the fact that female athletes have to rely on their looks to get media attention/sponsors on the other hand...