Soldato
double post
Last edited:
Pro Cycling Thread 2023
- Thread starter SoliD
- Start date
I mean in the media, there has been very few questions posed to him about how he can do it all week in week out.
Soldato
Ah sorry, I thought you meant on here. I think there have been hints about it, maybe they saw how saying such things before meant people were throwing urine over the team etc. I think Lantern Rouge did an analysis and let the data speak for itself but didn’t outright say anything. TBH, no idea really just thinking aloud.
Soldato
I guess my point was around the difference between the 'gaps between the top 2 (well, now 1) and everyone else' and 'the overall performance of present-day cyclists'. If we're suggesting most of the peloton are doping, then the gaps are not evidence, surely? If Adam Yates is doping, then JV is still a ridiculous athlete to be that far ahead, even if he's doping too. If everyone is doping, it's a level playing field still... why are these two standouts? Because they're still amazing athletes.
But yes, looks like it's over now, but could be some interesting battles for 3rd, or maybe even 2nd if Pog has burnt too many matches now.
But yes, looks like it's over now, but could be some interesting battles for 3rd, or maybe even 2nd if Pog has burnt too many matches now.
Soldato
Pog was always pretty nuts but I comforted myself in the knowledge that the GC fields in the Tours he won were relatively weak and he’s been an insane talent from a young age, like Remco. Vingegaard on the other hand is harder to wrap your head around. The only thing that gives me some pause for thought is there’s simply no way these guys have found some secret PED that no one else has, but perhaps they are pushing the boundaries/getting around the testing in a way that no one else is.
I do think nutrition and cooling in particular has moved on a huge way from Pantani’s day. These guys are taking on 100g plus of carbs an hour, are better fuelled off the bike for recovery and are constantly taking on ice etc to keep their core temperature down. Is that, coupled with technology and training improvements, enough to bridge the gap to historically doped performances? We have no idea really. What I would like to see is a physiologist explaining whether it’s physically possible for a clean rider to reach those performance levels. There must be an innate limit to performance when you put together all your physical attributes. AFAIK we just have 7w/kg as a doped performance because that’s what dopers achieved in the past rather than any actual knowledge about it.
I am sceptical though, the delta between Vingegaard and Pogacar is huge and, minus Vingegaard, Pogacar is still utterly destroying this field.
I do think nutrition and cooling in particular has moved on a huge way from Pantani’s day. These guys are taking on 100g plus of carbs an hour, are better fuelled off the bike for recovery and are constantly taking on ice etc to keep their core temperature down. Is that, coupled with technology and training improvements, enough to bridge the gap to historically doped performances? We have no idea really. What I would like to see is a physiologist explaining whether it’s physically possible for a clean rider to reach those performance levels. There must be an innate limit to performance when you put together all your physical attributes. AFAIK we just have 7w/kg as a doped performance because that’s what dopers achieved in the past rather than any actual knowledge about it.
I am sceptical though, the delta between Vingegaard and Pogacar is huge and, minus Vingegaard, Pogacar is still utterly destroying this field.
Last edited:
Caporegime
I don't know if thats a question that can be answered. Did anyone think that people would be running 9.5s in the hundred metres before Bolt came along and did it? The sub 2 hour marathon. We are certainly heading towards human peak performance. Well, I say that but I'm sure they said this 10 years ago too.
I simply don't believe that pro cycling is clean when the benefits are so large. There is always far more money, creativity and attention given to breaking the rules than enforcing them in almost every pursuit.
Soldato
Yeah, this was a fantastic last 13km or so. They were gaining plenty, but Alaphiliipe and co. did a great job of just being annoying and getting in the way, then Asgreen finished great. I felt bad for Uno X who I think had a lead-out man and a sprinter, but the pace couldn't be dropped off to allow that to work.
Soldato
All in all I thought that was a great tour. Yes, it wasn't that close for first in the end, but actually, after that was decided were some of the best stages. Do they make a DVD summary or something at some point?
What happened to Rodrigues yesterday? I only saw the blood on his face, arm and leg later on.
What happened to Rodrigues yesterday? I only saw the blood on his face, arm and leg later on.
You can’t compare the EPO era times to modern day.
They were doing so so many other things badly that have now been eliminated or optimised it’s no surprise the times are being beaten.
The bikes, the clothing, the training, the team, aerodynamics, nutrition etc etc. everything is light years ahead.
They were doing so so many other things badly that have now been eliminated or optimised it’s no surprise the times are being beaten.
The bikes, the clothing, the training, the team, aerodynamics, nutrition etc etc. everything is light years ahead.
Last edited:
Really enjoyed the road championships and some of the track action last night. Felt like I was screaming MVP on through my TV, even more so once he slipped.
Then the track final between Ganna and Dan coming down to that tiny margin on the last lap, incredible.
Then the track final between Ganna and Dan coming down to that tiny margin on the last lap, incredible.
Soldato
I couldn't believe when he got back up, he still had 30 seconds on them. I was waiting for them to update the gap... but it just got bigger
Yeah it's like it lit a fire under him to not lose it. Some season he is having!I couldn't believe when he got back up, he still had 30 seconds on them. I was waiting for them to update the gap... but it just got bigger
When does the Vuelta start? Really looking forward to that now.
Soldato
This is the thing though, in a poll in the morning I couldn't decide between him and Evenepoel, but voted Evenepoel because MVP didn't look that great in the Tour (but tbf, thinking back he did some amazing lead-outs and it's why Alpecine won as many races as they did, they just weren't MVP wins...)
26th I believe. Yeah, I'm looking forward to that too. Some big names riding it if I recall.
MVDP could make history and become the first male rider to hold CX, Road and MTB world titles next week. Don't think Evenepoel has come close to MVDPs season. Won Tour of Flanders and was going alright at the Giro and thats about it on the top level. MVDP has won World CX and Roads gold, Milan San Remo and Paris Roubaix.
@Junglist taht pursuit was ridiciulous, hopefully BIgham can turn it around at the Olympics next year, coming so close to Ganna is a huge step forward for him!
@Junglist taht pursuit was ridiciulous, hopefully BIgham can turn it around at the Olympics next year, coming so close to Ganna is a huge step forward for him!
Just catching up on all the racers from the weekend, really enjoying it and glad our ladies just managed to win the Madison.
We had the Men's Elite Road Race on at a wedding after-party day on Sunday, much to the amusement/sadness if the bride, nice wee group of us huddled around the iPad.
Then when Trentin went head over heels, one of the guys messaged him to see if he had climbed off...... He only rides with him out where he lives
We had the Men's Elite Road Race on at a wedding after-party day on Sunday, much to the amusement/sadness if the bride, nice wee group of us huddled around the iPad.
Then when Trentin went head over heels, one of the guys messaged him to see if he had climbed off...... He only rides with him out where he lives
Soldato
Thanks for the headsup.
Wow, it's a long one!
Wow, it's a long one!
I think it very unlikely... but maybe the length suits him more?