TALUS

Some youngsters are easier to outwit than others

Agreed. I also check % of field results.

Problem is that I don't always trust my mind anymore - I had some rough sessions as a student

He likely had amazing times when he was younger too.

This is not new. I have done lots of reading around it. Certainly not mainstream. The arguments are more complex than meets the eye.

My mental game is to become more clever. Race smarter. Train smarter. Outwit the youngster next to me. Sheer stamina and power of recovery is not everything anymore. Once in a while I will just ride - the S/S is teaching me that. The old competitive streak does not die quickly. I have always competed against myself and thus I don't like the feeling of slacking.

Ek dink hy was nog net ribbes (dit was maar koud)...

You have just put my fears into words. I am still recovering from being handed my arse on a platter by a 14y old at this weekends' stage race! I am 33years OLDER than him and still fully expect to be able to compete with him. Luckily I have been cycling only 5years so I still have lots of PB's to get...

This is an outrage!!!!! Did they not consult with you before organizing this?

4 Days - ooh he-he

Too many Kings these days

Much nicer since the wind was behind us going up the mother climb and into us on the down. Same downhill as yesterday - yesterday I did 90km/h (garmin) today I did 68km/h. I think the event will evolve but is on par with Panorama for suffering (although only 3 days). No apologies for hijacking a non-thread...

I met andydude. He is one of a scarce species: A lesser spotted friendly racing snake. You go dude! I actually felt better today. I would have loved a TUE for Prednisone though... Midwinter training camp done.

Dit werk soos TV. As dit jou irriteer moet nie kyk nie.

Tmrw will be a real slog. I came down a hill at 90km/h today - tmrw we go up there. Luckily we get to come down again...

What does the child in you say?

I have now read both articles. I dont think the explanation is good at all. 40mg is a good stiff dose. To make it very clear: Inhaled Cortisone excist in many forms. It then works well in the lungs without having much effect elsewhere. If it was for bronchitis it should be possible to inhale a decent dose. I am not very convinced with the facts at hand. Problem again is the grey areas. I have said many times life is not black and white. I am just saying that if we are talking about the intention of the rules as it stands now, then this is surely bending it.

Thx for Thx for caring guys. I did take it easy - got 20 min put into me by the guys I beat yesterday. Going to take it easy again tmrw. Everytime I think it is hard with a blocked nose and the wind pumping, I see the pictures of the guys in the Giro in the snow. Then I HTFU a bit.

I did not read the article. I have applied for TUE for Olympic athletes for Cortisone before. Yes it can enhance performance. It does shorten "turn around time". Cortisone is the mother of all anti-inflammatories. It also has the most side-effects. Lance got out of jail once by retrospectively getting a prescription for an ointment for saddlesores. It gets absorbed systemically from cream.

It is all about peaking at the right time. The first week of the Tour is even too early to reach that final form. Hoping Berto gets it right. Personally I think Nibali is going to come right - not sure that his best is going to be enough unless he gets great support (and a few lucky breaks). I have one overriding wish - no dramas re. spectators! Falls and mechanicals are an integral part of Tours but drunk spectators is just AF!

He is in a team. They are just not giving much support. His team is one of teams with most money to burn. Rumours of Wiggens and/ or Sagan abound.

White and black Assos gear. Black and yellow Scott Di2 (with a yellow number). 3:09 today on my own - I feel content.

My PVR is not set!!!! Noooo! It sounds like great spinning bike material.

I saw the guy in the head to toe Spez gear was 30+ too. Not you?

It appears the Berto support base on the Hub is strong. I wonder how much of that is us wanting the underdog to give us a good fight at TDF.