Irish riders' diaries

buffalo

Figured if people see them online, they can post links in here. Potential spoilers in URL headlines - edit: actually, all headlines will refer to the day previous, so no potential for spoilers by 410 rules anyway.

Nico: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/nicolas-roche-suddenly-left-with-another-3km-to-go-there-was-a-bit-of-a-lull-and-a-lot-of-guys-swarmed-past-me-again-29385155.html

Dan: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/we-re-not-too-mellow-after-missing-out-on-yellow-1.1448422

buffalo

Nicolas: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/nicolas-roche-id-love-to-seize-yellow-in-adopted-home-town-29387517.html

And Martin: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/we-survive-corsica-now-it-s-onwards-and-upwards-to-nice-and-the-team-time-trial-in-the-tour-de-france-1.1449592

godtabh

Didnt realise Dan had a diary. What's it like? (will read it later)

buffalo

Roche: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicolas-roche-blood-goes-everywhere-apart-from-to-your-brain-29390845.html

buffalo

godtabh wrote: »

Didnt realise Dan had a diary. What's it like? (will read it later)

Worth a read - talks a lot about himself and the team, and the mood around camp.

buffalo

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/disappointed-at-first-we-didn-t-win-time-trial-but-happy-wiht-our-consistency-1.1451361

Away from the race, we have had a really beautiful hotel since coming over from Corsica. We are up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.

When we were driving here the first night, we were thinking ‘where are we going?’ It is a big complex, with tennis courts, basketball courts and other stuff.

Anyway, the restaurant is about 10 minutes walk away. Because of that they give us little golf buggies to cruise around in. However, the hotel is not letting us drive them ourselves. Upon reflection, that is probably a good thing.

buffalo

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicolas-roche-more-guys-slammed-into-the-fallen-rider-then-each-other-until-the-road-was-blocked-with-bodies-and-bikes-29394408.html

Good account of how the crash happened yesterday:

As the first one finished his sprint and let Gert Steegmans take over at the front, he suddenly stopped pedalling and dropped back through the middle of the peloton like a stone.

Although I wasn't really sprinting for a place, I was alongside Chris Froome in the thick of things when, a few places ahead of me, I noticed this guy sprinting with his head down. Just as I was wondering whether he was going to look up in time to brake or not, I got my answer when he ploughed into the back of Cav's lead-out man and fell with about 100m to go.

godtabh

nico wrote:

I haven't seen him in about two years and it was nice to be able to catch up for a few minutes and reminisce about the time we used to want to do this for a living.

Not what you would expect to hear from a professional cyclist.

TinyExplosions

godtabh wrote: »

Not what you would expect to hear from a professional cyclist.

I'm not so sure, I could quickly see it turning into a job, that you do because you're paid too/there's nothing else to do -that the gloss of getting a pro contract has turned from awesome to a pain in the arse (literally!)

godtabh

Yes but to admit that when you are the envy of thousands of people I dont think is wise

GetWithIt

I was looking for a job, and then I found a job, and heaven knows I'm miserable now ..............

funkyjebus

DELETED

funkyjebus

Dan Martin

Regarding Nico's comments, I took it as a joke. I'd say every rider questions their sanity and life decisions a few stages into the tour de france. The fact that he brings Dan into it as well make me think he is not serious.

MPFG

funkyjebus wrote: »

Dan Martin

Regarding Nico's comments, I took it as a joke. I'd say every rider questions their sanity and life decisions a few stages into the tour de france. The fact that he brings Dan into it as well make me think he is not serious.

Seems he was very philosphical yesterday as he hit 29 and probably questioning things a bit

I think he menat the guy from marseille and himself were chewing the cud about being a pro ( not Dan)

buffalo

Roche: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicholas-roche-it-was-flat-out-we-didnt-even-have-time-to-pee-29396865.html

BQQ

godtabh wrote: »

Not what you would expect to hear from a professional cyclist.

I think you're inferring something he didn't intend to imply.

I think he was just saying that, back then, it was his dream to be an elite professional.
I didn't take that to mean he doesn't like it now he's achieved that.

buffalo

DM: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/trying-to-keep-focused-in-some-high-winds-and-crashes-1.1453243

Very happy for Impey, and this horrifying read:

I was also pleased to see my team-mate Christian Vande Velde get through the stage okay. He fell heavily on Wednesday and suffered a blood clot, as well as a problem with a plate he had put in after he broken his collarbone before. A screw came loose with the impact, and the team were not sure how he would do as a result.

*shudders*

buffalo

Okay, he's not Irish, but he always brings a lighter, brighter side to racing - Jens on today's stage:

http://bicycling.com/blogs/hardlyserious/2013/07/05/jens-attacks/

buffalo

Nico gets caught up in a minor pile-up: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/now-well-get-a-first-glimpse-of-who-is-in-shape-and-whos-not-29399662.html

MPFG

I'd say it will be difficult for Nico today ...alot of pulling and hard work

buffalo

MPFG wrote: »

I'd say it will be difficult for Nico today ...alot of pulling and hard work

He came in with the last group, 26 minutes down.

Only getting around to reading this now, interesting in the context of today's race: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/mountain-stage-going-to-be-a-shock-to-the-body-1.1454729

He says he didn't drink enough on Thursday because it was "too risky to take the hands off the bars. It meant I was dehydrated starting the next stage." That's nuts!

buffalo

And what I wanted to point out in the last post, but didn't for fear of spoilers:

After that, Sunday is also going to be a really hard day. It is a typical Pyrenean stage with five climbs. It is up and down, up and down, the profile like crocodile teeth. It is my type of day. It is the same type of stage that I won in the Volta a Catalunya, although it was a mountain top finish there.

buffalo

Today's Nico: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/i-finished-26-minutes-behind-dan-but-his-win-turned-my-grimace-into-a-smile-29402653.html

I find some of the things that happen in the Tour far from what I expect in a pro race:

I was gasping for a drink, I dropped back to see if the Mavic neutral service car had some water. That was my first mistake. All they had was a bottle of Vittel with a screw-on lid and a banana. We were riding so hard that I nearly choked myself on the first bite of the banana and threw the rest of it away, which was mistake number two, as I could have eaten it later.

And great to see the filial support:

Dan has had a fantastic season so far and we all knew he had a chance to win a stage this year. But doing just that, when everybody expects you to, makes it even better. It's fabulous for Dan and for Irish cycling.

I might have finished the stage 26 minutes behind him, but thanks to Dan, I swapped my earlier grimace for a smile.

godtabh

buffalo wrote: »

Today's Nico: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/i-finished-26-minutes-behind-dan-but-his-win-turned-my-grimace-into-a-smile-29402653.html

I find some of the things that happen in the Tour far from what I expect in a pro race:



And great to see the filial support:

I've said it before its decisions like that that have a massive impact on Roche's races. He seems to make silly mistakes that cost him dearly.

MPFG

godtabh wrote: »

I've said it before its decisions like that that have a massive impact on Roche's races. He seems to make silly mistakes that cost him dearly.

Its cos he is always wound up...trying to be everywher and cover everything....get rid of the fear of failure and just relax a bit and maybe enjoy his racing ....he would do alot better

But I can't imagine anyone is relaxing at Saxo at present :eek:

Paranoid Mandroid

Not really a diary read but here is a piece from the rte website: Link

The garmin lads had a couple of beers to celebrate last night. Well done Dan!

buffalo

The one you've all been waiting for: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/there-was-a-massive-relief-when-i-won-it-was-such-an-incredible-moment-1.1456098

I was actually praying to get caught, as I just wanted the pain to be over.

MPFG

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/nicolas-roche-i-dont-think-weve-seen-the-last-of-dan-on-this-tour-29405116.htm


Love this part about the film Les Miserables....sometimes Nico seems so naive

Although it's probably less than three hours long, this is my fourth day watching it on the Tour. I'm a big fan of Russell Crowe and, I know it's a musical, but there's just a little bit too much singing for my liking

pprendeville

Didnt see previous post.

MPFG

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/its-the-first-time-a-rider-chased-a-team-car-to-get-a-new-wheel-29408663.html


anyone else think its strange that the saxo car couldn't slow down and wait for a bit to change tyre ???

godtabh

MPFG wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/its-the-first-time-a-rider-chased-a-team-car-to-get-a-new-wheel-29408663.html


anyone else think its strange that the saxo car couldn't slow down and wait for a bit to change tyre ???

I'm sure they would for bertie

buffalo

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicolas-roche-my-legs-were-burning-like-hell-but-i-didnt-care-today-was-the-day-i-could-make-a-difference-on-this-tour-29417279.html

Nico on yesterday's efforts and the splits.

dastardly00

Latest diary entries....

Nico:

our jerseys are so skin-tight today that I had to stuff another five bottles down the front of mine before riding back up with them wobbling all over the place, banging off my legs.

Dan:

after four hours I really started to suffer with the heat. My brain felt like it was being cooked, like being boiled alive.

buffalo

Rest day interview with Dan: http://www.independent.ie/sport/irelands-dan-martin-if-i-want-a-beer-ill-have-a-beer-29424731.html

Cycling is a hard sport and if I have to make too many sacrifices I can no longer do it. I've found a happy medium.

It's not that I'm going to get drunk every week but if I want a beer I'll have a beer.

A man after my own heart.

buffalo

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicholas-roche-i-stopped-by-the-team-car-to-apologise-to-my-directeur-sportif-29425931.html

Nico knew exactly what he was doing yesterday, pity it didn't work out.

Although there were 26 riders out front, the one I was watching was Rui Costa, who recently won the Tour of Switzerland. Costa is a decent climber and a very good time triallist, and I knew that if he got over the top of the final climb on his own, with 12km to go, he would be very hard to catch on the descent.

...I went flat out to get to Costa's wheel but when he put the hammer down on a steep bend, I simply didn't have the legs to stay with him and completely blew up.

buffalo

Nico: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/roche-one-of-the-irish-fans-made-me-laugh-29429686.html

I wasn't riding flat out and Ag2r's John Gadret, who had started two minutes behind me, caught me on the top of the final climb.

You may remember him as the team-mate whose head I wanted to put through the window of the team bus a few years ago when he didn't give me a wheel after I punctured. Nowadays we get on fine and today I pulled to the side and let him past as he took a few risks on the descent in a sudden rain shower.

buffalo

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicholas-roche-when-i-got-to-irish-corner-my-legs-didnt-work-anymore-29432304.html

Headline: 'When I got to Irish Corner my legs didn't work anymore'. Sounds like Hansen wasn't the only one on the beer yesterday! :pac:

godtabh

buffalo wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicholas-roche-when-i-got-to-irish-corner-my-legs-didnt-work-anymore-29432304.html

Headline: 'When I got to Irish Corner my legs didn't work anymore'. Sounds like Hansen wasn't the only one on the beer yesterday! :pac:

Riding today's diary suggests that today is going to be extremely tough for Roche. If Saxo attach throughout the day it could be another very long day for him with the Gruppetto

buffalo

Roche's final day: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/nicolas-roche-sooner-or-later-the-hard-work-ive-put-in-has-to-pay-off-29437691.html

Favourite bit:

Jesus was nowhere to be seen

I realise giggling about people called Jesus is probably immature, but I can't help it.

I helped close a gap for Alberto on stage 10, and helped open a one-minute split for him in the crosswinds of stage 13. I got in a breakaway on stage 16, although I didn't have the legs to make the most of it and then rode hard to keep us in front in the team classification on Friday's 19th stage to Le Grand Bornand.

I've also learned a lot from riding for Alberto. He is meticulous about his bike and equipment, even down to the air pressure in his tyres.

Sounds like he's learned a lot, but again, I wonder why it's taken ten Grand Tours for Nico to start caring about tyre pressure. Is that not something every amateur checks before the start of a race? When you turn pro, do you get blasé and expect the mechanics to do it, and assume it'll be fine?

Looking forward to seeing how he does in San Sebastian and the Vuelta!

Squidgy Black

buffalo wrote: »

Sounds like he's learned a lot, but again, I wonder why it's taken ten Grand Tours for Nico to start caring about tyre pressure. Is that not something every amateur checks before the start of a race? When you turn pro, do you get blasé and expect the mechanics to do it, and assume it'll be fine?

I'd assume he's talking about Bertie having some sort of preferred pressure rating that he insists on every stage. I'd say for most of them they just let the mechanic do the job and once it feels right during the warm ups etc it's fine for them.

TinyExplosions

buffalo wrote: »

Sounds like he's learned a lot, but again, I wonder why it's taken ten Grand Tours for Nico to start caring about tyre pressure. Is that not something every amateur checks before the start of a race? When you turn pro, do you get blasé and expect the mechanics to do it, and assume it'll be fine?

POssibly because he's just an incredibly average rider that Ireland has built up to be some sort of contender when he just can't hack it. He under performed as a team leader in AG2R (some would say not through lack of trying), and he's not done brilliantly as a climbing domestique for Saxo.

Maybe it's time we realise that he's god a famous dad, but is a journeyman at best?

goose06

TinyExplosions wrote: »

POssibly because he's just an incredibly average rider that Ireland has built up to be some sort of contender when he just can't hack it. He under performed as a team leader in AG2R (some would say not through lack of trying), and he's not done brilliantly as a climbing domestique for Saxo.

Maybe it's time we realise that he's god a famous dad, but is a journeyman at best?

He's still better than anyone on this forum will probably ever be so why not just enjoy having him riding the grand tours and let us all live in hope that he'll pull one out of the bag one of these days.

ford2600

TinyExplosions wrote: »

POssibly because he's just an incredibly average rider that Ireland has built up to be some sort of contender when he just can't hack it. He under performed as a team leader in AG2R (some would say not through lack of trying), and he's not done brilliantly as a climbing domestique for Saxo.

Maybe it's time we realise that he's god a famous dad, but is a journeyman at best?

He's a very solid professional, honest and hard working.

Not good enough to compete at very top level, but that is no crime. It's a very high bar.

We should be proud of him. He leaves it all on the road, and while not top drawer, before Dan he was the only Irish guy in grand tours for many a long day

BTH

ford2600 wrote: »

He's a very solid professional, honest and hard working.

Not good enough to compete at very top level, but that is no crime. It's a very high bar.

We should be proud of him. He leaves it all on the road, and while not top drawer, before Dan he was the only Irish guy in grand tours for many a long day

While I agree with the first part of your post the bit in bold is clearly nonsense.

buffalo

stetyrrell wrote: »

I'd assume he's talking about Bertie having some sort of preferred pressure rating that he insists on every stage. I'd say for most of them they just let the mechanic do the job and once it feels right during the warm ups etc it's fine for them.

I'd have a preferred pressure for every stage. How bumpy is the road, how wet is it, how fat am I today... all factors to be taken into account. I'm surprised Roche, and indeed all riders at his level, doesn't do the same.

buffalo

Dan: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/dan-martin-diary-final-day-when-i-look-back-there-were-really-many-good-memories-1.1470701

Love his, and Garmin's, style:

We had a lot of fun racing that day . . .we were racing like juniors again, with tactics thrown completely out the window.

godtabh

buffalo wrote: »

I'd have a preferred pressure for every stage. How bumpy is the road, how wet is it, how fat am I today... all factors to be taken into account. I'm surprised Roche, and indeed all riders at his level, doesn't do the same.

As I've said many times before its things like this that are the difference of him being an average grand tour cyclist and a contender.

If he recovers properly we may see what he has learned in the Veulta in a couple of weeks.

I'll still cheer him on regardless

mcgratheoin

godtabh wrote: »

As I've said many times before its things like this that are the difference of him being an average grand tour cyclist and a contender.

Possibly true, but is it just me or does Nico get a harder time than Dan over stuff like this? I know Dan has won a lot in the last few years, but imagine the response if Nico was to say that he refused to train at altitude because he wouldn't be happy there.

buffalo

mcgratheoin wrote: »

Possibly true, but is it just me or does Nico get a harder time than Dan over stuff like this? I know Dan has won a lot in the last few years, but imagine the response if Nico was to say that he refused to train at altitude because he wouldn't be happy there.

That's probably true (about Nico getting a harder time), but Roche has been ProTour level for longer, and was a team leader, and - leaving physical ability aside - should be expected therefore to be more capable and experienced than Martin.

Or perhaps because Roche has been writing his diary for so long, we all know his flaws and his mistakes that he openly admits, where we haven't gotten a glimpse of that side of Martin as much.

As for Martin not training at altitude - whatever he's doing at the moment is working for him, so why should he change it?

TinyExplosions

goose06 wrote: »

He's still better than anyone on this forum will probably ever be so why not just enjoy having him riding the grand tours and let us all live in hope that he'll pull one out of the bag one of these days.

I really hoped it was a given that I accept he's better than all of us, but that doesn't change the point of my post. For a pro rider, he's average at best. It's fine enjoying watching him at grand tours etc, but it seems like every year it's 'going to be his year' and there seems to be a mad rush of blood to the head that inflates his chances of results

ford2600 wrote: »

He's a very solid professional, honest and hard working.

Not good enough to compete at very top level, but that is no crime. It's a very high bar.

And I'm not saying that it is a crime, just that we should maybe lower our expectations and rabid enthusiasm over him -he's just not good enough to be a team leader at the highest levels

godtabh

TinyExplosions wrote: »

And I'm not saying that it is a crime, just that we should maybe lower our expectations and rabid enthusiasm over him -he's just not good enough to be a team leader at the highest levels

I dont think our expectations are too far off the mark. This year with his new role people were expecting a stage win. He pushed a break and almost got there.

No one expects a grand tour one. A top 10 i think is acheivable.