"PRO" Cycling Discussion

[stella-azzurra]

Because he won't even show up

...

[dereksmalls]

Could another perfect-storm scenario exist for Paris-Roubaix? Maybe.

The answer's a categorical NO. Ultimately, the strongest rider on the day wins at Roubaix because it's the one race where team tactics play very little part in the outcome. Wiggins, no. He's not a classics rider.

Was Van Summeran the strongest when he won? I doubt it, but tactics played a big part. At least Wiggins has raced P-R before and not done too badly.

[KB]

One of the few times you could say it was tactical when Van Summeren won? Yes, maybe, but not for the usual reasons. Cancellara was the strongest that day, but refused to tow Hushovd along. That's when Van Summeren disappeared up the road. Then we had Hushovd whinging about the others when he only had himself to blame. He deserved what he got, nothing.

As for Wiggins winning. I'll give a 100 pounds to charity if he wins P-R. I just can't see it.

[ultyguy]

Probably the biggest reason Wiggo won't win P-R is that there's no one else in his team who has the firepower in the classics to make anyone think twice. Sky's pathetic attempt to pull back Boonen last year was a joke SKY

edit- I will say that I was watching the 2011 RVV highlights the other day while on the rollers and Thomas rode super strong (obv absent last season in the classics). Will be interesting to see how he gets on this year.

[HammerTime2]

As for Wiggins winning. I'll give a 100 pounds to charity if he wins P-R.

To the Lance Armstrong Foundation (a.k.a. Livestrong), heh, heh?

[devinci]

and now Bobby Jullich admits to using EPO... wowzer

[HammerTime2]

Following the doping scandal of the 1998 Tour, only 96 of 189 riders completed the race, and Bobby Julich finished third on the podium with winner Marco Pantani and runner-up Jan Ullrich. It became clear later that Julich was the highest placed rider not using performance enhancing drugs during the 1998 race and is thus the de facto if not the official winner.

I made the decision to use EPO several times from August 1996 until July of 1998.

Yes, such clarity of Julich being the highest placed rider not using performance enhancing drugs during the 1998 TdF.

Edit: As of the time of my quoting from the Wikipedia page, there was mention of Julich's doping confession and sacking by Sky. Now the Wikipedia page has been changed to eliminate the sentence "It became clear later that Julich was the highest placed rider not using performance enhancing drugs during the 1998 race and is thus the de facto if not the official winner." So I guess even later it became clear that that was not the case.

[ultyguy]

And now SKY won't fire him because he's a huge reason why Porte, Drombowski and co have come to SKY....and Brailsford 'softens' his stance.

[geraldatwork]

And now SKY won't fire him because he's a huge reason why Porte, Drombowski and co have come to SKY....and Brailsford 'softens' his stance.

Looks like they have made him resign. If true I think it is counter productive as it will discourage others from coming forward.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/exclusi ... confession

[HammerTime2]

And now SKY won't fire him because he's a huge reason why Porte, Drombowski and co have come to SKY....and Brailsford 'softens' his stance.

What is the source for your statement?

Team Sky can confirm that Bobby Julich has left the team after two seasons as Race Coach.

[Kjetil]

Interesting what Julich says about his time at Bjarne's gig. Riis is a smart man. Why didn't YOU think of utsourcing, Johan?

[KWalker]

And now SKY won't fire him because he's a huge reason why Porte, Drombowski and co have come to SKY....and Brailsford 'softens' his stance.

I'd eliminate one of those names if you want to be accurate, and its not the Tasmanian's

[stella-azzurra]

At this rate no one will be working at Sky.

A lot of spots opening up and some of you arm chair director sportifs might want to send in your resume.

[prendrefeu]

That being said, what happened before the 2006 Tour de France changed my outlook into what we all thought we were buying into when we joined that team.

Can someone remind me what happened before the 2006 TdF related to CSC?

Thanks.

[stella-azzurra]

Open Letter: LeMond demands McQuaid's resignation

Can anyone help me out? I know this sounds kind of lame but I am not well versed in social marketing. I would like to send a message to everyone that really loves cycling. I do not use twitter and do not have an organized way of getting some of my own "rage" out. I want to tell the world of cycling to please join me in telling Pat McQuaid to resign. I have never seen such an abuse of power in cycling's history- resign Pat if you love cycling. Resign even if you hate the sport.
Pat McQuaid, you know dam well what has been going on in cycling, and if you want to deny it, then even more reasons why those who love cycling need to demand that you resign.
I have a file with what I believe is well documented proof that will exonerate Paul.
Pat in my opinion you and Hein are the corrupt part of the sport. I do not want to include everyone at the UCI because I believe that there are many, maybe most that work at the UCI that are dedicated to cycling, they do it out of the love of the sport, but you and your buddy Hein have destroyed the sport.
Pat, I thought you loved cycling? At one time you did and if you did love cycling please dig deep inside and remember that part of your life- allow cycling to grow and flourish- please! It is time to walk away. Walk away if you love cycling.
As a reminder I just want to point out that you recently you accused me of being the cause of USADA's investigation against Lance Armstrong. Why would you be inclined to go straight to me as the "cause"? Why shoot the messenger every time?
Every time you do this I get more and more entrenched. I was in your country over the last two weeks and I asked someone that knows you if you were someone that could be rehabilitated. His answer was very quick and it was not good for you. No was the answer, no, no , no!
The problem for sport is not drugs but corruption. You are the epitome of the word corruption.
You can read all about Webster's definition of corruption. If you want I can re-post my attorney's response to your letter where you threaten to sue me for calling the UCI corrupt. FYI I want to officially reiterate to you and Hien that in my opinion the two of your represent the essence of corruption.
I would encourage anyone that loves cycling to donate and support Paul in his fight against the Pat and Hein and the UCI. Skip lunch and donate the amount that you would have spent towards that Sunday buffet towards changing the sport of cycling.
I donated money for Paul's defense, and I am willing to donate a lot more, but I would like to use it to lobby for dramatic change in cycling. The sport does not need Pat McQuaid or Hein Verbruggen- if this sport is going to change it is now. Not next year, not down the road, now! Now or never!
People that really care about cycling have the power to change cycling- change it now by voicing your thought and donating money towards Paul Kimmage's defense, ( Paul, I want to encourage you to not spend the money that has been donated to your defense fund on defending yourself in Switzerland. In my case, a USA citizen, I could care less if I lost the UCI's bogus lawsuit. Use the money to lobby for real change).
If people really want to clean the sport of cycling up all you have to do is put your money where your mouth is.
Don't buy a USA Cycling license. Give up racing for a year, just long enough to put the UCI and USA cycling out of business. We can then start from scratch and let the real lovers in cycling direct where and how the sport of cycling will go.
Please make a difference.
Greg