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Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Titleist said:
I think it was 9 plus bonus to Val and 12 plus bonus to AC and Froome. Too bad that AC mis-timed his attack that would have been good. I didn't think Froome looked good today and even Val commented on it that when he passed him (Froome) he looked tired.
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I wouldn't read too much into to. It's an off day tomorrow and we all know they will "recuperate" to the best of what biology has to offer. I'm having a hard time finding a villain amongst the big four. I guess I'd prefer Valverde to lose in an excruciatingly painful way, but nobody else seems to hate him so I'm probably out of line.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

No, I can certainly understand the dislike of Valverde. I dislike Froome based on his team, plus the way he keeps looking down at the Power meter on the top of his bike, every 2 seconds. And though recovery is likely, even probable, Froome did just ride the Tour and has been leading out sprints for the disappointing Swift. Granted Val rode Le Tour but I think except for his stage win, he soft pedelled after the Metz incident.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Titleist said:
I don't believe that it works that way in cycling. The Conti and Pro Conti teams actually are notorious for testing less and all the cyclist are trying to move up to the top level so their lack of serious testing gives even the less talented riders incentive to move up. A(n) (in)famous cyclist once made a quip about dope turning "donkeys into thoroughbreds." And this often occurs at the lower levels. The top level teams are required to at least give lip service to anti-doping and riders are required to sign contracts that provide financial penalties. Additioanlly teams gain no points scored by riders returning from a doping suspension at the top level (Contador's Saxo-Tinkoff team for instance is in trouble despite having the best rider available as he can't score any points for them for 2 years. Without a new sponser it was possible that the team may get sent to the Pro Continental level.) The same cannot be said of the lower level teams. Ceramica-Panaria was a lower level team that suddenly took over a Giro a few years ago, unsurprisingly at least 2 of their riders just as suddenly got caught.

A notorious doper recently won the Tour of Turkey (I think) and was completely unrepentant in his speaking about doping. He got the ride for is small team and shockingly got caught against. Similarly on of cycling's poster children for doping Riccardo Ricco came up with a reputation as being enhanced, road for a smallish team, got caught and banned, came back, got caught, retired to avoid a ban, came back again and gave himself such a bad do-it-youself transfusion ended up in the hospital, retired again, then tried to come back (again!) befire finally being banned/forcibly retired. Doping in cycling exists at all levels.

The problem lies in how easy it is to dope and not get caught and the UCI.

EDIT: Say this this evening and thought it was kind of funny: True winners of the Tour
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My comments on how widespread things are wasn't specifically talking about different levels of cycling, but sports in general. Some kids may be doing steroids in high school (really no maybe), but there isn't the same level of incentive (big $$$) to cheat as there is if you're a pro football or baseball player or something similar.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Bob Gray said:
My comments on how widespread things are wasn't specifically talking about different levels of cycling, but sports in general. Some kids may be doing steroids in high school (really no maybe), but there isn't the same level of incentive (big $$$) to cheat as there is if you're a pro football or baseball player or something similar.
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Or, also in D-III vs D-I. In HS, a lot of kids probably think they can still make it to D-I, but for D-III players, they pretty much know that it's just a hobby.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

LynahFan said:
Or, also in D-III vs D-I. In HS, a lot of kids probably think they can still make it to D-I, but for D-III players, they pretty much know that it's just a hobby.
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Agreed. It's when the possibility of big $$$ comes in that the motivation to cheat increases significantly.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Another sign the Mayans are right? Purito comes 7th against the clock! Froome far from alien and AC looking good. I've got a feeling we might end up with it being Purito v. AC for the victory.

Also interesting. Gesink killing the flat parts of the route and losing time (and losing a lot of time) going up hill.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Titleist said:
Another sign the Mayans are right? Purito comes 7th against the clock! Froome far from alien and AC looking good. I've got a feeling we might end up with it being Purito v. AC for the victory.

Also interesting. Gesink killing the flat parts of the route and losing time (and losing a lot of time) going up hill.
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Well, now that I'm finally caught up on the stages perhaps I can actually contribute something. I think that was about as strong of a TT as Rodriguez could have hoped for. He didn't lose the race...not even close. Heading in I think no one would have contended that this result wouldn't be a very good one for him, so consider me onboard with your AC v Purito take. Question then is...who's it going to be? Tough call and I can't make up my mind, but I definitely see merit in an argument for either.

Now, since I'm just getting back into this after many, many years away, what's everyone's take on Froome? Aside from not trucking everyone (sans Wiggins) in the TT like he has the rest of the year, he didn't even look comfortable. On top of that, it was somewhat refreshing to see him suck some exhaust for a change at the end of stage 8. Considering the stage profiles looming, I find it awfully hard to believe he has much of a chance to win this thing -- no matter how hard Sky might try to drive things at the front (nice sandbag by Uran in the TT today, btw :p). Thus, what I'm getting at is whether it's 1. At this point in his career, he's just not good enough to win on a route like this or 2. His form is on a downward spiral after perhaps peaking for the TDF?

Anyway, love the look of some of these stages that loom and continue to believe the layout of this route has made and will continue to make this the most entertain grand tour of the year...and it's not even close.

Unrelated to all that, don't be surprised if some USADA info comes out on Thursday. I'm somewhat hesistant to post it as it's unfortunate that such topics seem to be what it takes to get everyone "interested," but I think I've formulated a pretty all-encompassing and fair take on the whole thing and will post if I ever have the time to break it all down...just to get it out of the way. Not directly related, it's been rather amusing to see all sorts of media pop in with their "insight" on this when they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about...
 
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Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Fun stage today. The climb was brutal! Of course Purito wins but AC huge in till the end. I've got to believe that he is simply waiting for the big climbs this weekend.

As for Froome, based on the last 3 stages I think the Tour is really weighing on his legs. Plus this Vuelta has been a totally different animal than last years or this year's Tour. You've got AC attacking 7 times on a climb, constant changes in pace, it has been really hot, virtually every stage has a climb that has been raced, not simply soft-pedaled over, and he seems to be helping Swift sprint for 9th. My view of Froome is that he is a better version of Wiggans. He can climb better and TT fairly well, but he is a tempo climber not one who is a pure climber like AC.

Anyway, it really looks like AC v. Purito with Val hanging around. Also nice to see Gesink come 4th on the climb today, it really doesn't suit him.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

So I've had so little free time, I haven't even been following the Vuelta. Figured I could sign up with Universal before it ended, and catch up. But no, I can't, because my cable provider doesn't carry Universal. Why do they have to keepmessing around with the way they do things?

Anyway, i gotta add my Velogames team, to USCHO, as I have a feeling after going to Velogames I may be kicking some serious azz.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Does anyone have any ownership experience, or some riding experience with elliptical bikes? I'm looking for something more low impact due to some physical issues and limitations. Interested in any riding or product info from those with experience on an elliptical. Thanks!
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Titleist said:
Well you can certainly have AC, Purito, and Valverde on your team...

If it helps, you can catch up on most of the important moments of the Vuelta by looking for the stages here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/cyclingvids#video=xqfspr
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I have 4 in the top 10 and until recently wore the Lanterne Rouge that's what I get for picking Montcoutie :( Is there another time trial left? if not i gotta feel Rodriquez has a shot at beating out AC and Alejandro.
 
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Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

No more TTs but two Giro-level crazy mountain stages left. I think AC wins it on Bola in stage 20.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Purito hangs tough and picks up another 6 seconds on AC Froome falls out of the top 10. Andrew Talansky holding on in the 7th spot.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Man is Purito strong! And a slight correction, Froome still top 10, top 5 I think, but he did lose 5 minutes on Cataldo 2 or 3 on AC and Purito. Out of top 10 on the stage.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

Contador if he doesn't get caught doping, will win another 4-6 grand tours. This is time for PURITO! He will never get another shot. Let's go Purito!
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

sagard said:
Contador if he doesn't get caught doping, will win another 4-6 grand tours. This is time for PURITO! He will never get another shot. Let's go Purito!
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Barring unexpected catastrophe (crash, etc.) I don't think he has much to worry about. Love or hate Contador, you have to admit that the guy is entertaining and rather fearless...but he's done everything in his power to drop Purito and he hasn't come meaningfully close. With (I think) just one more killer stage to go and considering how strong Purito has looked, I can't imagine what Contador could possibly do to shake him. Interesting aspect here is that if you take out the time bonuses it's a completely different race. Note, that's not a complaint but it does illustrate how valuable Purito's finishing power has been. Could very well be all the difference he needs. An ITT that was really suited to him doesn't hurt much, either.
 
Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

As previously explained I'm still getting caught up on the greater cycling world, but in the name of discussion:

Who is the US's best future GT contender, and why?

1. Van Garderen
2. Dombrowski
3. Talansky
4. Bottle (just kidding)

Seems Tejay is the best as of today, but I don't know enough to project over the next decade. Just curious...
 
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Re: Your 2012 Cycling Thread

XYZ said:
Barring unexpected catastrophe (crash, etc.) I don't think he has much to worry about. Love or hate Contador, you have to admit that the guy is entertaining and rather fearless...but he's done everything in his power to drop Purito and he hasn't come meaningfully close. With (I think) just one more killer stage to go and considering how strong Purito has looked, I can't imagine what Contador could possibly do to shake him. Interesting aspect here is that if you take out the time bonuses it's a completely different race. Note, that's not a complaint but it does illustrate how valuable Purito's finishing power has been. Could very well be all the difference he needs. An ITT that was really suited to him doesn't hurt much, either.
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If you take out the time trial it's a lot different race as well. Truthfully this race has it perfect. Winning/2nd/3rd on a stage should get you a little more than just the distance. It places value on the guys who can finish a stage. Contador's timing has been off. He can make gaps, but beautifully can't make them stick. He used to be able to just blow everyone away, now it is much more fun.
 
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