Cycling 2009

[passinginterest]

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/roche-up-to-30th-as-tour-enters-17th-stage-1834216.html

Classic piece of Indo Journalism, spot the error time :D

Stephen won't be happy when he hears that :D

[Macy]

I was in a triathlon last weekend and downhill I peaked at 52kph. I have never ever hit higher than 57kph. These guys go faster than that for decent stretches on the flat.
Voigt is said to have been going 85kph when he crashed yesterday!

[Schumi]

Mad stuff today with Hushovd away at front over the first two climbs. There's no way he'll last the stage there but he has a few sprints to pull out his green jersey lead.

[Macy]

Mad stuff today with Hushovd away at front over the first two climbs. There's no way he'll last the stage there but he has a few sprints to pull out his green jersey lead.
Cav's bs about a stained jersey obviously got to him, and he's going to try and make the disqualification irrelevant.

[Macy]

Wasn't Di Luca found gulity of doping after his Giro win a couple of years ago?
Di Luca has tested positive for CERA in this years Giro....

[passinginterest]

Another top 10 for Roche up to 23rd overall and 5th in the Green jersey race. Could he be a potential winner in the future? He seems to be a decent sprinter and climber, maybe needs to improve his time trialling? What do the cycling experts think?

[Dodge]

Could he be a potential winner in the future? ?

Nope. He's a terrific talent, but he's only a year behind Contador, and older than Andy Schleck

Lets just hope he has a nice career out of it

[Stuttgart88]

Super performance by Roche in his first tour. Maybe top 10 potential?

I was really cheering for Wiggins. Is Dan Martin not considered the better climber within Garmin, or is it just that he's got youth on his side?

Great tour all round. No drug stories (not yet anyway - Kohl & Schumacher were busted quite a bit after 2008 TdF finished). Great sub-plots: Contador vs Armstrong & rest of Astana, Cav vs Hushovd etc. Great & really imaginative route - potentially important stages and TTs were dispersed well throughout the race. More breakaway wins than usual, presumably because nobody wanted to help Columbia HTC earn even more stage wins. And a (reasonably) prominent Irish interest. Great stuff, can't wait for 2010.

[Pauro 76]

http://www.itv.com/sport/tourdefrance/news/armstronghitsbackatcontadordrivel/default.html

The inevitable fallout about to happen. Can't wait for next year's, missed a lot of coverage this year.

[old git]

http://www.itv.com/sport/tourdefrance/news/armstronghitsbackatcontadordrivel/default.html

The inevitable fallout about to happen. Can't wait for next year's, missed a lot of coverage this year.

make sure you dont watch it on british eurosport.. watched final day into paris and commetators and studio experts nearly wet themselves waffling on about the great cavandish victory he destroyed the field with his power etc... i always thought last day was all about the yellow jersey and this mafnificent achiement... but oh no eurosport seemed to be more worried about final stage win and british winner he's some ridder cavandish as he always wins these stages on his own :mad:

[Dodge]

In fairness last stage is generally about the sprint. It's the marquee stage to win, and everyone wants it

Yellow jersey is on cruise control

[Stuttgart88]

Astarloza fails drug test. Roche was 4th in the stage Asraloza won I think, easing off at the end. If he'd contested the sprint he might now be a stage winner.

[Dodge]

Astarloza fails drug test. Was Roche second in the staghe Astarloza won?

4th.

dan martin being tipped to do well in GC in the (world ranked) Tour of Poland which started today

[Stuttgart88]

I was editing my post as you were typing!

[Dodge]

I think Roche had chain trouble at the end of that stage, Asterloza was a few seconds ahead of his group

[Bluebeard]

Nicolas Roche has been one of the unluckiest men between last year's Vuelta and this year's tour, second on two stages, and repeatedly up in the top placings for several of the others, and good overall GC placings. When he finally wins, I am hoping he will win big.

Is he going to this year's Vuelta? I'd fancy his chances to do something special there.

[the 12 th man]

From betfair.com

was reading spanish press today....
"A Tale of solitude. It happened on Thursday, a few hours before the Annecy ITT. Contador came downstairs to the entrance of the Palace of Menthon, the luxurious Astana hotel. The Tour was on. He looked right, then left. Nobody, nothing. No Astana cars or helpers. Cold sweat. Quick time check. Where are they? The hotel is several kilometers from the start. There he was, the leader of the Tour, in flip-flops, bag in hand and alone. He went to the hall looking for an answer: Armstrong had ordered the helpers to go pick up his wife, kids and friends to the airport.
Contador left his room last because he was the last one starting the ITT. Armstrong had managed to take away his means of transportation. The straw that broke the camel's back. Hot flashes, he was rabid. He called his brother Fran. He came to pick him up by car and took him to Annecy in a private vehicle. He left last and finished first. His best victory. In the ITT. In solitude. The same way he has won his second tour.

[Dodge]

dan martin didn't tart today's last stage in the Tour of Poland.


No idea why

[Bluebeard]

Latest world rankings place Ireland in a respectable 18th position, given that most of our protour or thereabouts professional contingent are 25 or under. Dan Martin is the highest ranked (and the only in the top 100) at 48th, and this ranking means we can send three to the Worlds in Mendriso for the first time since the early 1990s.

It is also good to see that four of the top six (including all of the top three!) teams will be at the Tour of Ireland this year.

[Dodge]

Presume the 3 will be Roche, martin and Deignan.

although, you never know Roger Aiken might get the shout again :D

[Bluebeard]

Just read that Paul Healion died this weekend. He had been rated by many as most likely of the starters on the national team to do something in the forthcoming Tour of Ireland/Munster this week. I hope that some one of them does well on one of the stages in his name - I doubt that Cavendish would be willing to forsake a stage win to honour him, especially when there are only two he can win.

Obit on Irishcycling here (http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_4264.shtml).

[Bluebeard]

Tour of Ireland starts tomorrow, with a minute's silence beforehand for Paul Healion. Hopefully the National team can do something to commemorate him in the race, though it looks set for a Cavendish stroll. Anyone heading into Waterford for it?

[Macy]

though it looks set for a Cavendish stroll. Anyone heading into Waterford for it?
He didn't even finish last year - will he bothered to drag himself up Patricks Hill? No leave left to take - bad enough even if I didn't have to drive the route to work (one sprint and one kom). :(

[Bluebeard]

I was just talking about tomorrow. He *might* finish on Sunday, but only if he thinks he'll win the green jersey. I wouldn't be surprised if he won the first two stages, but failed to keep the green or started the third stage and pulled out when he got close to the team hotel. He is a very strong sprinter, but I really suspect his character / attitude regarding certain things. No concern last year about hanging on to help his team mate knobble Downing - only two Columbia's finished in fact, I think.

Stinker about covering the route and not getting to go - no chance to go the other days?

[Dodge]

Big split today, cav missed it.

Russell Downing won the sprint, with Deignan in 5th

[Bluebeard]

Deignan was fourth, though it makes little difference - he is only 11s down on GC with another four, then another 19 in 15 seconds, everyone else out to 2m18, and probably gone from it, aside maybe a random long break. Of the first 23, aside maybe Deignan, who was fifth in one of the Spanish stage races so he does have some pedigree, there are maybe five I'd fancy could win - Downing, Fuglsang, Zubeldia, Pinotti, and of course Armstrong. Fingers crossed...

[Dodge]

Downing won the overall after finishing 2nd today. In the end only 47 riders finished as the rest abondoned on St Patrick's Hill (including Armstrong in his last race for Astana). Deignan was 12th overall. Promising 18 year old Sam bennett was one of only 2 other Irishmen to finish.

Nicolas roche admitted he'd have liked to race in Cyclingnews (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/homesick-roche-builds-on-post-tour-form-in-france). He's off to the Tour of Britain next week

In the end he dind't do much in France but Dan martin finished 5th (and in the leading group) to pick up 30 more world ranking points. Coming into form nicely for the Vuelta

[Bluebeard]

Apparently Lance is going on a cycle with the fans of Dublin, according to his twitter (http://twitter.com/lancearmstronG) and Cycling Weekly (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/394636/lance-armstrong-rides-in-dublin.html). I can only presume that the bunch won't be going Military road, which can be a bit steep at times:rolleyes:

[Billsthoughts]

http://www.lavuelta.com/index_in.html

tour of Spain link..

[Bluebeard]

Phil Deignan wins today's stage in Vuelta!

UPDATE: 9th overall, 7m50 down on Valverde, almost 3 full minutes clear of Cobo in 10th

Brief report on cycling news (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stages/stage-20/results).

Last few kms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzIrPaJh_Ho) in Dutch on Youtube - Go Dayn-yan. Did it make any of the Irish news?

[Stuttgart88]

Irish Times report here, great reading

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0918/1224254801736.html

Good man Phil, well done.

[Dodge]

Watched it last night on eurosport. Amazing win. Out powering Kreuziger is no mean feat.

Phil was superb today too. Finishing 13th to maintain his 9th overall. Dan martin (who had to work or Danielson all Vuelta) attacked today but was caught.

What price an Irish medal at the Worlds?

[Bluebeard]

Phil finished on Cobo's shoulder today and guaranteed 09th overall - best result since Roche was 9th in 1992, and marginally better than Nick Roche's 13th last year. This should really boost our world ranking. If Dan Martin is fit and up to it, we might have the best three man squad at the World's next weekend - with the course that is in it, I'd rate our medal chances in the road race far higher than 9 man Britain!

[Dodge]

Big rise in ranking for Deignan

Irish placings

40 - Martin
71 - Deignan
143 - Roche


Ireland remains in 16th place

I think the course is set up for Roche but as with all of these one day "classics", it all depends on getting in the right break. it really is a terrific team though

[swinfordfc]

Big rise in ranking for Deignan

Irish placings

40 - Martin
71 - Deignan
143 - Roche


Ireland remains in 16th place

I think the course is set up for Roche but as with all of these one day "classics", it all depends on getting in the right break. it really is a terrific team though

Where did you get these rankings from may i ask?
how come Roche is so low?

[Dodge]

Where did you get these rankings from may i ask?
how come Roche is so low?

From the UCI website (http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTU2MzU&LangId=1)

There's an explanation of how points are earnt there too but basically only a certain amount of races qualify, and only results count.

So while Roche might be involved in every break going, unless he finishes in top 5 he won't get a point. Before the Vuelta Deignan had just one point for a 5th place in a stage in the Giro.

[Bluebeard]

According to Cycling Weekly, David McCann finished 11th in the World TT Chanmpionship this afternoon. The race was run in three groups in order of expectation - seeing as McCann was in the first group to go out, he has punched well above his weight. Chapeau!

[Dodge]

McCann was in the 2nd of 4 groups, as was the American who finished 4th.

He thinks he could've finished top ten
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mccann-takes-11th-but-regrets-slow-start

Cancellera was amazing. He start celebrating 200m from the line. In a fecking time trial!!

[Bluebeard]

World Road Race Championships:

1st Evans (AUS)
2nd Kolobnev (RUS)
3rd Rodriguez (SPA)

40th Phil Deignan @ 3m21
68th Dan Martin @ 8m22
DNF Nick Roche

Not bad. Dunno why Roche DNFed, but I had fancied his chances most.

Delighted for Evans. Imagine what he could do as the leader on an organised team. Great performance too from Hoogerland who finished 14th in the end. Near neighbours similarly had only 2 finishers, best in 52nd. Highest ranked surprise would have to be the Portugueser in 17th.

[Macy]

I'm surprised it wasn't commented on before, but Dan Martin finished 8th in Lombardy. Roche was also prominent.

[Dodge]

Final UCI rankings for the 2009 season

35 Martin
75 Deignan
144 Roche

Ireland finished the season ranked 16th


Best year for Irish cycling in a long, long time

[cestlavie]

I know P Deignan, he is a sound man, has had a great year after all the sickenss and injuries that he has had to endure. His move to Cervelo has worked out really well especially it being a new team.
In his own words he says D Martin is the real deal and is very impressed with him, he expects big things from D Martin in the future and so does Garmin Slipstream

[Bluebeard]

Didn't realise until this morning that Nick Roche won the Eurosport Trophy (had never heard of it before, tbh). According to this (http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_4472.shtml) on Irishcycling.com, it's awarded to the French cyclist or cyclist on a French team who spends most time in breakaways in races and on high finishes on Eurosport screened races. Apparently Romain Feillu was second.

A nice finishing note for the best year of Irish cycling in over 15 years!

[kingdom hoop]

There was an hour-long interview with Nicolas on Setanta recently. I only caught the very end of it, but knowing the Setanta schedule I'm sure it'll be repeated some time.

[Macy]

Not directly related to Irish cycling, but Wiggins has moved to Team Sky. I'm not sure where that leaves Dan Martin - I guess in support of Vande Velde as undisputed leader. Vaughters talking about him being possibly the Tours/ Garmins surprise package next year though.


“In a way, this makes our mission very simple in the Tour de France,” he said, choosing to look on the positive side of things. “To get Christian onto the podium and to have Tyler Farrar win stages. Now, we are heading to the Tour with two American leaders on an American team.

“Also, each time Team Garmin has done the Tour de France, we have ended up producing the surprise of the race. I don’t think it is going to be any different in 2010. Maybe that will be Dan Martin, maybe that will be Dave Zabriskie…we will find out.”
link (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vaughters-confirms-possibility-of-legal-action-led-to-wiggins-settlement)

[Dodge]

Worst kept secret in cycling. Brialsford came out several times with rubbish about not chasing cyclists under contract. Doesn't put Sky in my good books anyway

[Bluebeard]

I think that Team Sky will have a very poor rep after this, especially on the continent, though that will hardly worry those who who are cheerleading the Team Sky development. It sounds very much like the whole deal revolved around a threat of legal action - not entirely different to Daddy's way of operating, so to speak. I am disappointed with Wiggins, and have been since he started talking up the whole Wigan / Man U comparison.

Ironically, while I think Wiggins is potentially a very good cyclist, I cannot see him besting this year's performance in the tour, and certainly not with the team that Sky offer him - I would imagine Lovkvist to be a better long term bet. Brailsford has a lot more work to turn Team Sky into a top ten team on the road than I think he realises...