John Keyes

Yesterday, Chris Froome, destroyed the rest of peleton with an amazing ascent to La Pierre Saint Martin. Even before he had finished the stage the conversation about doping began again.

If Contador, Nibali, and Quintana, had kept pace with Froome and the stage was decided by a dash to the line, the doping conversation probably wouldn’t have happened.

Porte caught Quintana inside the last kilometer and passed him to finish second on the stage (0:59 behind Froome). Thomas then made it over the line in seventh (2:01 behind Froome).

Does this mean that the performances of Porte and Thomas should be questioned as they performed exceptionally too? I haven’t heard any accusations levelled at them.

Rather than celebrating the amazing ride from Froome, more column inches (wee bit of imperial for you) are devoted to accusations that have no evidence (anecdotal does not count) to back them up.

Cyclists are some of the most tested athletes in the world, yet their performances are questioned much more than other athletes.

Take Wimbledon (as it’s the most recent big sporting event), I don’t remember anyone accusing Williams or Djokovic of anything underhand. Will the performance of the winner of the British Open Golf Championship be the subtext to a wider doping conversation? Of course not.

It’s a tragedy, that the riders who have gone before, who took part in systemic doping programs, have tarnished this sport for so many.

Am I disappointed Sterling has left Liverpool?

Of course I am. He’s already an excellent footballer (despite some recent revisionism) and has plenty of potential to still unlock.

Am I disappointed he’s joining Manchester City?

I am. As with most players who leave the club, I don’t want to see them playing against Liverpool. I did make an exception for Fowler, when I went to the home game against Manchester City, as I hadn’t seen him playing in the flesh. Unfortunately he didn’t turn out that day.

A move abroad would have been a preferable option for me, but it is what it is. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do next season. It’s going to be interesting to see the path his career takes from here.

What do I make of how the transfer went through?

Look, there are plenty of people commenting on what happened, and none of them really know what has happened. They are not privy to the private conversations between Sterling and Ward (his agent), and they have no idea what was said during the discussions between Rodgers and the board.

I’d have preferred if it was done in a quieter manner. There’s no need to do unsanctioned interviews, and there’s no need to leak stories to the press. Just sort it out properly and with maturity.

It’s interesting that Berahino has sacked Ward as his agent. Berahino was another player who participated in a dodgy interview, and I don’t think it’s a conincidence that the same agent was involved.

It’s done now though so move along.

Is Sterling worth £49m?

Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Manchester City have parted with an awful lot of money, so they must think he’s worth it.

Trying to logically apply worth to a players transfer fee is not a sensible task I think. History will judge the worthiness of all players.

Are Liverpool a selling club?

Gah! This talk does my head in. All football clubs are selling clubs. There are less buying clubs, especially at the top end of the market. It’s lazy and childish to jump on these efforts to troll.

Anything else on the matter?

Nah, I’ve enough said.

I finished the ten week novice training plan a few weeks ago. I’m leaner and faster as a result, but I’m not sure if I achieved that any quicker than if I went about it in the same manner as last year.

Having a plan was a positive and a negative. On one hand I was more inclined to do specific work because it was prescribed. On the other hand some rides were a chore, and some of the joy of riding was removed.

In saying that, there is now a different type of joy, when you are pushing as hard as previously but your speed has increased.

When I’d completed the plan I took a week off to do my own thing, and then decided to do the Intermediate one. Let’s see where this takes me.