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Joined June 2012
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What exactly would be the benefits for teams and riders if they were to sign onto the Clean Protocol?
Instead of punishing dirty cyclists, should we reward the clean?
I am interested to know Lee if you would endorse lifetime bans for recent positive clenbuterol tests. In particular Daryl Impey and Michael Rogers who have admittedly been exonerated, and to a lesser extent, Alberto Contador who strangely was banned in similar circumstances. If Contador was banned for life and Impey and Rogers off free would that be fair? Admittedly I do not know the fine details of each case.
Dopers are cheating for life, so ban them for life
I really thought Sagan was going to explode at the Vuelta this year but he seemed quite anonymous through the race. I think you rightly point out Sean that 2012 really raised our expectations, however we need to remind ourselves that he is still only 24. Fabian Cancellara won Paris-Roubaix when he was 26 and then his next monument at 28. He has since become a true legend of the sport. Hopefully more experience will quell some of Sagan’s impulsivity and we will see him making some smarter decisions during races that will pay dividends.
It's time for Peter Sagan to deliver
Gerrans has won some huge races in the last couple of years with his usual strategy of riding anonymously in the peloton and then popping out in the last few hundred metres to sprint for the win. I’m remembering Milan-San-Remo and LBL when he was taken to the line by other riders and jumped them in the sprint. Unfortunately this strategy failed him on Sunday when he got caught in a chase group that wasn’t prepared to work together to pull Kwiatkowski back. It was so frustrating watching them leave Gilbert on the front giving it everything while the rest waited in his slipstream hoping the polish rider would fade in the finish. Unfortunately fortune favoured the brave in this case and Gerrans might have missed his last chance for the rainbow stripes.
ANDERSON: Gerrans came close, but history remembers winners
I always love watching Cadel get interviewed. He has this unique blend of honesty and awkwardness in his delivery that just leaves me hanging on every word. I agree that he will command respect everywhere he goes long into the future. Luckily for us the future of Australian cycling looks bright, with many ready to take up the reins. But there will never be another Cadel.
Chapeau, Cadel
It’s a big ask isn’t it? I remember he tried the double in 2011. From memory he won the Giro by something like 6 minutes but never looked to have good legs at the tour when he was beaten by Cadel (albeit he crashed multiple times). I think most would agree he has never quite looked like the Contador of old, however he looked very solid at the Vuelta. But with Froome and Quintana saving everything for the tour, Contador would have to do something amazing to win both.
Contador aiming for the Giro-Tour double
That’s a shame Felix. I love watching this guy race. He always has a smile on his face and has never seemed upset about being the number 2 sprinter in the team. He just makes the most of his chances.
10 talking points from the 2014 Vuelta a Espana
I can’t argue with your list but I would have Michael Rogers in for Majka after his unbelievable work on the front of the peloton after spending time on the sidelines and breakthrough grand tour stage wins this year (one on Zoncolan no less!). And Hansen in for Thomas simply because he is hard as nails riding every Grand Tour for 3 years and still pulling off stage victories at the Giro last year and Vuelta this year. Apologies for the strong Aussie bias!
Who would you pick in a 2014 Grand Tour dream team?
Interesting exercise. Although it begs the question is it better to pick a team with a sole objective (either GC, sprint success, green jersey etc) or hedge your bets as you have done. And also if you were really to choose this team, would two of those GC riders agree to ride for a designated leader? Might be a case of too many cooks spoils the broth? Thoughts?
Who would you pick in a 2014 Grand Tour dream team?
He also has the best 5 o’clock shadow in the peloton. Although his seems to be a 24 hour a day thing.
Gritty thrills aplenty at the Vuelta
Now he just needs a yellow jersey to complete the set! I reckon we are going to be talking about this rider a lot over the next few years.
The Vuelta Stage 3 recap
I think this approach has been tried and failed for the last few years at Melbourne in my opinion. Unfortunately it has backfired and developed a large group of players between 40-100 games who have been bred into a losing culture and had little guidance from senior players.
What do you do with the Demons?
No way is Contador racing just to make up the numbers. And, as you mentioned, he’s got the runs on the board in a situation like this (2012 Vuelta win). But I still feel we are waiting to see if ‘The Contador of Old’ can make a return. We were robbed of answers to this question at the tour. Maybe the Vuelta will turn out to be the best Grand Tour of 2014.
Is Contador really taking it easy at the Vuelta?
Once again, I am looking forward to my favourite time on the AFL calendar. October and list management time. Let the cull begin.
Lyon flyin' and Roos' blues: A tale of two coaches
Cadel Evans before the tour of Utah
“My main thing here is to get hard racing at altitude and to get ready for the Vuelta,” he says. There he will “most likely” help Samuel Sanchez in what he estimates will be his 18th Grand Tour. The last time he recalls working for a protected rider at a Grand Tour was in 2005.
“So that will be a different role but I’m looking forward to that. It’s been a short time with Sanchez but a very enjoyable time and I’d say there is a lot of respect between us from before we were team-mates and for the short time we have been team-mates. So that gives me pleasure to go there with his best interest and best result possible in mind.”
I was quite incredulous reading this. Surely Cadel is a better chance to podium than Sanchez.
Is Cadel back in the hunt for the Vuelta?
Not only is he a green jersey expert, he is also one of the best classics riders in the world. Second in Milan-San-Remo and the Tour of Flanders. Winner of Gent Wevelgem and Bribantse Pilj. The list could go on. Would have thought a big chance to win a monument in the next few years. Such an entertaining rider by virtue of being competitive in one way or another in any form of racing.
Peter says Sagan-ara to green jersey by joining Contador's team
Fabulous to see the end of the Skybots drilling the front of the peloton for 3 weeks. The cobbles were AMAZING! Admittedly, Nibali’s domination of yellow took some of the shine off, but the future of the tour was really show cased, and it looks an exciting one! Philip Gomes on Cycling Central raised the (admittedly remote) possibility that with the ground swell of young talent coming through, Froome, Contador and Nibali might never win another Grand Tour. Wouldn’t that be something?!
2014 Tour de France: Success or failure?
I’m no expert but I really feel that Nibali would have beaten Contador and Froome. He was already looking dominant before they crashed and I didn’t see any signs of weakness while in the big mountains. He also time trialled well.
Deserved victory for dominant Nibali
Albo, you make a good point. Porte really lacks another version of himself to be his chief lieutenant amongst the remaining riders in team Sky. Nevertheless, it is a great chance to have a good result and prove his GC potential.
ANDERSON: Porte may now see his chance for team leadership
Fair call on the rules boys! My mistake. This crash has certainly divided opinion. Regardless, it is a shame that Cav crashed out. So far the sprint contests have been the poorer for it.
Cavendish the architect of his own downfall
I think to suggest that Lee hasn’t watched the lead up to the final sprint before compiling his article is not giving him the respect he deserves. I happen to agree with Lee on this one. I concede that Gerrans drifted right as the sprint commenced, but where in the rule book does it say that a rider can’t change direction in a sprint? Cav thrust his head and shoulders into Gerrans side in a desperate attempt to create space that wasn’t there. Mark Renshaw was ejected from the tour a couple of years back for less.
Cavendish the architect of his own downfall
The wheels seem to be falling off for OGE before the tour has even started. Disappointed about Daryl Impey. Would be a crying shame if ‘Bling’ were to miss the tour after the form he’s shown this year.
OGE's Michael Matthews likely to miss Tour de France
I agree that the Dees have benefited from a lot of luck in their wins. Admittedly their defence is holding up well, but Bellchambers missing from 20 metres out directly in front is down to the Gods and is nothing to do with anything Melbourne did well. I also agree that any good side playing well should still beat the Demons at this stage.
Defensive Demons have opposition teams misfiring
I would love to see Astana rubbed out. It would send a real message to the cycling world that the UCI is serious about clean cycling. Sadly I would be surprised to see such bravery.
Follow the money: Team name and roster changes for 2015