Minor Races Thread 2015 - [SPOILERS]

[rich p]

British success in Tropicale Amissa Bongo - Dan McLay takes stage 3

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/mclay_takes_first_pro_win_in_the_tropicale_amissa_bongo/

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/mclay_takes_first_pro_win_in_the_tropicale_amissa_bongo/

And here he is after the stage, either being interviewed or getting his beard trimmed:

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Another win from Etixx Quick Step, Meersman wins today's stage of Algarve

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Just finished watching the Ruta del Sol coverage. Crashes near the end of stage 1a saw some big names lose loads of time. The biggest crash seemed to be caused by my avatar Kiryienka unclipping and veering over. Eek.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Weird seeing Nicolas Roche in Sky kit

 

[The Couch]

Just finished watching the Ruta del Sol coverage. Crashes near the end of stage 1a saw some big names lose loads of time. The biggest crash seemed to be caused by my avatar Kiryienka unclipping and veering over. Eek.

Surprise, surprise... amongst the victims were the Belgian and Dutch riders from Lotto and the-other-Lotto
(the trend of the past years in the TdF seems to continue)

One of the victims is Louis Vervaecke, who has quitted with - most likely - a concussion. A real shame, I was really hoping to see how he would fare this first pro-season since he is Belgian's most likely best shot at a GT contender in the upcoming decade (considering his youth results)

 

[The Couch]

Another win from Etixx Quick Step, Meersman wins today's stage of Algarve

Although he's probably very happy with the win, he might have preferred it to happen on another day or in another race
he needed to go through the full podium ceremony, which took 47 minutes! (going 4 times unto the podium)

Do these organizers even understand what kind of effort it takes to race (let alone win a race)?

 

[raindog]

Just finished watching the Ruta del Sol coverage. Crashes near the end of stage 1a saw some big names lose loads of time. The biggest crash seemed to be caused by my avatar Kiryienka unclipping and veering over. Eek.

yep, riders coming down like ninepins - the way that second crash happened was bonkers - never seen anything quite like that
both crashes here
http://cyclingtv.neulion.com/cycling/console.jsp?&id=3367

 

[rich p]

yep, riders coming down like ninepins - the way that second crash happened was bonkers - never seen anything quite like that
both crashes here
http://cyclingtv.neulion.com/cycling/console.jsp?&id=3367

Wow - that Kiryenka one was crazy.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Wow - that Kiryenka one was crazy.

Bonkers, how to wipe out most of the peloton part 1

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Just seen that Geraint Thomas won today's stage of Volta a Algarve and goes into the leader's jersey.

 

[rich p]

Just seen that Geraint Thomas won today's stage of Volta a Algarve and goes into the leader's jersey.

Excellent - this should be the year he ups his game.

 

[Crackle]

Is he looking a bit thinner this year, his arms do?

 

[Strathlubnaig]

What a difference in sports coverage between BBC and France24, BBC no mention whole F24 has cover of track and several UCI races on the regular bulletins.

 

[raindog]

Is he looking a bit thinner this year, his arms do?

Certainly looks like it in that photo.
He always looked a bit too hefty to me.