Critérium du Dauphiné 2-9 June [spoilers]

[Slaav]

It's interesting to see Mick Rogers up near the top of GC. No longer with Sky but maybe he learnt something while he was there (like the names and numbers of the best doctors ).

I seem to remember Rogers doing quite well when at Sky? Maybe he is just a bl00dy good rider who has a slightly moody past? As opposed to a BBQ fiend/LA altar boy?

 

[Strathlubnaig]

If you don't find it surprising that Rodriguez finished 5 minutes down on a lot of journeymen then you may not have been following pro-cycling very closely of late!

I think you missed my point.

 

[400bhp]

Is it really that difficult to understand?

Climbs aren't that steep so just ride at LT. If on average, each rider can do 5.5w/kg say (clearly a very talented team as shown in the TT), then the team can probably do 6w/kg. Try riding away from a team that can do 6w/kg. Aint gonna happen.

I made the numbers up by the way, but I am just illustrating a point.

 

[smutchin]

I seem to remember Rogers doing quite well when at Sky? Maybe he is just a bl00dy good rider who has a slightly moody past? As opposed to a BBQ fiend/LA altar boy?

He was always a good rider, but he noticeably improved when he joined Sky. I was hinting that the fact he's still a good rider now he's no longer with Sky suggests he is still benefitting from the training techniques he learnt while he was at Sky. Or, if you don't believe Sky are clean, he's still using the same doping techniques that Sky are using.

Of course, part of the reason he left Sky was his shady past, and who knows what he's up to now he's working with Riis...

 

[smutchin]

I think you missed my point.

What, that we're all blind idiots who just assume Sky are clean because they're Good Old Brits rather than Dirty Foreigners?

If that's what you're suggesting, you're plain wrong.

 

[ColinJ]

Froome-dog's bite is worse than his bark!

 

[Buddfox]

I enjoyed Vaughters' tweets today as the last climb unfolded:

"This is classic Empire vs Rebel Alliance bike racing!" (I think at about the point Valverde went off the front)

...and then later: "It would seem that at about 5kms to go in today's stage, Brailsford said '...fully operational Death Star...'"

 

[beastie]

An interesting post over on bike radar, contending that sky's dominance Is not so complete "1 win from 10 GT's and zero classics."

I think they may win a few out of the next 10 mind.

 

[400bhp]

I enjoyed Vaughters' tweets today as the last climb unfolded:

"This is classic Empire vs Rebel Alliance bike racing!" (I think at about the point Valverde went off the front)

...and then later: "It would seem that at about 5kms to go in today's stage, Brailsford said '...fully operational Death Star...'"

Valverde as Rebel Alliance

 

[400bhp]

An interesting post over on bike radar, contending that sky's dominance Is not so complete "1 win from 10 GT's and zero classics."

I think they may win a few out of the next 10 mind.

Or, one GT win in only 3 year's of bike racing.

 

[montage]

Does anybody have a link to what David Walsh has been saying about his stay with Sky? That should put the cork in the cinic's mouths

 

[rich p]

I think you missed my point.

I don't think I did.
I was implying that Sky riders tend to perform consistently and how one would expect, in all races, big and small.
My witch finder general radar gets twitchy when riders have very inconsistent performances but manage to peak for GTs.
As I said, other explanations are possible and you maybe subscribe to those.

 

[rich p]

He was always a good rider, but he noticeably improved when he joined Sky. I was hinting that the fact he's still a good rider now he's no longer with Sky suggests he is still benefitting from the training techniques he learnt while he was at Sky. Or, if you don't believe Sky are clean, he's still using the same doping techniques that Sky are using.

Of course, part of the reason he left Sky was his shady past, and who knows what he's up to now he's working with Riis...

There's an interview with him now on cyclingnews where he states that his move was simply financial and that
"Sky's pledge involved all staff having to sign a document stating that they had never taken drugs in sport, nor been part of any doping practices.
"I went through the same meetings as everyone, I signed it," Rogers told Cyclingnews

Of course, as Mandy Rice-Davies said....

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I don't think I did.
I was implying that Sky riders tend to perform consistently and how one would expect, in all races, big and small.
My witch finder general radar gets twitchy when riders have very inconsistent performances but manage to peak for GTs.
As I said, other explanations are possible and you maybe subscribe to those.

One could suggest that Wiggins' 2012 season might set off alarm bells, and indeed it did with some. If he was of different nationality do you think there would be more mud slung? Do you think the French, Spanish and the Italians sit on their equivalent of CC and suggest similar conspiracy theories until their digits hurt - RE Wiggins or Froome?

Personally speaking i can only hope no such thing will ever come to light but i would never bet my house on it. Most will say his rise to 2012 was from sheer hard work and a background as an already uber talented track star/timetriallist. I would agree, FWIW, i am merely pointing out that even team Sky (and their riders) should be looked at with the same scepticism as the foreign pack.

I do get slightly put off when doping is mentioned in cycling but sadly the other option is to bury ones head in the sand and that's a far worse alternative.

 

[smutchin]

Sky (and their riders) should be looked at with the same scepticism as the foreign pack.

No. All riders on all teams should be judged by a rational assessment of the available evidence.

Anyway, isn't there some racing to talk about?