Eldron

The question is... Is MvdP going to use the same tactic he used in the Short Course and one back to win? I'm loving this!

Take a bow Thomas Pidcock! That must have hurt his legs. Surely he can't win this..... Or can he??

Who would gave thought Piddy would be ahead of MvdP on the second lap given where MvdP was on the first?? Damn!

24th...

Piddy in 34th already!

And away they go! Go MvdP and Piddy!

I had only ever heard Beyond but googled it when I first saw it and I was wrong. Many dictionaries are now accepting both... https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/above%2Fbeyond%20reproach https://www.collinsdictionary.com/amp/english/above-reproach

Agreed and that is why I mentioned that she could have taken the substance unintentionally and that the only person that will ever know if that is true or not is Yolande. Plus she got a 1 year sentence - sentences for anabolics/EPO etc are way stiffer.

It isn't and that is exactly the problem. Once someone has cheated they're tainted - would you trust your partner more if they had never cheated on you or cheated once and apologised? Would you keep using your accountant if they stole from you? Expecting the public to accept riders back with open arms when they have cheated is unrealistic. Plus - a ban from the sport isn't really a punishment anyway - all it does is dry up 1 single revenue stream and give the rider a year or two to do whatever it is that no pro cyclists do every day of their lives and call "life". Also - judgment and claiming moral high ground are 2 different things. She was found guilty - saying she is guilt has no bearing on your own moral standards.

Ah stop it - I'm blushing :-)

I took your comment a bit too seriously as well - no hard feelings.

Judging people and accusing them of having the master moral code is also a rather dangerous place to be don't you think?

Let's hope Covidworld has made the MTB scene as unexpected and exciting as the road scene! Bring it!

Hahaha big fish small pond syndrome. That said - most of the pros (local or otherwise) I've met have been pretty cool. All cyclists are cooler than civilians!

The problem is that the sentence punishes the crime not the attitude. Once you cross that line and dope it shows lack of moral fibre - perhaps the shock did correct the moral problem - or not. All we know is that she has the ability to bend her morals into cheating. And sadly (for her) you can't prove you're better because people have proof that you were worse. Or it could be that she did unintentionally take a masking agent. Only she knows that answer. And grammar nazi comment of the Day - it's "above reproach" :-)

https://www.news24.com/sport/othersport/cycling/south-africa/cape-epic-bans-de-villiers-for-life-20160205

Good old Cajees - a decade later and nothing has changed. It is a useful shop if you like to barter and feel like have a good argument to save R25. Never. Ever. EVER let them touch your bicycle. Ever!

Not at all. Multidopers of "that era" have no place in cycling. Gooooo Poggy! We like him :-)

Anyone but him to win...

How strong is Van der Breggen? Damn.

Yeah. I little too much work too early. She's a Vosanchor now :-)

Gooooo Ashleigh! If team orders allow....

Damn I hate that guy - he's like a old scab that just won't fall off.

I learnt a new thing today. Thank you!

Yet another classic full of attacks, counter attacks and spontaneous racing. Love it. I was rooting for Piddy but WvA is a worthy winner!