Cycling 2014

Roche piece after Milan San Remo: http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30118771.html

Dan Martin opens his defence of his Tour of Catalunya title today. http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...ways-suits-me/

Not a great week. Martin has made little impression in Catalunya while Bennett did not finish Dwars door Vlaanderen. Bennett is in Gent Wevelgem tomorrow- I think the race may suit him but he's mixing with the very best in this one.

Bennett finished 12th. I think he was involved in a late crash so that's an OK result.

Edit: report here: http://www.stickybottle.com/races-re...elgem-classic/ Bennett didn't go down but lots of his team did.

Meanwhile Deignan is back- http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...-crucial-test/

Martin finished 16th overall in Catalunya.

Missed the fact that Bennett rode the Tour of Flanders, don't think he was listed when I checked the start list last week. http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...-away-from-me/

Pulled out with stomach issues. Will ride Scheldeprijs and Paris-Roubaix. Fabulous experience for him and great to have Irishmen on the start line of the monuments especially.

He's been listed as team leader too for most of his races. Big sign of their confidence in him

Deignan had to pull out of Tour of Basque Country. Poxy start to his season

Bennett 5th at Scheldeprijs! Superb performance.

Edit: video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VCkW3SiOE

Report: http://www.netapp-endura.com/en/news...-scheldeprijs/

Roche on the Giro etc.: http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...-do-something/

Bennett on Scheldeprijs http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...more-big-wins/

Like his attitude and ambition.

Bennett finished in the last group, almost half an hour down. But still, he finished Paris-Roubaix, which is a hell of a thing in itself.

Looking forward to the Ardennes classics now. Hopefully Martin is closer to his best than yet seen this year and I've a feeling Roche will be in fine fettle.

Sam Bennett wins Rund um Köln

Edit: found video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SClpUCwwOBE

Not a massive race, but winning races in Germany for a German team is a big deal.

Report and interview with Bennett: http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...in-the-sprint/

Dan Martin takes 2nd at La Fleche Wallonne, Valverde wins. I thought Roche was going to do these races but he has not appeared.

Meanwhile Deignan is with Sky at Trentino.

Thats a good result for Martin considering he neing quiet till now!

Last 10k:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbXDvRAE4fw

Well that was crushing. Martin second going into final corner and with all the momentum.. and slips out and goes down. Could have won it, would certainly have placed highly.

Very cruel.

watch it live - cruel - hope he alright for the giro!

Michael Barry has a new book out tomorrow on Kindle - its pre-ordered. Can't wait to read about Sky's marginal gains methods!

Kimmage had a bit to say about it on Radio One recently, it seems he has read it or at least knows about contents.. mentioned also that he respects Armstrong more than Rogers. Should be an interesting one!

Roche does Romandie this week as he continues his Giro build-up. Hopefully will show a bit of form. He was originally slated to do the Ardennes races but Tinkoff didn't field him there.

Bit from CN: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roch...xo-at-romandie

Edit: Came across a piece from a few weeks ago that to some extent explains the schedule changes: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored...o-ditalia.html

Roche Writes from Romandie: http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30230128.html

Will add these in through the week.

Lost 4 secs today - now 24secs behind but up to 33rd place

Stage 1 diary: http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30234359.html

Good ambition trying to catch Nibali on a descent!

Stage 2 diary: http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30237460.html

Going off the front without meaning to. Nice one.