cycling

[switchskier]

Aye, but of course they're trying to wriggle out of it by claiming that it's just a Dr's error.

Nothing to see here...

I don't know, this seems pretty plausible to me. Lots of cyclists have asthma and carry inhalers with them.

I do like the Yates twins as riders though which may be colouring my view.

I think I'm so cynical now with cyclists that even the plausible excuses have me sighing and rolling my eyes. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, why didn't he make sure that he/his Dr had applied for the TUE? I mean, ffs, it's not rocket science, surely?

It's the Dr's job and it's something very routine that will have been done often (if the excuse is true) so you can see how it could just be an oversight.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Whilst the excuse might be true, it's truly astonishing the number of athletes who have asthma.

[canta_brian]

Whilst the excuse might be true, it's truly astonishing the number of athletes who have asthma.

Not really. A childhood diagnosis of asthma should see a gp explaining that excersize is an excellent way of preventing future attacks.

[switchskier]

Whilst the excuse might be true, it's truly astonishing the number of athletes who have asthma.

There was a guardian article on this very subject this week which I have to admit I didn't know about but Yates is evidently in good company with Paula Radcliffe.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/a ... y-swimmers

Anyone watch the Tour of Yorkshire yesterday? A really good stage once again, the terrain is perfect for that sort of race and Tommy Voeckler managed to pull out the win which made it even better. Hope they can extend it to four days next year.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Whilst the excuse might be true, it's truly astonishing the number of athletes who have asthma.

There was a guardian article on this very subject this week which I have to admit I didn't know about but Yates is evidently in good company with Paula Radcliffe.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/a ... y-swimmers

Anyone watch the Tour of Yorkshire yesterday? A really good stage once again, the terrain is perfect for that sort of race and Tommy Voeckler managed to pull out the win which made it even better. Hope they can extend it to four days next year.

Good article and makes some sense. It's never very satisfactory when there's a grey area as to whether something is an ailment requiring treatment or just a limit to someone's physical abilities.

Whilst the excuse might be true, it's truly astonishing the number of athletes who have asthma.

Not really. A childhood diagnosis of asthma should see a gp explaining that excersize is an excellent way of preventing future attacks.

I've never found that argument even remotely convincing. That's an argument for them doing some exercise - as all children have to frankly - not as to over representation in elite sport.

[caldeyrfc]

I remember playing against an infamous Welsh flanker (he was sent off playing against England) who had an asthma attack during the game, he went off for a couple of minutes, had a few puffs of his inhaler and he was back on as good as new

[Dr Robert]

Quite a good article on this issue:

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/04/why-do-s ... ve-asthma/

[WaspInWales]

Quite a good article on this issue:

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/04/why-do-s ... ve-asthma/

Great article.

[switchskier]

Is anyone watching this giro? Great drama yesterday but I feel so sorry for Kruiswick, he's been the strongest all race. Nibali's resurrection is impressive though.

[plainoldtoad]

Well ... the cycling thread's not what it was.

I really enjoyed that Giro. I bet the Tour will be pants in comparison. Froome seems to have his Kenyan twiddling legs in order on the Dauphine.

Oh, and I bought a Brompton last year.

[BigAl]

Is there a rugby rebels fantasy cycling league for le tour this year?

[mcshinnertheligind]

Didn't see that coming . 2 stages for Cav sandwiching a great win for Sagan

[mcshinnertheligind]

Is there a rugby rebels fantasy cycling league for le tour this year?

All the old faces disappeared BA. I entered a team for the fun of it.

[bruce]

See Cav is getting back towards his brilliant best. 2 out 3 stages so far and 28 now in total. Perhaps Mercyx's record is not safe!

[switchskier]

Another stage for cav and that was a whole lot of fun to watch that sprint (boring as hell for 99% of the race mind). David Millar's punditry is excellent too, really good insight.

First big stage tomorrow.

[Big D]

Another stage for cav and that was a whole lot of fun to watch that sprint (boring as hell for 99% of the race mind). David Millar's punditry is excellent too, really good insight.

First big stage tomorrow.

Millar has been good. On the ITV podcast he was scathing about Movistar the day that Greg VA won his stage.

[WaspInWales]

Hardly watched any coverage this year, but has there been any issues with the locals and Froome so far?

[switchskier]

Hardly watched any coverage this year, but has there been any issues with the locals and Froome so far?

Too early for anything like that, today was the first day in the mountains and the GC guys just marked each other, doubtless thinking of tomorrow. I did see that sky want to sign a Frenchman though in an effort to improve their bad press at the race.

Another great stage win for Steve Cummings though, why he isn't going to Rio I have absolutely no idea.

[WaspInWales]

Hardly watched any coverage this year, but has there been any issues with the locals and Froome so far?

Too early for anything like that, today was the first day in the mountains and the GC guys just marked each other, doubtless thinking of tomorrow. I did see that sky want to sign a Frenchman though in an effort to improve their bad press at the race.

Another great stage win for Steve Cummings though, why he isn't going to Rio I have absolutely no idea.

I only asked as even though Sky and Froome released his data last year, there still seemed to be some questions being asked by French media.

I thought that perhaps some retarded individuals would still be harbouring a grudge a year on and have been saving a year's worth of saliva for the occasion.

Superb effort by Cummings today though.

Been a great Tour for Britain so far.

[WaspInWales]

British riders have won five of the first eight stages of the Tour.

They also hold three of the four jerseys after Mark Cavendish kept the green points jersey.

Boom!

[mcshinnertheligind]

That was impressive

[WaspInWales]

That descent was mad! I've seen riders tucked in tight like that before, but they don't usually pedal at the same time.

[WaspInWales]

Plenty of drama so far in this tour.

Amazing scenes of Froome running up Ventoux today!!

[bruce]

Correct call by the organisers. If anything Froome et al lost a bit of time. See the French will generally boo anything to do with Froome.

[WaspInWales]

Sombre scenes on the tour today and that is entirely understandable considering the events.

Pinot withdraws, Dumoulin wins the stage and Froome increases his lead with an impressive TT run (this time without real running).

Froome seems to be putting himself into a position where it will be hard to catch him besides a crash....although that is still a strong likelihood as things stand.

That said, there's still a few hills to go and Quintana has to have a go at some point. All it takes is a strong finish and he can get a couple of minutes back. Then there's Yates and Mollema who are even closer to stake a claim.

Would be awesome to see a Froome/Yates podium in Paris.