General cycling news and discussion

[alfy!]

Thought I'd open up this thread to put all general news and discussion that doesn't fit into stage/doping/WTT race threads.

Interesting articles, rider transfers, team news or funny videos/images are all welcome.

I'll start off with the latest post from the 'secret pro': http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/07/the-secret-pro-post-tour-de-france-edition/

Very insightful stuff.

 

[alfy!]

Women's Tour of Britain to be introduced in 2014: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/23467530

How do you guys feel about this new push to improve and introduce more races for women's road cycling? Would you watch it or would you watch a women's Tour de France?

 

[ben_1301]

Having watched a lot of women's cycling (sister races in the NRS) it's not bad, but there's just not the aggression that the males have. They sort of don't attack, it's more a grinding type of race & eventually the strongest wins. Just doesn't seem dynamic.
Would be great to get to see her hopefully race some big tours in Europe!

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

I enjoyed the women's race at the Olympics, would watch.

 

[alfy!]

The riders and staff of the Euskaltel-Euskadihave reportedly been given the green light to look for new teams for 2014 by the management as the future of the Basque squad seems more and more uncertain.

According to a report in the Basque newspaper Deia, Mikel Astorkiza, the corporate director of Basque Cycling Pro Team, the squad's management company, told the riders competing at the Clasica San Sebastian the bad news on the team bus before the start of the race. Mikel Nieve, Igor Antón, Mikel Landa and Mikel Astarloza all rode aggressively in their home Classic but missed out on victory.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-euskaltel-riders-free-to-find-new-teams

Sylvain Chavanel has revealed that he may not stay with the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team in 2014 after receiving several offers, including one from Ag2r-La Mondiale.

He would like to stay with Omega Pharma-Quick Step but is worried about his role and opportunities in the team. The Belgian squad has reportedly strengthened Cavendish's lead-out train by hiring Mark Renshaw and secured Rigoberto Uran as the team's Grand Tour contender.
"It's new for me not to have ended the Tour de France without knowing what I will do next season but I'm not worried," Chavanel told French newspaper La Nouvelle République.

"I've got several proposals, one of the French team AG2R La Mondiale. I've been with Omega Pharma-Quick Step for five years now. The management want me to stay and I'd like it but we've got see what specific role they want to give me. I'm going to make my decision within a fortnight."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chavanel-considering-his-options-for-2014

 

[chargers 09]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-euskaltel-riders-free-to-find-new-teams



http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chavanel-considering-his-options-for-2014

Would be a shame if Euskatel went down the drain.

 

[Vader]

Would be a shame if Euskatel went down the drain.

Are they the longest surviving continuous team on the World Tour at present? Would have to be close.

 

[chargers 09]

Are they the longest surviving continuous team on the World Tour at present? Would have to be close.

Liquigas would be up there?

 

[Vader]

Liquigas would be up there?

I was thinking Rabobank (now Belkin) would be another candidate.

 

[alfy!]

Are they the longest surviving continuous team on the World Tour at present? Would have to be close.

Lampre have been around since the early 90s, but with various co-sponsors. Lotto as well since the 80s. FDJ have been around since about '97. Others like Belkin and Movistar are the same teams, but as you say have changed sponsors a couple of times.

Found that comment on this situation. So still some long surviving teams.

 

[alfy!]

Ten Dam staying with Belkin for 2 more seasons.

How the San Sebastian was won.

 

[Vader]

Happy to include teams that have changed sponsors (and hence names), as long as the team has been in continual existence. Presumably the best way of measuring that would be by how long they've had their World Tour license.

 

[chargers 09]

Happy to include teams that have changed sponsors (and hence names), as long as the team has been in continual existence. Presumably the best way of measuring that would be by how long they've had their World Tour license.

Yeah Belkin pretty easily, since 1984.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabobank_(cycling_team)

 

[alfy!]

Uran and Renshaw to Omega Pharma! Renshaw was predicted, as he will re-team with Cavendish, but Uran is a huge move. I wonder how he'll go as team leader in some of the big races without Sky's training program.

http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/opqs-signs-renshaw-and-ur-n-ur-n/1350

 

[alfy!]

Froome is riding the USA Pro Challenge as his return from the TdF. That's from the 19-25th of August. It includes this ITT:

Anyone racing this one won't be at the Vuelta.

 

[alfy!]

Contador to do a lighter racing program next season in the lead up to the TdF.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lighter-racing-programme-for-contador-in-2014

Kreuziger to ride the Vuelta, but Roche and Majka will be the team leaders.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kreuziger-to-ride-vuelta-a-espana

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

Majka is a gun.

 

[alfy!]

Majka is a gun.

Indeed, I can see him outperforming Roche in the first week and the team focussing leadership on him. Potential ~top 5 rider.

 

[alfy!]

Quintana staying at Movistar for 2014 and will be joined by his brother, but Rui Costa (a favourite among this forum) is believed to be the collateral damage and could command high prices if he wants to move.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/qui...&ns_source=cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0

Nieve and Igor Anton attracting interest.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nieve-and-anton-in-demand-after-euskaltels-future-put-in-doubt

 

[alfy!]

A look at RideLondon:Surrey Classic with team Madison Genesis.

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

Quintana staying at Movistar for 2014 and will be joined by his brother, but Rui Costa (a favourite among this forum) is believed to be the collateral damage and could command high prices if he wants to move.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/qui...&ns_source=cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0

Nieve and Igor Anton attracting interest.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nieve-and-anton-in-demand-after-euskaltels-future-put-in-doubt

Anton hasn't done anything for a few years now, personally I would be a lot keener on Nieve. Very interested in where Rui ends up.

 

[alfy!]

Tour Down Under winner Tom Jelte Slagter has been snapped up by the Garmin-Sharp team for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, agreeing a two year deal with the American WorldTour team.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15187/Two-year-deal-for-Tom-Jelte-Slagter-with-Garmin-Sharp.aspx

Sebastian Langeveld is set to call time on his Orica-GreenEdge career, two years after joining the Australian WorldTour outfit.

The 28-year-old has not signed a contract for next year but his agent has confirmed that there are several interested teams.

“Yes he is leaving GreenEdge,” Martijn Berkhout told Cyclingnews.

“We asked for more support in the Classics and they honestly answered that they’ll go for a different approach.”

“Then we made the decision it's better to make a move. Sebastian is 28, and these are his most crucial years so he needs a team which is 100 per cent focussed on Classics. In terms of material, teammates, staff etc.”

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sebastian-langeveld-set-to-leave-orica-greenedge

 

[alfy!]

Voigt to go around for one more season!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/voigt-to-continue-racing-in-2014

 

[alfy!]

Richie Porte to lead Sky at the Giro in 2014.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/richie-porte-im-ready-to-lead-sky-at-2014-giro-ditalia

This is hilarious. Abdraimzhan Ishanov of Astana was in a breakaway in the first stage of the Tour of Portugal and decided they weren't going to make it home. So what happens next? He decides to stop and chill under a bridge, waiting for the peloton:

 

[alfy!]

Ichabod Noodle funk44 mcgarnacle dart threenewpadlocks Vader Belnakor kerplunky Freakie sblack

Where you guys at? Don't tell me this place is going to be dead apart from during the three grand tours?