La Vuelta a Espana 22/8 - 13/9 2015 (here be spoilers)

[rich p]

There was discussion of it, but nothing definite, I think, and I CBA to look it up

A quick google brings this up
http://inrng.com/2015/06/world-tour-reforms/
Looks like it's in the long grass.

 

[rich p]

Me too. What's it like cycling there? Is there a good thread with tips?

I've stayed in a nice place off grid in inland Catalonia and did some cycling from it: PM me if you want their contact details.

Is the rule about wearing helmets and hi vis when cycling in rural Spain new, not applicable to Catalonia or was it just that everyone I saw ignored it in 2013? Is there an exception for racing or should everyone except Tinkoff Saxo be fined for the hi vis bit?

I've cycled right through rural Portugal - beautiful. No helmet law AFAIK. I took one just for the Spanish section but didn't use it.
See my sig!
A guy mentioned this site recently in T&E
http://pedalportugal.com/

 

[JMAG]

From what's been said in similar discussions previously, here and elsewhere, the top riders have considerable clout in deciding their programme and objectives for the year, but inevitably the team's and sponsors' aims have to be accommodated as well - after all, they pay the wages

One of the riders interviewed about safety this week was saying that they have very little say and that the pro riders union was completely ineffective and did little to represent riders interests. He claimed teams, sponsors and organising bodies make all the decisions and riders were mostly afraid to put their foot down lest they get blacklisted and struggle to get on a team.

 

[Stockie]

Corsica was tempting after 2013 Grand depart.

Been there a couple of times on cruises and it's as beautiful in the flesh as it is on the TV.

 

[mjr]

One of the riders interviewed about safety this week was saying that they have very little say and that the pro riders union was completely ineffective and did little to represent riders interests. He claimed teams, sponsors and organising bodies make all the decisions and riders were mostly afraid to put their foot down lest they get blacklisted and struggle to get on a team.

Not just "one of the riders" but current Combined Classification leader and former GC leader Tom Dumoulin, IIRC

 

[StuAff]

One of the riders interviewed about safety this week was saying that they have very little say and that the pro riders union was completely ineffective and did little to represent riders interests. He claimed teams, sponsors and organising bodies make all the decisions and riders were mostly afraid to put their foot down lest they get blacklisted and struggle to get on a team.

David Millar said so on the ITV4 highlights.

 

[JMAG]

David Millar said so on the ITV4 highlights.

That was it.

 

[HF2300]

A quick google brings this up
http://inrng.com/2015/06/world-tour-reforms/
Looks like it's in the long grass.

I should have remembered it was INRNG. Cheers @rich p

INRNG article on moto use:

http://inrng.com/2015/09/race-motorbikes-accidents/#more-26345

 

[HF2300]

From what's been said in similar discussions previously, here and elsewhere, the top riders have considerable clout in deciding their programme and objectives for the year, but inevitably the team's and sponsors' aims have to be accommodated as well - after all, they pay the wages.

One of the riders interviewed about safety this week was saying that they have very little say and that the pro riders union was completely ineffective and did little to represent riders interests. He claimed teams, sponsors and organising bodies make all the decisions and riders were mostly afraid to put their foot down lest they get blacklisted and struggle to get on a team.

You may have taken the quote out of context there! I was commenting on the riders' clout as far as their annual programme was concerned, with reference to the discussion about downgrading the Giro and Vuelta. Interesting comments on safety though - I missed that interview / Millar's comments.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Anyway, summer hols for next year...

Dinnae think I'll need to be going to France to follow the Scottish fitba' team.

So I think I'll need to be paying attention to the ads on Eurosport a bit more.

 

[SWSteve]

Anyway, summer hols for next year...

Dinnae think I'll need to be going to France to follow the Scottish fitba' team.

So I think I'll need to be paying attention to the ads on Eurosport a bit more.

Why not go to France anyway, support another one of the home nations

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Why not go to France anyway, support another one of the home nations

Anyway I am trying to remember what the race was a few months ago that looked lovely - Croatia? I'm fairly sure it was, the one where Bole and Paterski won stages. That looked very nice.

 

[SWSteve]

Anyway I am trying to remember what the race was a few months ago that looked lovely - Croatia? I'm fairly sure it was, the one where Bole and Paterski won stages. That looked very nice.

Croatia looks amazing, it's meant to be a great destination

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Croatia looks amazing, it's meant to be a great destination

I'm away to check on flights, accommodation etc (I'm not really sure what else there is to check but flight and accommodation didnae seem enough and I didn't want to appear as if I knew nothing about going away on holiday)

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I've not heard to much moaning about the commentators thus far, maybe a few grumbles...and that's about to change.

I like Ned Boulting. I really do. I have been a supporter of him and Imlach. Rendell, Millar, anyone they want to invite along for a chat to be the voices of cycling coverage.

But now I find that when he is given the chance to be the "commentator" he babbles just as much shite as the rest of them!

Ned, just relax, have a chat. You are great at it.