Pro Cycling (inc Tour de France) 2008

**Bluebeard** · 24/08/2008, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Martin was still 18th in today's time trial though, so he can definitely take away a lot from this

Didn't realise it was a TT - I'm very impressed with that performance, as I would not have put him down for one!

One of the big boys at British Cycling sees him as a potential TDF winner, and "The one that they let get away". He will improve and that is a good place to start improving from.

**Bluebeard** · 26/08/2008, 2:12 PM

The Tour Of Ireland starts tomorrow. Anyone going to be able to catch it live?

I'm off to Waterford for tomorrow and Cork for Patrick's Hill on Sunday

**Dodge** · 26/08/2008, 2:55 PM

Hoping to get to see the start of it in town. Depends on work though. Other than that it'll be nightly updates on RTE

**Dodge** · 27/08/2008, 4:02 PM

First stage over. Cavendish winning. Time bonuses mean he's GC leader too

**Bluebeard** · 27/08/2008, 10:44 PM

Didn't ever think I'd be in a position to hear myself say this but "Damn football coverage!" Liverpool's inability to score has led the coverage to be half an hour late, having been an hour and a quarter late into Waterford. And I'm meant to be up early tomorrow

Good buzz down on the quay in Waterford today. I was talking to a bloke from Wiltshire who booked his family holiday to Ireland around coming to the Waterford stage - let the family know last night

Also talking to two boys who cycled down from Dublin this morning. Seven hours cycling, two hours waiting and all over in 15 seconds. Back on the train back to Dublin after, but they are threatening to cycle to Cork too for Sunday

Any good a buzz at the, eh, Grand depart?

Is it getting anywhere near yourself Macy?

**Dodge** · 27/08/2008, 11:16 PM

BTW for those who are in work (or whatever) IrishCycling.com is doing live updates for every stage

Nice diary thing from Dan martin on the Garmin team site too http://www.slipstreamsports.com/

**Macy** · 28/08/2008, 9:27 AM

Originally Posted by Bluebeard

Is it getting anywhere near yourself Macy?

I was in Roundwood for the first sprint to see Cav take it (and I have the crap An Post T shirt). They were late even at that stage. David Duffield there doing a bit of commentary as we were waiting - way younger than I thought he'd be! Although he was talking up Dan Martin as going for the King of the Mountains points as he was getting dropped off the back on the Long Hill (Sugarloaf). Not a bad crowd considering, and decent enough buzz around the place.

Did you make it to the Depart Dodge? Going from the RTE coverage not many about, looked like it would've been easy enough to meet the pro's? Probably would've headed there if that was the case.

I assume the RTE Coverage is just the same as the ITV coverage, or rather the Tour of Ireland is producing the programme and selling it? I didn't really need Imlach to tell me, unconvincingly, how great Dublin Docklands are! Recorded the ITV coverage as we were out last night, but saw the start of the RTE highlights....

Reading the report Cav didn't take the first sprint apparently, looked like he had at the time, and I thought it was on the highlights he had!

**Dodge** · 28/08/2008, 9:43 AM

Missed the start. I hate having responsibilities...

Originally Posted by Macy

I assume the RTE Coverage is just the same as the ITV coverage, or rather the Tour of Ireland is producing the programme and selling it? I didn't really need Imlach to tell me, unconvincingly, how great Dublin Docklands are! Recorded the ITV coverage as we were out last night, but saw the start of the RTE highlights....

Didn't see the ITV programme but I'd imagine it was the same. Imlach wearing a Tour of Ireland polo and no TV station logos anywhere. Apparently its been sold to a good few territories. Sherwin seemed to think (or know...) that he was commentating for a new audience. he explained about drating and the lead out for sprinters. Interview with Martin Cullen at the end, just for you macy

**Macy** · 28/08/2008, 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Interview with Martin Cullen at the end, just for you macy

Was it as bad as the awful one with Pat Carey at the start?

**Dodge** · 28/08/2008, 10:07 AM

Probably. Missed it though

**Dodge** · 28/08/2008, 2:22 PM

12.43: Daniel Martin (Garmin Chipotle) has unfortunately had to retire from the race. He has been unwell since the start; that’s disappointing for the Irish champion, who has been flying this year and wanted to perform well here.

Ah nuts...

**Bluebeard** · 29/08/2008, 12:22 AM

Cavendish again. It will be interesting to see if he can manage Connemara tomorrow. According to Cycling Weekly he's pulled out of the Tour of Britain, replaced by Kim Kirchen - that will disappoint an awful lot of folk, especially on the London stage.

Shame about Dan Martin pulling out. The interview on the highlights show was clearly uncharted territory for him - he'll need to practice! Ciaran Power making the top ten on the stage was good news though.

Originally Posted by Macy

Was it as bad as the awful one with Pat Carey at the start?

Much as I am no fan of the man, even Cullen wasn't as bad as Carey.

**Dodge** · 01/09/2008, 12:27 AM

Team Columbia ended up winning 4 of 5 stages and the overall.

In the Vuelta Roche was 11th in today's stage. He was involved in a breakaway earlier too. He seems to be finishing the season well.

Deignan is 33rd overall in the Tour of Germany

**Macy** · 01/09/2008, 9:23 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Team Columbia ended up winning 4 of 5 stages and the overall.

They just played the last stage perfectly - one up the road so Dowling's team had to at least keep it close enough, then the one two on the last lap.

Actually turned out to be a very good route - first three stages for the sprinters, but only really the last day tough enough to make people bail out.

**Dodge** · 01/09/2008, 9:25 AM

Decent route, but they could've dine without going up hills with moss in the middle of them. Few too many accidents IMO

**Macy** · 01/09/2008, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Decent route, but they could've dine without going up hills with moss in the middle of them. Few too many accidents IMO

I thought the worst bit was that ford on Saturday - you could see Cavendish going "wtf".

**Dodge** · 01/09/2008, 9:40 AM

Didn't see any of saturday's stuff...

Thank god

**pete** · 01/09/2008, 9:46 AM

Only saw a bit on TV but that production seemed to be very good. Are they selling that package to other stations? Only saw a few minutes last night but circuit in Cork city looked well & crowds fairly good.

Really shows up Irish roads for the sub standard they are. Nothing Irish cycling can do about that but does look very poor on TV.

**Dodge** · 01/09/2008, 10:01 AM

TV package was outsourced. Sold to a good few countries (Britain, Germany and France anyway)

**Macy** · 01/09/2008, 10:25 AM

What dodge said. I think ESPN as well, but not 100%. I suppose it makes sense when it's sponsored by Discover Ireland, and the tour organiser was saying they punch above their weight in terms of international TV coverage and that's important for the future. Can hardly go wrong with the team they had though.

As for the roads, it's either go for flat stages or go over back roads for hills/mountains. The fact is most of the roads up our big hills are nothing more than local access or to TV masts.