View Full Version : Cycling 2011
Dan Martin 2nd in Lombardia. Close to his and Ireland's first monument since 1992
Leopard Trek's Zaugg attacked on last clim, Martin followed. Martin was joined by Rodriguez and a couple of others but Zaugg stayed away for his first career win.
80 points for Ireland and Martin there. Did Roche featuer at all? Had hopes for him as his form seemed good.
He was in the leadingpack before the final break. No idea where he finished but wasn't in top 10
Ireland finish the season ranked 13th
Martin is raned 9th individually
He was in the leadingpack before the final break. No idea where he finished but wasn't in top 10
16th, in the third group home, 27 seconds down.
Great performance by Martin, a real shame it didn't come together as he probably would've taken the sprint. If he can sort out the allergies or the weather suits them, he'd surely be a contender in the Ardennes classics?
Real ale Madrid
17/10/2011, 9:18 AM
Was there an issue with AG2R retaining a full pro tour licence or did I dream that up ?? - looking at wiki they finished the season 17th out of 18th teams on the UCI tour.
Yeah, they were (and possibly still are) worried about it. I think the points in Beijing may have helped somewhat, certainly they sent a very strong team out in the hopes of picking some up.
Here's the story from cycling news, before Roche's win. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ag2r-desperate-for-uci-points
I'd say they'll probably be ok, given at least two less of the current teams for next season.
Dodge
17/10/2011, 10:10 AM
Great performance by Martin, a real shame it didn't come together as he probably would've taken the sprint. If he can sort out the allergies or the weather suits them, he'd surely be a contender in the Ardennes classics?
I don't know if its hilly enough for him. Funnily enough I think Deignan or Roche would be suited to them but apparently Roche hates them
Martin really is developing superbly. Will need to learn how to timetrial if he wants to do anything at GC level (or even get into the Garmin teams given how much Vauighters loves the TTT)
I don't know if its hilly enough for him.
Some of the Italian semi-classics that he's won or done well in didn't have mad climbs though? I don't know, he has the kick if it came down to a group, but surely the focus will be building for the Tour...
Martin really is developing superbly. Will need to learn how to timetrial if he wants to do anything at GC level (or even get into the Garmin teams given how much Vauighters loves the TTT)
Agree. It should be the focus for the two cousins actually.
Dodge
17/10/2011, 12:05 PM
Some of the Italian semi-classics that he's won or done well in didn't have mad climbs though? I don't know, he has the kick if it came down to a group, but surely the focus will be building for the Tour
Don't know about the Italian races but they've been won by climbers/semi climbers (th elikes of Cunego etc) in the past. But a bot fo that is down to Italian racing IMO (they can usually all clim a little bit). Certainly does seem to have a great sprint from a select bunch though
I think I posted this erlier vut Vaughters has said he'd rather try and win and finish 20th, than not try to win and finish 5th. I love cyclists like this, but it doesn't really add up to a GC contendor. Age will help him of course, as he'll still be eligible for the White jersey if he goes to the Tour next year
Don't know about the Italian races but they've been won by climbers/semi climbers (th elikes of Cunego etc) in the past. But a bot fo that is down to Italian racing IMO (they can usually all clim a little bit). Certainly does seem to have a great sprint from a select bunch though
Not sure, as the waters are somewhat muddied by the convictions of many of the winners since the 90's, but last year Liege Bastogne Liege was Gilbert from Fran and Mandy, with a few more climbers in the top 10. Both Fran and Mandy have won in the Ardennes in the last few seasons, and he surely has more of a winning mentality than the Schleck sisters. Evans won Fleche Wallonne last year iirc.
Sorry, I meant I was presuming those Italian races Martin won were hilly enough as they'd been won by Italian climbers in the past. I couldn't tell you anythign about theactual racess/profiles as I've only see the last 5 minutes of one of them on youtube
Really depends on how Garmin and Martin want to set up his season. At the moment most of his focusis on later part of season, but he rode Giro a couple of years ago.
Ag2R signing up guys from Asia Tour in bid to boost their chances of staying at the top level: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10138/Ag2r-La-Mondiale-signs-up-three-top-Asia-Tour-riders-to-boost-WorldTour-licence-prospects.aspx
The system confuses the hell out of me. For example- How can a brand new team like Green Edge appear confident of starting out at the very top? Why are their relegation fears at all when there have been two mergers?
It makes the LOI seem straightforward!
Dodge
19/10/2011, 10:48 AM
Its all based on the points the riders earned. So if Green Edge signed Evans, Contador, Cavendish and the Schlecks, they'd instantly be the No 1 ranked team
Its crazy when those riders only earned those points due to hard work of their team mates, and the team gets nothing for it (or at least they don't get everything for it)
I had thought that only world Tour points counted but obviously not. Seems like a crazy move by ag2r
I thought the same about World Tour points. Like you say- surely teams should be ranked based on points won in their colours rather than what people have done for other teams.
Had read previously that the guy with the most points for Ag2R had actually picked up most of them in non World Tour races around France. So maybe they should have deployed the big guns in those races and hoovered up points while sending the lesser guys to the harder races? Madness.
Would really like to see it more transparent anyway.
Some end of season interviews:
Roche: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10225/Nicolas-Roche-Video-Interview-New-autobiography-Beijing-WorldTour-victory-and-more.aspx
Martin 1: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10256/Dan-Martin-Video-Interview-Part-I-Classic-wins-are-possible-in-the-future.aspx
Martin 2: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10225/Nicolas-Roche-Video-Interview-New-autobiography-Beijing-WorldTour-victory-and-more.aspx
Dodge
01/11/2011, 11:40 AM
Also it was confirmed over the weekend that Ireland would get 3 places in the Olympic Road Race and 1 in the Time Trial. We got 3 instead of 4 as only 3 riders actually earned WT points (Martin, Roche & Deignan)
passinginterest
02/11/2011, 10:49 AM
Anyone read Roche's book yet? I might put it on the Christmas list if it's any good. His blog during the tours was always a good read.
Haven't got it.. having read his various diaries one can't help but wonder if it's just a rehash of them. Would be interested to hear from anyone who has read both.
I read Laurent Fignon's We Were Young And Carefree recently- very interesting read. He had massive respect for Sean Kelly and indeed Kelly was instrumental in helping him to one of his Milan San Remo wins.
Currently dipping in and out of Mark Cavendish's 'Boy Racer'. Entertaining enough so far, he's some head the ball.
"We Were Young And Carefree" and Millar's book Racing Through the Dark, are on my Christmas list. Can recommend "Slaying the Badger", if people haven't got it.
Have read Millar's book- it's very good. Have Slaying the Badger in my ever growing stack of future reading.
It's a pity there's never been a proper retrospective of Kelly or Roche. Or both of them together. Has anyone read the recent Shay Elliott book?
BonnieShels
14/11/2011, 8:28 AM
Paul Kimmage on NewsTalk.
BonnieShels
14/11/2011, 8:29 AM
Paul Kimmage is being interviewed on NewsTalk now.
Paul Kimmage is being interviewed on NewsTalk now.
Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time. Like so much of the breakfast sports coverage, it was ruined by Ivan making out he knew what he was talking about. Never properly got into the current situation, and Kimmages opinions on the "clean" teams such as Garmin and Sky (particularly given some of the performances last season), which I would've thought were of more interest now. Rough Ride is a great book, but it's over 20 years old at this stage.
BonnieShels
20/11/2011, 12:02 PM
Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time. Like so much of the breakfast sports coverage, it was ruined by Ivan making out he knew what he was talking about. Never properly got into the current situation, and Kimmages opinions on the "clean" teams such as Garmin and Sky (particularly given some of the performances last season), which I would've thought were of more interest now. Rough Ride is a great book, but it's over 20 years old at this stage.
I got very frustrated listening to it knowing what Kimmage can be capable of whilst talking about cycling. NewsTalk Breakfast is doing my nut in off late but the choice isn't great:- Ray D'Arcy and John Murray? JAYSUS!
The fact that Lance hates him is enough for me to make him compelling all the time.
FDJ awarded a world tour license- I wonder if this has implications for AG2R.. http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10462/FDJ-awarded-WorldTour-license-for-2012.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+velonation_pro_cycling+%28Cyc ling+News+%26+Race+Results+|+VeloNation.com%29
As I've mentioned previously, I find the system they use in cycling pretty bizarre.
AG2R made it: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fdj-euskaltel-euskadi-and-ag2r-confirmed-for-worldtour
2012 WorldTour teams
AG2R La Mondiale
Astana Pro Team
BMC Racing Team
FDJ
Euskaltel – Euskadi
Garmin – Cervélo
Katusha Team
Lampre - ISD
Liquigas – Cannondale
Lotto Cycling Project
Movistar Team
Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team
Rabobank
Saxo Bank Sungard
Sky Procycling
Vacansoleil – DCM Pro Cycling Team
Pending:
GreenEdge Cycling Team
RadioShack – Nissan
Dodge
23/11/2011, 10:49 AM
http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/extra/opvallend/111122_opvallend_boonen_googlestreet
One from t'interweb
|Tom Boonen spotted on google streetview...
:)
So it turns out that Ireland has its very own PRO Continental team for next year- Utensilnord (http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10639/UCI-releases-final-list-of-Pro-Continental-teams-for-2012.aspx)
They're actually based in Denmark, no idea why they're Irish registered!
Edit.. just noticed Colnago – Csf Inox are Irish registered as well.
A few of the Italians have been irish in the past. I asked a couple of journos why, and none replied. Might risk it again
"We Were Young And Carefree" and Millar's book Racing Through the Dark, are on my Christmas list.
Just before we move on to the 2012 thread, Santa delivered both (via amazon). I've started the Fignon book - so far, very interesting. I'm a bit disappointed by the lack of photos - I know it shouldn't take away from the book, but it does imo.
passinginterest
09/01/2012, 11:42 AM
Nearly finished Nicolas Roche's book and it's a good read. Not exactly as in depth as I thought he might go, he stays fairly clear of any controversy and a fair amount of it is just a re-print of his tour diaries, I think he got a bit of a shock at the reaction to some of his hoensty in the diaries and was probably very wary in writing the book. I'd imagine he might have a much more controversial version when he eventually retires and isn't restrained by team and sponsorship commitments. He's definitely not short of opinions and doesn't shy away from confrontation in general. 2011 was a very tough season injury wise for him so hopefully he can have an injury free 2012 and really progress to the absolute top level of the game.
BonnieShels
09/01/2012, 3:29 PM
A few of the Italians have been irish in the past. I asked a couple of journos why, and none replied. Might risk it again
Tax. We have a very favourable tax regime when it comes to sports organisations especially. Hence the IRB are located here (amongst other reasons of course).
There's a thread on cyclingnews about it: http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=10846
(http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=10846)Also linked from there is an article on Inner Ring: http://inrng.com/2010/08/lets-talk-tax/
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