Demare accused of getting a tow. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rid...-a-tow-from-a-team-car-during-milan-san-remo/
So is he going to get a life-time ban as well, if this is proven to be true? Or is it just female, no-name cyclocross athletes who immediately get the kitchen sink thrown at them?
On that note, Femke Van Den Driessche started her forced retirement by making the podium in a 10K run.
At this point, the evidence of his action is entirely hearsay. So I don't see how they can take any action. Not trying to defend him per se.
Not saying that he should be facing any punishment without any proof. But if some form of real evidence does arise, I will watch the UCI's decision with a lot of interest.
Historically, they have had that type of evidence before. Usually the rider in question gets time docked. Seems nuts that I am saying this, but team cars should have cameras in them. Some of them already do this for TV. No reason they can't do it for the race officials. Sure, most of it would be mundane garbage. What I find fishy is this Démare temporarily deleted his data file from Strava, but it was restored later on Sunday, and aside-by-side comparison shows he caught back to the peloton between the end of the Cipressa descent and the start of the Poggio. There are no apparent spikes in speed, but Démare rides across a gap of about 40 seconds over the course of the Cipressa ascent and descent, finally making contact just before the start of the Poggio. No power data is displayed. Can't believe this stuff isn't handed over immediately
Words to inspire Taylor Phinney leads the group over the Monteberg. HE looks strong and is working for BMC leader Greg Van Avermaet. His first classic in two year after the injury.
Tejay finished fifth at Catalunya behind Quintana. In other, tragic, news, Antoine Demoitié died, apparently after being hit by a moto. Ugh. Condolences to his family.
Is it me, or does it seem like there have been a lot more of these moto incidents lately? In other cycling news Daan Myngheer dies from heart attack http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/daan-myngheer-dies-from-heart-attack/ 22 years old.
It seems like there's been at least one moto incident every year over the last few years. Remember the Tour a few years ago when a car plowed into Gesink, Hoogerland and Flecha? Nasty stuff. Shame about Myngheer. For some reason I can't bring up the page on my browser, but I wonder if he had some kind of unknown heart ailment.
Just two Americans, both riding in support roles. Ugh. Then again, I just can't get into the Ronde without the Muur in it.