JTL

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  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    5 hours on no breakfast and only water :shock:
  • sunburntknees
    sunburntknees Posts: 272
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    5 hours on no breakfast and only water :shock:

    Don't try this at home kids!
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Christ, Sky are taking this zero tolerance thing seriously. Riding paniagua's not good enough, now its just agua :)
  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    For the JTL fans....exclusive from the ground-breaking news outlet 'This is South Devon'..

    http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/bette ... story.html

    Looks like Tour of the Algarve will be his first race

    ""There's a possibility I may ride the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) later in the season, but nothing's decided yet,""

    Ooooh! My ridiculous prediction that he'll win a stage of the Vuelta next year might actually happen.
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    For the JTL fans....exclusive from the ground-breaking news outlet 'This is South Devon'..

    http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/bette ... story.html

    Looks like Tour of the Algarve will be his first race

    For the above (and the traditionalists) a small piece of heart-warming news to start your week... (Not quite with the same journalistic gravitas as 'This is South Devon' I'll admit, but in good faith, nonetheless) I have it on good authority that our man was spotted leading a battered rain-bedraggled bunch back through Bristol on Saturday after a lumpy 100 + mile excursion up into Wales and back... 23 mph average, apparently. Just in case you were wondering if he'd naffed-off on some la-di-da non-cycling warm-weather jaunt.

    Although faith in my source did start to wane a bit when he told me that he thought JTL was wearing shorts(!), it got me thinking that now would be the perfect time for us to enhance his growing reputation as being an old-school hard b@stard with a few "embellished facts" dropped into the ether.

    I'll start:
    Once, on a ride over Dartmoor, JTL went so deep on a timed hill effort that he prolapsed a lung. So as not to compromise his time, he waited until passing the finish before punching it back in.

    After a collision with a Chieftain Tank during a 180 mile ride via Salisbury Plain, JTL realised that the pain of smashing his jaw into a dry-stone wall was such a good distraction from the unrelenting torture of his training rides that he now tries to incorporate it into all his rides.

    Apparently, the whole "glandular fever " story was a cover for the fact that JTL was actually working as a pit-pony in Cornwall's last working tin mine during his "wilderness years".
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    JTL is so hard he once rode the entire South West Coastal Path in just 2 days, on only a pack of 4 Devon scones purchased from the Londis in Fore St, Torquay
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    JTL is so Sexy that sometimes when I watch him get out of the saddle I...oh, erm..Wrong forum. :oops:
    http://www.twitter.com/InTheGC http://www.InTheGC.com http://www.facebook.com/intheGC
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Oh LL, you do drag things down to a whole new level.... :)

    God knows what you're doing to be like when he gets his first WT win...
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Oh LL, you do drag things down to a whole new level.... :)

    God knows what you're doing to be like when he gets his first WT win...

    So its a question of 'when' then and not 'if'...Can't bleeding wait, shame he's riding for Sky though.
    http://www.twitter.com/InTheGC http://www.InTheGC.com http://www.facebook.com/intheGC
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    LeicesterLad wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Oh LL, you do drag things down to a whole new level.... :)

    God knows what you're doing to be like when he gets his first WT win...

    So its a question of 'when' then and not 'if'...Can't bleeding wait, shame he's riding for Sky though.


    Yada yada yada

    And of course its a question of when. To question his talent would be pretty dumb, and Sky - much as you might dislike them - are one of the best set-up teams to do that and seem seriously minded to do so.
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    LeicesterLad wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Oh LL, you do drag things down to a whole new level.... :)

    God knows what you're doing to be like when he gets his first WT win...

    So its a question of 'when' then and not 'if'...Can't bleeding wait, shame he's riding for Sky though.


    Yada yada yada

    And of course its a question of when. To question his talent would be pretty dumb, and Sky - much as you might dislike them - are one of the best set-up teams to do that and seem seriously minded to do so.

    I'm in agreement that Sky are the best team - though JTL is more of a ride on feel guy than the brailsford calculator type of rider, my comment was merely its a shame for 'me' that he is riding for Sky next year, as for reasons not logical to even myself, I can't stand Sky.
    http://www.twitter.com/InTheGC http://www.InTheGC.com http://www.facebook.com/intheGC
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    edited November 2012
    I like Sky cos I like a number of their riders who I like to see do well. You cant stand Sky for reaons you cant fathom out. But we can both agree that we want to see JTL winning. I call that a sensible compromise.
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    I like Sky cos I like a number of the riders who I like to see do well. You cant stand Sky for reaons you cant fathom out. But we can both agree that we want to see JTL winning. I call that a sensible compromise.

    I say this makes a nice change. :wink:
    http://www.twitter.com/InTheGC http://www.InTheGC.com http://www.facebook.com/intheGC
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    LeicesterLad wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    I like Sky cos I like a number of the riders who I like to see do well. You cant stand Sky for reaons you cant fathom out. But we can both agree that we want to see JTL winning. I call that a sensible compromise.

    I say this makes a nice change. :wink:


    You're not wrong there :)
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    and here we go from the man himself

    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... -move.html
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    I really hope Sky let him ride the Hilly classics properly, ie not as training for being Fenton's domestique in July. I ll loose a lot of sympathy if they do that...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    ddraver wrote:
    I really hope Sky let him ride the Hilly classics properly, ie not as training for being Fenton's domestique in July. I ll loose a lot of sympathy if they do that...

    It is his first year though and with the current Sky regime he will be lucky to get a look in at any race untill he's lost 10 stone and learned mathematics. He's bound to be somebodys b*tch in every race he rides.
    http://www.twitter.com/InTheGC http://www.InTheGC.com http://www.facebook.com/intheGC
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    edited November 2012
    ddraver wrote:
    I really hope Sky let him ride the Hilly classics properly, ie not as training for being Fenton's domestique in July. I ll loose a lot of sympathy if they do that...


    I seriously think he'll riding the hillies in April. He wont do the Tour. It'll be the Vuelta for him - but as a domestique this year. Sky have a serious squad of climbers to field strong support for both Wiggins and Froome, without putting JTL though it in his first year as a neo. And frankly he'll have to earn the right to ride the Tour another year. That's the way of it.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    They ve not got anyone for him to be a bitch for until the Giro starts...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    ddraver wrote:
    They ve not got anyone for him to be a ***** for until the Giro starts...


    Ahem. Henao and Uran for starters. He's also be riding for whoever Sky designate as leader at Algarve, and linked to this, Wiggo's and Porte's early season pre-Giro programme, I'd say.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    I'd say they ve as much chance in the hilly classics as JTL...i.e. minescule. Only thing is that JTL is likely to at least give it a genuine shot
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    edited November 2012
    ddraver wrote:
    I'd say they ve as much chance in the hilly classics as JTL...i.e. minescule. Only thing is that JTL is likely to at least give it a genuine shot

    Ah, Mr Rodent, I wasnt talking about JTL necessarily riding for them in the Hillies. I was actually thinking of the programme up to the Hillies which often takes in the races I mentioned - and where he will definitely be someone biatch.

    So there. :P
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    I was wondering....but they have to send somebody to the hillies, who else do they have?

    Just say we re a British Team and we re sending the British Guy. Can't lose really...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    I'd say they ve as much chance in the hilly classics as JTL...i.e. minescule. Only thing is that JTL is likely to at least give it a genuine shot

    Ah, Mr Rodent, I wasnt talking about JTL necessarily riding for THEM in the Hillies. I was actually thinking of the programme up to the Hillies which often takes in the races I mentioned - and where he will definitely be someone biatch.

    So there. :P


    JTL's giving up his crown in Tour Med and Haut Var to ride biatch in Volta? That'll certainly be a test of his "team player" credentials...

    Alternatively, after a Winter of tweaking/peaking his weight/power, I don't see past Sky smashing him into Amstel Gold/Flèche Wallone with a dirty great big "-1" on his back; but for this to happen various other things will need to pan out... All things being well (no illness/injury), he'll be causing major grief on the usually-decisive middle Volta stage (whether that's simply to queer the pitch in support or putting everyone to the sword for the GC), can't help thinking that we'll see him feature heavily at Tirreno-Adriatico (surely the most perfect race for him?) followed by a showing at MSR (coupled with the grouchy nay-sayers grumbling because they can't go on about him being untested over 250km anymore)... he (and Sky) will then have a month of further tweakage (via Pais Vasco?) before the Ardennes...

    I just don't see Sky compromising JTL's talents in the early season in order for him to comply with a "bigger picture" for the team - I think he'll be the bigger picture... The prestigious lumpy one-dayers are now probably the only glaring holes in the Sky palmares.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    ddraver wrote:
    I was wondering....but they have to send somebody to the hillies, who else do they have?
    Uran has been 5th at LBL, third at Lombardy twice and had a host of other one day podiums. He deserves to be treated as the number 1 in the team.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    RichN95 wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    I was wondering....but they have to send somebody to the hillies, who else do they have?
    Uran has been 5th at LBL, third at Lombardy twice and had a host of other one day podiums. He deserves to be treated as the number 1 in the team.


    Si, and his magnifico win at Piemonte 2 months ago
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    RichN95 wrote:
    He deserves to be treated as the number 1 in the team.

    At this point in time I'd agree; but what form would another Sky rider need to show in order to usurp this?
  • Turfle
    Turfle Posts: 3,762
    I suspect until the Giro he'll get virtually the same schedule Nordhaug had this year. Some combination of Spanish one dayers, Algarve, Crit Int, Pais Vasco, AGR, FW, LBL. Then build up to the Vuelta.

    Henao and Uran have to be options 1a and 1b for the hilly classics, but if JTL is as strong as Nordhaug was this year he'll be 1c.

    That's my guess anyway.
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    I'd say they ve as much chance in the hilly classics as JTL...i.e. minescule. Only thing is that JTL is likely to at least give it a genuine shot

    Ah, Mr Rodent, I wasnt talking about JTL necessarily riding for THEM in the Hillies. I was actually thinking of the programme up to the Hillies which often takes in the races I mentioned - and where he will definitely be someone biatch.

    So there. :P


    JTL's giving up his crown in Tour Med and Haut Var to ride biatch in Volta? That'll certainly be a test of his "team player" credentials...

    Alternatively, after a Winter of tweaking/peaking his weight/power, I don't see past Sky smashing him into Amstel Gold/Flèche Wallone with a dirty great big "-1" on his back; but for this to happen various other things will need to pan out... All things being well (no illness/injury), he'll be causing major grief on the usually-decisive middle Volta stage (whether that's simply to queer the pitch in support or putting everyone to the sword for the GC), can't help thinking that we'll see him feature heavily at Tirreno-Adriatico (surely the most perfect race for him?) followed by a showing at MSR (coupled with the grouchy nay-sayers grumbling because they can't go on about him being untested over 250km anymore)... he (and Sky) will then have a month of further tweakage (via Pais Vasco?) before the Ardennes...

    I just don't see Sky compromising JTL's talents in the early season in order for him to comply with a "bigger picture" for the team - I think he'll be the bigger picture... The prestigious lumpy one-dayers are now probably the only glaring holes in the Sky palmares.


    According to Ellingworth , dont think the Classics squad are doing T-A ahead of MSR next season. Based on this year's experience they seem to be preferring the idea of a nice hard training camp doing a better job of prep'ing the boys. Cant see them fielding JTL in MSR either.
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    Richmond Racer wrote:


    According to Ellingworth , dont think the Classics squad are doing T-A ahead of MSR next season. Based on this year's experience they seem to be preferring the idea of a nice hard training camp doing a better job of prep'ing the boys. Cant see them fielding JTL in MSR either.

    Please don't introduce expert/insider knowledge or common sense into the conversation whilst I'm spouting wishful-thinking aloud - it's unbecoming.

    Thanks.
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