Good bye Nico

MPFGLB · 04-10-2021 7:22pm #1

Sad to see Nicolas Roche retire

Along with Dan its an end of a chapter in Irish cycling

ednwireland · 04-10-2021 7:36pm

https://twitter.com/nicholasroche/status/1445063186101805070?s=19

Certainly is a sad day

odyssey06 · 04-10-2021 7:40pm

Aside from all the big days in the saddle, will miss the diaries, and his insights into the tactics of the races.

bazermc · 04-10-2021 8:41pm

RTÉ show footage of him in Saxo gear. I thought I had gone back in time.

MPFGLB · 04-10-2021 8:46pm

The SECOND last diary entry - last one tomorrow

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/it-was-very-emotional-and-i-have-to-admit-that-i-did-cry-nicholas-roche-retires-from-professional-cycling-40916368.html

Boy I am going to miss him

breezy1985 · 04-10-2021 10:04pm

Nico at the TdF for AG2R is when I got really hooked on cycling and Im not sure it would have happened without him and later Dan.

im sure we will see him on TV as he looked to be gearing up for it the last few years and I think he would make a great coach or DS too

MPFGLB · 04-10-2021 11:53pm

First ever diary entry

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/ready-to-follow-in-my-fathers-slipstream-26548287.html

retalivity · 05-10-2021 8:37am

The last diary entry is up, but of course the indo put it behind a paywall.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/i-still-love-cycling-but-it-doesnt-bring-me-what-i-want-anymore-40917699.html

Macy0161 · 05-10-2021 9:20am

A great, and immensely underrated rider. I feel he particularly shipped a lot of unwarranted criticism when he turned himself into one of the top domestiques in the world tour (which he was for a few years) and then road captain. As opposed to a lot, it was when he was so focused on GT GC that he probably sacrificed the most opportunities in my opinion, in week long stage races.

Anyway, a very solid career, and I'll miss rooting for him.

MPFGLB · 05-10-2021 11:05am

I agree . Nico had a lot more talent than his results may suggest but his concentration at the beginning of his career on GT GC riding esp at the Tour I think cost him wins in one day and stage races.. He was never really built for the high mountains but he gave it his best and had a few very good Vuelta's and was 12th in the Tour (which would have been better if he had a TT bike earlier at Ag2R)

But woulda coulda shoulda

He had a very long career instead ..17 years in such a tough sport is commendable

Cyclingtourist · 05-10-2021 11:14am

Will be join team Eurosport?

odyssey06 · 05-10-2021 11:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117978621#Comment_117978621

He dropped hints about that in the diary today... said he enjoyed the media work on the Vuelta with Eurosport more than riding the Tour of Poland :)

Said he considered DS role but couldn't face winter training camps (although the way it was written that wasn't a final decision).

breezy1985 · 05-10-2021 12:20pm

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/nicolas-roche-the-retirement-interview/

Link

05-10-2021 12:37pm

Awesome to watch him over the years, he will be missed!

griffin100 · 05-10-2021 1:02pm

To me a very underrated rider who could and probably should have won more but as pointed out above going for GT placings in his early years didn’t fit with chasing GT stages.

He started and finished a GT every year between 2007 and 2021. He kept cycling interesting for me for a long time. I always wish he’d won a stage in the TdF but that won’t happen now. I loved his diaries, especially when he had a go at Gadret over his refusal to give him a wheel in 2010.

I hope he has a good retirement and we see him on Eurosport and in a team car