Today started off with some much needed good news. Nibali's condition improved overnight, and is no longer classed as critical. Sources say he is into a normal ward and that his injuries are no longer life threatening. Nibali's family took the chance to clear up some of the rumors by releasing a list of his injuries.

His estimated recovery time is 6-8 months. Nibali will obviously miss the end of this season, and most of the early months of 2013 while he gets up to speed. Doctors are thinking he might be back in racing condition around the Volta a Catalunya, and back at his best level in time for the Giro.

In other good news Katusha keep their World Tour license. The UCI have decided not to pursue any more action against the team, after it emerged there were some errors in its sponsorship documents. The team are relieved and can now get on with their season. But they will be under extra scrutiny come September/October when the 2013 applications are submitted.

Is the Grim Week finally over? Tomorrow is the last day of the week and everyone is hopeful there is no more bad news...

the_hoyle wrote:
If this goes on any further, I feel that PCM forum members will be next...

sutty68 wrote:


Has anyone heard from CrueTrue lately

The collapse could perhaps be trace to the start of that week, when Brad was confirmed positive and banned for two years. Some would say it went further to the Vuelta 2011 with Froome's magnificent transformation. Others might point ever further into the past, bringing up the checkered past of many of it's stars such as Millar, Boardman or even the great Simpson.

But it is certain none would ever have thought things would get to this point. Yes it is well known that Track Cycling is probably the worst of cyclings sectors for doping, but somehow the lack of big cases gave hope. Well that illusion is well and truly gone now, along with a whole lot more. The money will certainly run out soon now, the venues given over to private firms and the future of the development programmes on ice until further notice.

The National Lottery has cut and run. Sky are cutting it's losses and focusing solely on the road. The partners and suppliers will be looking to make differences elsewhere. The Pringle may now be torn down for good. Manchester handed over to the Council, who will have a hard time keeping it maintained. Wales and Scotland will loose out massively but can fall back onto their own secondary Federations. Frankly it's anyones guess how this will affect the public long term. Already we've seen angry backlash against the stars, participation has seemed to falter and drop. Support has decreased following the loss of the long term stars of the last decade.

That said there is still hope. The upstart Chris Froome will return for 2013 with renewed vigor, albeit with increased scrutiny. Mark Cavendish still rules the mass finish, but his empire is shrinking. Some talents have escaped unharmed in the shape of Thomas, Stannard, Dowsett and Kennaugh, well at least for now. David Millar is still the shining example of how to fight back. Lastly there are more still coming through such as JTL of Endura and recently signed Lasnik of RLM.

It most certainly was a grim week many want to forget. The cycling world still reals in shock from the events of the 11th-17th August 2012...

TheManxMissile wrote:
[i]@the_hoyle
Read that in the back of a lecture... burst out laughing, causing the whole room to turn and stare at me.... prick