Cycling 2013

[Mr A]

Brammeier will be needing a new team as Champion System look to be ending. Some doubts at Saxo as well, worryingly for Roche: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riders-starting-to-have-doubts-about-saxo-bank-future

Disappointing worlds but it was carnage as this video shows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOl2OPjewOE&feature=youtu.be

The amount of teams folding will make it a lot harder for the likes of Bennett to step up- but he has the advantage of being a neo-pro at least. It's even worse for Brammeier.

[Mr A]

4th for Martin at Lombardia and would have been 3rd but for a crash on the last corner. Another great ride. He's doing the Tour of Beijing and the Japan Cup. Roche done for the year- he rode as support at Lombardia.

Good news as Irvine resigns with UHC for next year: http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/world-champion-martyn-irvines-future-secure-as-he-re-signs-with-unitedhealthcare/

[Dodge]

martin up to 8th for the World Tour. Ireland up to 12th ahead of the likes of Switzerland and Germany

[Mr A]

Good news for Roche as Saxo step up their backing to replace the departing Tinkoff. Tinkoff is an absolute ballbag in any case so this is good news. He's going to back Cannondale next year.

[Mr A]

Dan Martin second today in stage 4 of Tour of Beijing. 2nd in GC also.

Edit: The last stage is super flat so chances are there will be no GC changes. Given that the previous stages were flat, that made today's stage effectively more valuable than a monument in terms of World Tour points, i.e. 6 points for stage win and 100 for the overall. I know a lot of stage races have a lot of sprints but this one is a big crazy. Martin picks up 4 points today and will get another 80 provided he holds 2nd tomorrow.

[Mr A]

Martin takes second in the GC. He does the Japan cup and then ends his season. This result see him finish 6th in the World Tour rankings.

And a little bit of nonsense:
If Dan Martin was a country, he'd be ranked 16th in the world.
If he was a team, he'd be ranked 15th ahead of Argos, FDJ, Lotto and Vaconsoleil.
Roche outscored Vaconsoleil as well.

[Mr A]

Great news, Sam Bennett steps up to Netapp Endura: http://www.netapp-endura.com/en/news/detailview/news/netapp-endura-bets-on-continuity-in-2014-and-reinforces-the-team-with-sam-bennett-and-tiago-mach/

Also, Roche on next year and the Giro especially: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15640/Video-Roche-pushing-for-Team-Saxo-Bank-to-allow-him-to-start-2014-Giro-dItalia-in-Ireland.aspx

[Mr A]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8-AK7-MVCII

Have to say.. Martin celebrates scarily early sometimes!

[Mr A]

Long interview with Deignan: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/philip-deignan-is-climbing-back-to-the-top-29676322.html

Meanwhile Irvine won bronze in the omnium at the European championships despite not being in the best of shape.

[Mr A]

Dan Martin Interview: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15863/Dan-Martin-video-interview-part-I-Garmin-Sharp-leader-speaks-at-length-about-best-ever-year-concussion-issues-and-more.aspx

Irvine crashed again at the Ghent 6 but it seems his injuries aren't too bad.

[Mr A]

Brammeier signs for Synergy Baku http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15884/Irish-champion-Brammeier-signs-contract-with-Synergy-Baku-squad.aspx

[Mr A]

Roche confirms he'll be doing the Giro. http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/dream-come-true-for-roche-as-he-commits-to-riding-in-irish-giro-29790854.html Martin confirmed already. You'd imagine Sky will bring Deignan. Hopefully the wildcard teams will suit us and we'll get a few more guys in too.

[Dodge]

United healthcare (Irvine) and NetApp Endura (Bennett) are both on the 8 short listed for the giro. Of the two, you'd expect NetApp to be one of the 3 wildcards. Be crazy to have 4 Irish men involved

[Mr A]

There is potentially Stephen Clancy from Novo Nordisk as well: http://www.teamnovonordisk.com/2012/12/23/stephen-clancy/

Although a mention from Gerard Cromwell today was the first I'd heard of him to be honest.

[Mr A]

Long piece on Roche's plans for next year: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15918/Nicolas-Roche-feature-Rejigging-everything-in-order-to-be-as-strong-as-possible-for-the-Giro-dItalia.aspx

"“I am starting in Oman. Things can change yet, but at the moment it is Oman, then Tirreno, Sanremo and then the Ardennes Classics,” he explained. “I’ll be doing Amstel, Flèche and Liège.

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15918/Nicolas-Roche-feature-Rejigging-everything-in-order-to-be-as-strong-as-possible-for-the-Giro-dItalia.aspx#ixzz2m9TTle4J
"