Author Topic: cycling in 2018 & beyond (Read 48580 times)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #525 on:** September 08, 2025, 06:05:16 pm »

What's going on at the Vuelta regarding protests about the participation of one of the teams is worth discussing, but I'm posting it in Politics.

The race itself has been terrific. A close GC battle between Vingegaard and Almeida, a close best young rider competition, close competition for the 3rd podium spot, great rides by Mads Pederson for placing, and the absolute silliness of UAE winning stages with so many different riders even with Almeida going for GC.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #526 on:** October 20, 2025, 10:45:39 am »

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-training/former-giro-winner-dumoulin-runs-debut-marathon-stupid-fast/

Tom Dumoulin was one of the first cyclists who I followed. He's been retired from cycling for at couple of years, at least. He just ran a sub-2:30 Amsterdam Marathon in his first Marathon attempt.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #527 on:** March 25, 2026, 07:31:03 pm »

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/climate-protester-provokes-mass-crash-at-ronde-van-brugge/

Climate protester gets onto course in Belgium, sits in the middle of a narrow cobblestone path as the riders approach, gets off the course just before riders get on him, but so late that many riders fall and the race leader has to withdraw because of an injury.

I get using the visibility of an event to show your cause, but at the point it puts athletes in danger, it's too much. Same thing as the Vuelta last year with course incursions, at least one crash in a breakaway, interruptions of the time trial, and several stages shortened, including the final stage in Madrid.

blue911 · « **Reply #528 on:** March 26, 2026, 08:21:19 am »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on March 25, 2026, 07:31:03 pm

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/climate-protester-provokes-mass-crash-at-ronde-van-brugge/

Climate protester gets onto course in Belgium, sits in the middle of a narrow cobblestone path as the riders approach, gets off the course just before riders get on him, but so late that many riders fall and the race leader has to withdraw because of an injury.

I get using the visibility of an event to show your cause, but at the point it puts athletes in danger, it's too much. Same thing as the Vuelta last year with course incursions, at least one crash in a breakaway, interruptions of the time trial, and several stages shortened, including the final stage in Madrid.

Were they protesting all the pollutants that bicyclists produce?

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #529 on:** March 26, 2026, 09:01:59 am »

Quote from: blue911 on March 26, 2026, 08:21:19 am

Were they protesting all the pollutants that bicyclists produce?

Dude couldn't get onto a Formula One track

blue911 · « **Reply #530 on:** March 26, 2026, 09:20:14 am »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on March 26, 2026, 09:01:59 am

Dude couldn't get onto a Formula One track

Damn shame

varoadking · « **Reply #531 on:** March 26, 2026, 06:15:08 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on March 25, 2026, 07:31:03 pm

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/climate-protester-provokes-mass-crash-at-ronde-van-brugge/

Climate protester gets onto course in Belgium, sits in the middle of a narrow cobblestone path as the riders approach, gets off the course just before riders get on him, but so late that many riders fall and the race leader has to withdraw because of an injury.

Dumbass...

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #532 on:** March 31, 2026, 08:56:29 am »

That's about as serious a crime as can possibly be committed in Belgium. The castle in Ghent has medieval torture devices that have not been used in 500 years that may need to be put back into service.

Good background in today's NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7160379/2026/04/01/belgian-cycling-superfans-tour-of-flanders/

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #533 on:** April 12, 2026, 10:32:47 am »

Paris Roubaix is worth a watch. 24 hour embargo on results discussion. I think I may re-watch it another time or two.

English Natsie · « **Reply #534 on:** April 13, 2026, 08:16:12 am »

A good read...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/cx2vld6yl3no

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #535 on:** April 13, 2026, 08:54:26 am »

I'm still rewatching it. I skipped most of the 1st hour and a half, caught a bit of the action, then fast forwarded about an hour to around sector 24. Watched through sector 19 (5 star forest of Arrenburg), then plan to watch up to where I caught it live.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #536 on:** April 15, 2026, 11:02:11 am »

Paris-Roubaix Femmes had a great finale...also some insane wrecks, bodies strewn around like it was 1918

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #537 on:** July 04, 2026, 10:17:52 am »

TdF starts this afternoon. Team time trial stage 1. Netcompany-Ineos is at 12:15 EDt / 18:15 CET, while the big teams are over the next 45 minutes. 6 Americans -Kuss and Jorgenson for V-LAB, McNulty for UAE, Riccitello for Decathalon, Quinn Simmons for Lidl-Trek, and Sean Quinn for EF. Would be cool if Jorgenson or McNulty grabbed the first yellow on 7/4. In an old team time trial format, I could see Tadej gifting 1st over the line to McNulty, but with each rider getting his own time, it's probably going to be a scramble by the GC leaders up to the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.

English Natsie · « **Reply #538 on:** July 04, 2026, 06:08:06 pm »

ICYMI - Froomey announced his retirement from pro cycling earlier in the week. Never the same after his first serious crash - the second has brought down the curtain. A mixed record - four times TdF winner, but always with the 'medical exemption' shadow overhead. Also seems to have had a 'difficult' (read 'childish and petulant') personality for all those around him...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #539 on:** July 04, 2026, 09:13:45 pm »

Quote from: English Natsie on July 04, 2026, 06:08:06 pm

ICYMI - Froomey announced his retirement from pro cycling earlier in the week. Never the same after his first serious crash - the second has brought down the curtain. A mixed record - four times TdF winner, but always with the 'medical exemption' shadow overhead. Also seems to have had a 'difficult' (read 'childish and petulant') personality for all those around him...

my favorite move was when he and Sagan broke away on descent in maybe the 2017 tour. In the super tuck on the tube of the bike. Of course, there was also the Mount Ventoux sprint.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #540 on:** July 06, 2026, 09:50:15 am »

That was...something

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on July 04, 2026, 09:13:45 pm

there was also the Mount Ventoux sprint.

English Natsie · « **Reply #541 on:** July 08, 2026, 09:28:30 am »

Early days, but the general view, across the cycling punditry, is that it looks pretty ominous how easily Pog could open up a gap on JV, at the stage ends.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #542 on:** July 08, 2026, 11:02:25 am »

Quote from: English Natsie on July 08, 2026, 09:28:30 am

Early days, but the general view, across the cycling punditry, is that it looks pretty ominous how easily Pog could open up a gap on JV, at the stage ends.

JV is never going to beat him on sprint flat or uphill. Only shot is to lose him on a long climb. I don't think that can happen. If you know American horse racing, Pog is Affirmed and JV is Alydar. On the bright side for JV, Alydar was the better stud.

TBH, Pog withdraws tomorrow, I think Del Toro wins given the strength of UAE. McNulty is quality, Yates still climbs well, GroBschartner is darn good, and Politt / Wellens do their jobs well. I like V-LAB's support but Kuss isn't a match for Del Toro. I don't think Jorgenson is as good of a climber as McNulty, either. Pignazoli is terrific (maybe better than Yates at this point), Campenaerts is super for flats and pulling before the high mountains. Afffini is good, but I wonder about Amirail after his crash.

Let's see whether Red Bull or Seixas can find a way to play.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #543 on:** July 08, 2026, 11:06:39 am »

This race is probably all about the subplots. Green & polka dots. Alpe d'Huez, etc.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #544 on:** July 08, 2026, 11:10:12 am »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on July 08, 2026, 11:06:39 am

This race is probably all about the subplots. Green & polka dots. Alpe d'Huez, etc.

I think Lidl -Trek wins a number of stages. I like Pederson for green, and Quinn Simmons is due for a stage. I've always liked Skjelmose, too.

English Natsie · « **Reply #545 on:** July 08, 2026, 01:53:11 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on July 08, 2026, 11:10:12 am

I think Lidl -Trek wins a number of stages.

Aren't they available at discounted prices?...

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #546 on:** July 08, 2026, 02:33:13 pm »

Bodegas around here resell Lidl stuff at a markup, which saves me the Trek out to the suburbs where the big stores are. At this Stage I'd say that's a win.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #547 on:** July 08, 2026, 02:47:07 pm »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on July 08, 2026, 02:33:13 pm

Bodegas around here resell Lidl stuff at a markup, which saves me the Trek out to the suburbs where the big stores are. At this Stage I'd say that's a win.

a grand tour of the 'burbs is sometimes worth it.

English Natsie · « **Reply #548 on:** July 10, 2026, 07:43:38 pm »

One of the great rides of Tour history. Quite a while since the Tour has (effectively) been won before the end of the first week. JV looked physically and psychologically crushed. Most noticable was the post-stage reaction - everyone else looked dead on their bikes, while Pog looked like he'd just ridden around the block. JV has received plaudits for the honesty of his post-stage interviews, where he conceded in all but name. It's going to take something really out of left-field to stop Pog now...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #549 on:** July 10, 2026, 08:31:53 pm »

Last year it was pretty over early, too. Pyrenees really suit Pog's explosiveness