The Pro Cycling Forum 2015 Season

I wanted to start a place to discuss professional cycling and all that make the sport great. Also for people not familiar with the sport, or who have lost interest since the doping brigade of the 2000s, it will be a place to learn and reinvest interest in the sport. I intend to post race previews for major races, results, discussions, and write up some history lessons as the season goes along. (And encourage others to do the same!)

Websites

CQ Ranking (Race results and historical results since 1998) CQ also uses its own point system for ranking, which is far better than anything official used in the sport.

www.cyclingnews.com (The go site for photos, race features, daily race recaps, gear, and everything else)

Cycling Fever (Great for race introductions, start-lists, and race histories)

Steephill.tv (Posts links for live stream racing, results, and photos) Awesome for practicing a new language too!

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/ (Awesome English forum for all things cycling, “The Clinic” section will give you all you can handle about doping in the sport)

cyclingtorrents.nl (Torrents for everything under the sun)

The Official Rules of the Euro Cyclist (Guidelines on how a Euro Cyclist conducts himself)

Books

There are bunch of books on cycling, so these are just a few that provide some history of the sport and details the lives of the historical icons.

Road to Valor: Gino Bartali
Fallen Angel: The Passion of Fausto Coppi
Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape: Jacques Anquetil
Breaking the Chain: Drugs and Cycling
We Were Young and Carefree: Laurent Fignon
The Rider
A Rough Ride: An Insight to Pro Cycling
Domestique: The Real Life Ups and Downs of a Tour Pro
Slaying the Badger: Greg Lemond, Bernard Hinault, and the Greatest Tour de France
The Secret Race: Tyler Hamilton
Half Man, Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx
Marco Pantani: The Legend of a Tragic Champion
Tomorrow We Ride

Plus Much Much More


The Cycling Calendar

This is a loose system of races on the calendar.

The Grand Tours- (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a España)

The Monuments- (Milan-San Remo, Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Liege Bastogne Liege, Giro di Lombardia)

The World Championships- (Road Race, Time Trial, Team Time Trial)

<these above races merit their own discussion, and I will go into more detail about them later>

World Tour Stages Races w/ Historical Significance (Paris Nice, Vuelta Pais al Vasco, Tour de Suisse, etc.)

World Tour Single Day w/ Historical Significance (Amstel Gold Race, Clasica San Sebastian, etc.)

World Tour Stage Races sans Historical Significance (Tour of Poland, Eneco Pro Tour, etc.)

World Tour Singe Day sans Historical Significance (GP du Montreal, GP Ouest Plouay, etc.)

Continental Tour Races (some which are great and merit recognition from teams, but some are dismissed because of lack of sponsorships) examples: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Paris Tours, Strade Bianche, Volta a Portugal, Vuelta a Colombia)

World Tour races award points to teams which goes toward their resume to being considered for the Pro Tour for the following year. Kinda similar to EPL, La Liga, etc. with relegation. I don't like this setup as it gives significance to bullshit races like the Eneco Tour which has never had a stake in the sport, putting it on similar footing to races like the Criterium du Dauphine. Though there is still a bunch of good cycling throughout the year, so it really is not that big a deal if you just want to watch good racing.

Even though the season began in January, many (including myself) don't believe the true season starts until this coming weekend, when the hardmen come out and duke it out for the first classics of the year- Omloop het Nieuwsblad (or het Volk for the purists) and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Held in Belgium, these races and other to come in March and April are unique due to sectors of the race are held on cobblestone (pavé). Combine the bad weather of late winter/early spring, vicious cross winds, and leg breaking speeds over 50 kph are really what make the classics special. These first two races (OHV, KBK) are essentially tune-ups to test form, scout out rivals, and acclimate with the cold weather in preparation for the cobblestone monunments (Ronde van Vlaanderen [RVV] and Paris Roubaix [PR]). So usually you will not see heavy favorites duke it out and risk everything this early in the season, when there are more important prizes still lying months ahead. Though its still a fantastic weekend, as it gives us a taste of what's to come.

2015 Omloop het Nieuwsblad

Saturday, February 28
check steephill.tv for live streams. Coverage starts at 8:15 ET.

Depart: Ghent Arrive: Ghent (200km)



The Startlist

The Favorites (odds are from sportsbet.au)
Sep Vanmarcke 5.50
Alexander Kristoff 6.00
Greg Van Avermaet 8.00
Niki Terpstra 9.00
Zdenek Stybar 10.00
Tom Boonen 11.00
Ian Stannard 15.00
Philippe Gilbert 26.00

2014 Results
STANNARD, Ian (SKY) 4:49:55
VAN AVERMAET, Greg (BMC RACING)
BOASSON HAGEN, Edvald (SKY) + 24



2015 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

Sunday, March 1
check steephill.tv for live streams. Coverage starts at 8:30 ET.

Depart: Kuurne Arrive: Kuurne (196 km)

Parcours and Race Map

The Startlist

The Favorites (odds are from sportsbet.au)
Mark Cavendish 4.50
Alexander Kristoff 5.00
Tom Boonen 8.00
Greg Van Avermaet 13.00
Sep Vanmarcke 13.00
Moreno Hofland 15.00
Matteo Pelucchi 23.00
Ian Stannard 26.00

2014 Results
BOONEN, Tom (OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP) 4:28:50
HOFLAND, Moreno (BELKIN)
VANMARCKE, Sep (BELKIN)

Glad to see this. What do you make of the recent Astana news?

Great stuff, thanks for starting up a thread on this Chunnel!
I'm always watching the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and Tour of Spain as well as many of the other tours around the world and one day classics.
If truth be told, I watch them as much for the incredible scenery you get from those helicopters shooting the footage as for the action itself!
What did you think of the recent Tour of Andalusia?
Was good to see Froome and Contador battling it out, some pretty steep climbs there too in Andalucia!

Happy to see there are other fans here!

Quote: (02-27-2015 03:54 PM)Grange Wrote:  

Glad to see this. What do you make of the recent Astana news?

I've always loved Astana and Vinokourov, so from a biased personal standpoint, I don't want them to get the ax. But they're probably shady as fuck, but then again who isn't?? The age old question in cycling

Quote: (02-27-2015 04:10 PM)amity Wrote:  

Great stuff, thanks for starting up a thread on this Chunnel!
I'm always watching the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and Tour of Spain as well as many of the other tours around the world and one day classics.
If truth be told, I watch them as much for the incredible scenery you get from those helicopters shooting the footage as for the action itself!
What did you think of the recent Tour of Andalusia?
Was good to see Froome and Contador battling it out, some pretty steep climbs there too in Andalucia!

To be honest I didn't watch the Andalucia. This weekend is the one where I really start gearing it up! Where do you live? I'm usually relegated to the crappy internet streams for watching and can't witness the beautiful imagery from Eurosport or Sporza. The sport is probably the most breathtaking in terms of visual, both from the surroundings and the riders. Only thing that beats watching it on TV is in person.

Great weekend in Belgium!

Stannard single-handedly holds off Etixx, Cavendish saved his Benelux teammates' asses for their hardcore Saturday fail, and now it truly feels like cycling season now!

Who watched this weekend?

2015 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Results

1 STANNARD, Ian (SKY) 4:58:41
2 TERPSTRA, Niki (ETIXX - QUICK STEP)
3 BOONEN, Tom (ETIXX - QUICK STEP) + 8
4 VANDENBERGH, Stijn (ETIXX - QUICK STEP) + 15
5 VANMARCKE, Sep (LOTTO NL - JUMBO) + 1:24
6 VAN AVERMAET, Greg (BMC RACING)
7 STYBAR, Zdenek (ETIXX - QUICK STEP) + 1:29
8 GILBERT, Philippe (BMC RACING) + 4:35
9 ROWE, Luke (SKY) + 4:55
10 DEMARE, Arnaud (FDJ)



2015 Kuurne Brussels Kuurne Results

1 CAVENDISH, Mark (ETIXX - QUICK STEP) 4:29:00
2 KRISTOFF, Alexander (KATUSHA)
3 VIVIANI, Elia (SKY)
4 VAN ASBROECK, Tom (LOTTO NL - JUMBO)
5 COLLI, Daniele (NIPPO - VINI FANTINI)
6 DRUCKER, Jean-Pierre (BMC RACING)
7 DEBUSSCHERE, Jens (LOTTO SOUDAL)
8 SBARAGLI, Kristian (MTN - QHUBEKA)
9 KREDER, Raymond (TEAM ROOMPOT)
10 PELUCCHI, Matteo (IAM CYCLING)

Honestly I'm not trying to troll this thread, but what enjoyment do you guys get out of watching people ride bicycles? Cycling seems like the type of sport that is more fun to actually do than watch.

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:48 AM)travolta Wrote:  

Honestly I'm not trying to troll this thread, but what enjoyment do you guys get out of watching people ride bicycles? Cycling seems like the type of sport that is more fun to actually do than watch.

I'm sure some of us on here are cyclists, and I do some races as well. I'm not pro, but when you've done some 50 mile road races trying to jostle for the best position while you're red-lining, lungs about to burst, half-worrying you'll pass out because your heart never pounded so fast, drool flowing down your chin, and yet you need to dig even more for the final sprint to the finish or just to catch a breakaway... you have a visceral understanding of what these pros are going through when you watch these races. Just my 0.02.

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:48 AM)travolta Wrote:  

Honestly I'm not trying to troll this thread, but what enjoyment do you guys get out of watching people ride bicycles? Cycling seems like the type of sport that is more fun to actually do than watch.

Like any sport, if you don't understand it, it's not much fun to watch. Soccer puts the average American to sleep yet most of the world is obsessed.

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:57 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:48 AM)travolta Wrote:  

Honestly I'm not trying to troll this thread, but what enjoyment do you guys get out of watching people ride bicycles? Cycling seems like the type of sport that is more fun to actually do than watch.

I'm sure some of us on here are cyclists, and I do some races as well. I'm not pro, but when you've done some 50 mile road races trying to jostle for the best position while you're red-lining, lungs about to burst, half-worrying you'll pass out because your heart never pounded so fast, drool flowing down your chin, and yet you need to dig even more for the final sprint to the finish or just to catch a breakaway... you have a visceral understanding of what these pros are going through when you watch these races. Just my 0.02.

I agree with all of this.

There is no sport like cycling that pushes a human to both his physical and mental limits. The man vs. himself component of the sport cannot be matched, and then add mother nature to throw in rain, wind, sleet, or snow, when climbing up a 20km mountain wasn't hard enough already. Its the ultimate thrill in watching men overcome ruthless suffering.

This photo exemplifies cycling:



Man alone by himself, suffering in the most brutal conditions, knowing that if he abandons someone hungrier than him will come and take what could have been his. Many sports have heroes, but cycling has legends.

Read Tim Krabbe's, The Rider. It does a great job of outlining the internal struggle of bike racing, and can answer some questions on why spectators enjoy the sport. Though I do agree, it is fun (perhaps more) to participate in it as well!

I love bike racing. It's also one of the only sports where you see great scenery as it progresses, not the inside of a gym or stadium. and you can have small guys that are competitive. I did a couple 900 miles bike tours (not races) and they were epic lifetime momory events.

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:57 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:48 AM)travolta Wrote:  

Honestly I'm not trying to troll this thread, but what enjoyment do you guys get out of watching people ride bicycles? Cycling seems like the type of sport that is more fun to actually do than watch.

I'm sure some of us on here are cyclists, and I do some races as well. I'm not pro, but when you've done some 50 mile road races trying to jostle for the best position while you're red-lining, lungs about to burst, half-worrying you'll pass out because your heart never pounded so fast, drool flowing down your chin, and yet you need to dig even more for the final sprint to the finish or just to catch a breakaway... you have a visceral understanding of what these pros are going through when you watch these races. Just my 0.02.

Yo, are you going to MS150 or Easter Hill Country Tour next month?

I signed up for EHCT, thinking about MS150.

Biking is fun as hell, especially when its raining or in a scenic route! The only suck parts are when your bike goes out and you have no spare parts or a huge ass rattle snake comes out.

Quote: (03-02-2015 09:45 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:57 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:48 AM)travolta Wrote:  

Honestly I'm not trying to troll this thread, but what enjoyment do you guys get out of watching people ride bicycles? Cycling seems like the type of sport that is more fun to actually do than watch.

I'm sure some of us on here are cyclists, and I do some races as well. I'm not pro, but when you've done some 50 mile road races trying to jostle for the best position while you're red-lining, lungs about to burst, half-worrying you'll pass out because your heart never pounded so fast, drool flowing down your chin, and yet you need to dig even more for the final sprint to the finish or just to catch a breakaway... you have a visceral understanding of what these pros are going through when you watch these races. Just my 0.02.

Yo, are you going to MS150 or Easter Hill Country Tour next month?

I signed up for EHCT, thinking about MS150.

Biking is fun as hell, especially when its raining or in a scenic route! The only suck parts are when your bike goes out and you have no spare parts or a huge ass rattle snake comes out.

It's fun, healthy and once you have bought your bike very, very cheap. Hours-long rides for less than a dollar wear on tires. It's one of those "flying feeling" sports like skiing, ice skating, I guess parachuting, sex..... I tried racing but I couldn't compete in even the lowest category, little athletic talent..My icon is my bike lying by a mountain bike trailside in the foothills of the Sierras

Quote: (03-02-2015 09:45 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Yo, are you going to MS150 or Easter Hill Country Tour next month?

I signed up for EHCT, thinking about MS150.

Biking is fun as hell, especially when its raining or in a scenic route! The only suck parts are when your bike goes out and you have no spare parts or a huge ass rattle snake comes out.

Yes I'm doing the MS150... haven't done the EHCT though. I'm also gonna do the bear creek crits (cats 3/4).

Bike events for Texas this year: http://www.txbra.org/events/ and http://www.wheelbrothers.com/texas-bike-rides/

Not to mention, I've noticed my stamina skyrockets whenever I bike a lot consistently. Biking = good sex.

That's a nice pic IKE! The best biking is seeing stuff when riding, just looking at a sun set over looking a hill. What are ya'lls MPH average? I'm doing 12 on a freaking mountain bike with fat (2.35) tires. Getting a good bike size fit and tires are essential. 90 bucks for tires that are comfortable and as you mention, cost less than a dollar per mile.

That's a nice list, who knew so many events took place. Shit, might head out to MS150 just to see what it's all about.

What do you carry to events?

Some pics I've taken in my rides:

Clean slate, will taking a mountain bike with road tires be okay for MS150 or will I need to buy a road bike with those weird handlebars?

Thanks!

Quote: (03-02-2015 11:43 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Clean slate, will taking a mountain bike with road tires be okay for MS150 or will I need to buy a road bike with those weird handlebars?

Thanks!

Most people use road bikes, or a hybrid with road tires. If you're particularly strong, you can pull it off with a mountain bike with road tires... but I would definitely try it out on some hills first before you undertake such an endeavor. You can buy a perfectly fine used road bike for $300-400 off craigslist, and then take it to the shop for a tune up.

Cycling is amazing I've been following the sport since I was young and have been riding for like 7 years now, no events though just out of fun maybe I should sign up for one.

I however don't have a decent bike

Cycling is something I enjoy a ton. Scenery, health benefits, danger, solitude, discovery, accomplishment, and when I opt for a bike instead of a car, time of parking and accessebility - while I've not become strict with myself and made a training schedule, I still ride a lot most days of the week.

I've got an old Japanese road bike from the '70s which is still a 10speed, but now that I've acquired another vintage 10 this one will be converted to a fixed gear. That I want for the rain.

Pro cycling is fun to watch for me for the scenery, and because it reminds me that I ain't shit and gets me riding harder. Miami cycling is easy with no elevation... just have to worry about the crazies in vehicles. Just another day another two cyclists were hit on a causeway frequented by cyclists... another drunk driver early in the morning, and it seems that happens every other month on the same road.

ride safely.

I do have a question for those experienced bikers:

Supersix or CAAD?

I'm already going to spend 3-4 grand on a CAAD (I want the black edition), might as well know what's the S6 brings. Supposedly the SuperSix is for "endurance", don't know what the fyck that means.

Somewhat off-topic, but do people who are into biking generally use a bike for transportation as well? I don't do much recreational riding, but I've recently replaced most of my driving with biking and love it. The occasional danger of traffic makes you appreciate life . Brief periods of intense stress are actually good for you, and quite invigorating.

Waiting for stories on macking on Paris Brest Paris...

Nice Basil. Do we have another bike thread here? I wanted to post about some but not really into the thread title

@ Fuji I have an old Japanese bike fetish. What is it ?

Quote: (03-14-2015 05:28 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

I do have a question for those experienced bikers:

Supersix or CAAD?

I'm already going to spend 3-4 grand on a CAAD (I want the black edition), might as well know what's the S6 brings. Supposedly the SuperSix is for "endurance", don't know what the fyck that means.

Haven't rode either myself, but I would go with the cheaper bike and spend the money you save on upgrading the components and groupset, or better yet, get a good wheelset.

Yup el mech: http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-37401-...#pid958749