Tour of Romandie, will Froomie smile

[SwissVan]

Starts today with a 5 k prolog

 

 

 

Been a rough time lately for him and the cool wet weather of the next few days is not going to help the situation...hope he does not get sicker

 

 

 

Evans, Wiggins, Froome? Yes, the last three victors of the Tour de Romandie went on to triumph in the Tour de France! The roll-call of winners of the event, its “World Tour” label confirmed, underlines its reputation. The next race will keep the suspense at a high level to the last second!

Edited April 29, 2014 by SwissVan

[Cellar]

Maybe he must just stock up on the tramadol?

 

 

Team Sky has reiterated its stance on the painkiller Tramadol following reported claims from former rider Michael Barry that he used the drug while racing for the team.

Barry told The Times newspaper that "Tramadol made me feel euphoric, but it’s also hard to focus. It kills the pain in your legs, and you can push really hard.”

According to the Press Association, Barry said he used Tramadol to treat legitimate injury and pain but became concerned when studied the drug's side effects on the internet.

"I had nagging injuries throughout my career and I used it when I was injured and racing injured, but I also realised the side-effects," he said. "It was a lot stronger than I thought and is potentially addictive."

"In a sporting environment, everybody's paycheck is reliant on that rider's performance. Everybody involved is biased and the rider's health is secondary to their performance."

 

Of course, a team saying something (and not being a MPCC member) and doing something are two different things.

 

That said I like Chris, and hope he comes right at some point, otherwise the Tour is gonna be a real one horse race.

['Dale]

Will be watching with interest

It's been a rough few months.

Oman was great.

 

 

[jcza]

Tour de Romandie prologue on now. Michaeł Kwiatkowski fastest time so far. Tejay van Garderen crashed, came in > 3 minutes down

[jcza]

And don't forget that Nino Schurter is riding

[Jakkals.]

Don't think Froome is in the same shape this year than he was in last year, and Berto is flying this year, so is everyone else, except team sky.

[Cellar]

Don't think Froome is in the same shape this year than he was in last year, and Berto is flying this year, so is everyone else, except team sky.

 

So the sky tramadol ban is real. Nice.

 

Edit, and remember, contador's steak buddy rogers is back...

Edited April 29, 2014 by Cellar

[Jakkals.]

So the sky tramadol ban is real. Nice.

 

Edit, and remember, contador's steak buddy rogers is back...

 

what a team to have around you at the tour, rogers and kreuziger

[Cellar]

what a team to have around you at the tour, rogers and kreuziger

 

And don't forget Kreuzingers fancy pants new experimental Specialized bike...

[jcza]

April has been absolute disaster for Sky, so much for the Classics campaign.

[SwissVan]

And don't forget that Nino Schurter is riding

 

Good point I did forget

Wonder what his role will be?

Potential stage winner or water bottle shuttle device?

 

[Cellar]

 

Wonder what his role will be?

 

 

Loose cannon. Shake the branches and see what falls out.

[T-Bob]

Good point I did forget

Wonder what his role will be?

Potential stage winner or water bottle shuttle device?

 

Learning the ropes apparently with a few guarded comments from some of the other members of the Orica Team to let him go for 'Small results'.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Maybe he must just stock up on the tramadol?

 

 

 

 

Of course, a team saying something (and not being a MPCC member) and doing something are two different things.

 

That said I like Chris, and hope he comes right at some point, otherwise the Tour is gonna be a real one horse race.

 

Hmm, Yes, it seems Chris is not at the level he was last year yet, but its still a way down the road for the TDF, 'berto on the other hand is, as you say is flying. I am an unashamed 'Berto fan, I think he has one of the most positive and never say die attitudes out there in the pro peleton. I think he has had to endure some scathing press and some even more scathing social media comments, but instead of sitting in his armchair and whining he has remained upbeat, focused on the positives and just generally gone out there and trained and raced as hard as he could.

 

Theres a lot to be said for that.

[Cellar]

Hmm, Yes, it seems Chris is not at the level he was last year yet, but its still a way down the road for the TDF, 'berto on the other hand is, as you say is flying. I am an unashamed 'Berto fan, I think he has one of the most positive and never say die attitudes out there in the pro peleton. I think he has had to endure some scathing press and some even more scathing social media comments, but instead of sitting in his armchair and whining he has remained upbeat, focused on the positives and just generally gone out there and trained and raced as hard as he could.

 

Theres a lot to be said for that.

 

Not so long down the road. Two months. If you don't have a Tour win in your legs right now, the next two months wont help you. That's why even money would be on Evans for the Giro. He's the only guy there with something right now.

 

Based on the Lance Formula of pre Tour races and results that you need, Contador is exactly where he needs to be.

 

(Disclaimer: Not a drugs thing, but Lance perfected the Tour build up in terms of races and where you should be at what stage of what race.)

Edited April 29, 2014 by Cellar

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Not so long down the road. Two months. If you don't have a Tour win in your legs right now, the next two months wont help you. That's why even money would be on Evans for the Giro. He's the only guy there with something right now.

 

Based on the Lance Formula of pre Tour races and results that you need, Contador is exactly where he needs to be.

 

(Disclaimer: Not a drugs thing, but Lance perfected the Tour build up in terms of races and where you should be at what stage of what race.)

 

Sure, I dont have any issues with Lance, whatever his past he didn't win 7 tours by loafing in the do-nut shoppe.

 

I also think motivation is a huge factor in any athlete and the fans expectation to always be at your best can be very tough to deal with. I think Chris may also suffer a little from the stress of that expectation.

 

Unlike a Valverde, Wiggins or a Contador his experience of the weight of his massive success at the tour may be his downfall, I hope not, but its a very common problem experienced by many athletes of all disciplines.

 

I am wondering if Wiggins will ride the TDF this year and if so for a podium, he appears to be in good shape at the moment and in my opinion this man is pure class.

Edited April 29, 2014 by GrumpyOldGuy