Build up to the 2017 season

[SWSteve]

What a successful quiz...

Anyway, back to the 2017 season - the UCI have just announced the cancellation of the Tour of Qatar (male and female), due to lack of sponsorship.

Could it be the beginning of the end of racing in Gulf states?

I didn't realise events in the gulf region require sponsorship

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I didn't realise events in the gulf region require sponsorship

They're hardly going to make any money out of beer sales to the fans

 

[SWSteve]

They're hardly going to make any money out of beer sales to the fans

What fans?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

What fans?

Exactly

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

The Tour Méditerranéenne has been cut from 5 days to 2, due to reported shortage of Police; same week in February as the (no longer) Qatar tour.

All looking rosy for the 2017 season...

http://www.directvelo.com/actualite/55052/la-mediterraneenne-reduite-a-deux-etapes

 

[psmiffy]

The Tour Méditerranéenne has been cut form 5 days to 2

2016 was 4 days longer than the 2015 version

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Gianni Meersman, who had signed with Fortuneo Vital Concept for 2017 has retired from cycling due to a heart problem, according to Quick Step twitter feed

 

[roadrash]

^^^^sad news^^^^ scored 7 on the quiz by the way.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Been looking at some images of Ferdy Kubler who died earlier today, aged 97. Some legs on him!

 

[SWSteve]

https://instagram.com/p/BOxjfl7AYCq/

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I suppose that's the season almost underway, Rohan Dennis wins the Aussie ITT title and Jack Bauer wins the NZ ITT title

 

[SWSteve]

I suppose that's the season almost underway, Rohan Dennis wins the Aussie ITT title and Jack Bauer wins the NZ ITT title

How far did he travel in the 24 hours

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

And more Aussie Nationals, Miles Scotson* wins the men's RR title and Katrin Garfoot wins women's RR to add to her ITT title earlier in the week

* a good week for the Scotson family with his younger brother Callum winning the U23 ITT title for the 2nd time

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

l'Etoile de Besseges encountering financial difficulty
http://www.legrandplateau.com/letoile-de-besseges-en-difficulte-financiere/

Maybe Cookson can channel some of his blood money towards Europe?

 

[SWSteve]

l'Etoile de Besseges encountering financial difficulty
http://www.legrandplateau.com/letoile-de-besseges-en-difficulte-financiere/

Maybe Cookson can channel some of his blood money towards Europe?

Don't be daft, those mahogany desks and leather sofas aren't going to polish/moisturise themselves