The racing has started Down Under, we have full-fan Bernie tweets, we look at no booze rules, we answer the question ‘Who’s Afraid of MvdP?’, we have some racers talkin’ big and bad about the Tour already, and much much more.
Let us sing a song of Bernie Eisel
Bernie Eisel’s retirement tweet came about just before last week’s TofW was posted. So we’re full-fan Bernie this week.
Last of the Mapei team … dear God, that kit
And from perhaps Bernie’s most devoted fan. A legendary bromance
Team rules
An extract from the interview with Adam Hansen about Lotto’s new No Booze Cruise … so no more pics of Adam with a beer in his hand during an Alpe d’Huez stage then.
Lotto Soudal’s Adam Hansen says that he’s fully supportive, and “totally understanding” of his team’s newly instigated no-alcohol policy for all staff members and riders at races.
General manager John Lelangue announced the Belgian team’s decision to go dry earlier this week, saying it was “part of the way of living together”. He confirmed that riders and staff will still be able to celebrate victories, birthdays and “special events” with a glass of champagne.
Of course, the first question would be … is it sparkling grape juice tonight for the victory celebrations?
Warming up the crystal ball
A rainy Roubaix … too much to wish for?
While we wait for the rains, why not have a look at what the Mighty Tom Boonen says about Flanders
Strade Bianche is *always* one of the races of the year.
If MvdP rode for Lotto-Soudal, they’d be drinking more than not, if they’re still able to toast victories …
QuickStep have had bitter experience (Amstel Gold?) with this one. But Flanders and Roubaix are long races so we’ll see what MvdP has learned from his Worlds experience.
More Tour talk … already!
Holy Moly, has Primoz Roglic learned nothing from Simon Yates‘s Giro predictions last year … ‘my rivals should be shitting themselves with fear’. We know how *that* turned out – no soiled shorts … So Roglic already (already!!!!) announcing himself the favourite for the Tour is a touch of hubris.
Translation: “I’m the Tour favourite. The best will win. We’re all going to fight for it, and if you look at my results from the last few seasons, you’ll see that I’ve won a few races. So I see no reason not to be optimistic.”
Meanwhile, back at Brailsford Towers. His confirmation possibly before he spoke to Froome?
I mean, really! The only trident that is successful in cycling is the trophy for Tirreno Adriatico! Am I right???
We’ve even got something for the Giro
Okaaaaaaaaay
Because curiosity means you go straight to the syringes.
The Gruppetto
This is what a happy, relaxed person looks like. Marcel Kittel really does look years younger.
Peter Sagan … remember him?
The only thing I can say about snowy-white kit in the rain is: ‘My eyes! My eyes!’
Hmmmm.
Love this.
Riddle … solved
Wild cards a go-go
All the colours
I have always had a love for Andre Greipel. And WOW look at him in that kit! He looks maaaaaaaarvellous
I suspect that Mother Nature has more to do with this than the Worlds.