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Post by Paulinblack on Dec 12, 2018 23:42:52 GMT
She-eet!!! Sky to stop sponsoring Team Sky. I'm not sure they'll be able to find another sponsor of that magnitude to step into the breach. Given the struggles of smaller teams to do so. Very surprised to see this. However, when you think about it, what more is there for the team to accomplish? Cycling has peaked in popularity some think. Is this the beginning of the end? Or the beginning of something new? |
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Post by Paulinblack on Dec 13, 2018 8:17:53 GMT
Two posts in 24 hours on one of the biggest pieces of news in professional cycling in the last few years - Wow!
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Post by Scott M on Dec 13, 2018 17:47:52 GMT
Two posts in 24 hours on one of the biggest pieces of news in professional cycling in the last few years - Wow! Love riding my bike, but got very little interest in pro cycling.
Scott.
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Post by Paulinblack on Dec 14, 2018 6:49:42 GMT
Before I started cycling in my 40s I was fairly indifferent about pro-cycling. However, on starting up, I began to take an interest. Seeing some of the incredible feats performed helped motivate me to improve. Climbing hills and getting out of the saddle to pretend to be Alberto Contador helped make difficult things more interesting and fun! Sitting at the front of group rides in challenging block headwind conditions (as I've got a bit more height and weight than my little skinny friends) pretending to be someone like Ian Stannard helped. At other times I'm Mark Renshaw to one of my mates Mark Cavendish - He always picks and sticks on my wheel! It might sound stupid or immature, but it makes things fun. It takes my mind off of the aches and pains. It gives me an interest and enthusiasm. And, in the back of my mind, in my early 50s, I still have a chance of hitting the big time!  Sky pulling out is a big thing. I'm wondering whether they are astute and see that the 2012 bubble has popped and cycling has reached its max potential across the UK. If Sky don't think they are getting anything out of it anymore, then there are problems all around. I look at some of the other sports that Sky have pulled out of and see them dwindling and dying (eg Speedway) and hope the same doesn't happen to pro-cycling. |
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Post by derekv4 on Dec 14, 2018 9:35:38 GMT
Cycling was around before Sky and will still be here after them. Eurosport would be a bigger loss if they stopped their involvement!
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Post by Paulinblack on Dec 15, 2018 8:30:05 GMT
Cycling was around before Sky and will still be here after them. Eurosport would be a bigger loss if they stopped their involvement! That's true. If Eurosport pulled out it would save me a lot of money, as it would be the straw that broke the camel's back and I would get rid of my Sky package! However, I think that cycling has got a lot of coverage due to the Sky link. I also think that the amount of money Sky poured into the team changed the face of cycling. Will the next sponsor do the same? If so, then, yes, pro-cycling will continue in the same way. But if not, then it could be very different. |
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Post by phred1812 on Dec 15, 2018 8:58:32 GMT
Cycling was around before Sky and will still be here after them. Eurosport would be a bigger loss if they stopped their involvement! That's true. If Eurosport pulled out it would save me a lot of money, as it would be the straw that broke the camel's back and I would get rid of my Sky package! However, I think that cycling has got a lot of coverage due to the Sky link. I also think that the amount of money Sky poured into the team changed the face of cycling. Will the next sponsor do the same? If so, then, yes, pro-cycling will continue in the same way. But if not, then it could be very different. You don't need Sky to watch Eurosport Paul. You can buy a subscription to Eurosport Player and watch it on an ipad, Laptop or PC which is what I have always done. There was a Black Friday deal and I renewed for £19.99 for 12 months. This offer is finished now but its still good value when you consider how much cycling they cover. My summers wouldn't be the same without Carlton Kirby waffling away in the background of my office. |
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Post by phred1812 on Jan 30, 2019 11:07:23 GMT
Remember the name Remco Evenepoel. He has just won the junior men's worlds in both the time trial and road race. I have followed cycle racing for many years but have never seen anyone so dominant. He was absolutely head and shoulders above the opposition. In yesterday's road race he was delayed by two minutes by an accident but he caught the peleton in no time at all riding on his own. He then rode through and past the peleton and caught a breakaway group of about 10 riders. Rather than taking time to recover he continued to attack dropping the riders one by one finally winning by over a minute from the next rider. Its on Eurosport "on demand". Never seen anything like it. Most races are won by very small margins. This guy is exceptional. Just to give racing fans an update on this guy's progress, He was signed up as a full time pro at the age of 19 by Deceunink Quickstep (formerly Quickstep Floors) at the end of last year's season. This team was the most successful in 2018 with over 70 wins. Remco is taking part in the Tour of San Juan in Argentina and he's more than making up the numbers. He could be forgiven for easing himself in in his first pro race but he was third in yesterday's time trial, a handful of seconds behind the winner Julian Alaphilippe and is currently in third place ahead many of the top pros including Peter Sagan, Nairo Quintana many other well known names. Eurosport are covering the event live late evenings. |
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