Cycling thread

[FrenchDarrenBent]

I suppose neither Italy or France have the best riders anymore. The best Italian rider is probably Ganna, and while he's great in the time trials he doesn't win the Giro or Tour. They haven't had anyone at that level since Nibali and Basso, and neither was consistently challenging in the Tour. France have been even worse, with only Alaphalippe to really rally behind.

My point was though, although cycling is more international, cycling's heartland is losing interest fast. France and Italy aren't as deep as they used to be so I don't know if the sport as a whole is bigger with the public.
Back in the day, until the late nineties, Italy was the cycling place to be. The Giro was economically almost as important as the tour and the best paying outfits were Italian (Merckx rode for Molteni, De Vlaeminck for Brooklyn, more recently you had Mapei (Bettini & Museeuw) and Lampre.
Cycling was front page news. Now the giro is page 7 of the Gazetta dello Sport

You can see the shift in very local Belgian races too. Some participants these days are Brits, Americans, New Zealanders even.

I dont really know if the sport is bigger now with the public than it was forty years ago. It remains mainly a niche phenomenon internationally (despite being the most beautiful sport in my opinion). It'll never be as important in the new, Anglo-Saxon market.
Quick Step for instance has to go hat in hand to sponsors go complete a decent budget each year. That's cycling's most successful outfit

I can't shake the feeling that something's not right.
Bahrein-Merida were searched by the police. Intermarche-Wanty-Group, lowest budget in the peloton (or close to it) had an amazing spring season for their doing and won their first classic since the 2016 Amstel. Pogacar as a youngster will win the tour for the third time in a fashion not seen since Contador or even Armstrong.

We'll see. Let's go Vingegaard.

 

[Groucho]

I’m not a cyclist but has anyone else been to Ryde in the old Cains Brewery?

Cafe and bike shop, great coffee and brekkies.

 

[Rita_Poon]

My point was though, although cycling is more international, cycling's heartland is losing interest fast. France and Italy aren't as deep as they used to be so I don't know if the sport as a whole is bigger with the public.
Back in the day, until the late nineties, Italy was the cycling place to be. The Giro was economically almost as important as the tour and the best paying outfits were Italian (Merckx rode for Molteni, De Vlaeminck for Brooklyn, more recently you had Mapei (Bettini & Museeuw) and Lampre.
Cycling was front page news. Now the giro is page 7 of the Gazetta dello Sport

You can see the shift in very local Belgian races too. Some participants these days are Brits, Americans, New Zealanders even.

I dont really know if the sport is bigger now with the public than it was forty years ago. It remains mainly a niche phenomenon internationally (despite being the most beautiful sport in my opinion). It'll never be as important in the new, Anglo-Saxon market.
Quick Step for instance has to go hat in hand to sponsors go complete a decent budget each year. That's cycling's most successful outfit

I can't shake the feeling that something's not right.
Bahrein-Merida were searched by the police. Intermarche-Wanty-Group, lowest budget in the peloton (or close to it) had an amazing spring season for their doing and won their first classic since the 2016 Amstel. Pogacar as a youngster will win the tour for the third time in a fashion not seen since Contador or even Armstrong.

We'll see. Let's go Vingegaard.

Pardon the pun but its cyclical. Snooker, Darts, Boxing, whatever. Whos a character, whos got some charisma, whatever whoever stokes interest. We're seeing something of a renaissance in Cricket, its just fashion. Choice and saturation is an issue, I reckon you can watch football 24 hours a day near enough live. Bring back world of sport and the highland games expo...

 

[Bruce Wayne]

My point was though, although cycling is more international, cycling's heartland is losing interest fast. France and Italy aren't as deep as they used to be so I don't know if the sport as a whole is bigger with the public.
Back in the day, until the late nineties, Italy was the cycling place to be. The Giro was economically almost as important as the tour and the best paying outfits were Italian (Merckx rode for Molteni, De Vlaeminck for Brooklyn, more recently you had Mapei (Bettini & Museeuw) and Lampre.
Cycling was front page news. Now the giro is page 7 of the Gazetta dello Sport

You can see the shift in very local Belgian races too. Some participants these days are Brits, Americans, New Zealanders even.

I dont really know if the sport is bigger now with the public than it was forty years ago. It remains mainly a niche phenomenon internationally (despite being the most beautiful sport in my opinion). It'll never be as important in the new, Anglo-Saxon market.
Quick Step for instance has to go hat in hand to sponsors go complete a decent budget each year. That's cycling's most successful outfit

I can't shake the feeling that something's not right.
Bahrein-Merida were searched by the police. Intermarche-Wanty-Group, lowest budget in the peloton (or close to it) had an amazing spring season for their doing and won their first classic since the 2016 Amstel. Pogacar as a youngster will win the tour for the third time in a fashion not seen since Contador or even Armstrong.

We'll see. Let's go Vingegaard.

It does feel as though something is different as the racing in general is not only quicker than ever before but the racing is pretty much go from the gun these days (and still Pogacar is destroying everyone). That's not to say it's definitely cheating (although with the history of the sport you can never rule it out), but we're seeing things I haven't seen in a really long time.

 

[spectateur]

Not much today apart from some nice scenery in the Jura.
Long ride at tempo and a short uphill race to fill in the last few minutes.

 

[Rita_Poon]

60k solo...

 

[Rita_Poon]

King of the mountains Jungels

 

[tsubaki]

Such an exciting finish that, couldn't stop watching from about 25km to go. Jungels magnificent, Pinot very unlucky to mistime that by going about 500m earlier than he should have.

 

[Runub]

I watch the coverage on Eurosport. It is presented, via the studio, by Orla Chennaoui. Does a decent job to be honest but interesting choice of clothes each day. Looks like she has just got back from a night out at the local disco most days ?

 

[spectateur]

I watch the coverage on Eurosport. It is presented, via the studio, by Orla Chennaoui. Does a decent job to be honest but interesting choice of clothes each day. Looks like she has just got back from a night out at the local disco most days ?

It would appear de rigueur to have an attractive female on cycling coverage.
Here we have one with the L'équipe channel and France Televisions on TF2 have Marianne Rousse as présenter commentator on cycling events. As well as being attractive she is also knowledgeable as she is an ex French champion.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It would appear de rigueur to have an attractive female on cycling coverage.
Here we have one with the L'équipe channel and France Televisions on TF2 have Marianne Rousse as présenter commentator on cycling events. As well as being attractive she is also knowledgeable as she is an ex French champion.

I suspect broadcasters are eagerly awaiting Puck Moonen's retirement.

 

[spectateur]

I suspect broadcasters are eagerly awaiting Puck Moonen's retirement.

Phfoah!
Being a Hollandaise she probably speaks English well enough for Sky Sport.

 

[Rita_Poon]

I suspect broadcasters are eagerly awaiting Puck Moonen's retirement.

strewth!

 

[Rita_Poon]

Was looking forward to the tour today, the lazy bums are having another rest day. What will cover for the tennis now.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

They all need to covid test today, which could see some DNFs - hopefully not too many.