The Historic Racers Cycling Thread

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by E.B

Well at least the bikes are the right way up.....

Watta moving sight!

[midgetman]

I can't ride my road bike these days because it gives me postural problems, but I'm delighted I've re-started studio cycling this week. Haven't been for five months, so I broke myself in gently with the bearable Monday night class but Mad Mike's session today was a killer! Awesome fun.

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[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I can't ride my road bike these days because it gives me postural problems

Story of my life, really! Did you try with a saddle and handlebars, it helps sometimes I've been told… OK, I'm far away!

[bauble]

Alan, I have just checked, and of the 14 stages of the Giro run so far, seven have been won from a break, five from bunch sprints, one from the Time Trial, and only one by a overall contender.

Stage
1 Ganna TT
2 Merlier sprint
3 Van der Hoorn break
4 Dombrowski "
5 Ewan sprint
6 Mader break
7 Ewan print
8 Lafay break
9 Bernal contender
10 Sagan sprint
11 Scmid break
12 Vendrame "
13 Nizzolo sprint
14 Fortunato break

I am sure that like me you were willing the winners to hold on. There have been some outstanding rides from domestics, also rans, unknowns, one of he best stage races for a long time. Yesterday's Fortunato, never having won a race before, takes victory on the toughest climb in Professional cycling!!
I can imagine him telling people;

"Si I win on the Zoncolan, Bernal was only fourth".

One thing about being long retired I can watch the whole stage without guilt.

Yates up to second, Carthy hanging on in there,I am also impressed with Daniel Martinez in 9th. and top support rider, not bad for someone there to work for Bernal.

Cheers,

Bob






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[bauble]

Make that eight!

[Alan Morgan]

Yes - very unusual to see breakaways hang on so many times. Another big stage today...

[Alan Morgan]

Looks like today's stage has been shortened due to the continuing bad weather.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

Looks like today's stage has been shortened due to the continuing bad weather.

Bad weather?

A bit of an understatement methinks!

[Duddha]

Finished the build and restoration of this one, all the way to the crap paintjob. Interesting is the damping element in the beam which works with preload, quite a comfy ride.

1996 Zipp 3001.

[bauble]

What on earth is that thing D? It does not resemble any bike I rode/raced in my youth. *

* In any remarks about Penny Farthings will be ignored

[bauble]

Pics from the Queen Stage, hard men or what?

[Duddha]

Originally Posted by bauble

What on earth is that thing D? It does not resemble any bike I rode/raced in my youth. *

* In any remarks about Penny Farthings will be ignored

Bauble, in the late eighties and early nineties, the UCI relaxed its regulations on frame design and the likes of the Lotus 108 and later 110 were born as well as the Zipp 2001 or 3001 evolution but many more with Indurain and his Pinarello and so on.

It produced some of the fastest bikes and aerodynamic concepts seen in the sport but ultimately was banned by the UCI in the early 2000s as the design were getting a bit too crazy in both frames and position. With the example of the Lotus and Boardman "superman" position as an example.

This is the concept of the beam bike essentially. Main frame is the lower part and upper part is a beam supporting the rider with a damping element built-in the frame. 29mm of frontal area and one of the fastest bike one can ride.

[Alan Morgan]

Quite a stage yesterday in the Giro - eh Baub?

I guess Bernal will have a chance to recover on today's pretty flat parcours but things have certainly livened up.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

Quite a stage yesterday in the Giro - eh Baub?

I guess Bernal will have a chance to recover on today's pretty flat parcours but things have certainly livened up.

It certainly was another tough stage, but at least the weather was kinder, on analysis, Bernal's weakness does not appear to be vey significant overall.
His nearest rival, Caruso was unable to take any significant advantage merely a couple of seconds, while Yates faded towards the top of the last climb, being well dropped by Almieda and gained just 53 seconds on Bernal. As you know I have been impressed with Martinez, and I do wonder if he had not waited for Egan, whether he could have finished at least second on the day.. Today as you say should be an easy one for Bernal, and I doubt if many other teams have the ability to really challenge INEOS today. But you can never predict an 'easy stage' in a Grand Tour.

Dan Martin took a famous win and it was a shame that the Bernal matter somewhat overshadowed a magnificent performance. I have to say that Dan has the most ugly riding style, nothing graceful about him, all arms and knees, but no getting away from it - effective.

[bauble]

Alan, another thought. Yates is a far bigger challenge to Caruso's second place, so Baharain would probably assist INEOS if Bike Exchange force the pace.

[Alan Morgan]

Originally Posted by bauble

Alan, another thought. Yates is a far bigger challenge to Caruso's second place, so Baharain would probably assist INEOS if Bike Exchange force the pace.

That's a great shot of Martinez motivating Bernal.

[Adam43]

It certainly is

Been enjoying this year’s Giro. Been some remarkable performances. Bernal seems to have recovered from his little blip.

[Alan Morgan]

As Baub said earlier, you have to admire Martinez. Domestiques do a fantastic job. Geraint Thomas probably wouldn't have won the TdF without Bernal's help, Ganna has also worked really hard for Bernal (but was probably saving himself for tomorrrow in today's stage) and I have huge admiration for Sepp Kuss who does great work for Primož Roglic.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

As Baub said earlier, you have to admire Martinez. Domestiques do a fantastic job. Geraint Thomas probably wouldn't have won the TdF without Bernal's help, Ganna has also worked really hard for Bernal (but was probably saving himself for tomorrrow in today's stage) and I have huge admiration for Sepp Kuss who does great work for Primož Roglic.

To finish third after all his efforts on the climb is just reward, and now only 8 secs behind Bardet in fifth place, and les than a minute from Vlasov, he comfortably beat Bardet in the opening TT, so must have his eye on 5th. overall.
Very happy for Caruso, he deserved that win and his second on GC, not too sorry to see Yates fade at the end, I am not keen on his habit of hiding in the bunch all day and then sprinting off at the end. I like a rider who contributes something to the race, not to simply feed off other riders efforts.

I agree about Kuss, however, I have a strange antipathy for American riders, I hate to see them going well. I can't tell you why, I'm not anti US in any way, but it bugs me to see the Stars and Stripes on a rider looking like winning. Maybe a hangover from the Armstrong days, a man I never liked even before his disgrace.

Can INEOS take all three Grand Tours this year? I wonder.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by bauble

Can INEOS take all three Grand Tours this year? I wonder.

Thomas beating both Slovenians? Nah don't see that happen.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Thomas beating both Slovenians? Nah don't see that happen.

Sure would be difficult, might depend what teams they all have, INEOS have a number of Tour winners in their ranks, should be a good race.

[bauble]

For those who like pictures;

[bauble]

I do;

[bauble]

And;

[bauble]

Finally;