Minor Races Thread 2015 - [SPOILERS]

[Berk on a Bike]

It does seem that ensuring that teams send personnel to random races in random regions with randomly chosen routes and sponsors is not the way ahead for a sustainable calendar; and neither is a "traditional" European calendar.

I can't figure Sky's thinking on participating here (other than team sponsor exposure). It's left them stretched a bit thin.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I can't figure Sky's thinking on participating here (other than team sponsor exposure). It's left them stretched a bit thin.

There are downfalls to global cycling and "promotion" - mostly, it means that doping persists and money wins. <sits back and gets ready for not caring the response>

 

[The Couch]

Vanmarcke maybe for this one?

Never would have put down Vanmarcke... he is made for the "Flemish stuff", while the strade Bianchi has climbs that are much steeper and longer (more suited for the Wallonian/Ardennes rider types)

So, it actually blew me away to see him holding on that long
If everybody's form stays like this, I can't see anybody holding Vanmarcke's wheel on the last Paterberg climb
.... then again Stybar does have a tendency to bite himself locked in a wheel

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Another Etixx Quick Step win, Yves Lampaert wins 3 days of West Flanders overall

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Another Etixx Quick Step win, Yves Lampaert wins 3 days of West Flanders overall

Do you work for EQS or something? I just wonder why you seem to insist on typing out the name in full every time...

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Langkawi update: Guardini still in yellow after stage 2. Caleb Ewan in 2nd. A bunch of blokes I've never heard of round out the top 10.

You're welcome.

 

[rich p]

How does Chris Sutton keep getting a new contract at Sky?
Grooming him for a ds without a doping past?

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Langkawi stage 3: Caleb Ewan takes his first pro win and goes into yellow despite having a back-to-front name. Possibly.

Remember: I care so you don't have to...

 

[The Couch]

Langkawi stage 4: Guardini wasn't dropped, so Guardini won (ahead of Mareczko and Ewan)

...Just taking a bit of the load from the Berks shoulders

 

[Crackle]

Grooming him for a ds without a doping past?

Cynical but quite possibly accurate.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Langkawi is really tedious this year. And since they've dropped the Genting Highlands, there's not even going to a be a significant opportunity for the climbers. A few years ago this race was starting to look like a contender to be in the top level, but instead of innovating like, for example, trying to find more interesting routes, it's really stagnated.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Langkawi stage 4: Guardini wasn't dropped, so Guardini won (ahead of Mareczko and Ewan)

...Just taking a bit of the load from the Berks shoulders

I could tell you I fainted with excitement at the prospect of this morning's update but you wouldn't believe me, so I'll fess up: I forgot

 

[The Couch]

Langkawi Stage 5: Korean champion Seo Joon Yong has won attacking from the break.
(at least some excitement, since it's a new name )

 

[User169]

Loren Rowney felled at the Molecaten Drentse 8...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4by-BGdBZ0&feature=youtu.be

 

[MisterStan]

Loren Rowney felled at the Molecaten Drentse 8...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4by-BGdBZ0&feature=youtu.be

That's absolutely shocking. What were they thinking?