2013 Speculation (and confirmation) thread - rider schedules and parcours

[Ryo Hazuki]

I didn't say EBH was the favourite, just that it was the classic he had the greatest chance of winning. Using this "x rider can't beat y"-rider argument makes no sense, really. The same was used in worlds last year - but guess what, Sagan was no where near the front. Even if Sagan in fact is better at both sprinting and climbing, that doesn't mean he'll beat him. There are lots of other variables in cycling...daily form, punctures, positioning, tactics etc. Being better "on paper" doesn't get you anywhere!

The team could've helped him in MSR last year to a better result, but it was his own fault that he did such a poor job in positioning. And no, I'm not retarded - the team was excellent in e.g. P-R and RVV, but he wasn't good enough

positioning? man he simply blw up because of the distance. and he didn't have to do a lick of work before it.

[Pentacycle]

positioning? man he simply blw up because of the distance. and he didn't have to do a lick of work before it.

Still, he managed to get 2nd on the worlds. Despite the somewhat easy course and racing I didn't expect him to blow the Cauberg apart after GIlbert's attack, so I'm curious what he's going to do next season. Maybe he'll handle the distance in a classic for once, and fight for a real result instead of the usual top 50 between 1 and 8 mins. behind.

[maltiv]

Maybe he'll handle the distance in a classic for once, and fight for a real result instead of the usual top 50 between 1 and 8 mins. behind.

Meh, he was only 20 seconds behind in M-SR this year!

[velosiped]

Meh, he'll have to deal with Sagan, who can better handle the distance, and is probably slightly faster. He isn't going to drop Sagan on the Poggio or the descent.

You tend to blame every race he doesn't win on the team, but to me he's just a good rider who isn't great at anything. And that's a problem, in today's highly specialized peloton.

And exactly what is wheelsucker Sagan great at?
Besides wheelsucking.
The kid has yet to win a one day race.
with a slightly waning form he couldn't even win the easy Veenendals.

[will10]

And exactly what is wheelsucker Sagan great at?
Besides wheelsucking.
The kid has yet to win a one day race.
with a slightly waning form he couldn't even win the easy Veenendals.

Superb attempt. I applaud you.

[Froome19]

based on every classic race in which he blew up(which are all of them!. I remember msr this year vividly, but I'm sure maltiv has a 100 excuses of why he failed there

I think it is clear that he was in better form for the worlds than for the sprint classics.

[will10]

I think it is clear that he was in better form for the worlds than for the sprint classics.

How about Hagen's performance in, erm, every other classic he has ridden in his career apart from this year's Worlds (which was not exactly the toughest edition ever, was it).

[Pentacycle]

Meh, he was only 20 seconds behind in M-SR this year!

He was still behind the magnificent classics specialist Renshaw, the ever-present Koen de Kort, Giovanni Visconti, the amazing spring classics racer, or Guarnieri, who is known for his killing end speed after 300 kms. Or still even behind Johnny 'let's attack 60 km's from the finish' Hoogerland. Hagen has a lot to prove and he hasn't delivered for three springs in a row. I agree next year could be his breakthrough, but until now 230 kms is his limit in cobbled and tough hilly races.

[velosiped]

How about Hagen's performance in, erm, every other classic he has ridden in his career apart from this year's Worlds (which was not exactly the toughest edition ever, was it).

pfff. He has ridden P-R twice and M-SR and Ronde three times.

Lets stay with the latter: resuts are 66th; 40th and 19th.

Cancellara's results his first three years? 73th; 42th and 62th.

P.s: was this years Worlds an easier parcours than M-SR?

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Blanco cycling shizzle:

Gesink, Kruijswijk and Kelderman to lead the Giro team
Gesink (again), Mollema and Ten Dam to go for GC in the TDF

So Gesink confirmed to go for the Giro/Tour combo. Perhaps Hesjedal finally opened his eyes last season

[Eshnar]

Blanco cycling shizzle:

Gesink, Kruijswijk and Kelderman to lead the Giro team
Gesink (again), Mollema and Ten Dam to go for GC in the TDF

So Gesink confirmed to go for the Giro/Tour combo. Perhaps Hesjedal finally opened his eyes last season

still to see whether he'll be in shape at the Giro or will tackle it just as training ride.

[cineteq]

Blanco cycling shizzle:

Gesink, Kruijswijk and Kelderman to lead the Giro team
Gesink (again), Mollema and Ten Dam to go for GC in the TDF

A major improvement from the last few years...So Ten Dam, Kruijswijk and Kelderman to lead La Vuelta?

[theyoungest]

still to see whether he'll be in shape at the Giro or will tackle it just as training ride.

Gesink always goes full gas. And Blanco need results ASAP.

[Dazed and Confused]

Gesink always goes full gas. And Blanco need results ASAP.

Looks like Blanco will be throwing something at the Giro.

[TheArt]

Gesink also won't ride the classics. His scheme will roughly look like this: Ruta del Sol - Paris-Nice - rest - training camp - Romandie - Giro.

[Pentacycle]

Gesink also won't ride the classics. His scheme will roughly look like this: Ruta del Sol - Paris-Nice - rest - training camp - Romandie - Giro.

Brace yourselves, that training camp is on Tenerife.

[Dazed and Confused]

Gesink also won't ride the classics. His scheme will roughly look like this: Ruta del Sol - Paris-Nice - rest - training camp - Romandie - Giro.

Pity he ain't going to Tour de San Luis. It would have been a spectacular kick off.

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Brace yourselves, that training camp is on Tenerife.

Now just pray and hope he doesn't run into any serious injury for the first time since 2009

[auscyclefan94]

Now just pray and hope he doesn't run into any serious injury for the first time since 2009

It's good to now that you already have an excuse prepared when Gesink fails in May.

[greenedge]

Why not Tour of Oman for Gesink?

Also i would assume Mollema would lead at the Vuelta, unless if they do not consider him to be a GT contender.

They will be good next year: Vanmarcke and Boom for the cobbles, Mollema and Slagter for Ardennes and Bos and Renshaw for sprints and a sound plan for the GC riders.