The Peloton
For observations and comments on the Pro scene.
Race Results 2019 - Men
| Event | First | Second | Third | Forth | Fifth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omloop Het Nieublad Elite | Stybar | van Avermaet | Wellens | Lutsenko | Teuns |
| Kuurne Brussels Kuurne | Jungles | Doull | Terpstra | Groenewegen | Lampaert |
| Strade Bianche | Alaphilippe | Fuglsang | van Aert | Stybar | Benoot |
| Paris - Nice (8d) | Bernal | Quintana | Kwiatkowski | Haig | Bardet |
| Tirreno Adriatico (7d) | Roglic | A Yates | Fuglsang | Dumoulin | Pinot |
| Milan San Remo | Alaphilippe | Naesen | Kwiatkowski | Sagan | Mohoric |
| Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (7d) | Lopez | Yates | Bernal | Quintana | Kruijswijk |
| E3 Harelbeke | Stybar | van Aert | van Avermaet | Bettiol | Jungels |
| Gent - Wevelgem | Kristoff | Degenkolb | Naesen | van der Poel | van Poppel |
| Tour of Flanders | Bettiol | Asgreen | Kristoff | van der Poel | Politt |
| Paris-Roubaix | Gilbert | Pollit | Lampaert | Vanmarke | Sagan |
| Amstel Gold Race | |||||
| La Fleche Wallonne | |||||
| Liege - Bastogne - Liege | |||||
| Tour de Romandie | |||||
| Giro d'Italia | |||||
| Criterium du Dauphine | |||||
| Tour de Suisse | |||||
| Le Tour de France | |||||
| Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian | |||||
| Vuelta a Espana | |||||
| Tour of Britain | |||||
| Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal | |||||
| UCI Road World Championships | |||||
| Giro di Lombardia |
Race Results 2019 - Women
| Event | First | Second | Third | Forth | Fifth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omloop het Nieuwsblad | Blaak | Bastianelli | van den Bos | van Vleuten | Ryan |
| Strade Bianche | van Vleuten | Langvad | Niewiadoma | Bastianelli | Ludwig |
| Ronde van Drenthe | Bastianelli | Blaak | van Dijk | Pieters | Kopecky |
| Trofeo Alfredo Binda Women | Vos | Spratt | Ludwig | Chursina | Cecchini |
| Driedaagse Brugge - de Panne Women | Wild | Wiebers | Kopecky | Lepisto | Anderson |
| Gent-Wevelgem | Wild | Wiebes | Paternoster | Bastianelli | Pieters |
| Tour of Flanders | Bastianelli | van Vleuten | Ludwik | Bertizzolo | van Dijk |
| Amstel Gold Race | |||||
| La Fleche Wallonne | |||||
| Liege-Bastogne-Liege Femmes | |||||
| OVO Energy Women's Tour | |||||
| Giro d'Italia Internazionale Femminile | |||||
| La Course by Le Tour de France Women | |||||
| GP de Plouay | |||||
| UCI Road World Championships |
Anti-doping samples from 2017 Tour de France retested in light of Operation Aderlass information
In spite of myself I watched the he new ESPN 30 for 30. It was the story of some cyclist, whose name escapes me, from Texas.
Did anyone else feel the need to watch this “documentary?” If so, I would love to know the impressions of anyone who, like me, couldn’t look away from this train wreck.
I hope everyone is safe, well, and able to ride outdoors, albeit with appropriate social distancing.
I found it surprisingly easy to find something better to do!
Oh and yes we’ve been able to ride outdoors all through this, so far. Interestingly though, I have been limiting my mileage per ride but now we are able to take unlimited exercise so stepped back up a bit. I seem to have discovered a couple of things 1) I’m now optimised for 50Km, 80Km seems a long way 2) 80Km with no cafe stop (they are all still shut) makes it even further!
I am glad that you found something better to do on Sunday. I planned on avoiding the show but my morbid curiosity got the better of me. I know what you mean about riding. My last real weekend of riding included a total of 219.8 KM with 2,715 vertical meters of climbing. For me at least that is pretty good form for mid-March. This past weekend I did my longest ride since that weekend. The 65.4 KM and 553 meters of climbing seemed like the Bataan Death March. My goodness where did that early season form go? We in NYC… Read more »
I’ve been able to get out frequently the last few months. Like you, I seem to be trapped in a 50-70km vortex. It seems to fit into the time I have available. As my fitness gets better, I’m ready to do longer rides, but the weather conspires against me. Today it’s supposed to be 112 degrees (44* C). Water stops are few and far between.
A couple of months ago I watched Stop at Nothing. From commentary of the ESPN story, it sounds like an almost identical narrative. Because of that, I doubt I’ll watch this 30 for 30 of some random Texan cyclist. Also, I heard a podcast interview a while ago, the voice of the person was suspiciously similar to the cyclist in Stop at Nothing. There was a lot of refection, perhaps some wisdom and humbleness creeping in as he aged. But then it ended with – knowing what he knows now, would he do it all over again? He said yes,… Read more »
So what are the chances of pro racing coming back by limiting or entirely excluding spectators at the start and finish? Do you think fans would generally stay distanced on the rest of the course? Personally, I prefer watching the races on TV so I can see the whole race, rather than momentary glimpses of the peloton as it roars by. It would be fun to hang out at the start or finish, but if that was eliminated, do you think most people would just stay home and watch on TV?
Well, I can see how it would be feasible lockdown the start/finish areas (towns/resorts) but the issue would be the classic parts of any event. ie the cobbled climbs on The Classics, the mountain stages on the GTs. So many people would still try to travel that the roads would be gridlocked if they tried to lock them down and then the event probably would not be able to get through. Not sure I can see it happening.
It would be great to have an Autumn Series of The Classics if only for this to come off.
It appears that the handwriting is on the wall for pro cycling. The comments of the French Minister of Sports and the harsh reality that CCC is closing stores and restructuring make for a bleak outlook for the sport. While I understand the Minister’s point, I believe that a year sans the TdF may make sponsors reluctant to spend money on what is essentially advertising. In addition, closing stores and costs, as CCC is doing, makes it impossible to justify the expenditures necessary for a pro cycling sponsorship. As a result, I am concerned that we may not see any… Read more »
It would be nice if the world could get back to enough normality for Strade Bianche on Aug 1st….
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/strade-bianche-on-august-1-could-be-first-race-on-post-covid-19-calendar/?fbclid=IwAR3pvbaT5AvCQOhsA9C9GnQQrT_Yu8aGxGjavAAKBUo8OxP0fkNzAuWUbh4
For the rest of you who may be going through racing withdrawal GCN Racing will broadcast De Ronde Lockdown Edition where 13 pro racers compete virtually:
GlobalCyclingNetwork @gcntweet
We are very excited to announce that we will be broadcasting the De Ronde Lockdown edition tomorrow as 13 of the world’s best pro cyclists go head to head on a virtual edition of the Tour of Flanders. Tune in live at 14:30BST
I am planning on catching that but just discovered it’s only the last 32 Km. So just a quick sprint. Thought they might do a bit more than that.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/evenepoel-van-avermaet-van-aert-to-race-virtual-tour-of-flanders-on-sunday/
The screen freezes make it pretty crap. I’d also have thought that the graphics would change the road surface when the cobbled sections are so well known.
This is quite funny, De Gendt pulled from Zwift face for pushing too high numbers……
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/de-gendt-pulled-from-zwift-race-for-going-too-fast/?fbclid=IwAR0oRlDeMIT45NAdgwUG_g50Zcw9FQfVlt0tAzAw1OulzXMqzsNys1nYzso
A bit more lock down viewing. The Flanders Classics channel has a good selection of Spring Classics including behind the scenes type coverage from the team cars etc.
Good for an hour or two on the rollers or turbo.
https://www.youtube.com/user/FlandersClassics1
I was watching Gilbert’s 2017 win in RVV yesterday. That was some ride.
@Chris I had him in mind on 2018 RVV when we set off for the last drag after the final climb back into Oudenaarde. Though just hadn’t quite realised it was so far to the finish from the bottom of the descent! Great day though. Not quite at that level of fitness these days.
A bit superficial but interesting nonetheless……
Oh THIS should be entertaining!
New Netflix series reveals tensions between Quintana and Landa during 2019 season
Indeed that could well be an interesting way of spending a few hours of lockdown.
This could turn out to be a pretty curtailed season. I wonder how many sponsors will be looking at cutting costs/involvement as a result. There could be quite a knock on impact on pro cycling.
All Italian sport suspended in the latest ramps of the lockdown in Italy.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/prognosis-worsens-for-grand-tours-as-coronavirus-crisis-deepens/?fbclid=IwAR0OqRq3DgnYQ6e9_4uxp0X_Nh_8wHEGJxWr9ZxObgOlcOCYnqcrvOd1I8I
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/coronavirus-lappartient-say-cancelling-giro-ditalia-and-tour-de-france-would-be-a-disaster-for-cycling/?fbclid=IwAR0_SfZe27jzdpWyMkE1e6fITliYgj0UZnEZc5Ou7OARIj-5S4Hx-bB5Utc
From Team INEOS
Team INEOS have today taken the decision to withdraw temporarily from all racing until the Volta a Catalunya on March 23. We have notified the UCI that we will not be competing in any races during this period.
We have taken this decision given the unique set of circumstances we are facing following yesterday’s tragic news about Nico Portal. And clearly we recognise there is also a very uncertain situation with Coronavirus more widely.
We will not be racing the following races:
– Strade Bianche
– Paris-Nice
– Tirreno-Adriatico
– Milan-San Remo
– Nokere Koerse
– Bredene Koksijde Classic
https://www.teamineos.com/article/team-ineos-to-temporarily-withdraw-from-racing?fbclid=IwAR0o_ZEcWQNCLvSrZEuWdhxafaTOZIr9BLuIETVYw3uzGdwwX43PI62o-B8
Very sad news about Nico Portal. Seems to have been a top bloke in all respects. A real asset to Ineos. But here’s the question. They hire someone like Portal, and yet continue to employ Moscon. It seems that Ratcliffe keeps away from the team management, but if a regular employee of Ineos behaved as Moscon has: assault, racism, violent behavior in the workplace, they’d have been fired long ago.
Team Doctors have requested cancellation (or postponement) of Italian races and Paris-Nice. Jumbo Visma have already withdrawn from Strade Bianche. Makes absolute sense to protect the Athletes and extended team staff plus the wider public.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/coronavirus-team-doctors-request-cancellation-of-paris-nice-and-italian-races/?fbclid=IwAR1b19iR0NLt7IziHwvbG7EzwpixrbBgMH4HU-W7OHB57YvAtqq8jZO2Ffo
What if there was a race but nobody came
Most likely that as more teams follow suit the organisers will have to cancel and/or UCI will intervene.
Mitchelton Scott clarify their position. I’d guess most (all) teams may follow suit. Looking increasingly like the Spring Classics will be heavily impacted but it all makes sense in the context of wider health issues.
https://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/mitchelton-scott-position-regarding-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR1_BLEbtNLGIN_dak52FFk2ZY_1yCCtXwvFTpu4YB4TAGzXC70lwJo652s
Not before time ASO may be looking at reviving La Tour Femmes.
Sad News
Nicolas Portal dies of heart attack at 40
Sad news indeed. RIP Nicolas. May the wind be always behind you.
Update on the ongoing risks to Classics that run in Italy.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/italian-spring-races-under-further-threat-of-cancellation-following-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-at-uae-tour/?fbclid=IwAR36_pmJ2XS3EiCcKPfaPl-TgVM_K5k3pSpEYJCZvvr5Bz_9ZGYvNn-srow
Hopefully Jumbo-Visma will have everyone fully fit for the TdF. Be a shame if they are not 100% to set up a good head to head challenge.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kruijswijk-forced-to-skip-paris-nice-as-jumbo-visma-face-another-tour-de-france-blow/?fbclid=IwAR1hGJz_EhCwf-aH_c29iZoSqX9uhup78tSOg2beiUvNDb22f17BcQNOKGo
Jakob Fuglsang allegedly connected to banned doping doctor Ferrari
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/jakob-fuglsang-allegedly-connected-to-banned-doping-doctor-ferrari/
Other reports alleging involvement with Astana in general. Of course both sides denying everything but a sad indictment that we can’t get away from association with ex “offenders”. Though it does make you wonder about other sports – though perhaps cycling is a bit different in the endurance stakes, which I guess would also be true for Triathlon and Marathon type distances.
American Football and Baseball seem to show a blind eye as far as I can tell even following a few high profile “incidents” over the last few years.
I hope not true. I really like Fuglsang.
I don’t know one way or the other because waiting for all the facts to come out, but this did catch my eye….
Breakthrough seasons aged 27 and 34 respectively.
Still waiting for mine…
I fear I peaked some years ago!
Laugh or Cry?
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vinokourov-adds-pressure-on-cadf-after-leaked-astana-ferrari-report/?fbclid=IwAR2F6AKiDlIUqJTk90qZuhuLWDdY5I5peoJLY5U93KsbykXZxfmu8iVpKfg
Nice to see Richie Porte showing some early form with the win at the TDU. Team Ineos showing early season form too. Will they be showing more focus on the Spring Classics this year?
1. PORTE, Richie (Trek – Segafredo)
2. ULISSI, Diego (UAE Team Emirates)
3. GESCHKE, Simon (CCC Team)
4. DENNIS, Rohan (Team Ineos)
5. VAN BAARLE, Dylan (Team Ineos)
Documentary on G during the 2019 TdF on UK BBC2 last night. Quite interesting. The stats at the end listed that during the 3 weeks of the tour G ate 20.1 Kg of rice. That’s a lot of rice, no wonder they are fed up of it by the end of a GT.
Froome clears up the recent reports of his leaving the most recent training camp as being misinformation. Whatever the facts, it would be great to see him back at his best but after that crash it would be a massive achievement to get back to 100%. I’d love to see him get the magic 5 – not least to hear The Badger’s indignation. It would be a sad and horrible way to have to bow out as a result of injury, though he would obviously not be the first to have to do so.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-moves-to-clear-up-training-camp-misunderstanding/?fbclid=IwAR2zc5MiikIcCIlOt9pD-lW5Imc5KdXL9R0bRKjUq1Rx8pHGPMZyhtzbL8E
RIP Raymond Poulidor who passed away on Wednesday following a lengthy period in hospital.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/raymond-poulidor-dies-aged-83/?fbclid=IwAR3f6phvVnMUx8FVgRmluUkveoYkkf9nIu1xT_IWr3vmze0txpdfrWPCBv4
Mario Cipollini recovering from heart conditions that required surgery.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mario-cipollini-battling-heart-conditions-recovering-from-surgery/?fbclid=IwAR2ckg9arz2iW2pDfZRhncb7_7yorLz9C4HcdLkzfshlWYp81aivDATnFKM