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well this happened already during TT recon
oops.
A man with something else on his mind?
Are we doing predictions in here or the other threads?
Hard to know when it's a big event and 4 threads pop up..
I'll hang on a bit until other post in here...
As for the pic, he shouldn't be in the Race whilst the investigations ongoing IMO (I think that about all WADA/UCI investigations, not just him)
well this happened already during TT recon
He couldn’t corner at the same time as taking 37 puffs on his inhaler...
it's not that unusual for a rider to bin it on an unknown TT prologue course, better than in the actual race
I'm no fan per se of froome - but he's my pick for the Maglia Rosa
I really don't think that the jibes at Froome are entirely fair. I mean, he may well have pushed the limits in terms of his medication, but I have a hard time putting that on the same level of cheating as the old Lance-the-Chemical-Cyborg industrial levels of cheating.
Even if the investigation finds against him, I don't think it should nullify his other efforts - including this current attempt at the Giro.
I really don’t think that the jibes at Froome are entirely fair.
Perfectly fair, he's racing for a team that made a big deal about how they were clean, all marginal gains due to rider positioning and training techniques - then it turns out they're as dirty as the rest of them. (Not that I care: I've said it before and I'll say it again, I want to see action, couldn't care less about the drug use).
I'm looking forward to the racing starting so people will have something to talk about other than Froome, trotting out the same old inhaler jokes and pretending to be experts on doping regulations and process...
First Grand Tour of the year baby!
I’m looking forward to the racing starting so people will have something to talk about other than...
Keep up, it started about 45 minutes ago. 😁
Looking down the start list there are quite a few gaps in quite a lot of the teams .. some big names missing, which could mean more opportunities for the smaller squads to take some chances (he says hopefully)
Predictions a bit later..
I'm looking forward to some good racing too. I think Froome/Dumoulin could be a very close battle and make for a very interesting Giro.
The inhaler jokes are a bit tiresome now. They've not changed in 3 months.
I really don’t think that the jibes at Froome are entirely fair.
#mentioningnonames
I didn't mention froome
The inhaler jokes are a bit tiresome now. They’ve not changed in 3 months.
yep, new prescription needed, maybe Brad's couriering a package over?
The inhaler jokes are a bit tiresome now. They’ve not changed in 3 months.
You need to take a deep breath, count to 10 and let it out.
then it turns out they’re as dirty as the rest of them
That's not what's happened at all.
then it turns out they’re as dirty as the rest of them
That’s not what’s happened at all.
Yes, most teams haven’t admitted prescribing illegal drugs for non-existent medical complaints.
Anyway, early days yet but I’m finding the coverage rather uninspiring. (I’d normally prefer to watch any sort of TT as highlights because they tend to be a little boring. IMO!) There don’t seem to be many spectators away from the start-finish. Anybody know what the locals are making of this race?
Hands up all of the asthmatics on here whose performance is improved by taking loads of Ventolin? I for one know it allows me to perform normally but in no way better than I'm capable of. TBH they should have different rules for in and off season as we all know the abuse is linked to taking massive doses in tablet form off season for weight control.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the race but not the ensuing bullshit surrounding any lead by an Asthmatic.
How much Tramadol do you need to take before you fall off riding by yourself in a warm-up on clear roads?
riding by yourself in a warm-up on clear roads?
Did one of the commentators just suggest that these are narrow roads? 😂
'How much Tramadol do you need to take before you fall off riding by yourself in a warm-up on clear roads?'
You clearly have no clue about Tramadol or how cyclists abuse it. Or it would seem, competitive cycling.
You clearly have no clue about Tramadol or how cyclists abuse it. Or it would seem, competitive cycling.
I think you may be wrong about that, unless I’m confusing leggyblonde with someone else.
@slowpuncheur I have seen first hand what it does to racers in races I have been in.
Genuine question: Why would someone use it before the start of a major competition they'd been training for for months (and have very few racing days behind them)? Particularly, a technical short time trial. I understand it's use in TT's for pain relief but that's normally more than a 12 minute effort and on the back of several days racing (see Westra's recent confession of using it at De Panne). Froome's such a strong TTer anyway that he will probably only lose a few seconds to Dennis or whoever wins and likely put a dint into people like Aru, Pinot and Yates anyway. In fact it would suit Sky for him not to take pink today. I think it's more likely he's just f*cked up on a corner and to be fair, he's probably got a lot on his mind! Suitou crashing in recon as well and is going home with a broken bone in his back.
I too think he probably just overcooked it with the stress of his situation in all likelihood. However I have heard user evidence of it working very well in crits and other very intense races (like short TTs), it's not banned, SKY aren't members of MPCC and they certainly "push boundaries" when it comes to preparation so it wouldn't completely surprise me.
If so that's a bit of an eye opener. I can understand the temptation in the one day classics or the back end of stage race but it's a hell of a gamble on a TT rig at 45kmph if you get the dosage a bit wrong. I thought it was a dig at Froome nonetheless and whilst I'm not a Sky apologist, I think there'll be a few more 'local' riders doing a lot worse than an inhaler on this Giro.
Why would someone use it before the start of a major competition they’d been training for for months (and have very few racing days behind them)? Particularly, a technical short time trial
Isn't a technical TT essentially intervals of sprint followed by threshold+ and then very brief 0W recovery. I'm guessing that'd hurt plenty (not suggesting you'd want it for the morning's recce though)
Oh, and Pozzovivo !!??
Is a white kit the wisest choice for Dumoulin, bearing in mind his history? Will he be able to build up the weight of his race bike to the UCI minimum by hiding toilet paper, wet wipes and sanitary gel in the tubes?
Good result - I like Dumoulin.
Is a white kit the wisest choice for Dumoulin, bearing in mind his history?
Is a white kit the wisest choice for Dumoulin, bearing in mind his history?
🙂
That poor guy! Can you imagine going down in history as the cyclist who stopped under those conditions? No one would ever want to shake your hand again!
"Is a white kit the wisest choice for Dumoulin" he doesn't get to choose, he's the world champ so the rules say he has to; but he would choose because the suit will fit him perfectly (and the psychological boost of wearing the bands), there's a train of thought that says if you're the Maglia Rosa you are disadvantaged because the supplied suit won't be as fast because it doesn't fit as well as your team one
also Sunweb have been doing tests to figure out what gives him a dodgy stomach and he's cut out lactose and fructose from his diet which apparently has worked
If you want to hear a great story about bike racers and upset stomachs get a copy of Slaying the Badger
he doesn’t get to choose, he’s the world champ so the rules say blah, blah, blah
Yeah, I know. It was a joke. But please patronise me a little more. Tell me about the other cycling books you’ve read.
Predictions then:
Winner - Fabio Aru
However I want some real highlights from the following:
Simon Yates - has to win one stage that lad.
Alexandre Giniez & Michel Cherel & Matteo Montagutti - these guys I want in the top 20
Astana look like they've brought along a strong middle squad without a leader.
Seb Reichenbach & Thibault Pinot - these guys to feature in a long stage break please
Ellia Viviani - win at least on sprint, possibly two
Robert Gesink & Danny Van Poppel - out in a break and all out for a surprise stage win
Gianluca Brambilla & Jarlinson Pantano - to win a bumpy stage
Kenny Ellisonde - KOM
Can't see the Mov boys putting up much of a fight
Laurens Ten Dam to dribble like a child and Tom Domoulin to be in the top 3.
My predictions over the last few years have been way off, but I love giving it some thought.
Predictions then:
Winner – Fabio Aru
If this happens, I may give my bikes away in disgust. Aru, to me, is the villain of the peloton.
My predictions over the last few years have been way off,
But you’ve named half the peloton above! 😄
You’re putting more thought into it than I am. I’ve looked at the route but not investigated the teams in any real depth, so no predictions from me.
Aru, to me, is the villain of the peloton
He makes my pedaling look like the work of an angel, so he can stay. Won't win anyway so it's fine by me.
This far through and no spoilers. In fact no talking about the TT at all...
This far through and no spoilers. In fact no talking about the TT at all…
Well, I suppose I didn’t shout about it but I did give the result away when I said “Good result - I like Dumoulin”. And a few posts above that when I mentioned the crowds, or lack of. But really, there’s not a huge amount to say about a 13 minute TT.
Good grief, today’s stage is boring. Wide roads, dead straight through a dusty landscape - I haven’t seen a good reason to start in Israel when they have so many options in Italy. I wonder how much the Israeli tourist board paid them? 😁
Blimey, I predicted Viv 👏👏🤠
Yes a boring stage but all grand tours have flat long days - got to give stages for the sprinters to show their stuff. I am rooting for George Bennett for a good GC result - a great rider that seems to be improving all the time. 5th a few weeks ago in the tour of the Alps just one position behind Froome and ahead of Aru. A dark horse but here’s hoping. Not a great prologue result unfortunately but neither Froome or Aru did much better. Go George!!
but all grand tours have flat long days
The Giro in the last few years has managed to get away from that and be interesting from the start - even the Vuelta is moving away from long dusty miles through the desert, with no bends and no spectators. Yesterday felt like a return to the TdF in the 90s. Hopefully today will be better.