Pro Cycling Discussion 2021

SoliD · 4 Feb 2021 at 11:00

So 2021 is here, will it be better than 2020 with a proper season of classics, then some GTs in warm sunny weather followed by a grim World Champs in Flanders?

Key Dates for the year

Grand Tours

Giro D'Italia 8-30 May

Tour De France 26th June - 18th July

Vuelta A Espana 14th August -5th September

Monuments

Milan - San Remo 20th March

Tour of Flanders 4th April

Paris Roubaix 11th April

Amstel Gold 18th April

Liege - Bastogne - Liege 25th April

Olympics

Tokyo 23rd July - 8th August

World Championships

Flanders 19th September - 26th September

Other Notables

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 27th Feb

Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne 1st March

Strade Bianche 6th March

Paris - Nice 7-14 March

Tirreno - Addriatico 10-16 March

E3 Classic 26th March

Ghent Wevelgem 28th March

Dwars Door Vlanderen 31st March

Fleche Wallone 21st April

Criterium Du Dauphine 30th May - 6th June

San Sebastien 31st July

Il Lombardia 9th October

SoliD · 4 Feb 2021 at 11:02

And first point for me is that it looks like Ineos sending Thomas, Geoghehan Hart and Carapaz to the Tour with Bernal heading to the Giro. PResume that Tour squad will be stacked with Porte, Yates as well to counter Jumbo who will no doubt be trying to make up for last years disappointment.

SoliD · 5 Feb 2021 at 15:25

Despite the media reports, it is good to see the UCI define standards for the finishing barriers etc, although they appear to have shot themselves in the foot by saying its from 2022 but that they want to make top tube descending illegal, which has caused 0 accidents that I can think of...

#Chri5# · 8 Feb 2021 at 17:36

Stat's from Ganna's attack last week:

https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1358141121038270468

Average of 509w for almost 7 minutes and 488w average for just over 12 minutes. Not bad, not bad.

SoliD · 8 Feb 2021 at 21:07

Then following it up with a tt win.

Breaks will be even less effective/possible now riders can't rest on their forearms now it's been added to the list of banned positions.

SoliD · 11 Feb 2021 at 13:26

Tour De La Provence today, ridiculously good field for such a small race. Can't wait for Ventoux on Saturday.

Also Vuelta route has been released with no finish in Madrid! Wahey! It's always been awful! TT to finish, so an effort by organisers to run it right down to the wire on the last day!

SoliD · 14 Feb 2021 at 15:21

Squuezy bum sprint today. Well worth a watch, nice to see the French boxer having not changed his ways and having a whinge at the end.

How is sosa only 23. He had one very hard paper round.

Bear · 15 Feb 2021 at 06:14

SoliD said:
How is sosa only 23. He had one very hard paper round.

Must be something in the Colombian water when you consider Nairoman

SoliD · 19 Feb 2021 at 07:24

I think i may be the bearer of bad news @xdcx but I don't think omloop is going to be on eurosport/gcn and therfore not broadcast in the UK. Hope they can come up with a deal in time.

xdcx · 19 Feb 2021 at 10:37

Yeah it's not just Omloop... they don't have rights to any of the Flanders Classic except the Ronde. It's dire.
Sketchy Flemish streams it is!

SoliD · 19 Feb 2021 at 11:42

Hoping they sort it, I seem to remember something similar a few years ago where they brokered a deal late, know a few of the CX races last year were the same too.

Berger · 20 Feb 2021 at 17:31

You’d think money for the broadcast is better than no money, but hey what do I know!

Jonny ///M · 20 Feb 2021 at 21:13

Where are you guys watching? Haven't seen anything live on euro or even the on demand section.

Best I'm getting is LR on YouTube.

SoliD · 20 Feb 2021 at 21:59

Jonny ///M said:
Where are you guys watching? Haven't seen anything live on euro or even the on demand section.

Best I'm getting is LR on YouTube.

Gcn+. 20quid for the year.

Jonny ///M · 20 Feb 2021 at 22:57

I'll get that bought for work then.

I thought they were pretty much the same last year ??

SoliD · 21 Feb 2021 at 06:44

Jonny ///M said:
I'll get that bought for work then.

I thought they were pretty much the same last year ??

Think gcn have got a lot more of the smaller races. Not sure if eurosport player has them.

SoliD · 21 Feb 2021 at 07:28

Anyone any idea who the woman's commentator is on gcn? Don't think I've heard her before. Much better than kirbys shouting! Anyone have any issues with casting on yesterday's stage? Mine kept buffering, right up until the stage finished then it was fine annoyingly..0 issues with cx.

That finish was great yesterday. Looked horrible. Woods looked strong as did gva. Definitely going to win a monument yet again I reckon.

Berger · 21 Feb 2021 at 09:18

Might have been Jose Been?

She’s been on cyclingtips a little and is very professional and experienced. Will nail all the riders names!

It’s time for a commentary changing of the guard, long overdue.

One More Solo · 21 Feb 2021 at 15:33

It is Jose Been, she’s an ace journalist so I’m looking forward to hearing her on co-comms more often.

SoliD · 21 Feb 2021 at 17:40

Yeah she was really good today on the bits I caught.