Cycling 2012

[Mr A]

May as well get it rolling :)

Tour Down Under starts next week, Brammeier taking part. http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/santos-tour-down-under-start-list

Meanwhile, after a load of hype about spreading it out, the Giro selects three out of four Italian teams as wildcards. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2012-giro-ditalia-wildcards-named

I guess the big questions for the year are.. Will the Contador case ever end? Can Gilbert keep winning? Can Roche notch more wins? Can Martin keep progressing?

[Dodge]

Meanwhile, after a load of hype about spreading it out, the Giro selects three out of four Italian teams as wildcards. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2012-giro-ditalia-wildcards-named

Eh, I think you'll find one Italian team, one Irish team, one British team and the german team :)

[Mr A]

Indeed. Call me unpatriotic but strangely enough I never get all that attached to Colnago-CSF Inox.

Meanwhile leaks about the Vuelta Route indicate that it will have ten uphill finishes with 7 on summits. Should suit Roche and especially Martin very well. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2012-vuelta-will-have-10-uphill-finishes

[Macy]

Would Dan Martin do the Tour and Vuelta? Mind you, the Tour is hardly ideal for him, so wouldn't be too surprised if he was left out again. Danielson is going to be Vaughters leader for the Tour anyway.

[Dodge]

He might be leader but he isn't a GC contender so Dan should have a pretty free reign to challenge for stages (he wasn't leader in Vuelta for example)

[Real ale Madrid]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cas-sanction-contador-with-two-year-ban-in-clenbuterol-case

Wowzers!

[Mr A]

Bloody hell, I really don't know what to make of this. The report apparently says that transfusions or micro dosing were unlikely and that the source was probably a food supplement. And wasn't there a case of five Mexican footballers getting contaminated meat last year and being let off?

What a fecking mess whatever way you look at it.

[Mr A]

A good analysis here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/analysis-cas-vs-alberto-contador

I wasn't previously aware of the plasticisers.

This bumps up Dan martin to a 3rd place on a stage and second overall for Catalunya last year. There may be also small gains but not in terms of top three placings. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/new-winners-emerge-from-contadors-suspension

[Macy]

If there were inconsistencies in the blood values as mentioned in that article, it really doesn't say much about the blood passport, imo.

The bans a joke - time of the offence should only count if the rider has been suspended*. The fact that he carried on riding and taking wins (whilst asking for more time for the appeal) really damages the sport. I'm disgusted with the reaction of Mandy and Scarponi (and others).

*I think I've heard that the UCI are changing this - putting in an initial UCI appeal level before CAS. So if a national federation doesn't suspend a rider in such a case, it can go to a UCI court who would have the option of a suspension. And then the cyclist would be suspended pending an appeal to CAS.

[Dodge]

THey gave him the max ban, let's hope they get the 2.5 mill back

Roche gets 4 more points for 2010, Martin gets 11 more for 2011. He goes up to 8th overall, overtaking Wiggins but being leapfrogged by Nibali
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11089/WorldTour-2010-and-2011-Redux-Erasing-Alberto-Contador.aspx

[Macy]

THey gave him the max ban, let's hope they get the 2.5 mill back
The length of the ban isn't the issue, it's the back dating that's the problem. Have to admit I don't know the rules, but if they had any discretion on starting it from the time of the test, they should've used it. Expunging results is one thing, but he still raced, got endorsements, gifted a few stages etc, and it just looks like a very short ban it took so long to come through (mainly at the request of his team). Hopefully, the procedures will be put in place that will stop this happening again with suspensions pending CAS decisions.

[Mr A]

Roche 5th on first stage in Algarve. (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2012/stage-1/results) Decent.

[passinginterest]

Roche 5th on first stage in Algarve. (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2012/stage-1/results) Decent.

I see there's a few more Irish in the race too;
Ronan McLaughlin finished 66th,
Philip Deignan 89th,
and Connor McConvey 141st.

Nice start for Roche, hopefully he avoids any major crashes this year and picks up a few more wins.

[Macy]

Roche not having a great time of it at Paris - Nice. Poor opening time trial and got shelled out of the break on the opening (flat) road stage. Finished in the main bunch yesterday. A bit disappointing to be honest, on a few levels.

[Dodge]

Wasnt shelled out the back in that first road stage. Wind caused echelons to break and he was in the second group behind about 30 or so in the leading group. Still disappointing but better to have those kind of breaks now

[Macy]

Wasnt shelled out the back in that first road stage. Wind caused echelons to break and he was in the second group behind about 30 or so in the leading group. Still disappointing but better to have those kind of breaks now
I read he was in the first echelon and couldn't hold it when the pressure went on. Happy to be misinformed though, as it sounded pretty bad!

[Mr A]

There's a bit on it here: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling-roche-fears-boss-backlash-as-parisnice-hopes-blown-off-course-3040042.html

From this and the twitter comments I got the impression he blew after having had to expend serious energy making that front group. Early days in the season yet though.

[Mr A]

Roche was 7th today.. a bit better..

[Mr A]

Q+A with Roche here: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/blazin-saddles/nicolas-roche-q-013501034.html

[Mr A]

Kelly talks about the Paris-Nice here: http://nos.nl/video/350400-kelly-en-zn-grote-liefde-parijsnice.html

I heard on Eurosport I think that Kelly's time on the final TT would have put him third yesterday.

[Mr A]

Dan Martin gearing up for Catalunya: http://www.irishprocycling.com/news/general-website-news/martin-lays-ground-catalunya-success

[Mr A]

Milan San Remo.. what do ye reckon? Hard to see past Cavendish but the other teams are going to try to blast him away on the climbs. Even if they do Bosen Hagen is still there for Sky.

Kinda fancy Boonen for this though. OPQS are going really well and have racked up a lot of wins- they really seem to be in the groove.

[Mr A]

So much for Sky. Catalunya under way now.. Roche unsure of his form: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11411/Roche-uncertain-about-expectations-for-Volta-a-Catalunya.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+velonation_pro_cycling+%28Cyc ling+News+%26+Race+Results+|+VeloNation.com%29

The lack of a time trial should suit him and Dan Martin. Martin, according to his Twitter feed, feels he can win it, although if it snows there may not be enough mountains included. https://twitter.com/#!/DanMartin86

[Mr A]

Martin on the attack today in his 'home' stage in his 'home' race. Came in 11th in the end and took a good few KOM points. Only 30 riders in front group. Roche over 2 minutes back. Monster stage to come tomorrow.

[Mr A]

Madness in the mountains today.. due to be 2 cat 1s and 2 HC climbs but stage was shortened due to snow and the two big ones were left out. The time gaps were not counted towards GC but loads of riders abandoned before the stage was shortened. Disaster for Martin who would have been among the favourites for this stage. He's still in there though.

[Mr A]

Looks like Martin will finish 3rd overall after coming 9th today. Such a pity the big mountain stage was lost.. really fancied him to win this overall. Still, 3rd overall is still a decent haul of points.

[Dodge]

Not over yet. As there's 15 lads on the same tim, the order is determined by stage placings. So you'll see climbers sprinting like mad today

Should be fun

[Mr A]

4th overall for Martin after today's stage.

Edit- thought yesterday was the last stage for some reason!

[Dodge]

Caroline Ryan with a brilliant bronze medal in the Points race in the World Track Championships.

First medals for Ireland in track champs since 1897

[Real ale Madrid]

First medals for Ireland in track champs since 1897

Its been a long wait alright :D

Great performance - well done to her.

[Dodge]

IN the omnium, martyn Irvine is 10th after 3 events. He's still on course to confim Olympic qualification

[Dodge]

Irvine finished 7th and confirmed the place in the Olympics for Ireland

Ryan has said she's targeting a time trial Olympic spot

[Stuttgart88]

Tom Boonen seems on fire at the moment. I hope he's doing it honestly.

[Macy]

Tom Boonen seems on fire at the moment. I hope he's doing it honestly.
It seems to be the recent trend for someone to peak for these races - Cancellera, Gilbert and now Boonen. However, all the talk about reduced testing frequencies doesn't inspire confidence.

Looking forward to seeing how Dan Martin goes over the next week as he seems to have had some improvement with the allergies, and the ardennes classics were an early target.

[Mr A]

Boonen has been flying.. but there are a few questions as the team doctor doesn't exactly have an unblemished past. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/omega-pharma-quickstep-doctor-summoned-to-mantova-hearing?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source =cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0

Certainly from David Millar's book it's clear that Saunier Duval were up to no good (not sure if the times match mind you).

[Dodge]

Could be harsh on Boonen. I think he's clean enough. Its not like he hasn't won these races before (multiple times). With no Cancellera or Gilbert, he was always going to be favourite. In Roubaix he was helped by a total lack of leadership in the chase. No one wanted to do it

[Macy]

Yeah I'd agree with that really - my post reads worse for Tommeke than I intended.

[Mr A]

OPQS have been incredibly dominant this year though, it isn't just Boonen. And the same guy was doctor for Omega Pharma Lotto last year when Gilbert was destroying all before him.

Ack I hate thinking like this, especially as I really like Boonen, it's hard not to.

[Dodge]

But they've won a lot ****ty races. If they continue this rate through the season, we can be worried. Sky and greenedge have been as impressive so far

[Mr A]

Martin 6th at Fleche Wallonne. Roche 11th in today's stage of Giro Del Trentino. Deignan had to pull out of the latter with illness but hopes to start the Tour of Turkey at the weekend.

[Dodge]

Smashing result for Dan. He looked gone at start of last hill but clawed his wa back up. Fnished first of a group with Belloema, Nibali, van den brocke

[Mr A]

Great ride from Martin again to take 5th at Liege Bastogne Liege. Roche was well back. Martin, Roche and Brammeier all going to Romandie, while Deignan is at the Tour of Turkey.

[Dodge]

Brammeier was in an early break too. As he tweeted last night 'its not my race...'

Martin was brilliant though. He went on an attack after Nibali and Iglinsky, but got caught by leading group as Rolland didn't help him. Finished 3rd in a slow sprint for the podium

[Mr A]

Yeah, saw that sprint, it was like they were riding through treacle! Hardly surprising mind you.

[Dodge]

No, 3rd tough race in a week for most of them. When you see Gilbert crawling over the line in 20th (or similar) you know its a tough one

[Mr A]

Wee bit on Roche and his contract situation: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nicholas-roche-puts-off-contract-talks-to-work-on-results

[Dodge]

2 irish in breaks today

Brameier in the break in Romandy

Deignan in the break in Turkey

[Dodge]

http://sports-livez.com/channel/ch-2.php

Live English language commentary from Turkey

[Mr A]

Brammeier interview (http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11759/Matt-Brammeier-Interview-Feeling-at-home-with-Omega-Pharma-Quick-Step.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+velonation_pro_cycling+%28Cyc ling+News+%26+Race+Results+|+VeloNation.com%29).. hopes to do a grand tour this year, presumably the Vuelta.

[Mr A]

Roche on the attack in California tonight. Couldn't make it stick but still a decent effort and good to see him being aggressive.

Bit of an interview (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roche-seeking-ag2r-la-mondiales-first-season-win-in-amgen-tour-of-california)with him before the race.