2015 'PRO' cycling discussion

[CBJ]

Sprinter vs climber there has to be some physical differences.

[hasbeen]

I think he is wearing insulated bibs and a couple of layers (prob insulated as well) on the upper body.

[Zitter]

layers and belly breathing. not seeing any rolls of fat, just a continuous belly which shows his breathing. looking at arms (arm warmer tightness on bicep) and legs shows he's pretty lean, maybe a little over which is understandable.

[kkibbler]

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/03/cooks ... ssibility/

If true, it baffles me that teams would try this. Easy to catch, no plausible deniability if caught, and so insanely damaging to the reputation of the team and the sport.

[nickl]

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/03/cookson-on-motors-in-bikes-our-information-is-that-this-is-a-very-real-possibility/

If true, it baffles me that teams would try this. Easy to catch, no plausible deniability if caught, and so insanely damaging to the reputation of the team and the sport.

Maybe it's happening below the World Tour level? I can't believe a WT team would try it, and so many people in the team would have to know about it.

[Bogan]

I don't see how you could do this at any level without getting sprung. Shit always comes out into the open sooner or later. Once more than one person knows about it, it is no longer a secret.

[xnavalav8r]

Typically military athletes, at least in the U.S., are always hampered by the fact that they have to pass active duty/fitness tests and also fulfill their work duties which impacts their ability to train, race, and travel.

You nailed it. The U.S. military does have an elite athlete program. Participation varies by service. For example, the Navy doesn't have a cycling program, but the Army and Coast Guard do. Not sure about the Air Force.

The majprity of participants in these programs are non-deployers... people whose military jobs generally keep them in one location where they work fairly routine hours. For those who deploy as part of their job it is virtually impossible to maintain adequate fitness to compete at an elite level. And even for those who are able to remain fit, it IS impossible to stick to a sport-specific training program. One can't be an elite cyclist based on 9 months of stationary bike use.

[Rob81]

different levels and strategies of doping turned out to not be a secret inside the peloton, still none was talking if not "caught". I guess there's not much difference if motorized bikes will be found: none knew but.... everyone knew. A good topic for CyclingTips "Secret Pro"?

[hasbeen]

First of all, I told ya so. Second, we are talking about Omerta here. Omerta is like the Great Wall of China, big, strong, with only little cracks here and there. If high level doping went on for many years so will this.

[djconnel]

A few days before San Remo:


In any case good to see he solved his chain-tossing problem

[HammerTime2]

Maybe the commissaire will start getting suspicious if we see guys go on monster breakaways, and then change bikes shortly before the finish line to get rid of the evidence. Or how about a hub drive motor, and then switch powered wheel before the finish line for a legal one?

That would not just include bikes at the finish. It could include bikes that were used mid-race and then put on top of team cars, etcetera.

Looks like Cookson has been reading WW.

[nathanong87]

I don't quite grasp why Wiggins hasn't been selected for the races that are key to his preparation for Roubaix. Why would Sky not select the rider that got them their first major win to race valuable prep races in the run up to his last race for the team? Its not like he is just going to sit in for 150km then dip out and go home.

Save him from crash possibilities before a major event ?

considering what happened to tornado and spartacus (just now...broken back), team sky is looking like geniuses

[Zitter]

spartacus reported to have two fractured vertebrae in his lower back =(

[CerveloBert]

Really bummed about Cancellara getting hurt actually. I was expecting some good face-off type stuff between him and Sagan this year.

[Zitter]

It's really heating up in E3!