2024 Pro thread

[spud]

As I remember the Papp case years ago, some racers, including a local Master's racer, were told "we know about what you've been doing - give us evidence, and we won't release your name. But no racing for you for a year...". So basically, they spared them the ignominy in return for evidence, and the punishment was forced retirement. Maybe not so satisfying for the guys he beat that never knew about it, but at least some justice was served. As for not trusting the USADA, sure you can feel that way, but they also brought down Armstrong, which has to count for something. I'm sure you also feel the same way about team GB, what with Dr. Freeman ordering testosterone patches, TUEs for asthma meds etc.

[Lina]

USADA didn't bring down Armstrong. He brought himself down by being such an asshole to everyone around him.

[maquisard]

As for not trusting the USADA, sure you can feel that way, but they also brought down Armstrong, which has to count for something. I'm sure you also feel the same way about team GB, what with Dr. Freeman ordering testosterone patches, TUEs for asthma meds etc.

Both USADA and UKAD are equal in enabling doping in my eyes. It is all about the optics of creating the illusion that only the Russians and Chinese dope.

[Mr.Gib]

As for not trusting the USADA, sure you can feel that way, but they also brought down Armstrong, which has to count for something. I'm sure you also feel the same way about team GB, what with Dr. Freeman ordering testosterone patches, TUEs for asthma meds etc.

Both USADA and UKAD are equal in enabling doping in my eyes. It is all about the optics of creating the illusion that only the Russians and Chinese dope.

Yes, but shouldn't a very big distinction be made between the negligence, or even willful blindness of an administrative or sporting body, and state sponsored and supported cheating?

[LouisN]

Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift starting tomorrow !
SD Works strong but without Reusser and Kopecky.
I think we'll see lots of action !

Louis

[EtoDemerzel]

Vollering has a good chance, strong team and hard to pick someone that can take her unless she cracks in a mountain stage.

Can't wait to see Faulkner on that amazing gold stars and stripes Lab71! I'm sure she's gunning for the tt win.

I think Grace Brown and Faulkner are going to breakaway for a stage win. That would be awesome.

The sprints look more like a battle royale. Wiebes, Kool,Balsamo, Vos, Perscico - plus some motors in those teams, it's going to be some fast finishes

[BenSiskri]

WADA (and UKAD aren't much better) are unfit for purpose; Lizzy Banks and Matthias Flueckiger can attest to that; Lizzy's blog is an eye opener.

[maquisard]

Roglic is doing the Vuelta - the race became a little more interesting again.

[kbbpll]

Bike ride for Magnus White held in Boulder
https://www.9news.com/article/entertain ... 5b9155e25d
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o22A_dBxu0

I was pretty moved by this and thought I'd share. 4000 riders from 50 states and 20 countries. For those not familiar, Magnus, 17, was training for the junior world championships when he was struck and killed by a car a year ago.

[Mr.Gib]

The sprints look more like a battle royale. Wiebes, Kool,Balsamo, Vos, Perscico - plus some motors in those teams, it's going to be some fast finishes

I think Wiebes is a notch above in a flat sprint. The others will need some luck to beat her... which they got today. Balsamo seems to be sitting a long time and then opening up very late. I don't think she can beat Wiebes or Kool this year. Likely dealing with lingering effects of having her face bashed in two years in a row, and having her hand held together with metal plates and screws. Shame, as I think she's the only one who on a good day has the speed to beat Wiebes.This years' crash has no doubt cost her some form. But damn she's tough.

[tymon_tm]

Thibau Nys wins a stage in every WT race he enters this season, and he's got the Tour of Hungary under his belt too. this kid is on fire

[TobinHatesYou]

Still can’t believe Tashkent City Women was allowed to participate in the TdFF when 1/3rd of their allowed 2023 UCI points came from the Uzbek National Championship road races which were totally a real event that actually happened... That four of their members DNFed on a pan flat stage 1 is mind boggling.

Lifeplus-Wahoo, VolkerWessels, etc. deserved better than this.

[MichaelK]

Still can’t believe Tashkent City Women was allowed to participate in the TdFF when 1/3rd of their allowed 2023 UCI points came from the Uzbek National Championship road races which were totally a real event that actually happened... That four of their members DNFed on a pan flat stage 1 is mind boggling.

Lifeplus-Wahoo, VolkerWessels, etc. deserved better than this.

I don't really follow women's cycling (I know, I know) but I actually looked up this team this morning. I was looking at male vs female riders that rode in the 2012 Olympic RR that were still riding Pro today. The podium way back in 2012 was Vos, Deignan and Zabelinskaya.

Uzbek NCs looks like the biggest joke race ever.

[EtoDemerzel]

The sprints look more like a battle royale. Wiebes, Kool,Balsamo, Vos, Perscico - plus some motors in those teams, it's going to be some fast finishes

I think Wiebes is a notch above in a flat sprint. The others will need some luck to beat her... which they got today. Balsamo seems to be sitting a long time and then opening up very late. I don't think she can beat Wiebes or Kool this year. Likely dealing with lingering effects of having her face bashed in two years in a row, and having her hand held together with metal plates and screws. Shame, as I think she's the only one who on a good day has the speed to beat Wiebes.This years' crash has no doubt cost her some form. But damn she's tough.

Naw, Kool just smoked Wiebes heads up.
The fights are awesome. The last k's on these sprint stages are monster fights.

[LouisN]

Still can’t believe Tashkent City Women was allowed to participate in the TdFF when 1/3rd of their allowed 2023 UCI points came from the Uzbek National Championship road races which were totally a real event that actually happened... That four of their members DNFed on a pan flat stage 1 is mind boggling.

Lifeplus-Wahoo, VolkerWessels, etc. deserved better than this.

+1 !!
Wiebes, just like Vollering, will be less dominant with the absence of Reusser and Kopecky.
Makes for a more leveled field and better show.
Louis