Cycling 2011

[alltogethernow]

An Post's Andrew Fenn has just won bronze for GB in the World U23 road race. Irish lads involved in crash with 2k to go

Philip Lavery managed to avoid it and finished same time as the winner.

[Dodge]

Philip Lavery managed to avoid it and finished same time as the winner.

Think he was given the same time as the winner as the crash happened within 3k. He was definitely help up

[Dodge]

Roche wins the queen stage in the Tour of Beijing! Phil Deignan 2nd to give Ireland a 1-2!

Deignan attacked on final climb, Roche and Christopher Froome bridged and they stayed away on descent. Froome led out sprint and 2 Irish powered by, with Roche winning by half a bike length

Brilliant stuff

[Macy]

Excellent news. Report up on cyclingnews now... http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tou...tage-3/results

[Mr A]

Super stuff, delighted to hear this!

[Dodge]

Oh and in terms of world ranking points, Ireland got 10 today 6 for Roche, 4 for Deignan

Importantly though it means that Ireland now have 3 riders with UCI points

last 2 days are flat, so unless someone crashes, its unlikely Roche makes top 10. He's 11, only 2 seconds of 10th though

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...f-Beijing.aspx
Roche's reaction

[Dodge]

last 15 minutes on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=7j_hEbHKSTY

[Mr A]

Cheers for that. how much do them lads love 'Froomey'?

When was the last time Ireland had a 1-2 in a big race? I know Kelly won at least one Paris-Nice from Roche.. not aware of any stages though.

[Dodge]

Well the last time its happened in any UCi race was the 2003 Ras

http://twitter.com/#!/Infostrada2012...51686537474048

I didn't even know about Kelly/Roche inishes 1-2 in Paris Nice. I wouldn't say there's been too many more times (if any)

[Real ale Madrid]

Cavandish off to team sky , Eisel follows him...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cycling/15259826.stm

[Dodge]

Dan Martin 2nd in Lombardia. Close to his and Ireland's first monument since 1992

Leopard Trek's Zaugg attacked on last clim, Martin followed. Martin was joined by Rodriguez and a couple of others but Zaugg stayed away for his first career win.

[Mr A]

80 points for Ireland and Martin there. Did Roche featuer at all? Had hopes for him as his form seemed good.

[Dodge]

He was in the leadingpack before the final break. No idea where he finished but wasn't in top 10

Ireland finish the season ranked 13th

Martin is raned 9th individually

[Macy]

He was in the leadingpack before the final break. No idea where he finished but wasn't in top 10

16th, in the third group home, 27 seconds down.

Great performance by Martin, a real shame it didn't come together as he probably would've taken the sprint. If he can sort out the allergies or the weather suits them, he'd surely be a contender in the Ardennes classics?

[Real ale Madrid]

Was there an issue with AG2R retaining a full pro tour licence or did I dream that up ?? - looking at wiki they finished the season 17th out of 18th teams on the UCI tour.

[Mr A]

Yeah, they were (and possibly still are) worried about it. I think the points in Beijing may have helped somewhat, certainly they sent a very strong team out in the hopes of picking some up.

[Macy]

Here's the story from cycling news, before Roche's win. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ag2r...for-uci-points

I'd say they'll probably be ok, given at least two less of the current teams for next season.

[Dodge]

Great performance by Martin, a real shame it didn't come together as he probably would've taken the sprint. If he can sort out the allergies or the weather suits them, he'd surely be a contender in the Ardennes classics?

I don't know if its hilly enough for him. Funnily enough I think Deignan or Roche would be suited to them but apparently Roche hates them

Martin really is developing superbly. Will need to learn how to timetrial if he wants to do anything at GC level (or even get into the Garmin teams given how much Vauighters loves the TTT)

[Macy]

I don't know if its hilly enough for him.

Some of the Italian semi-classics that he's won or done well in didn't have mad climbs though? I don't know, he has the kick if it came down to a group, but surely the focus will be building for the Tour...

Martin really is developing superbly. Will need to learn how to timetrial if he wants to do anything at GC level (or even get into the Garmin teams given how much Vauighters loves the TTT)

Agree. It should be the focus for the two cousins actually.

[Dodge]

Some of the Italian semi-classics that he's won or done well in didn't have mad climbs though? I don't know, he has the kick if it came down to a group, but surely the focus will be building for the Tour

Don't know about the Italian races but they've been won by climbers/semi climbers (th elikes of Cunego etc) in the past. But a bot fo that is down to Italian racing IMO (they can usually all clim a little bit). Certainly does seem to have a great sprint from a select bunch though

I think I posted this erlier vut Vaughters has said he'd rather try and win and finish 20th, than not try to win and finish 5th. I love cyclists like this, but it doesn't really add up to a GC contendor. Age will help him of course, as he'll still be eligible for the White jersey if he goes to the Tour next year