Cycling 2009

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.

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?

Are any of them in the Tour of California?

Thanks for the updates.

No, no Irish in Tour of California.

Small piece on Dan Martin in cycling news

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

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.

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.

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

good thread guys keep it up...

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

easily his best time trial (afaik anyway)

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

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Originally Posted by Macy

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

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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.

Philly Deignan was 5th today in Castilla y Leon, according to the official website. 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.

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

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!

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

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?

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

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Originally Posted by 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?

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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

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Originally Posted by Dodge

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

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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.