Cycling 2016

[Mr A]

Starts off on a bit of a downer as Martyn Irvine retires: http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-n...tering-career/

Still though, could be a big year as the Olympic course suits Dan Martin, and he'll have better support with Etixx Quickstep. Hard to know what Roche will be like- Porte no longer there but Landa will probably be leader when Froome isn't. Bennett to push on and Mullen to gain vital experience in the big league. Brammeier will be looking for the occasional break but mostly on leadout duties.

[Dodge]

Should mention Deignan starts the year with a should injury

Also 2016 is the start of a new world ranking in cycling that will incorporate all riders and teams. Good news for Sam Bennett

[Mr A]

Dang it, I knew I was missing someone and it was the Donegal man! Great to have so many Irish riders at a high level that it's even a possibility though.

[Mr A]

Martin interview: https://t.co/GQo3chE0Le

[Mr A]

Piece on Mullen: http://cyclingtips.com/2016/01/faces...t-ryan-mullen/

[Mr A]

Piece on Bennett (via twitter): https://twitter.com/IrishTimes/statu...20476552736768

[Dodge]

First win of the year for Dan Martin

[Mr A]

Already had seen the result and still expected him to crash at the last corner.

[Real ale Madrid]

Dan Martin wins stage 3 of the Volta a Catylunya and with it takes the overall lead - made a late break over the final climb to leave the likes of Contador, Bardet, Van Gardereren, Porte, Quintana, Froome and Uran all behind him in the top 10. Has a six second GC lead over Contador.

[Dodge]

2nd win of the year...

[bennocelt]

Dan Martin doing well at the moment, 19 seconds behind Froome........ Wonder can he mantain it over another week?

[the 12 th man]

Dan Martin doing well at the moment, 19 seconds behind Froome........ Wonder can he mantain it over another week?

Hope I'm not jinxing but I thought he looked strong today so I'm saying he will.

[bennocelt]

Put a few quid on Dan at 40/1 for patriotic reasons

Anyway that was mad, never seen a yellow jersey running up a hill. Something has to be done about the crowds, getting ridiculous at this stage.

[BonnieShels]

Listening to Ger Gilroy interviewing Lance right now on OTB. It's mental. Proper mental.

Here it is: http://www.newstalk.com/player/embed...cast&id=160980

well worth a listen.

[passinginterest]

Off work 'prepping' for an interview tomorrow, just caught Sam Bennet winning a sprint on Paris-Nice. Put a bike length into pretty much all the top sprinters, very impressive.

[KrisLetang]

Drone causes cyclist to wreck during race:

http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/stor...ke-race-050817

[BonnieShels]

How did that happen? You can see the drone go through and then he flips?

[nigel-harps1954]

Managed to catch An Post Rás going through Ballybofey there. Incredible speed and small crowd that gathered gave them a great reception.

Had never seen anything like it in person and it was phenomenal.

[BonnieShels]

Managed to catch An Post Rás going through Ballybofey there. Incredible speed and small crowd that gathered gave them a great reception.

Had never seen anything like it in person and it was phenomenal.

I've never seen the Rás but I did see Le Tour 98 as it passed me by on the Naas Road/Kylemore Road junction and the speed at which they traveled taking that corner was absolutely immense. Unbelievable as you say! Great to see them take a turn.