Cycling 2012

[Mr A]

Dan Martin gearing up for Catalunya: http://www.irishprocycling.com/news/...alunya-success

[Mr A]

Milan San Remo.. what do ye reckon? Hard to see past Cavendish but the other teams are going to try to blast him away on the climbs. Even if they do Bosen Hagen is still there for Sky.

Kinda fancy Boonen for this though. OPQS are going really well and have racked up a lot of wins- they really seem to be in the groove.

[Mr A]

So much for Sky. Catalunya under way now.. Roche unsure of his form: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11...oNation.com%29

The lack of a time trial should suit him and Dan Martin. Martin, according to his Twitter feed, feels he can win it, although if it snows there may not be enough mountains included. https://twitter.com/#!/DanMartin86

[Mr A]

Martin on the attack today in his 'home' stage in his 'home' race. Came in 11th in the end and took a good few KOM points. Only 30 riders in front group. Roche over 2 minutes back. Monster stage to come tomorrow.

[Mr A]

Madness in the mountains today.. due to be 2 cat 1s and 2 HC climbs but stage was shortened due to snow and the two big ones were left out. The time gaps were not counted towards GC but loads of riders abandoned before the stage was shortened. Disaster for Martin who would have been among the favourites for this stage. He's still in there though.

[Mr A]

Looks like Martin will finish 3rd overall after coming 9th today. Such a pity the big mountain stage was lost.. really fancied him to win this overall. Still, 3rd overall is still a decent haul of points.

[Dodge]

Not over yet. As there's 15 lads on the same tim, the order is determined by stage placings. So you'll see climbers sprinting like mad today

Should be fun

[Mr A]

4th overall for Martin after today's stage.

Edit- thought yesterday was the last stage for some reason!

[Dodge]

Caroline Ryan with a brilliant bronze medal in the Points race in the World Track Championships.

First medals for Ireland in track champs since 1897

[Real ale Madrid]

First medals for Ireland in track champs since 1897

Its been a long wait alright

Great performance - well done to her.

[Dodge]

IN the omnium, martyn Irvine is 10th after 3 events. He's still on course to confim Olympic qualification

[Dodge]

Irvine finished 7th and confirmed the place in the Olympics for Ireland

Ryan has said she's targeting a time trial Olympic spot

[Stuttgart88]

Tom Boonen seems on fire at the moment. I hope he's doing it honestly.

[Macy]

Tom Boonen seems on fire at the moment. I hope he's doing it honestly.

It seems to be the recent trend for someone to peak for these races - Cancellera, Gilbert and now Boonen. However, all the talk about reduced testing frequencies doesn't inspire confidence.

Looking forward to seeing how Dan Martin goes over the next week as he seems to have had some improvement with the allergies, and the ardennes classics were an early target.

[Mr A]

Boonen has been flying.. but there are a few questions as the team doctor doesn't exactly have an unblemished past. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/omeg...0&ns_fee=0

Certainly from David Millar's book it's clear that Saunier Duval were up to no good (not sure if the times match mind you).

[Dodge]

Could be harsh on Boonen. I think he's clean enough. Its not like he hasn't won these races before (multiple times). With no Cancellera or Gilbert, he was always going to be favourite. In Roubaix he was helped by a total lack of leadership in the chase. No one wanted to do it

[Macy]

Yeah I'd agree with that really - my post reads worse for Tommeke than I intended.

[Mr A]

OPQS have been incredibly dominant this year though, it isn't just Boonen. And the same guy was doctor for Omega Pharma Lotto last year when Gilbert was destroying all before him.

Ack I hate thinking like this, especially as I really like Boonen, it's hard not to.

[Dodge]

But they've won a lot ****ty races. If they continue this rate through the season, we can be worried. Sky and greenedge have been as impressive so far

[Mr A]

Martin 6th at Fleche Wallonne. Roche 11th in today's stage of Giro Del Trentino. Deignan had to pull out of the latter with illness but hopes to start the Tour of Turkey at the weekend.