s14phoenix

this race will never be the same - it has not gone up the true monster since 2015 - that was the last time before it got watered down. Just finishing the old race was quite challenging and few dared to actually tackle it - but it got watered down and the climb is easier so more would be willing to enter. it used to be 1703m Ascend The new routes does have a great descend and some lekker trails coming back down. Still a hard ride but I just got to laugh at all these "I conquered the monster" on the promo videos... more like Monster Lite...

I think TDD does not know how many eggs it has, which eggs to put in which basket or how many. Way too much different focus in the team - maybe they should focus on 1 aspect and do that well first. A Sprint team does not equal a GC team does not equal a stage sniper team.

only when he has sucked the others dry? And because the Sky tanks don't run dry much he hardly attacks. This is where I can at least give Nibali some credit - he does not attack only when he has wheelsucked everyone dry - he waits till the yellow jersey has a mechanical. (gosh I got to remember its not Friday yet)

LM suck wheel to seemingly just hang onto the group currently… very sad to see. Make no mistake he is still a fantastic bike rider - Just being able to be there is awesome - I just wish he had more success and wins to help build his confidence as that will do wonders for his showing of form. On another note... I have been thinking of how Froomey has been riding the last 1-2years... he has changed his approach from only responding to attacks and taking time by not letting anyone get away (seeing him win by law of averages and TT performance) to trying to put time into others and attacking on stages that is not the ITT (within what he is allowed to do at Sky) Is this change in style perhaps not as suitable for him and hence just falling short last year? (apart from the consecutive wins in GTs and the amount of fatigue it had to have caused)

It's the same as the reason I don't like Nibali or Quitana or Valverde - I just don't like them and personally feel sick when I see Quintana win anything. The others I can still handle.

I think LM needed a team that could invest in him and really push him and believe in him enough to build a team around him and not just chase stages and 1 day glory - There was a time where he was a lot better than the Yates boys and could have gone on to reach higher things. Unfortunately Teams also need to survive and that needs sponsors and funding and those like stage victories and glory. I truly hope LM can find whatever it was he lost and rebuild to become a real contender next to the rest of the top tier. As for Froomey - I hope his focus on TDF this year yields win #5.

would start with the online shops. Evobikes, Easybike and CWC. Shop around there is huge price differences and the "new" Addix compounds tend to be more than older pace star and trailstar compounds.

The Ron and Ralph has also evolved with new compounds and revised pattern design. But there is others which are also great. Vittoria Barzo front and rear or Vittoria Saguaro rear is also great and I have found they are little more grippy and supportive than Ron and Ralph however Schwalbe is a bit lighter by some if that matters to you.

Giant TCR Advanced SL Disc + Meilensteins + eTap AXS + Aero integrated bar + THAT red colour = I made a mess. - note: my new bike needs slam and seatpost trim

Due to family commitments my winter pain cave is an all year pain cave and restricted to events mostly to get out on the road or even trails. However I try enter 1 event a month at least... very sad.

178cm - medium Giant Propel - want a small as aero frames are long. Medium Giant Trance 650B

Is it just me or are a LOT of these dopers track or ex-track riders? Is there a culture there or someone that is feeding this monster within the track racing realm?

Whom still keeps winning races??? Even though he is older than most he competes with - So is serving a ban for a short term fair to the sport and maybe cleaner competitors? I don't think so... clearly the there is long lasting effect making lifetime ban the only fair punishment.

MAN I hate Instagram - the pictures are just too small... but that's a hot colour on that trance - even the orange is pretty slick.

Yeah also I have very seldom ever locked out suspension fully on the Trance X29, Trance Advanced or even on the Anthem - Meastro was good enough to never need anything more than a well setup rear shock on Fox pro-pedal or firm setting on Rockshox. Even when racing XC. And also I don't see the need on a trail ripper bike - maybe an XC race bike yes. I always had to laugh at the other brands that "had to have it" Suppose pedaling technique is another area which needs to be addressed - YOU are the most inefficient thing on the bike...

I wonder if they are going to have a warning on the bikes to please not sit on the top tube.

Ja but that is because he is so light with only one that its easy to go up the hill

There was quite a few incidents in our group where the shoulder would just end and no alert from the front. At the time we were traveling at around 60+kmh I do believe some in the group went off-roading - hope they where all ok. Incidently the whole AL group results look very gappy - testament to a tough race I think.

I think TJ cut a lot of guys back down to size... or made them regret their size keep telling yourself weight does not matter...

Yes me too - especially since I thought I was already on the small ring - 53/25 was tough up that.

One of the best races for sure. I nearly missed it with food poisoning the night before. Luckily I was able to recover enough to roll along with BL spent all day trying to recover in the hospitality area so actually quite glad I missed the AL start. I even won a prize in the lucky draw!!! Thanks to the Germiston Wheelers for a great event and the prize!!!

Me too...

For the fact that i am not going to convince myself that riding licenced is at all a good idea - I will stick to the alphabet soup. I just dont think that going to have my A handed to me in VA makes sense at all. Will attempt my 2:30SOMETHING from A. #WHENUKNOWU2SLOW

I think considering the change - Amashova is still a great acid test with the climbing at the start. Sub 3 Amashova should give a sub 3 947.