Cycling 2011

[Macy]

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

Not sure, as the waters are somewhat muddied by the convictions of many of the winners since the 90's, but last year Liege Bastogne Liege was Gilbert from Fran and Mandy, with a few more climbers in the top 10. Both Fran and Mandy have won in the Ardennes in the last few seasons, and he surely has more of a winning mentality than the Schleck sisters. Evans won Fleche Wallonne last year iirc.

[Dodge]

Sorry, I meant I was presuming those Italian races Martin won were hilly enough as they'd been won by Italian climbers in the past. I couldn't tell you anythign about theactual racess/profiles as I've only see the last 5 minutes of one of them on youtube

Really depends on how Garmin and Martin want to set up his season. At the moment most of his focusis on later part of season, but he rode Giro a couple of years ago.

[Mr A]

Ag2R signing up guys from Asia Tour in bid to boost their chances of staying at the top level: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...prospects.aspx

The system confuses the hell out of me. For example- How can a brand new team like Green Edge appear confident of starting out at the very top? Why are their relegation fears at all when there have been two mergers?

It makes the LOI seem straightforward!

[Dodge]

Its all based on the points the riders earned. So if Green Edge signed Evans, Contador, Cavendish and the Schlecks, they'd instantly be the No 1 ranked team

Its crazy when those riders only earned those points due to hard work of their team mates, and the team gets nothing for it (or at least they don't get everything for it)

I had thought that only world Tour points counted but obviously not. Seems like a crazy move by ag2r

[Mr A]

I thought the same about World Tour points. Like you say- surely teams should be ranked based on points won in their colours rather than what people have done for other teams.

Had read previously that the guy with the most points for Ag2R had actually picked up most of them in non World Tour races around France. So maybe they should have deployed the big guns in those races and hoovered up points while sending the lesser guys to the harder races? Madness.

Would really like to see it more transparent anyway.

[Mr A]

Some end of season interviews:

Roche: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...-and-more.aspx
Martin 1: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...he-future.aspx
Martin 2: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...-and-more.aspx

[Dodge]

Also it was confirmed over the weekend that Ireland would get 3 places in the Olympic Road Race and 1 in the Time Trial. We got 3 instead of 4 as only 3 riders actually earned WT points (Martin, Roche & Deignan)

[passinginterest]

Anyone read Roche's book yet? I might put it on the Christmas list if it's any good. His blog during the tours was always a good read.

[Mr A]

Haven't got it.. having read his various diaries one can't help but wonder if it's just a rehash of them. Would be interested to hear from anyone who has read both.

I read Laurent Fignon's We Were Young And Carefree recently- very interesting read. He had massive respect for Sean Kelly and indeed Kelly was instrumental in helping him to one of his Milan San Remo wins.

Currently dipping in and out of Mark Cavendish's 'Boy Racer'. Entertaining enough so far, he's some head the ball.

[Macy]

"We Were Young And Carefree" and Millar's book Racing Through the Dark, are on my Christmas list. Can recommend "Slaying the Badger", if people haven't got it.

[Mr A]

Have read Millar's book- it's very good. Have Slaying the Badger in my ever growing stack of future reading.

[Macy]

It's a pity there's never been a proper retrospective of Kelly or Roche. Or both of them together. Has anyone read the recent Shay Elliott book?

[BonnieShels]

Paul Kimmage on NewsTalk.

[BonnieShels]

Paul Kimmage is being interviewed on NewsTalk now.

[Macy]

Paul Kimmage is being interviewed on NewsTalk now.

Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time. Like so much of the breakfast sports coverage, it was ruined by Ivan making out he knew what he was talking about. Never properly got into the current situation, and Kimmages opinions on the "clean" teams such as Garmin and Sky (particularly given some of the performances last season), which I would've thought were of more interest now. Rough Ride is a great book, but it's over 20 years old at this stage.

[BonnieShels]

Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time. Like so much of the breakfast sports coverage, it was ruined by Ivan making out he knew what he was talking about. Never properly got into the current situation, and Kimmages opinions on the "clean" teams such as Garmin and Sky (particularly given some of the performances last season), which I would've thought were of more interest now. Rough Ride is a great book, but it's over 20 years old at this stage.

I got very frustrated listening to it knowing what Kimmage can be capable of whilst talking about cycling. NewsTalk Breakfast is doing my nut in off late but the choice isn't great:- Ray D'Arcy and John Murray? JAYSUS!

The fact that Lance hates him is enough for me to make him compelling all the time.

[Mr A]

FDJ awarded a world tour license- I wonder if this has implications for AG2R.. http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10...oNation.com%29

As I've mentioned previously, I find the system they use in cycling pretty bizarre.

[Mr A]

AG2R made it: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fdj-...-for-worldtour

2012 WorldTour teams

AG2R La Mondiale
Astana Pro Team
BMC Racing Team
FDJ
Euskaltel – Euskadi
Garmin – Cervélo
Katusha Team
Lampre - ISD
Liquigas – Cannondale
Lotto Cycling Project
Movistar Team
Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team
Rabobank
Saxo Bank Sungard
Sky Procycling
Vacansoleil – DCM Pro Cycling Team

Pending:

GreenEdge Cycling Team
RadioShack – Nissan

[Dodge]

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/extra...n_googlestreet

One from t'interweb

|Tom Boonen spotted on google streetview...

[Mr A]

So it turns out that Ireland has its very own PRO Continental team for next year- Utensilnord

They're actually based in Denmark, no idea why they're Irish registered!

Edit.. just noticed Colnago – Csf Inox are Irish registered as well.