Originally Posted by borodave:
“In terms of proper mountains? Not good at all.”
“In terms of proper mountains? Not good at all.”
Thank God for that! He'd be unbearably gifted if he could do mountains too.
The Pro Cycling Thread
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You can see that Sagan could be a yellow jersey contender in time.............I suppose he's got Brad or Lance as the role model
Lose weight, train for stamina not power, give up on the sprints. He's got time on his side, I think he could give himself a 5 year timescale to turn himself into a yellow jersey contender
Who knows...........I suppose every year there'll be some young rider who people reckon 'could be a contender' but they mostly slip by the wayside
The odds are probably against him but he does look the most talented newcomer for a while
Lose weight, train for stamina not power, give up on the sprints. He's got time on his side, I think he could give himself a 5 year timescale to turn himself into a yellow jersey contender
Who knows...........I suppose every year there'll be some young rider who people reckon 'could be a contender' but they mostly slip by the wayside
The odds are probably against him but he does look the most talented newcomer for a while
Cavendish is finding out the hard way what things are like without massive trains, he won stages in the Tour of Italy, but also crashed. I think that he will win more stages, but his chances of green and even getting to Paris are lessening.
It is clear that Team Sky are completely focussing on Wiggins bid for yellow, at least they are not putting eggs in both baskets.
From a neutral point of view it does make sprints a bit more interesting.
It is clear that Team Sky are completely focussing on Wiggins bid for yellow, at least they are not putting eggs in both baskets.
From a neutral point of view it does make sprints a bit more interesting.
Originally Posted by swingaleg:
“You can see that Sagan could be a yellow jersey contender in time.............I suppose he's got Brad or Lance as the role model
Lose weight, train for stamina not power, give up on the sprints. He's got time on his side, I think he could give himself a 5 year timescale to turn himself into a yellow jersey contender
Who knows...........I suppose every year there'll be some young rider who people reckon 'could be a contender' but they mostly slip by the wayside
The odds are probably against him but he does look the most talented newcomer for a while”
“You can see that Sagan could be a yellow jersey contender in time.............I suppose he's got Brad or Lance as the role model
Lose weight, train for stamina not power, give up on the sprints. He's got time on his side, I think he could give himself a 5 year timescale to turn himself into a yellow jersey contender
Who knows...........I suppose every year there'll be some young rider who people reckon 'could be a contender' but they mostly slip by the wayside
The odds are probably against him but he does look the most talented newcomer for a while”
He is awesome at what he does best right now. If he adds climbing to that, he'll be immense. If not then he'll just have to settle for being a probable multi green jersey winner, life's tough eh?
I'm looking forward to the mountain stages to see which new faces can make a similar impact on those.
Originally Posted by Jules 1:
“Cavendish is finding out the hard way what things are like without massive trains, he won stages in the Tour of Italy, but also crashed. I think that he will win more stages, but his chances of green and even getting to Paris are lessening.
It is clear that Team Sky are completely focussing on Wiggins bid for yellow, at least they are not putting eggs in both baskets.
From a neutral point of view it does make sprints a bit more interesting.”
“Cavendish is finding out the hard way what things are like without massive trains, he won stages in the Tour of Italy, but also crashed. I think that he will win more stages, but his chances of green and even getting to Paris are lessening.
It is clear that Team Sky are completely focussing on Wiggins bid for yellow, at least they are not putting eggs in both baskets.
From a neutral point of view it does make sprints a bit more interesting.”
HTC were perfection when it came to the sprints though. They were head and shoulders above any team I've ever seen in that regard. Pity the points system was so weighted against them and Cav really. Stage wins should always be more valuable than a multitude of intermediate sprints.
But yes, the sprints this year are very enjoyable because it's more of a free for all.
I see the French have followed the Italians lead in stopping Cavendish winning the sprints - ie taking him out with subtlety of an Italian central defender. 
Originally Posted by Denley:
“Thank God for that! He'd be unbearably gifted if he could do mountains too.”
“Thank God for that! He'd be unbearably gifted if he could do mountains too.
”
Well he won this stage at the Tour of Switzerland last year:
http://media.cyclingnews.com/2011/06...rofile_600.jpg
Although that was down to his descending rather than his climbing. I think he'd have to sacrifice a lot of his speed in order to be a better climber, which is probably not worth it because he's never going to beat the likes of Contador or the Schlecks. He'll probably end up more like Boonen or Cancellara and win a hatful of classics.
One of the games im playing you have to select a joker stage for each cyclist.
I got Sagan and Griepel right so far
Any tips on what stages i could try the rest of them on.
Gilbert
Farrar
Martin
Goss
Scarponi
Cheers in Advance
I got Sagan and Griepel right so far
Any tips on what stages i could try the rest of them on.
Gilbert
Farrar
Martin
Goss
Scarponi
Cheers in Advance
Originally Posted by afx237vi:
“Well he won this stage at the Tour of Switzerland last year:
http://media.cyclingnews.com/2011/06...rofile_600.jpg
Although that was down to his descending rather than his climbing. I think he'd have to sacrifice a lot of his speed in order to be a better climber, which is probably not worth it because he's never going to beat the likes of Contador or the Schlecks. He'll probably end up more like Boonen or Cancellara and win a hatful of classics.”
“Well he won this stage at the Tour of Switzerland last year:
http://media.cyclingnews.com/2011/06...rofile_600.jpg
Although that was down to his descending rather than his climbing. I think he'd have to sacrifice a lot of his speed in order to be a better climber, which is probably not worth it because he's never going to beat the likes of Contador or the Schlecks. He'll probably end up more like Boonen or Cancellara and win a hatful of classics.”
Agree there he might be able to get a Vuelta or Giro in a weaker field but at the moment he won't win the tour. He had a crack at the classics this year and think next year he could get his first monument.
With his talents at the moment why change to just miss out on GC
Originally Posted by tso:
“One of the games im playing you have to select a joker stage for each cyclist.
I got Sagan and Griepel right so far
Any tips on what stages i could try the rest of them on.
Gilbert - Stage 18
Farrar - Stage 13
Martin - Dan Martin? If so, Stage 8
Goss - Stage 20
Scarponi - Stage 14
Cheers in Advance”
“One of the games im playing you have to select a joker stage for each cyclist.
I got Sagan and Griepel right so far
Any tips on what stages i could try the rest of them on.
Gilbert - Stage 18
Farrar - Stage 13
Martin - Dan Martin? If so, Stage 8
Goss - Stage 20
Scarponi - Stage 14
Cheers in Advance
”
Keep in mind when counting, that there is a prologue + 20 stages.
As for Sagan, he is a very decent climber (for a sprinter). In the Tour of California he was in the main bunch on one of the final climbs (at a point where Nibali was already dropped).
Thursday - stage 5 - Rouen to Saint-Quentin
196K and flat.......they couldn't even find a Cat 4 hill to go over - there's no categorised climbs at all
Should be similar to today.........let's hope we get a good breakaway group who have a real go
Let's cheer for the hares !.........to add a bit of interest
if the breakaway get caught it should be another sprint finish
196K and flat.......they couldn't even find a Cat 4 hill to go over - there's no categorised climbs at all
Should be similar to today.........let's hope we get a good breakaway group who have a real go
Let's cheer for the hares !.........to add a bit of interest
if the breakaway get caught it should be another sprint finish
Originally Posted by Sherlock_Holmes:
“Keep in mind when counting, that there is a prologue + 20 stages.
As for Sagan, he is a very decent climber (for a sprinter). In the Tour of California he was in the main bunch on one of the final climbs (at a point where Nibali was already dropped).”
“Keep in mind when counting, that there is a prologue + 20 stages.
As for Sagan, he is a very decent climber (for a sprinter). In the Tour of California he was in the main bunch on one of the final climbs (at a point where Nibali was already dropped).”
Cheers.
Sorry that was Tony Martin
Tony Martin is a time trial specialist (he's world time trial champion)
Two time trials to come.............on next Monday (stage 9) and on the penultimate stage, Saturday 21st July (stage 19)
It's a tricky one because he crashed early on and has a broken bone in his wrist, he's coasting around at the back of the pack trying to stay in the race for the time trials, but I'd be tempted to swap him if you could ?
If you're stuck with him the choice you would appear to have is
Monday - he's likely still to be in the race as he wouldn't be continuing now if he didn't intend to stay till the first time trial.
Stage 19 - he might have recovered better but there's a big chance he'll pull out of the race after the first time trial to recover properly for the Olympics
I'd go for Monday but only if you can't swap him
Two time trials to come.............on next Monday (stage 9) and on the penultimate stage, Saturday 21st July (stage 19)
It's a tricky one because he crashed early on and has a broken bone in his wrist, he's coasting around at the back of the pack trying to stay in the race for the time trials, but I'd be tempted to swap him if you could ?
If you're stuck with him the choice you would appear to have is
Monday - he's likely still to be in the race as he wouldn't be continuing now if he didn't intend to stay till the first time trial.
Stage 19 - he might have recovered better but there's a big chance he'll pull out of the race after the first time trial to recover properly for the Olympics
I'd go for Monday but only if you can't swap him
is it me or has there been alot more crashes in the first week, this year?
It doesnt seem feasible for alot of the roads to be able to accomodate the bunch sprints, every quote from the riders has been 'it's all part of racing' and I agree there has to be an element of skill to be able to race in a bunch but that does not mean the finishes can be narrower every year to add to the visual excitement.
The cycnic in me doesnt trust the organisers, would be sad if true but let's face it stranger things have been.
It doesnt seem feasible for alot of the roads to be able to accomodate the bunch sprints, every quote from the riders has been 'it's all part of racing' and I agree there has to be an element of skill to be able to race in a bunch but that does not mean the finishes can be narrower every year to add to the visual excitement.
The cycnic in me doesnt trust the organisers, would be sad if true but let's face it stranger things have been.
Live pictures are in on Eurosport
130K to go, breakaway has a 5 minute lead
As for the crashes.........my impression is that it's much the same as ever, I've never seen any stats
130K to go, breakaway has a 5 minute lead
As for the crashes.........my impression is that it's much the same as ever, I've never seen any stats
the best placed rider in the breakaway is over 8 minutes down on the yellow jersey at the start of today
So.........there's no pressure on Cancellara's team to chase them down yet. The peloton are taking it easy, rolling along and keeping the break at around 5 minutes
Cancellara has been on domestique duty.........going back to the cars to collect water bottles for his team mates
So.........there's no pressure on Cancellara's team to chase them down yet. The peloton are taking it easy, rolling along and keeping the break at around 5 minutes
Cancellara has been on domestique duty.........going back to the cars to collect water bottles for his team mates
Originally Posted by swingaleg:
“Tony Martin is a time trial specialist (he's world time trial champion)
Two time trials to come.............on next Monday (stage 9) and on the penultimate stage, Saturday 21st July (stage 19)
It's a tricky one because he crashed early on and has a broken bone in his wrist, he's coasting around at the back of the pack trying to stay in the race for the time trials, but I'd be tempted to swap him if you could ?
If you're stuck with him the choice you would appear to have is
Monday - he's likely still to be in the race as he wouldn't be continuing now if he didn't intend to stay till the first time trial.
Stage 19 - he might have recovered better but there's a big chance he'll pull out of the race after the first time trial to recover properly for the Olympics
I'd go for Monday but only if you can't swap him”
“Tony Martin is a time trial specialist (he's world time trial champion)
Two time trials to come.............on next Monday (stage 9) and on the penultimate stage, Saturday 21st July (stage 19)
It's a tricky one because he crashed early on and has a broken bone in his wrist, he's coasting around at the back of the pack trying to stay in the race for the time trials, but I'd be tempted to swap him if you could ?
If you're stuck with him the choice you would appear to have is
Monday - he's likely still to be in the race as he wouldn't be continuing now if he didn't intend to stay till the first time trial.
Stage 19 - he might have recovered better but there's a big chance he'll pull out of the race after the first time trial to recover properly for the Olympics
I'd go for Monday but only if you can't swap him”
Cheers
No i cant change anyone in that game
Any tips for Stages 7 to 12.
Anyone different apart from whats been happening so far ?
Originally Posted by Westminsterflye:
“is it me or has there been alot more crashes in the first week, this year?
It doesnt seem feasible for alot of the roads to be able to accomodate the bunch sprints, every quote from the riders has been 'it's all part of racing' and I agree there has to be an element of skill to be able to race in a bunch but that does not mean the finishes can be narrower every year to add to the visual excitement.
The cycnic in me doesnt trust the organisers, would be sad if true but let's face it stranger things have been.”
“is it me or has there been alot more crashes in the first week, this year?
It doesnt seem feasible for alot of the roads to be able to accomodate the bunch sprints, every quote from the riders has been 'it's all part of racing' and I agree there has to be an element of skill to be able to race in a bunch but that does not mean the finishes can be narrower every year to add to the visual excitement.
The cycnic in me doesnt trust the organisers, would be sad if true but let's face it stranger things have been.”
Don't think it's been any different to a normal first week. In fact, I reckon there's been slightly less crashes this year. I don't think the route planners have done anything to make it more dangerous either - all of the crashes this year have been on wide, straight, flat roads.
The Tour is nothing compared to the Giro, which often has finishes in crazily dangerous places.
Originally Posted by tso:
“Cheers
No i cant change anyone in that game
Any tips for Stages 7 to 12.
Anyone different apart from whats been happening so far ?”
“Cheers
No i cant change anyone in that game
Any tips for Stages 7 to 12.
Anyone different apart from whats been happening so far ?”
The race changes completely from stage 7. The battle for the yellow jersey hasn't even started yet. From next week onwards, you'll see GC contenders like Wiggins and Evans come to the fore.
Originally Posted by afx237vi:
“The race changes completely from stage 7. The battle for the yellow jersey hasn't even started yet. From next week onwards, you'll see GC contenders like Wiggins and Evans come to the fore.”
“The race changes completely from stage 7. The battle for the yellow jersey hasn't even started yet. From next week onwards, you'll see GC contenders like Wiggins and Evans come to the fore.”
Ok Cheers.
Yes, tso.........all change from Saturday
If you look at the site that afx linked to earlier..........
http://inrng.com/tour/#Jerseys
check out the 'team lists'
Within each team the guy with number 1 is the team leader, ie generally the guy for whom the rest of the team is working and if the team has got a yellow jersey contender he'll be number 1 within the team
Not every team has got a yellow jersey contender........they're pretty thin on the ground !...........it's like saying that every team in the Premiership doesn't have a 30 goal a year striker........because there aren't enough of them for every team to have one.
So looking through the team lists I'd reckon the GC contenders would be Evans, Schleck, Scarponi, Nibali, Hesjedal, Wiggins, Van den Broeck, Menchov, Brajkovic, Leipheimer, - others here might have a different opinion !
And also don't forget that these guys are not necessarily
trying to win stages..........their main concern is to not lose time to the other contenders. So quite often you'll see this group of riders going up a mountain together with some of their helpers.........and somebody will ride off the front to win the stage and they won't bother chasing them down unless it's another contender.
If you look at the site that afx linked to earlier..........
http://inrng.com/tour/#Jerseys
check out the 'team lists'
Within each team the guy with number 1 is the team leader, ie generally the guy for whom the rest of the team is working and if the team has got a yellow jersey contender he'll be number 1 within the team
Not every team has got a yellow jersey contender........they're pretty thin on the ground !...........it's like saying that every team in the Premiership doesn't have a 30 goal a year striker........because there aren't enough of them for every team to have one.
So looking through the team lists I'd reckon the GC contenders would be Evans, Schleck, Scarponi, Nibali, Hesjedal, Wiggins, Van den Broeck, Menchov, Brajkovic, Leipheimer, - others here might have a different opinion !
And also don't forget that these guys are not necessarily
trying to win stages..........their main concern is to not lose time to the other contenders. So quite often you'll see this group of riders going up a mountain together with some of their helpers.........and somebody will ride off the front to win the stage and they won't bother chasing them down unless it's another contender.
Originally Posted by afx237vi:
“PS if you watch the mountain stages, they're more exciting than what's happening today!”
“PS if you watch the mountain stages, they're more exciting than what's happening today!”
Thats good.Must admit i only turn over towards the end of these
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