Cycling 2012

**Real ale Madrid** · 03/07/2012, 4:49 PM

Thats a bit of a disapointment for Martin, might have more scope to go for a stage win now.

**Mr A** · 03/07/2012, 5:04 PM

I think he is targetting the mountains jersey and a stage win, so no harm to shed a bit of time. Still a pity as he could well have done something on that sort of finish.

**Real ale Madrid** · 03/07/2012, 7:10 PM

According to his twitter feed Danielson has separated his shoulder and is out of the rest of the tour.

**Dodge** · 04/07/2012, 8:52 AM

Pretty mad how much resources Garmin put to Danielson. Left Ryder on his own in the lead peleton.

As above the bit of time loss may help get away on a mountain stage. Not that he won't lost 6 minutes on the titme trials...

**Macy** · 04/07/2012, 9:16 AM

Yeah, didn't understand everyone waiting with Danielson - maybe him not being the leader was a bluff to take pressure off him, which JV has done before. Having said that, Dan kinda finished in no man's land between the leaders and Danielson - not sure what happened there. He was on Ryder duty on Stage One so maybe he got caught later. I know the focus wasn't GC at all for him, but still a bit disappointed we won't truly see his potential. Hard to see him going too far into the red in the time trials now, which he might've been tempted to do if he'd still been there or thereabouts.

**Dodge** · 04/07/2012, 9:35 AM

Maybe, but I don't really want to see him bust his balls to maybe finish top ten when he can agitate in the mountains. Much prefer him chasing stages or even the polka dot (to complete the set for Ireland

)

Call it the anti-Roche move

**Mr A** · 04/07/2012, 10:35 AM

I think people are a bit harsh on Roche... going for a top ten is likely to yield more UCI points than going for stage wins, even if it's less spectacular and interesting. And it's still a big achievement in itself.

I'm pleased to see that AG2R aren't throwing guys into every single breakaway this year. Maybe this will mean they have more energy left to support Roche in the mountain stages.

**Macy** · 04/07/2012, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Maybe, but I don't really want to see him bust his balls to maybe finish top ten when he can agitate in the mountains. Much prefer him chasing stages or even the polka dot (to complete the set for Ireland

)

Well Vaughters agree's with you, rather than me, so I think he'll be 10 minutes plus down by the time the first mountains come around. I'd love to see him get a stage, and a genuine climber win the polka dot too so it'd be a great double.

Originally Posted by Mr A

I think people are a bit harsh on Roche... going for a top ten is likely to yield more UCI points than going for stage wins, even if it's less spectacular and interesting. And it's still a big achievement in itself.

I probably have more of an issue with it being his complete focus, and would like to see him more focused at other times of the year. For all that could be done better with AG2R, they can't be faulted for giving him space to try for a high grand tour finishes.

**Dodge** · 04/07/2012, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

I think people are a bit harsh on Roche... going for a top ten is likely to yield more UCI points than going for stage wins, even if it's less spectacular and interesting. And it's still a big achievement in itself.

Yeah, but I just don't think he's good enough to finish top 10. His 14th/15th a couple of years ago was a phenomenal result. The other 2 outings were low-mid 20s. Far from knocking that achievement I just think he'd be better suited trying to attck on the medium mountains. A stage win is worth the same UCI points as finshing 14th (ironically enough)

I'm pleased to see that AG2R aren't throwing guys into every single breakaway this year. Maybe this will mean they have more energy left to support Roche in the mountain stages.

Bouet was in the first one.

**Mr A** · 04/07/2012, 11:28 AM

Yeah I know, but I don't mind if they're on stages where a break might actually stick. At times the French teams can be so obsessed with camera time that they'll attack regardless of whether there's actually a chance of success... see FDJ last year or Saur this year so far, and from some of the Roche diaries in the past AG2R have thought the same way.

**Dodge** · 04/07/2012, 11:38 AM

Yeah, pays the bills and all that.

**Mr A** · 05/07/2012, 9:38 AM

Claims that 5 former team mates will admit using drugs and testify against Armstrong and receive only 6 month bans.

Vaughters has said that nobody at his team have received bans though. No one has yet commented on whether they testified.

They are George Hincapie (BMC Racing Team), the only rider who was present for every one of his seven victories, Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma Quick Step) and the Garmin-Sharp duo of Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie. The fifth individual is Garmin-Sharp manager Jonathan Vaughters.

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12...#ixzz1zju7Z1Mq

**Dodge** · 05/07/2012, 9:41 AM

Judging by Vaughters on Twitter, I'd say its pretty clear that he testified. Delighted he did too.

**Macy** · 05/07/2012, 9:51 AM

And no way the names on that list can attempt to be written off like Landis and Hamilton could either.

**Dodge** · 05/07/2012, 9:54 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

And no way the names on that list can attempt to be written off like Landis and Hamilton could either.

No, but you could see why armtrong's people would try and leak them. More pressure

**Dodge** · 05/07/2012, 10:01 AM

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/...igation_118885

vaughters statement in 2010. basically - answer the questions if you're asked them

**Macy** · 05/07/2012, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

No, but you could see why armtrong's people would try and leak them. More pressure

Ups the pressure on them, but it smacks of desperation too. Anyway, I think it's great that people are standing up for it - kind of reassuring to see Vaughters and Co follow through publicly rather than hinting.

**Dodge** · 05/07/2012, 11:13 AM

I mean ups the pressure as in, they don't need this while they're racing. Clearly a desperation move

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2012, 8:36 PM

Lazy question. I've heard no mention of Boonen or Hushovd so far. Are they both out? Boonen was on great form in the spring classics.

Also, anyone got any idea why some of the Sky helmets (e.g., Cavendish) have no ventilation holes.

What a finish today. The breakaway guys came so close. Also, interesting Millar interview on ITV4. It seems GB, US and Germany will all work together in London to make sure Cavendish, Greippel and Farrar will be able to contest the medals.