The Secret Pro

frenchfighter

Cyclingtips have recently started one of these secret pro series and here is the latest installment. It is pretty interesting. I vaguely remember there being a topic on the first installment but can't find it. If someone does then please link it here so the threads can be merged.

http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/02/l ... son-begin/

Garry H

Not really that interesting or candid from someone writing under a pseudonym, apart from the Scarponi bit, but ok nonetheless. Perhaps there are tastier bits to come!

frenchfighter

Not many 'juicy' bits but it is an inside look into the world of a pro which is very interesting for me.

Cleat Eastwood

Yes, I remembered the fetching illustrator graphics - is this the previous thread?

ThanksBye

I wonder what groupset he is referring to here:

Everyone in the pro peloton bashes one particular groupset though. It’s all in good fun, but it’s an unwritten rule that you have to take the piss out of the guys who are on that groupset.

frenchfighter

Yeah that's the one Cleat.

Garry H

ThanksBye wrote:

I wonder what groupset he is referring to here:

Everyone in the pro peloton bashes one particular groupset though. It’s all in good fun, but it’s an unwritten rule that you have to take the wee-wee out of the guys who are on that groupset.

This is what I meant up above. He could at least name the groupset.

I reckon I could make a good bash of writing something like this, without being very specific. eg I could take a good guess that neo-pros will be over-eager to impress and will burn out early in the season because of it. There's nothing to see here that you don't read about in Dan Martin's column in Pro Cycling. It's not that much of a insight. It does have potential though and look forward to reading it as te season progresses.

majormantra

ThanksBye wrote:

I wonder what groupset he is referring to here:

Hmmm, can't be Di2 and this suggests maybe not EPS either, but that's open to interpretation:

The electronic groupsets is where it’s at nowdays. Di2 has been brilliant. – absolutely flawless. From what I understand the 11spd Dura Ace is even better. It’s now just like Campag where you hold the button in and it just goes up or down the cassette. The riders say great things about it.

Seems unlikely that it's 7900 or 9000 mechanical or SR11, so SRAM Red? Or something else?

mr_poll

Thanks for this FF - good read. Agree with you it's good to get an insight - in some respects glad there isnt something too juicy given the last 6 months it will be nice just to get back to business as usual and racing.

ocdupalais

MajorMantra wrote:

ThanksBye wrote:

I wonder what groupset he is referring to here:

Hmmm, can't be Di2 and this suggests maybe not EPS either, but that's open to interpretation:

The electronic groupsets is where it’s at nowdays. Di2 has been brilliant. – absolutely flawless. From what I understand the 11spd Dura Ace is even better. It’s now just like Campag where you hold the button in and it just goes up or down the cassette. The riders say great things about it.

Seems unlikely that it's 7900 or 9000 mechanical or SR11, so SRAM Red? Or something else?

I had a sordid fling with SRAM Red one Summer before discovering that despite some fun but sweaty cavorts, we weren't really that suited; it was the double-click thing. Then we started shouting at one another...
Went back to Campag with my head held low.
We've since re-confirmed our vows. Besides, my tools all fit Campag.

We're expecting a new groupset in the Spring.

TMR

OCDuPalais wrote:

I had a sordid fling with SRAM Red one Summer before discovering that despite some fun but sweaty cavorts, we weren't really that suited; it was the double-click thing. Then we started shouting at one another...
Went back to Campag with my head held low.
We've since re-confirmed our vows. Besides, my tools all fit Campag.

We're expecting a new groupset in the Spring.

I've wanted to say for sometime that I think you are an incredibly intelligent and sharp chap. I love reading your posts - you're wasted on here IMHO.

ocdupalais

What with it being a tepid-bed of sarcasm round here, I gave it 10 minutes to see if you were pulling my leg...( you're not, are you? It's a rare treat to see words of appreciation)

If not, then thanks very much. The feelings mutual...

And you're right: I'm often wasted on here...

alihisgreat

Isn't it our responsibility as an on-line community to speculate widely about who The Secret Pro is?

and so far I haven't seen any speculation (apart from about groupsets!)-> I'm going to say its most likely an Aussie (for obvious reasons)?

ddraver

I think it feels like it's written by an Aussie

I found myself drifting into an Aussie accent in my head whilst reading it...

Richmond Racer

there's a strong belief that he's an OGE guy (not that it narrows it down too much)

g00se

Also, from what he says, it'll be a team that's running 10-speed Di2 but who haven't gone up to the 11-speed stuff yet,

thomthom

Sheffield United's very own Dave Kitson will very soon publish a sequel to the 'The Secret Footballer' ...

Macaloon

Does this count for PTP points?

I'll have Koen de Kort based on how it reads in a Steve McClaren accent. And he has form: http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2012/12/ask-koen-de-kort/

guity

I'm not sure its an Aussie. In the first one he says he had an extended off season because he was on his mtb due to the cod weather. If you were an aussie surely you would spend the off season at home? I would say American due to going to the 'gas station'. his mention of specialized shoes being unbranded makes me think he isnt riding for a team who's bike company who make shoes (thinking Scott or Trek) as it sounds like something others are doing rather than a 1st had account. Also, I dont think he is on Garmin due to the reference of a DS being a mouthy pr1ck but appreciating what he is doing, I assume that is JV? I would also rule out any sky riders due to the mention of the odd timing of getting his training bike. I'm heavily leaning towards a BMC rider (they are on dura-ace too so that assumption above would fit) but not sure who fits the bill...

ddraver

Your points are all good guity...

Richmond Racer

guity wrote:

I'm not sure its an Aussie. In the first one he says he had an extended off season because he was on his mtb due to the cod weather. If you were an aussie surely you would spend the off season at home? I would say American due to going to the 'gas station'. his mention of specialized shoes being unbranded makes me think he isnt riding for a team who's bike company who make shoes (thinking Scott or Trek) as it sounds like something others are doing rather than a 1st had account. Also, I dont think he is on Garmin due to the reference of a DS being a mouthy pr1ck but appreciating what he is doing, I assume that is JV? I would also rule out any sky riders due to the mention of the odd timing of getting his training bike. I'm heavily leaning towards a BMC rider (they are on dura-ace too so that assumption above would fit) but not sure who fits the bill...

Depends where you start your offie. For example last year Matt Goss stayed around in Europe for a few weeks after end-season to try a different training approach, before going back to Oz in Dec.

Yeah, defo not Garmin with that JV reference. Not Sky either, cos of what he says in his first post. I'm wondering...Daryl Impey? Or could be Koen de Kort - but he seems to write more fluently than this guy.

alihisgreat

guity wrote:

I'm not sure its an Aussie. In the first one he says he had an extended off season because he was on his mtb due to the cod weather. If you were an aussie surely you would spend the off season at home? I would say American due to going to the 'gas station'. his mention of specialized shoes being unbranded makes me think he isnt riding for a team who's bike company who make shoes (thinking Scott or Trek) as it sounds like something others are doing rather than a 1st had account. Also, I dont think he is on Garmin due to the reference of a DS being a mouthy pr1ck but appreciating what he is doing, I assume that is JV? I would also rule out any sky riders due to the mention of the odd timing of getting his training bike. I'm heavily leaning towards a BMC rider (they are on dura-ace too so that assumption above would fit) but not sure who fits the bill...

hmm.. depends on how you interpret his shoe comments.. since he never actually says that he uses Specialized shoes.. just that lots of other guys use them?


He does mention that his previous team had a pushy sponsor though.. specialized? (we all know how much everyone laps it up when Cav talks about being back on the Venge)

TMR

OCDuPalais wrote:

What with it being a tepid-bed of sarcasm round here, I gave it 10 minutes to see if you were pulling my leg...( you're not, are you? It's a rare treat to see words of appreciation)

If not, then thanks very much. The feelings mutual...

And you're right: I'm often wasted on here...

No. Genuine comments.

ratsbeyfus

Is it Joey Barton?

Pross

Probably just some journo who invents their 'insights'

LeicesterLad

What you going to think if it turns out to be Simon Gerrans Frenchie?

frenchfighter

I don't have opinions on the person writing it.

Just because I don't like Gerrans' racing doesn't mean I can't find something he writes interesting.

frenchfighter

tailwindhome

http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/04/t ... -classics/


On helmets and the weather.

frenchfighter

Enjoyed that one. Nice to know it is not the riders choosing their helmets and that they think they are ridiculous. Nice also to know they think the US fans are odd and that Cali and TdU are shite races. I like the bits about the presents.

Some more clues there.

I can’t say the Tour Down Under was much more than a good training ride
I long for that Australian sun right about now
Thank goodness the race organisers are taking a bit of pity on us with shortening Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem
We’re now on these absolutely ridiculous looking Giro helmets now
but for me, the real season begins in June when I start coming into form and vying for our Tour squad

If it is a team riding then odd Giro helmets then that is just Garmin. Bauer is from nzl and rode TdU and MSR
If the comment was just about them in general, then Goss and O'Grady are both Aussies and both rode TdU, MSR and GW
Goss and O'Grady would both want to go to the Tour but I would have thought Goss would be a surer bet than O'Grady and O'Grady would be there in support more or less. Goss could also realistically target MSR and TdU.

There are more clues in the other installments.

danlikesbikes

I'm not sure myself but don't think they sound like an Aussie myself.

Can picture a few older pro's as possibles but hard to say for sure.