[Jobberwacky]

Ooops, sorry for not replying sooner, usually when someone replies to the thread it alerts me through the subscribed thread option on User CP, it didn't this time round for some reason.

Anyway, ah right, i always thought you could be UK based, didn't want to ask and be nosey though, so just kind of assumed you might be Spanish instead

I feel less guilty talking about BC all the time now. I'm probably the opposite of you then as i pretty much always support Brits/UK + Irish when it comes to Sport. Even moreso when we don't have past or recent history in some events, plus it makes it a lot easier in regards to the family, the kids find it simpler to look out for our colours and get behind our guys/gals. Also we are naturally the underdogs a lot of the time and have not pulled our weight in some aspects so the winning feels sweeter when it does come.

Not that i am blindly patriotic or even like nationalism at all. I just figure success breeds success, and funding, and so have to support somebody. It makes some amount of sense to get behind your own home team. We get more coverage of our athletes too so they're easier to keep up with, and learn about/connect with. I do have faves from other countries as well in some sports, i guess that will come with Cycling also the more i learn about it. The only time i won't support our own guys is if i don't like them, but i do like most of them, even when there are others i could get behind.

So, back to the race. Very enjoyable. All the 4 faves in each mens and womens TT and RR came through with the victory. Although a bit predictable, i loved seeing each of them win. Gilbert was so dominant with that last burst for the line, nobody was going to stick with him, EBH did very well claiming Silver and Valverde Bronze, but he was a class above.

Definitely one of the highlights of this WC's for me was JTL, and him going with Contador, (Alberto looked like he was having so much fun throughout ). He hopefully has a great future, even though he is getting on at 27 he had those few years out and his peak should be a little later. Now that he is signing for Sky and has shown he has potential at this level, after a season or two with them he could pull a Froome and have a breakthrough later in his career.

With the team around him, he could even start majorly showing this season, never mind next. He put up a great display at his biggest ever event and with some of the greatest, to do so well and end up finishing 5 secs down on the winner was very promising indeed, considering nobody knew how he would fare here.

Cav has done the jersey proud, especially after 'the curse', alright he hasn't had everything he wanted at Sky and will have to leave to get it. Loved seeing him put in that huge effort on the front though, the fans appreciation of him, and his awesome reactions to duck that sign

The team did well here considering the tough season, with the bigger names putting in the work early and pulling out, then the upcoming and less vaunted stars coming good at the back end. Back to front as well in terms of power. Stannard is a beast, will be interesting to see what kind of roles he get's next year. The Team Sky balance looks very good for GC's, especially when Cav has gone and they can focus their efforts. It looks like JTL may just be that missing link, it's a huge ask though, and there will be a lot of pressure on him. Maybe there wasn't too much here but that will only grow once people know we are riding for him in the future.



Tour Of Lombardy next....

[Jobberwacky]

“I was hit by some ----head with a proper full-on wooden sign and I’ve got a sore head from it,” said Cavendish afterwards. “It was a proper whack. I was looking for him next time, I had my water bottle ready: I was going to get him.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...ins-title.html

“I went well but I was more tired after a 140km today than I was when I won the championships over 250km last summer,” said Cavendish. “It was real nice going up the Cauberg at the end, the fans’ reception meant a lot and it was the perfect way to end the year to race here with the GB boys. It’s been good year as world champion with 15 wins but I don’t think, for whatever reason, I have got the maximum out of myself. I’m satisfied but not entirely happy.”

As for Tiernan-Locke, his finishing position of 19th just five seconds behind Gilbert, does him little justice. Until the final 2.5km, over a course which was 61km longer than he has ever raced before, the Endura rider went toe-to-toe with cycling’s modern day greats and did not bat an eyelid. He reacted to every move, not least when Alberto Contador attacked threateningly and then positioned himself cannily over the final two laps until his lack of experience over this distance told at the death.

Britain's performance director Dave Brailsford said: “For his first race at this level, over that distance, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke’s performance was remarkable and bodes well for the future. This guy will win big races for sure. He showed great confidence and character riding at that level for the first time.

“And I’m absolutely thrilled with the performance overall. The younger guns – Ben Swift, Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe and Tiernan-Locke – took the race for us after Mark had done such a fantastic job early on. They rode well tactically and that is very exciting for the future. They were right at the front of the race and played a big role in making the race. Although there was no medal today, that to me was an exciting way to end the season.”

[Jobberwacky]

Dave sums it up well. Just wait till he has marginal gains behind him

It's going to be a real shame seeing Cav leave, but it makes sense for both parties so it's not so bad. I don't want to see his career suffering, neither Sky's overall GC attempts. They will both be better off without each other in the long run, it's just not logical or realistic to aim for both goals all the time.

It's obviously worked to a certain extent, but not entirely, Cav has definitely lost out for sure. Only 3 wins at TdF, and then both Vuelta and ToB also showed Sky had major issues when trying to ride for both goals over a long season. Getting caught out on some days in particular and ending up not achieving either aim.

Yet, the loss of Cav seems like it may be tempered somewhat by the acquisition of JTL. The hype is overblown atm and there is a long way to go, but certainly the re-focusing maximum efforts towards GC hopes next year. They can then look at setting up the team differently, transferring guys to that end and relaxing the lead out work. They already are set up for lead outs to a degree, but this then means they end up putting too much there at the expense of keeping fresh and letting others take it on. I would imagine they would still set up as a sprint team but definitely not to the extent they are now. I don't know how they will setup exactly? What do you think?

[Henry Hill]

Nice worlds analysis JW.

I get what you're coming from on the national front and I am firmly behind all the coverage and support, I just find it hard to be patriotic in regards to sports in general, instead I root for what excites and interests me as I would for forms of entertainment. That being said Cav and Froome are two of my fave riders for their particular style of racing, Wiggins on the other hand is a class bloke but incredibly mundane to watch in action. He is like a robot on the bike.

Cav leaving Sky was the obvious decision given that he needs full support if he is going to beat Eddy's record for TDF stage wins (something within his grasp if he can continue to dominate for the next few years.) Sky also need to think seriously about their ambitions for the coming season. I'm not sure how Locke fits in yet (no idea of his real potential) but they need to think very seriously about their defence of the TDF title. Contador is busy building a super team for the climbs and I can't see how Wiggins is going to live with him tbh. Obviously Froome will be there to counter Alberto's attacks but it is imperative that he is allowed to ride for himself next year and have full team support should Brad lose contact early on.

[Henry Hill]

Thought I might as well post my year end awards seeing as the season is nearly over:


Rider of the Year: Bradley Wiggins



Won every stage race he entered and exhibited a degree of time trialling class that hasn't been seen since the days of Indurain. He was not exciting to watch but he was smart, methodical and timed his season perfectly to peak for the most important race of the season.

2nd: Tom Boonen

(unbeaten season on the cobbles in which he equalled the record for Paris-Roubaix wins. A modern legend of the sport who is destined to be remembered as one of the all time greats.)


3rd: Joaquim Rodriguez - Agonizingly close to winning two Grand Tours as well as securing classics victory with triumph at the Fleche Wallone.


Race of the Year: Vuelta a Espana



Featuring awesome steep hill sprint finishes, long epic mountain slogs and a final week of unpredictable attacking, the Vuelta was an engrossing triumph that above all showcased the heart and tenacity of its competitors.

2nd: World Championship Road Race

3rd: Olympics Road Race


Individual Ride of the Year: Contador's Epic Solo Attack


Where most men would have given up after a series of failed attacks, Contador instead risked it all to launch a daring assault from miles out, first catching his rivals by surprise and then showing incredible mental fortitude to gain distance and continue his momentum towards a euphoric stage win.

2nd: Boonen soloing to victory at Paris-Roubaix

3rd: Rabotini winning a breakaway stage in the Giro despite being temporarily overtaken by Joaquim Rodriguez.



Most Exciting Rider of the Year: Alberto Contador

- Reminded everyone of what they had missed when he danced away on the pedals and attacked time and time again every time the race went uphill.



2nd: Peter Sagan - Brightened up a dull tour with his hillarious race celebrations and unorthodox post race interviews.

3rd: Thomas Voeckler - A pure entertainer, Voeckler made sure his home fans had something to cheer about when he went nuts in the Pyrenees in pursuit of the Polka Dot Jersey.


Team of the Year: Sky - Tour De France 1-2 and good placings in the other two Grand Tours as well as wins throughout the season in other events. The depth is remarkable.


Proof that Cycling is the toughest sport in the world award: Stage 20 finish Vuelta E Espana - Riders finish the torture fest barely able to stand as they cro the line.




Time Triallist of the Year: Bradley Wiggins
Climber of the Year: Joaquim Rodriguez
Sprinter of the Year: Mark Cavendish


5 Question marks for 2013:

1.) Are France on the cusp of returning to former Grand Tour glory with young riders like Pinot and Rolland or are they also destined to become Polka Dot contenders rather than Yellow Jersey threats?

2.) Will Gilbert suffer the famed Rainbow Jersey curse or go back to being the best in the world like he was in 2011?

3.) Can Van De Garderen and Talansky fill the void for the States left by the the past his best Levi Leipheimer?

4.) Will Froome be able to match Contador and Schleck in the mountains of the Tour De France?

5.) Will Boonen be man enough for a fit, fresh and hungry Cancallera at next year's Paris Roubaix?