Someone has been reading David Millarās autobiography 
I have Dan backed myself the course should suit him similar to LBL. Of the 3 main favourites Sagan would be my pick. Iām also going to do Barguil 250/1, Stybar 66/1, Costa 40/1.
See you Johnny
Period in question pre-dates riderās time with Sky
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Sky Procycling) has received a letter from the UCI calling into question his blood values dating back to September 2012. According to an article in the Sunday Times written by David Walsh, the period in question predates his time with Team Sky, with his results whilst with Endura now under suspicion.
Although Endura were not part of the Biological Passport system at the time, owing to their continental status, Tiernan-Locke was monitored following his victory at the Tour of Britain. The baseline values ascertained after a season of passport measurements during 2013 are what testers are now claiming render his limited 2012 data as suspect.
Tiernan-Locke had a banner 2012, winning the Tour MƩditerranƩen, Tour du Haut Var, Tour Alsace and the Tour of Britain, and signed with Sky on the merit of those results.
Tiernan-Locke was a surprise late withdrawal from the British team to take to the start line today in Florence at the time tweeting:
āWas sorry I had to withdraw from the worlds line up, just donāt have the form to help the lads there. Good luck to team GB though!ā
It appears, however, form is the least of his worries as he now has three weeks to provide an explanation to the UCI before proceedings will continue.
Team Sky respond
Team Sky, who pride themselves on a strict zero tolerance toward doping - going as far as demanding that riders sign a declaration confirming that they have had no past or present involvement in doping - issued a statement saying they have āno doubts over his performance, behaviour or tests at Team Sky.ā
āTeam Sky has been informed by Jonathan Tiernan-Locke that the UCI has notified him of a potential discrepancy in his biological passport data,ā said Team Sky in a press release. "He has withdrawn from racing whilst his response to the UCI is prepared then considered by the UCI.
"We have no doubts over his performance, behaviour or tests at Team Sky and understand any anomaly is in readings taken before he joined the team. Team Sky has tried to respect what should be a confidential process, allowing the rider to explain in private, without prejudice, and the anti-doping authorities to do their valuable job.
āAt this stage in the ongoing process we will not add any further detail.ā
The 2013 season had nearly gone off without another rider being called into question regarding passport values. In January, Leif Hoste was called under investigation after he retired in December of 2012. Carlos Barredo retired last year after a similar investigation.
Heās 3 minutes down on the peloton last I readā¦
Martin 2.30 down after being caught behind a crash, disaster for Ireland.
Dani abandons
All the British team has abandoned. Canāt see Irish lads anywhere. Not within 3 minutes or top 50 anyway.
They havenāt been mentioned on BBC but I take it from the fact Nicholas Roche is tweeting that the Irish boys are also all out.
The irish and brits couldnāt handle a drop of rain.
Rodriguez & Nibali lead by 5" from Uran & Valverde
Anyone else expecting Chris Horner to burst out of nowhere and take this?
Uran goes head of heels on the second last descent and thatās him done.
Rodriguez leads by 11ā from Nibali, Costa & Valverde. Spain have this as Valverde is just sitting on Nibali letting him work to close the gap.
Well done Anto! Rui Costa beats Rodriguez in a sprint. Valverde 3rd, Nibali 4th.
Spain really messed that up.
- Rui Costa (POR)
- Rodriguez (SPA)
- Valverde (SPA)
- Nibali (ITA)
Rodriguez had a gap and wore out Nibali but Valverde failed to follow Costa who pipped a tiring Rodriguez in last 500 metres. They were too concerned with Nibali.
Although Valverde couldnāt lose as Costa is his Movistar team mate
[quote=āScrunchie, post: 838585, member: 1408ā]Spain really messed that up.
1. Rui Costa (POR)
[/quote]
Glad to see he is finding success in his second career. Was a big fan of that golden generation of Portuguese footballers.
o_O
āOn a more serious note, prety desapointed about today and crashing out! Thanks to all fan who, as always where in great numbers to cheer usā
[quote=āScrunchie, post: 838585, member: 1408ā]Spain really messed that up.
- Rui Costa (POR)
- Rodriguez (SPA)
- Valverde (SPA)
- Nibali (ITA)
Rodriguez had a gap and wore out Nibali but Valverde failed to follow Costa who pipped a tiring Rodriguez in last 500 metres. They were too concerned with Nibali.
Although Valverde couldnāt lose as Costa is his Movistar team mate[/quote]
Costa is cold blooded in finishes like that. He didnāt do a tap in the break.
Great win by Costa, he didnāt deserve it but thatās the way it goes, Purito must be sick. Great to see the British cunts abandon, Iād say the beeb were sick.
[quote=āMac, post: 838595, member: 109ā]o_O
āOn a more serious note, prety desapointed about today and crashing out! Thanks to all fan who, as always where in great numbers to cheer usā[/quote]
English is his second language.
I may have had drink taken when I made that prediction.
It was a fair prediction, in fairness. The World Champs have always been a bit of a lottery. Iāll never forget Oscar Freire winning his title in 99, the only win he had that year!