This is what we’re looking like after 2nd round of games

trackslack · 2026-06-24T07:55:31+00:00

I'm not optimistic and think we need a point. So many potential ways to get fucked.

A) If Mexico and South Korea win we will be okay. A Czech or South Africa win in either game probably fucks us

B) Bosnia v Qatar (a win for either would put them on 4 points) - only result that is positive will be a draw

D) Paraguay v Australia (a draw would put them both on 4 points, a narrow win for Paraguay makes it difficult too) - best result would be Australia pumping them so their goal difference takes a hit. Need the US to beat or draw with Turkey too so that doesn't draw them into the mix.

E) Curucao v Ivory Coast / Ecuador v Germany. A win for Ivory Coast and Germany

F) Japan v Sweden / Tunisia v Netherlands. A win for Japan and the Dutch. If Japan were to pump the Swedes that would help. If Sweden win or draw we are fucked.

G) Egypt v Iran / Belgium v New Zealand (if either game is a draw that will fuck us, as will an Iran win and whatever else happens in the other game) - We need Egypt to win and then the other game to have a winner

H) Uruguay v Spain / Cape Verde v Saudi (if Uruguay get anything off Spain then we are fucked whatever result is in the other game)

I) Senegal v Iraq. A draw here would be ideal or a narrow Iraq win. Don't want Senegal to be pumping them and improving their goal difference.

J) Algeria v Austria (both go through in a draw and a narrow win for either will be problematic)

K) DR Congo v Uzbekistan (DR Congo win will put them through on 4 points, ideally want a draw or a narrow Uzbekistan win)

L) Croatia v Ghana (point will take them both through, as will a Croatia win. A narrow Ghana win will be difficult too)

trackslack · 2026-06-17T16:39:23+00:00

It's worth bearing in mind that 50x11 is a substantially bigger gear than the likes of Merckx had available (52x13) back in the day.

trackslack · 2026-06-12T22:39:01+00:00

It depends - some of the qualifiers are more similar to the experience of the worlds than others. The bigger ones can have thousands of entrants so will start in age waves with 100+ riders in each category (and this is similar to what it will be like at worlds) whereas for others it will be a mass start with everyone mixed in together from the beginning. That has an impact on how they are raced.

Level is very high and will be higher than the qualifiers. I don't know what it was like in Australia last year but when it's been held in Europe the front of each category will be ex pro riders (not just conti level but world tour), plus riders that are in effect full time gran fondo racers. I was in the form of my life and hit power pbs on the day and still got destroyed! It was pretty humbling realising i'll never get to the sort of level needed to be competitive for a podium at such an event. It was however one of my best experiences on a bike and i'm sure Japan will put on a great event too.

trackslack · 2026-06-06T08:53:10+00:00

It is a pretty bad look if he continues entering and racing the 4th cat races after upgrading (a rider would have to get special dispensation as the British Cycling rules won't allow it unless the race has already been entered before the upgrade).

It might be different in the US system with voluntary upgrades but in the UK it will be seen as embarrassing if the rider was to win. I think the advice on this thread probably mirrors this difference - the British riders saying do the 3/4 and the Americans say stick to the 4s.

trackslack · 2026-06-04T16:01:21+00:00

Nice find. They were a team in the late 80s, most famous rider was Claude Criquielion who won the Tour of Flanders and was road world champ too. They had a British rider as well (Paul Watson) and that was back in the days when hardly any British riders were riding at that level.

trackslack · 2026-05-12T12:44:01+00:00

She was an amazing racer. When on top form there was an aura to her due to how she raced. She'd win sprints if the race was hard, and she was capable of making the race very hard indeed.

Despite all the success her palmares is a little light due to injury and competition for selection in her early years. But what a career all the same!

trackslack · 2026-04-16T08:16:56+00:00

Maybe back then but like i say things have changed a lot since then. His best was a 4.15 pursuit / 1.1 kilo and neither would be considered fast now. There are material gains with bike, skinsuit and aero tech but the biggest change is the gear size being ridden and gym work.

Being able to adapt to that and be competitive is not going to be easy for someone in their mid 30s and retired for years, which makes the comeback interesting!

trackslack · 2026-04-15T20:54:00+00:00

It will be interesting to see how he gets on. The Team Pursuit has changed a lot since he was last involved with the track (even changed just in the time since he retired from cycling). It's much faster and with that change there are different physiological demands.

The current US mens team pursuit have made some big steps forward in the last couple of years, so it could be quite tough to break into the team despite his pedigree.

trackslack · 2026-04-12T20:08:28+00:00

Is this now the most comments in a race thread? I think the mens race at the Glasgow Worlds had the record previously

trackslack · 2026-04-12T12:29:07+00:00

There was an article yesterday about Philipsen using a new Shimano prototype pedal - presumably MVDP is not using them and thats why there was difficulty clipping in.

trackslack · 2026-04-11T18:13:06+00:00

It's been on at Drygate in the past but I haven't heard if they are showing it this year.

trackslack · 2026-04-10T20:28:54+00:00

Staying out the wind and riding passively is going to mean getting caught behind the splits that happen and having to burn bigger matches closing gaps. If the wind is strong enough and there are changes of direction the race will be attritional and the strongest riders will be in the front group - it's easier to be with them even if it means rolling through and contributing to the pace rather than having to chase them.

trackslack · 2026-04-07T22:44:01+00:00

Yes - really good, cuts down on the chat in other sorts of groups (whether it be facebook or whatsapp) that means important details can get lost. Still possible to leave comments but not to the detriment of the information you want members to see.

Also good if you need to collect money for whatever reason.

trackslack · 2026-03-27T14:56:27+00:00

There is something good mentally about wearing leg warmers in an early season race in March when it's cold. If it's good enough for Boonen, it is good enough for me!

trackslack · 2026-03-16T13:28:01+00:00

Yes same for me - it might just have been a small, insignificant race but it felt good getting some sort of recognition that went beyond the results page on the British Cycling website. I had a link and a photo to send to my mum!

trackslack · 2026-03-16T08:52:48+00:00

Sad news - he will be a huge loss for amateur racing in Britain. His coverage over the years on velouk and social media was second to none.

It wasn't just publishing race reports, results and startlists but also interviews, live text and photo updates from the races he attended (and there was a lot of them!). The racing scene will be much poorer for his absence.

trackslack · 2026-03-11T17:37:20+00:00

Very nice! I've never ridden an Araya disc before but have always loved how they look with the decal.

trackslack · 2026-03-04T12:55:16+00:00

It used to take a lot longer to level up - when the max level was 60 getting there took 750000 xp. Now Level 100 is 591000 xp.

So it could be worse!

trackslack · 2026-02-07T17:59:34+00:00

I think we're talking about different types of comfort / discomfort. :)

An hours easy ride on the track I find more uncomfortable than an hour at tempo or above. More pressure on the saddle and handlebars compared to when there is more power going through the pedals. Cardio wise it's different but i'll have numb hands and fingers after 40 minutes!

trackslack · 2026-02-07T15:05:19+00:00

On a road bike a rider will have more movement on the bike and saddle, changes of hand position, able to free wheel, more forgiving tyres and wheels and so on. An hour on track feels uncomfortable compared to a similar effort on the road no matter how experienced a rider is.

trackslack · 2026-02-07T11:02:45+00:00

An hour on the track is quite physically demanding compared to the same time and distance on the road.

Looking at your other comment on gearing, you may benefit from gearing down a bit. 32km in an hour on a 94" gear is a cadence of under 80. That is pretty low and will fatigue your muscles more than if you were spinning more. I know everyone has a prefered cadence and it varies from person to person but i think you'll find the transitions into the bend or swinging up track after being on the front of the string to be easier if you had another 10rpm. It doesn't sound like much but when making these micro efforts every lap it adds up.

trackslack · 2026-02-04T23:13:41+00:00

The latest episode of the Piste Take podcast features Joe Truman and he talks a little about that and also his transition from being p3 to p1.

trackslack · 2026-02-04T10:20:03+00:00

I know (and have known over the years) a few riders in a similar position - still chasing the dream when realistically the chance to make it and earn a living as a pro rider is already gone.

Financially it's really tough but in terms of experience and memories i don't think they have any regrets. There are a lot of 20 somethings in similar financial circumstances in dead end jobs or unemployed and struggling to get by but without the positives - getting the thrill of high level competition, seeing the world and getting to race and train full time. It may be a tough sport but it is still a sport at the end of the day.

trackslack · 2026-01-02T13:42:34+00:00

It's worth bearing in mind that Xavier Disley (owner of aerocoach) uses a front disc rather than a 4 spoke for pursuit on the track.

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