2016 Olympic Road Races and Time Trials *Spoilers*

[Buddfox]

Well done Peter Kennaugh for pulling out of the Olympics knowing that he wouldn't be 100%, must of been a tough decision. This course should suit Steve Cummings.

Though I still don't understand why Cummings wasn't in the squad in the first place. He's arguably our best breakaway specialist, and it's the one thing we didn't have in 2012. Then the approach was always 'there's only plan A' which was Cav, but we saw how that worked out when no other country (including Germany for Greipel) was motivated to chase down the break.

This time I hope Cummings is given instructions to get in the break (almost at any cost) as at least that will give us a back-up plan. If the break is caught, then Froome can see how he wants to launch any attack, if not I'd back Cummings to make the right move and get a medal.

 

[jarlrmai]

Not a team player was the suspicion

 

[brommers]

Cycling Weekly has video taken by Tom Dumoulin riding his bike

 

[Buddfox]

May need to put 'spoilers' in the title for this soon...

Regarding the road race, I harbour a secret wish that Steve Cummings gets in the breakaway and then solos to a magnificent gold medal. At the very least, I hope team GB go in with a more varied tactical approach than in 2012. Given we're basically talking Team Sky here, their tactics and experience have clearly evolved and improved in the last four years, so I'm cautiously optimistic...

With Dumoulin injured, Froome has got to be in with a shout in the TT.

 

[brommers]

May need to put 'spoilers' in the title for this soon...

Sorted

 

[rich p]

Dumoulin is supposed to be fine for the TT but will only do a bit of the road race.
Talking of **SPOILERS**, Lizzie Armitstead has done her bit already!

 

[mjr]

How much road race does someone aiming for the TT have to do? It would be a bit of a piss-take to roll over the start line then climb off.

But a perfect illustration of the stupidity of that arbitrary rule?

 

[rich p]

How much road race does someone aiming for the TT have to do? It would be a bit of a piss-take to roll over the start line then climb off.

Probably none but he'll do it as training I assume. Some of the course is the same too.

 

[rich p]

But a perfect illustration of the stupidity of that arbitrary rule?

Oh, is he obliged to do the RR?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Colombia has withdrawn from the men's TT to focus on the road race.

 

[brommers]

Colombia have withdrawn from the men's TT to focus on the road race.

But the TT is after the road race!

 

[Buddfox]

Hang on, is there a rule that says if you want to do the TT you have to do the RR?

 

[SWSteve]

How much road race does someone aiming for the TT have to do? It would be a bit of a piss-take to roll over the start line then climb off.

They'll probably do more than Max Levy will in the German team

 

[oldroadman]

Though I still don't understand why Cummings wasn't in the squad in the first place. He's arguably our best breakaway specialist, and it's the one thing we didn't have in 2012. Then the approach was always 'there's only plan A' which was Cav, but we saw how that worked out when no other country (including Germany for Greipel) was motivated to chase down the break.

This time I hope Cummings is given instructions to get in the break (almost at any cost) as at least that will give us a back-up plan. If the break is caught, then Froome can see how he wants to launch any attack, if not I'd back Cummings to make the right move and get a medal.

Which resulted in Vino getting the win. 99% of the pro peloton were ecstatic about that - not

 

[oldroadman]

How much road race does someone aiming for the TT have to do? It would be a bit of a piss-take to roll over the start line then climb off.

In London one of the French track riders climbed off in the neutral zone. they knew their RR chances were zero, used the ridiculous IOC rule to get an extra trackie. Little good it did.
But then IOC and their rules have always been contrary (and complicit with a UCI management which has been removed), like failing to ADD women's events like IP and Kilo/500TT, just dumping them for "equality". What happens to women IP riders......omnium. Nonsense.