Cycling 2009

[Dodge]

Well its already shaping up to be a terrific year in Irish cycling

The world scene may be dominated by the return of Lance but closer to home we've plenty to crow about.

On the track, the small Irish team has performed heroically in the two World Cup meets so far with David O'Loughlin finishes 3rd in Beijing and 2nd in Copenhagen. The team pursuit has shattered the Irish record to finish 5th and 4th in the two events.

On the road, Roche finished 11th in the Tour Down Under, Deignan finished 11th in the Tour of Lagkawi and Dan martin finished 3rd in the Tour de Mediterranean (winning the young rider classification in the process). Roche was 20th in that event. All 3 have had top ten stage placings too.

[Bluebeard]

It looks like the move to Cervélo has really got Deignan motivated - great result from the Tour of Langkawi - they seem to be a really motivated and organised team for one that didn't exist six months ago.

Nicolas Roche should do something fairly significant this year - hopefully his development as a GC rider will continue - 11th was a very good showing in the most hyped TDU yet, and one I think that doesn't play best to his strengths.

And as for Daniel Martin, he'll attempt his first grand tours this year - a lot of people are tipping him as a future grand tour winner, and based on his early efforts, it does seem very possible.

All in all, I'd be hoping for further progress from Martin, a spell in the white jersey at the TDF or Giro perhaps, a Grand Tour stage for Roche and top ten on GC in one, and a couple of stages from Deignan in the smaller stage races - perhaps one in the Tour of Ireland?

[Stuttgart88]

Are any of them in the Tour of California?

Thanks for the updates.

[Dodge]

No, no Irish in Tour of California.

[Dodge]

Small piece on Dan Martin in cycling news (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/feb09/feb19news3)

3 irish ruiders from the Sean Kelly/An post squad ina prety strong Tour of Algrave (Contador, Cunego, Devolder all riding). Pretty big race for them

[Bluebeard]

Second stage of the Paris Nice, the first significant stage race of the year, saw Nicolas Roche finish 13th yesterday, on the same time as everyone else. He is currently 69th on GC, but only 49 seconds down. I fancy him for a stage win this week and a top 20 finish on GC; he has been knocking around the front of the peleton and looks hungry for it. I reckon a stage win today or tomorrow is a possible runner

The other Irish contender, Dan Martin, had a bad day yesterday and finished almost 10m down, and looks to be written off as regards GC. This could mean he'll be left on a break in one of the hillier stages. I am thinking maybe Thursay, or ideally Friday would be a good stage for him to break on.

EDIT: Looks like I personally knocked Dan martin out - he's apparently ill and has pulled out before today's start.

[Bluebeard]

Roche in a break of seven that may be joined by three more all different teams - no major contenders in it, no-one Roche could never beat. 25 KM to go. Fingers crossed.

[Dodge]

Streams are available for those who google it ;)

I'll be following via cyclinws.com text updates

Top class breakaway group with Christian Van de Velde, Dumoulin and Tony Martin top class

Update

Vande valde won. He broke away with about 20km to go. Roche tried to follow but eventually was caught by rest of chasers and then peleton

[Billsthoughts]

good thread guys keep it up...

[Dodge]

Deignan was an excellent 18th in today's ITT in the Vuelta a Castilla y León

easily his best time trial (afaik anyway)

[Macy]

Incidentally, fair play to Cavendish on Milan-Sanremo. He's not really a proper Brit coming from the Isle of Man, is he?

[Bluebeard]

Incidentally, fair play to Cavendish on Milan-Sanremo. He's not really a proper Brit coming from the Isle of Man, is he?
God bless him, but he thinks he is. Impressive win all the same, I hadn't thought he'd manage it. He'll be disgusted if he doesn't win the Gent-Wevelgem now on Spy Wednesday.

I'm pretty sure it was Deignan's best TT myself - 33rd yesterday on the same time as Valverde, so 17th overall, with the major hill stage today. It would be interesting to see how he fares out with reasonably good opposition, and knowing that Contador will not want Leipheimer to usurp him in his own country, there should be a good bit of splintering today.

Incidentally, comedy gold is regularly to be had from Babelfish's translation of the race ticker (http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcanales.nortecastilla.es%2Fvuel tacyl%2Fen_directo_2009%2Fen_directo_vuelta_castil laleon_2009.htm&lp=es_en&btnTrUrl=Translate).

[Bluebeard]

Philly Deignan was 5th today in Castilla y Leon, according to the official website (http://vueltacastillayleon.com/portal/inicio.php?especial=clasificaciones&opcion=detalle&ref=PROM-00000000014). Cobo won it, 9 seconds clear of Menchov, Moreno, Valverde then Deignan and eight others. After another chap on 20s, the rest came home at 1m plus. Should pull him up to top ten if not to 7th!

It looks like a good start to his season. It seems that the Cervelo effect is having a positive impact on him.

[Dodge]

Deignan 7th overall. Superb riding to stay with the likes of Contador, Leipheimer and Valverde on what seemed to be quite a tough stage

[Bluebeard]

Deignan was 7th overall on GC and 6th in the KOM classification and somehow seems to have been joint first with about 10 others in the Combination category. If there was a jersey for best rider of 25 or under, it would have been his. He ended up top man from the Cervelo team all around, an impressive feat, seeing as it was a team with Sastre in it. Let's hope his season continues to blossom and his development catches up with Nick and Dan!

[Dodge]

If dan can get his form back we could be looking at 3 Irish men in the Tour.

Roche currently riding the Criterium. he was in the main pack yesterday

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Valverde got caught up in a serious doping accusation very recently - i.e., within last month? Was it a follow on from Puerto?

[Dodge]

Roche finished 11th overalll in criterium. He was in leading group on 2nd stage and finished 33rd in time trial. He was 3rd in young rider competition

[Dodge]

I thought Valverde got caught up in a serious doping accusation very recently - i.e., within last month? Was it a follow on from Puerto?

yeah, the Italian Olympic Committee linked blood taken from in last years tour to blood found under Puerta

He is to (or recently has) appear(ed) before their equivalent of a tribunal

[Macy]

yeah, the Italian Olympic Committee linked blood taken from in last years tour to blood found under Puerta

I think they're looking to test what is suspected to be his blood from Puerto and compare them with the samples taken in last years Giro.

[Dodge]

yeah, that sounds about right. Knew I was in the general area of being being right ;)

[Billsthoughts]

deignan(?) done well today - in breakaway til near end and was swallowed up by peleton

[Dodge]

In the current Tour du Romandie, Dan martin is leader for the Garmin team. he finished 5th on todays' stage

Phil Deignan has turned out to be a great lieutenant for Carlos Sastre and is almost certainly heading to his first ever Tour de France. He's just been confirmed for the Giro d'Italia (which starts on May 9th)

I fully expect 3 Irishmen in this year's tour (Roche being the other)

[Stuttgart88]

That'll be fantastic. Does Martin wear the Irish national champion jersey racing?

[Dodge]

That'll be fantastic. Does Martin wear the Irish national champion jersey racing?

Yeah, loads of them here

http://www.slipstreamsports.com/photo-archive/slideshow?set=false&photo=3486118869

[Billsthoughts]

is deignan only irish in giro? who does anyone reckon is gonna win? I have to do some fantasy thing in work were you pick 2 sprinters ; 2 climbers and 2 overalls....I actually won the tour one we did in the summer despite fact I hadnt a clue who anyone was....

[Dodge]

Deignan is the only Irishman in it, yeah

Wide open Giro IMO. Suits a strong time trialists rather than a climber though so maybe someone like Leiphemeir. Sneaky feeling for Rogers too

[Dodge]

Deignan having a very solid start to the Giro. Placing 17th and 16th in the first two road stages. There were small breaks in the peleton on both days and he was in the leading bunch on both days.

As a result he's up to 21st position. Tomorrow's stage has an uphill finish and a strong ride could see him enter the top ten.

[Stuttgart88]

I didn't realise until recently that Tom Boonen was caught doing cocaine again, missing the Giro.

Will he also miss the TdF? A shame if he does, I'd like to see Cavendish have some competition in the sprints, though I see Petacchi (spelling?) beat him in one last week.

[Dodge]

I'd guess that Boonen will definitely miss the Tour. Stupidity from him having already failed one test for Coke

Deignan had a poor(ish) end to the week and was caught out by a couple of crashes in the peleton. He's in 81st place (36 minutes down on leader di Luca)

The FBD ras started witha win for the Sean Kelly/An post team and Niko Eeckhout

The Tour de Catalunya starts today with Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin both riding it

[Dodge]

Deignan showed his on his way to recovering from the crash with a fine 29th place on a very mountainous stage yesterday. he's in 65th overall

Nicolas Rche was 12th in the prologue and 4th in the fiorst stage in Catalunya. He lies 7th overall. Dan Martin is 37th

[Stuttgart88]

Wasn't Di Luca found gulity of doping after his Giro win a couple of years ago?

[Macy]

He was suspended in the close season following that, because of links to a dodgy doctor. He's never tested positive afaik.

[Dodge]

Deignan caught behind another crach today. very unlucky...

Dan martin 3rd on a very tough stage (3 cat 1 climbs) in Catalunya behind Valverde and David de la Fuente 9ad ahead of Olympic champion Samuel sanchez). He's now 6th in GC, only 19 seconds behind Valverde. Roche is still OK in 15th position overall

[Dodge]

Dan Martin second in a monster of a mountain stage in Catalunya. Presumably he's moved up in GC (no idea who won, or time differences etc)

Deignan 35th in ITT stage in giro. Should move up in GC. Menchov won stage to take over the GC too

EDIT; Dan is now 2nd on GC, only 15 seconds behind Valverde (who he beat by 2 seconds today)!!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/may09/catalunya09/?id=results/catalunya094

Roche was a decent 21st and lies in 17th overall.

[Dodge]

http://www.slipstreamsports.com/2009/05/21/martin-second-on-stage-and-overall-volta-a-catalunya-stage-4#more-6752

Some great pics of Dan in his Irish champion jersey

[Dodge]

Deignan currewntly in breakaway group in giro. Winner should come from his group. Live on eurosport

[Dodge]

He finished 5th. His best grand tour result. His team mate gearrens won the stage

[Bluebeard]

Magnificent performance by Deignan. Hopefully he can build on this during the season, maybe get in another successful break during the week.

[Dodge]

From reading what sastre, Gaerrans and Van poppel had to say it seems like he was the star of the show yesterday, attacking non stop.

They were placed up the road to help Sastre but got far enough in front to win.

Jonathon vaughters (head of the garmin team posted this on the grmin facebook page;

"Just wondering if Dan Martin might be a contender for the white jersey in the Tour this year? I can dream - and dreaming is free! JV"

[Bluebeard]

Halfway through the season, the latest Protour world rankings have Dan Martin in 23rd position, (88 points - 110 behind Heinrich Haussler) and Nicolas Roche in 129th with a solitary point. Lots of racing still to come - I fancy Martin and Roche to both do well in forthcoming Grand Tours for a start, so that should boost them up the ranks a bit. Interestingly enough, Olympic medalist Rebellin is second and Italy's darling Valverde is third, while Tom Boonen (powered by Coke) is 20th, so theoretically, Dan Martin should be 20th:(

In the European Tour, Niko Eeckhout of the Sean Kelly team is the highest place "Irish" rider at 43rd, unless you want to count Alessandr O'Petacchi of Irish registered LPR Brakes in third. Deignan doesn't appear on the Protour list but turns up here as the highest ranked irish rider at 299th:confused:

[Dodge]

Cervelo aren't a protour team, so I presume the likes of Sastre etc aren't in the protour rankings either. Any links?

EDIT; Just looking at them now on cyclingnews.com and they have Cervelo rider as No 1 in the Pro Tour Rankings, so bang goes that theory. Deignan is also 133 on the Asian tour rankings too

Funny too to see ireland ranked ahead of the US in the nations rankings

[Bluebeard]

Oopsa, meant to include the link to the rankings on cyclingnews (http://www.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/rankings/2009/protour).

The rankings are based on the results within the events based on the tour - the Protour World Rankings only comprise of points picked up from Protour or "World Calendar" races now supposedly, hence Haussler being top and after that it is down to the continental tour. I had thought that the stage race he finished seventh in a few months back was Protour: seemingly not. 299th does seem low though, as I had thought he'd done pretty well over the past few months in a few of the smaller races. The Asian points are for the Tour of Langkwai, I think.

[Dodge]

Yeah that makes sense. Shame his giro 5th place doesn't count

Another interesting point is that there are only 141 riders ranked in the protour with riders like Armstrong, Leiphemer, Sastre and Menchov not ranked either

[Stuttgart88]

Isn't the ProTour pretty discredited now? Nobody ever really gave a hoot about it, despite UCI trying to make it a really big thing to aim for.

Or have I got it confused with something else?

[Dodge]

Isn't the ProTour pretty discredited now? Nobody ever really gave a hoot about it, despite UCI trying to make it a really big thing to aim for.

Or have I got it confused with something else?

Kind of.

The grand tours and most of the spring classics are no longer part of the ProTour and some of the "fanchising" aspects of it are gone but its still a collection of great races with a prize at the end of it for consistency.

You're right in that despite the UCI pushing it, no one ever really cared about it

EDIT; This UCI pdf indicates that Deignan will gain a point for his 5th place in the Giro (http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU2MzU&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDk5MDY&LangId=1)

It seems to have totally replaced the protour rankings

[Dodge]

Won't be Phil's day today


16:49 CEST
A Cervelo rider has gone down. He was at the head of the peloton and his front wheel simply slipped away, and he slid across the road to the the grass. It is Philip Deignan who has left a lot of skin on the asphalt.

[Bluebeard]

Well, Deignan got back up and is having a good go again today. He's already been in one small break, and now is in a large one of 25 that looks strong enough for the day. I couldn't imagine him winning a bunch sprint, but loopking at the composition of the bunch, you never know how it will pan out certainly, I'd say a good few will drop back before the finish. Fingers crossed for a first Grand Tour stage win for an Irish racer since the Tour in 1992.

Also worthy of note, Jonathon Vaughters seems almost certain Dan Martin will be in the Tour - see the second article here (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/may09/may28news2). Deignan looks almost certain to line up too, and if Roche is selected by AG2R, which I would expect, this would be the first time that there have been three Irish cyclists in a Grand Tour, again, since the Tour in 1992.

[Bluebeard]

Deignan was 21st after. There was some suggestion that he was either feeling the aftermath of yesterday's crash or had another one - apparently he was back with the team car having his fingers bandaged at one point.

[Dodge]

Roche and martin are both scheduled to ride the Dauphine Libere next week