tubed

funny enough that would not be a "silly selection" in my view - he's def good for a stage win and lots of publicity - something they get more than they deserve of. On that point if Jean Smythe is still doing the PR, that's one aspect of the team firing on all cylinders because they get way more coverage than they are due. they can forget about the overall or even top ten So I'd go with: EBH Cav King Valgren (he has to come good at some stage) Kreuzinger Stagter Reini Tiller Wyss On paper that's more firepower than most tier two teams could hope for and without the pressure of overall it has lots of options for stage wins.

I'd agree with this, no disrespect to Stefan de Bod as he is still very new. But as Robert Millar said, this is the biggest race in France after the TDF, bigger than Paris Nice. I get the fact that they have had injuries and illness and these guys were probably the best pencilled in to ride the event, the fact remains EBH had zero support. The irony is that the cameras and press tried as hard as they could to give him max coverage, but eventually they had to follow the racing action. So for all those pointless hours that DDD have been racking up over the preceding months chasing down breaks for DQS to take the sprint - this was the time they needed Tiller, van Rensburg, Thompson, Eisl, Renshaw, Vermote to be on the front. Not at the Tour of Norway with no TV coverage. I seriously hope Dlamini and cummings were sick and not bailing due to form. On the positive side, it seems quite clear who has form in the team and who not - hopefully we don't see some silly team selections for the TDF. Anyway enough ranting from me, over to the Race to Rhodes

Was piss poor disappointing to see EBH in yellow with not a single teammate around him to help, he clearly wanted to try and hang on to the jersey and got zero help. By all accounts it was similar to Paris Nice with the big guns and their teams racing on day 2 of a stage race - so there was no armchair ride and a sprint finish for EBH, kudos to him for doing justice to the jersey and at least fighting to the end. Perhaps J Vermote can get a pass for being in the break the day before, but for the rest, unless there is some breakaway action in the rest of the week, thats it for their race for the week, so it turns into another training ride with us scrolling down the results to look for DNF's.

I see MW is lined up for RTR, I am sure he is going to have a good crack at that. Strange not to see Tim riding. For the racing group, I see it maybe like this: Martin - its his 50th birthday gift, he has ridden a lot of other stuff and is now very accomplished on the mtb, but this race is the big deal for him, it really brings out the best and deepest in him, I think he will push harder than ever before. Alex - sounds weird by saying he has something to prove - because he doesn't. But this race I think still brings out the adventurer in him in his back yard. Expect him to have some good luck for a change and to not hold anything back. Always a good sign to see even someone with his pedigree doing some route refresher in the last couple of months, looks like he has intent. Graham - cruised last year, still at the top of his game, able to push himself very hard. He's put himself in the race group - expect an enormous effort and the others to bring out the best in him. Meticulous planner. Jacques and Leon - JT has nothing to prove, pressure is off. I am sure he would like to go faster and enjoy himself a bit more. Leon endured missing out last year, he wont make that mistake again, he will make the most of every second. If they ride together, they could be formidable as a team. Good cyclists - can put the hammer down toward the end if needs be. Fjord and Arno - I'm assuming there will be some sort of team up, good cyclists, going to be interesting to see Arno go all the way. Dark horses. Liehann - analytical and calculating - will again ride his own race as fast as he can - he's been away from the race for 2 years - I suspect much of which was figuring out how to go faster - bet on him to do just that. Gavin - had some false starts - so finishing is priority - hopefully with some good luck and a decent engine he is in the mix. If he teams up with someone for part of the ride it would make sense. Gawie and Scott - both fast on the bike, the fact that they are not in the race group shouldn't count them out. Gawie would like nothing more than to get to Diemersfontein and have someone have to chase his time. I cant recall such a stacked field, its sad not to see Tim and Mike in the mix (and Marnitz!). Theo would also be competitive. Hopefully these guys this year set a new bar for Bruce - because when he comes back I think it could be a different game. (lastly I saw a comment on FB wondering what Ramses would do - simply he would get lost and wander for a while. this event is principally about two things route knowledge/ route strategy and endurance, without the first it is near impossible to compete) Can't wait! Those are my amateur comments -

I'm afraid I am losing faith too. The only thing they seem to have done well this year is pull back the break for the other teams. Quite consistently they have been on the front in the classics and one week races, not having anyone in the break, but putting a few workhorses on the front to bring it back for the sprint, only to finish in 7-10th position. Honestly there is nothing to write about at the moment, nothing. They must be paying cyclingnews.com a retainer of sorts, because if Cavendish farts they feature it as a story.

Actually quite surprised Steve hasnt suggested or designed a hubber 'pick your winner competition' , I guessing this is going to be better racing than watching a clover leaf format around the winelands for 7 days. Now all we need is some nasty weather. Going to be fascinating - the competitive streak in some of those gents runs very deep and its going to be massive effort to come out on top. Sadly the womens field is limited this year. But I take my helmet off to any lady that finishes, there is no pulling on pockets or fetching bottles in this event, everyone earns their blanket

Been waiting for Marnitz to start a new thread, but excitement has gotten the better of me. Excitement fuelled by who's racing this year, besides the event being full, the race talent is the best there is for this type of event, all the manne are present, (except Mike W and Bruce H), its going to be Epic. Hopefully Mike W if not racing will chirp from time to time. We will miss Johann dearly, but hopefully it will be a good time to remember all the good that he did. Wishing Chris and Julia all the best with the big boots to fill. Looking forward to reconnecting here over that time with some of the community which have made this forum so rich over the last years in June/ July. Sooo excited....

Dont think it can get worse for DDD, so lets hope the Giro shows some fight at least. Some monster pulls in Yorkshire by Dlamini and Tiller. ( thats some climate change for Nic Dlamini after riding sunny circles of the peninsula for weeks while they try and sort out his visa). This is worth a read by he/ she Robert Millar, putting the obvious lack of results aside it makes a case that when it matters Cav might still be worth a bet. http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/philippa-york-analysing-mark-cavendishs-tour-de-yorkshire-sprints/

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/fleche-wallonne-2019/results/ Loved watching the last km of this race, at the bottom of the climb there are many riders from a good selection of teams all in with a shout, at the end we will probably only remember Alaphilippe and Fuglsang, the rest were so close but none of them count. Sure its not a win for DD, but Gasparotto was right in there at the end, 10th, its the difference between a good couple of pedal strokes at the right time when Fuglsang went and being blocked by someone going backwards in front of you. The difference are so small, the results so big. Unlucky for Kreuzinger. Looking forward to Leige.

Louis is 27 years old. Just 27 years old. Lets give the guy a break, massive expectation early on - massive results early on (https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/louis-meintjes) He seems like a class act who probably misses lying about on his couch with his dog in Rustenburg - yet he has to go and live in some shitty hotel at altitude and ride in crappy conditions to fulfill expectations. Sure its his choice. But with less pressure and plenty of years left in that tank, I hope we still see the best more of him.

DD seem to have changed strategy at a team level and are going all in for the big wins, its a risky strategy because its all or nothing. In the past they always had someone in the break for media coverage and the outside chance that the break would survive, it rarely did, but they racked up hours and hours of TV coverage with no points, except for Cav's stage wins and the odd surprise by Cummings or EBH, but it was very risky and often left them with no points at all. So the new strategy is to get likely stage winners and classics guys in and forget about the early breaks, chase the serious ones and use up the team and then hope the contenders are in with a shout - but they havent been in contention! So the only time we see DD is when they are trying to pull back the main break of the day - the other teams must be loving this, DD pulls when needed and then is nowhere in the finale. Really though a massive amount comes down to luck too - just ask Valverde, van Avermat, Kwiatkowsky, Degenkolb etc etc, all of them looking for the illusive win to save their season... its not just DD. (Maybe we should be thankful they are not pinning their hopes on Morton, Haas et al). If Eddy had just survived 1500m further in Schilepruys things would be so different. I'm still a believer.

Indurain was always accused of having a boep when he was in his time trial suit and down on the aero bars - he ended up delivering some pretty decent results for a 'fat' oke. Personally from what I hear of your team culture its far more enlightened than Lefevere's culture which produces many winners, but there are far too many riders who have passed through his school and not coped with life outside of cycling for me to envy what he produces.

Rouxenator Love your post, nice alternative way to ride a funride, thanks for sharing

Be interested to hear the excuse. Segafredo DS felt the need yesterday to apologise for a showing better than DD today! All said, I am still a fan and much like the Stormers 44-3, its opening weekend and things can turnaround quickly. What I get really excited about is that both wins this weekend were guys winning alone - what a feeling of satisfaction that must be - like the good old classics - none of this controlling the bunch nonsense for a big sprint. bye bye Skye

Couldn't agree more, both days I was desperately looking down among the groups for any DD riders, nobody in sight. In the past they had not much hope of overall so along with the french invitees would put some in the break for some media coverage, now that they are concentrating on the points and the positions they seem to be going all in for the overall, but so far its been disappointing. Thankfully EHB and Nizzolo have sneaked wins and Cummings looked like he had intent at Valencia. Lets hope they start firing soon - otherwise it will be up to Maincheese to win something. (Maybe they have a focus on the Argus....)

Shane, no need to introduce yourself here - you are well known to most of us - in no small part thanks to Johann assuring us that you were in control and that he was well aware of what you are capable of. As you can see he was widely admired. Your words are touching and I hope that in time to come you have just good memories. Maarten - your words too are wonderful - in your own way you epitomise another side to Johann - 'n boer maak 'n plan', Johann was unflappable, there was always a solution - seems you had that in common with him. (I know bikehub comes in for a lot of flack at times due to some poor behaviour, but I really do believe that as a forum it has provided many of us with a common interest and a willingness to share a place where we can constructively find each other. I certainly know the hub will be poorer place for not having Johann's contributions).

Lovely to hear all the stories of how he touched people's lives in so many different ways. While he will be sorely missed - I do have a strange sense that he was one of the people who always fully gave of himself (his time, experience, things) - there isnt that sense of regret so often found when someone passes on - a sense of wishing there was more - with Johann you knew that you got his best right then, nevermind what tomorrow might bring. An example of a life well lived.

Worth a read from one of Johann's best mates http://www.shanecycles.com/in-memory-of-johann-rissik-a-rogue-a-saint-and-someone-to-be-more-like/

Tribute to Johann Rissik I got to know Johann through the Freedom Trail as well as The Hub, it soon became apparent (long before we actually met), that we shared things in common via writing and stories. Johann was a clever guy, didn’t suffer fools, wasn’t arrogant and was always prepared to share his knowledge and experience with those prepared to listen. He cared deeply about South Africa and its history, in particular the Karoo/ Prince Albert district which he regarded as his home, notwithstanding the fact that he passed away in his new home – Madeira, but I like to believe his heart remained in the Karoo. Anyone who passed through his district was welcome to ask for advice or help, but especially if you were on a bicycle. His promotion of the Freedom Trail and his association with the annual Freedom Challenge are legendary (and not in the way that phrase is commonly thrown around), his support of Warmshowers was another indication of his desire to engage travellers, to share and to learn. Johann was a bike nerd, an avid supporter of the Drunkcyclist and eschewed marketing BS – for him the bike was a pure thing – a beautiful machine – simple, yet sufficient. He appreciated the top end machines, but had a affinity for real bikes, those he could actually work on, those he could make more efficient and to send people on their way with something of himself imprinted on their cycling experience. Another thing close to Johann’s heart was good coffee - preferably served out the back of vehicle somewhere in the veld, accompanied by a rusk, it represented a time to pause, to be grateful for a good brew, for each other’s company and the magical vistas of the Karoo. The last time I saw Johann was late afternoon/ evening last year riding the stretch from Willowmore to Prince Albert with Nigel Payne – due to circumstance, there was possibility that Johann might not have been on the trail last year, but I had faith. I hadn’t spoken to him, but I expected to see the Land Rover in the veld, it had nothing to do with anything other than commitment and integrity – something which was a hallmark of the gentleman, so when the Land Rover appeared in the distance, we freewheeled in and stopped to partake of a ritual. After a cup or two and the last of the sunset we set off for lights Prince Albert. Johann joined us for dinner at Dennehof with his friends, first seeing to a medical check up for Mandy in the town. We said goodbye, but the next morning at about 3:30am on collecting our bikes from the garage – it was clear that he had been over each one, leaving traces of care for the discerning eye. Take care my friend, till we meet again. Charl.

Shocked and saddened. I'll post a tribute in a bit. For now this picture, if you look closely, sums up a lot about a real gentleman.

SAIDS has imposed a period of ineligibility of 2 years, commencing on 3 March 2018 until and including 2nd March 2020. Ms Buchacher is therefore suspended and prohibited from competing and administering in the sport of Cycling as well as in any other sport in South Africa and Internationally during this time. "UTCT has always advocated fair play and a drug free sport, WADA and SAIDS are present and athletes need to be on call should a test be requested either before and/or after the event." Surely those close to here need to tell her its game over...

good call organisers : https://utct.livetrail.net/coureur.php?rech=2082 I'd add another 2 years to the current 2.

Ordered mine online via their website and then tried to forget about it as the post takes so long - picked them up from the local PO and then followed the instructions / video online - working just fine now, quite easy once you understand the threading. If you dont want to wait/ cant wait then buy locally.

I hold no flame for any bust doper, but I see them differently. DG took his punishment, served his time and came back onto the scene with a big dose of humility - like he should have. He is lucky to be able to ride anything again. Then there is the other cabal who have consistently denied, played the victim mentality and now show the rest the middle finger by entering events while under suspension. The worst is the don who recently got bust, to see him still hash-tagging his crap #omerta to his friends and followers - his that cocky attitude just epitomizes the cabal's approach. High time one of them copped a criminal charge for fraud or trafficking.

"without the approval or license of Omnico (Pty) Ltd" - what a sanctimonious load of bollocks - the competition has just eaten you for lunch and you still come with a superior attitude - perhaps someone should point out that if you cant compete on price then you should offer a better service or some other aspect to customers, but to suggest that Walmart need your approval or license, clearly you don't understand the term competition or you need someone else less sensitive and more pragmatic to word your press release