They're normally advanced enough coming into the Dauphine, and they were pretty rubbish from what I saw/ heard/ read - I doubt Henao busting his kneecap was part of the programme either!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
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They're normally advanced enough coming into the Dauphine, and they were pretty rubbish from what I saw/ heard/ read - I doubt Henao busting his kneecap was part of the programme either!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Martin misses Le Tour- no surprise there really. On the bright side it'll add interest to the Vuelta which I generally enjoy a lot more anyway. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/dan-...tour-de-france
National championships this weekend, no Roche but Martin will take part there. Bennett will be there but of course Brammeier will win.
Netapp have announced their Tour team- Bennett does not feature. Disappointing.
http://www.netapp-endura.com/en/news...-france-debut/
A bit more explanation here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour...s-gc-ambitions
"Our approach with Sam is much more long-term orientated. We want to build him up carefully and step-by-step. Compared to his last season, Sam has raced a very intense program already and he did it very successfully. So after the Nationals, we’ll give him a break so he can build-up a proper form for the second half of the season. Starting with the RideLondon Classic (August 10), we strongly believe that Sam will add even more wins to his and the Team’s account.”
Kreuziger in bother over bio-passport values, out of the Tour: http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/...inquiry_333747
Bennett interview : http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/06/be...nuck-a-podium/
Nice use of the word snuck.
Ryan Mullen takes both the TT and Road Race champion's jersey's. http://www.lakesidewheelers.ie/news/...adracechampion
Serious talent- more to come in future for sure.
Kelly's Trophy room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVT5...ature=youtu.be
Long Kimmage interview with Froome. In two parts. Pretty interesting.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30391816.html
http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30394950.html
It's an interview with Froome and his Girlfriend Michelle Cound. Thats pretty important - he obviously can't be left alone to speak for himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
Indeed yes- she seems to be a very domineering lady while he seems quite naive and almost childish at times.
I think RaM's point was a bit more sinister than that. Froome might say something incriminating without her mindful media savvy eye watching over him.
Anyway, regardless of Froome, Team SKY's halo is being exposed. And I don't buy this Sir Dave having a rubbish memory. I'm very sceptical of him. Is he a visionary genius or just a quite good manager-cum-sports scientist who benefitted from a British Olympic Committee decision to massively increase funding to cycling? It's well known that they singled out cycling as a sport that funding would benefit, and which poorer countries won't allocate funding to. Easy medals.
I think that ship sailed though - head over to Cyclingnews forums - there's a list of contradictions on that interview thats as long as your arm.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I'm still not sure what gives with the whole interview - Its not like Kimmage to let Sky control the narrative like that - classsic Lance tactics back in the day - yet maybe Kimmage thought - lets interview him, be gentle and let his own words get him into trouble. It would be interesting to see a Kimmage follow up piece - that will surely follow on Sunday as Le Tour De Fraud kicks off.
I'd say Kimmage is trying to build up a profile, get closer to the guy. So far his judgments and suspicions have been from afar.
Walsh is really putting his money where is mouth is, so to speak. Cassandra-in-chief for Armstrong: much kudos. Paid ghost writer: will undo all his good work and reputation if he has been duped.
Netapp-Endura to have new named sponsors from next year as both the current ones are stopping: http://www.netapp-endura.com/en/news...rting-in-2015/
5 year deal, that's a nice level of stability.
Walsh doesn't give a crap about cycling - he got lucky with Armstrong. Big Ego - got the high profile case - couldn't be bothered with the rest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
As far as Kimmage goes, it's better to go and actually talk to the guy than just throw digs from afar as Stuttgart says. After all he did want to interview Armstrong as far as I recall. At least he got to ask some good questions and got them answered. As for Cound, I agree that she's there to keep Froome in line.
It's hard to know with Froome in some ways. His story is pretty unbelievable, but I'm not as convinced he's doping as some of the other guys in the peloton.
Incidentally- does it bug anyone else that Kimmage so often starts his pieces with little stories about himself? I find it tiresome at this stage.
Interesting article on Armstrong and Emma O'Reilly. She has reconciled with him, but is no Walsh fan.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/othe...1854582?page=3
Roche doing his diaries again this year. Always makes for an interesting read. Sounds like absolue carnage yesterday. http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-30420691.html
Was a brilliant stage to watch. They got a little unlucky with the heavy rain. I'm happy to see a cobbled stage in it every year
This was first broadcast on BBC Four on the 6th of July:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x219cat_storyville-2013-2014-29-the-lance-armstrong-story-stop-at-nothing-1_sportQuote:
Originally Posted by BBC
The Lance Armstrong Story - Stop at Nothing (Part One)
Some of you might already have seen it, but it's worth a watch.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x219cc1_storyville-2013-2014-29-the-lance-armstrong-story-stop-at-nothing-2_sport
The Lance Armstrong Story - Stop at Nothing (Part Two)
Rough Rider starts in 10 mins...
http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/roughrider.html
I don't think I can get it on rte player in UK, not live anyway.
Hopefully it'll be on rte player later on.
You can't get it on RTÉ Player in Ireland either. Seems that it is a once-off broadcast. It'll hopefully be on RTÉ One+1 later.
Watched it on RTÉ One +1
Very very good. Nothing new for anyone who has followed this story since the year dot but it was still worth a watch.
Really enjoyed the documentary. It's clear that Kimmage has suffered a lot for his conviction and it's understandable how he can come across as bitter at times. It was a great insight into what drives him and keeps him going. The book has been on my list for a long time and I'll definitely give it a read now.
Have neglected this a bit due various holidays and commitments over the last couple of months... anyhoo...
Martin returned in Austria and was in top 30 at San Sebastian. Not in bad shape heading into the Vuelta- usually the most fun Grand Tour.
Roche had a solid tour in support roles and played a part in Majka salvaging the mountains jersey for Tinkov and one of their stage wins. He was top twenty in San Sebastian but with a move from Tinkov looking likely and loads of racing under his belt already we may not see much more of him this year. Sky looks his likely destination.
Deignan is currently in the Tour of Poland and may well show in the mountain stages to come. Not sure whether he's in contention for a Vuelta spot.
Bennett has been very quiet. In fairness to Netapp they had a great Tour with Konig so their decision was justified in not bringing him. He returns at RideLondon Classic at the weekend. Cyclassics in Hamburg will be a big target for the team so if he can show there his stock will rise further.
Brammeier also returns at RideLondon having been unwell for a couple of months.
Sticky bottle said Deignan and martin were being set up to go to Vuelta.
ROche is riding GP Hamburg and GP Plouey. They'll be his last WT events I think
Yeah, just saw a provisional startlist last night that had Deignan on it. Happy days, should make the Vuelta interesting.
Piece on Bennett: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/othe...ason-1.1890739
Also mentions: "The Prudential RideLondon Classic is set to include seven Irish riders. Bennett will be joined by Peter Hawkins (Madison Genesis), Felix English (Rapha Condor JLT), Ryan Mullen and Sean Downey (both An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly), plus Matt Brammeier and Connor McConvey (both Synergy Baku)."
So this Ryan Mullen lad is pretty talented: http://www.stickybottle.com/races-re...t-of-all-time/
Quote:
His effort was the third quickest time for a 10 ever recorded on British roads; besting such legendary figures as Chris Boardman and Bradley Wiggins.
Deignan finishes 7th in Tour of Poland after finishing 12th in final time trial. Good stuff.
6th for Bennett in London. Missed the bit where he was dropped.. he was in the front group for a fair bit.
Gilbert attacked strongly on a small hill and 4 could go with him. Bennett tried to bridge but didn't have the legs. Still a good ride for him on his way back from mid season break. Should be more points for him in the UCI European tour too (although not sure how it works tbh)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
In world ranks, Ireland now in 18th. Deignan with 38 points after Poland.
Have to wonder how much the puncture and chasing back on took out of Bennett. Mind you he a had a sticky bottle and magic spanner to help him catch up again!
CN piece on Deignan: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/deig...pana-selection
Cycling Tips piece on Martin: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/08/da...-have-been-in/
Martin went close at the Vuelta today, just pipped by Matthews by the sound of it. Form seems to be there though.
Report and video of last ten km here: http://www.stickybottle.com/races-re...final-10-mins/
He vows to keep attacking: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/08/ma...-to-try-again/
Just for info - ITV4 have an hours highlights package, usually at 7pm (10pm if there's football). Imlach and Roger Hammond in studio, Liggett and Graham Jones commentating, and Matt Rendell in Spain.
TG4 have 2 hours live coverage, and then the half hour highlights similar to the Tour.
Bad day for Martin as he coughed up a minute on the steep finale. Possibly sprinting in flat stages cost him energy.
Just saw Quintana's crash yesterday on Eurosport. Ouch.