2012 Gilbert:Genghis Khan-like total annihilation of the classics?

[cineteq]

“It's difficult to hope to win this race or that race. I don't need the extra pressure because I will start most of the Classics as one of the favourites,” he said. “Instead, I will just hope to do my best and be as prepared as possible.”

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-2012-keeping-pressure-off.aspx#ixzz1ig2kHMVM

 

[movingtarget]

Not often a rider can duplicate a season like the one Gilbert had in 2011. He is now an official superstar. I think he will win good races but can't seem him winning as much again this year. It did not happen for Cancellara last season either. Many riders simply won't wait for the last climb anymore as they know that is just playing into Gilbert's hands but BMC with the classics riders they have should still be able to position him and support him at least as well as the Lotto team who I thought were very good support riders for Gilbert.

 

[El Pistolero]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-to-begin-2012-campaign-in-qatar

While Gilbert is certain to line up at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 27, he will delay making a decision on whether to take part in the following day’s Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

“He’s sure to ride Omloop, but we’ll only decide about Kuurne after the race on the Saturday,” Lelangue said.

he needs races because he will peak very early in la primavera and ronde.
Tour of Qatar
Tour du Haut-Var
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne
Strade Bianche
Tirreno-Adriatico
La Classicissima

so we might even see a different schedule at the end of the year,why go again for lombardia.tre valli and emilia are extremely important too.





all changed this year.he's amazingly strong in the flats too.watch please if you didn't see it,belgium national champs and san sebastian.he's a powerhouse now.i say it again,if he will ride roubaix this year,hushovd might have a problem because phil won't look behind.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10356/Philippe-Gilbert-believes-he-can-win-Paris-Roubaix.aspx

Gilbert always says that, but he never races Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne

And I don't think he cares for Tre Valli Varesine, like at all. He has expressed enthusiasm about Emilia before, but it depends on what date the race gets now Lombardia is a week after the Worlds. Trust me, he'll be burned to win Lombardia for a third time if he has the rainbow jersey on

As for people who don't think Phil would be able to do extremely well in Paris-Roubaix:

If Bjorn Leukemans can do a top 5/10, I can assure you Phil can do even better But he won't ride this year, he already said so.

As for Phil's attack on that little hill at the BC, Boonen called it surreal and "something I had never seen before in my career, not even from Cancellara." Before the race started, he said he would quit cycling if Gilbert managed to drop him there
Boonen also said he was on his best form of the season then, but after Phil dropped him he didn't care for second anymore, so he let go and got fourth or something in the end.

 

[phanatic]

When it comes to the Ronde, can Gilbert stay with Spartacus from 40-50k out?

 

[uphillstruggle]

When it comes to the Ronde, can Gilbert stay with Spartacus from 40-50k out?

If Chavanel can do it I think Phil would stand a good chance.

I think he will struggle to have a better season than this year. If you look at most riders who have these amazing seasons they tend to not maintain that form through the next season. See Cancellara 2010-2011, Contador 2009-2010. They still had good seasons the following year but they dropped off from their peaks.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

If Chavanel can do it I think Phil would stand a good chance.

I think he will struggle to have a better season than this year. If you look at most riders who have these amazing seasons they tend to not maintain that form through the next season. See Cancellara 2010-2011, Contador 2009-2010. They still had good seasons the following year but they dropped off from their peaks.

Boonen 2005 - 2006 -2007

 

[greenedge]

Well Contador had a peak from 08/ 09-10, then a resurgence in 11.

 

[Panda Claws]

If Chavanel can do it I think Phil would stand a good chance.

I think he will struggle to have a better season than this year. If you look at most riders who have these amazing seasons they tend to not maintain that form through the next season. See Cancellara 2010-2011, Contador 2009-2010. They still had good seasons the following year but they dropped off from their peaks.

Chavanel did had a super day then.

Anyway, Gilbert will probably dissapoint and then we will keep referring to Liege 2010 Gilbert and how he would have destroyed the winners we dislike.

 

[The Hitch]

I think he will struggle to have a better season than this year. If you look at most riders who have these amazing seasons they tend to not maintain that form through the next season. See Cancellara 2010-2011, Contador 2009-2010. They still had good seasons the following year but they dropped off from their peaks.

Difference is, Canc and Contador were essentialy going for the same goals.

Gilbert has new ones.

 

[will10]

Difference is, Canc and Contador were essentialy going for the same goals.

Gilbert has new ones.

Hmmm.

He looked like he was trying pretty hard to win San Remo, Flanders and the Worlds to me. Not sure they're new goals, just goals he hasn't achieved yet.

 

[El Pistolero]

Hmmm.

He looked like he was trying pretty hard to win San Remo, Flanders and the Worlds to me. Not sure they're new goals, just goals he hasn't achieved yet.

He didn't peak for San Remo and Flanders and the Worlds didn't suit him this year. If he had peaked for Flanders Cancellara would have gotten a valuable lesson of humility. The whole talking about your self in third person and referring to your self as a Gladiator doesn't do it for me(quite the paradox as his nickname is from a guy who didn't want to be a gladiator.).

 

[The Hitch]

He didn't peak for San Remo and Flanders and the Worlds didn't suit him this year. If he had peaked for Flanders Cancellara would have gotten a valuable lesson of humility. The whole talking about your self in third person and referring to your self as a Gladiator doesn't do it for me(quite the paradox as his nickname is from a guy who didn't want to be a gladiator.).

Whats Cancellaras ego got to do with this?

Also, no way would Gilbert have beaten Cancellara in 2011 RVV. in 2012 with the course change (btw, funny how you only complain about monument course changes when they dont favor Phil) yes, but 2011 Cancellara is still better than Gilbert no matter how big a peak Gilbert has for it.

 

[El Pistolero]

Whats Cancellaras ego got to do with this?

Also, no way would Gilbert have beaten Cancellara in 2011 RVV. in 2012 with the course change (btw, funny how you only complain about monument course changes when they dont favor Phil) yes, but 2011 Cancellara is still better than Gilbert no matter how big a peak Gilbert has for it.

When did I complain about a Monument course change that didn't favor Phil? You're talking about Lombardia obviously, I was complaining that it was the third course change in a period of 3 years. Not about the actual course change as I didn't even know what the course was going to be. But yeah, the new route sucks. It's too easy. Too much flat in between the final climbs. Poor Nibali never stood a chance. Phil can still easily win there if he's in a decent shape. Yet I still think the course sucks and liked the one from 2010 a lot more with the dangerous descend in the finale.

No way what? Chavanel and Nick Nuyens could beat Cancellara, so a peaking Gilbert certainly can lol(especially because he had a flat tire the moment Hushovd decided to open the debates). Did you make up a story in your head that 2011 Cancellara was super super super good or something? I saw a Sylvain Chavanel that was much better than Cancellara. Definitely strongest man of the race that day. Cancellara was good, but not nearly unbeatable that day.

And how do you know what impact the new Ronde will have? It's still 6km flat till the finish lol. I doubt we'll see much change: I just think Ninove is an ugly city(and I can know since I grew up there) and that's the real reason why I'm glad the finish moved before you try and make up some different motive. Just picking on Cancellara because he's being a massive tool again in the newspapers. Calling Phil's team crap and his own team for the cobbles strong and how he'll be glad Phil will be favorite in all the classics so he can be an underdog. I hope he doesn't base his strategy on other people seeing him as an underdog LOL. The only negative thing is that the Muur is gone, but you can't have the same course more or less for 10+ years.

This new Ronde will still have all the same people as a favorite and it still favors Cancellara much more than Phil. It's not like they've added a hill like the Roche aux Faucons or la Redoute in there or something. This new Ronde is just so much better because the spectators don't have to keep moving to different spots along the course anymore to watch the race. They can just stay at the Kwaremont and see the riders pass by 3 times! Big improvement on safety and much more pleasure for those who want to see the race live. And the finishing town is a lot more beautiful than Ninove.

Cancellara called his team mates "the warriors" I liked him much better without all these gladiator/warrior nonsense that seems to come out of his mouth every single time these days.

 

[El Pistolero]

I agree with El pistolero when he says if nuyens and chavanel can beat cancellara then so can gilbert if he hits his peak form. Remember gilbert finished less than 10 secs behind that front 3 last year and it wasnt as if they were streets ahead of him. I remember even boonen coming very close with a late surge and if anything he looked liked the strongest man coming into the finish.

That was definitely Boonen's race to win. Still can't believe he missed the move of Cancellara. Again. It's not like he didn't have the legs if you saw that late surge.

 

[The Hitch]

I saw a Sylvain Chavanel that was much better than Cancellara. Definitely strongest man of the race that day.
.

Dont be stupid.

Do you not understand the concept of riding in front? Chavanel may have been out a bit longer but it was Cancellara doing all the work. He followed Cancellara and that makes him the strongest

Boonen also followed Canc easily in 2010 right up until the moment Canc decided to drop him does that mean Boonen was the strongest in RVV 2010

GEL also managed to follow Canc once Cancellara caught him, when even T Martin lost 3 minutes in Mendrisio. Should Larsson have been given the stripes? Afterall he did follow Canc after being caught, just like Chav.


Riding someone of your wheel may be a good idea when going up the Mortirolo but its not the same in classics because there is too much flat. Its usually an attack that wins it. You arent going to ride someone of your wheel when your on flats and you dont even care about them but are just trying to increase distance to the pack.

Lets also not forget how Canc managed to find an attack out of knowhere at the end, even after cracking which got Chave his podium rather than 5th place.

 

[greenedge]

Yeah but Chavanel was waiting for Boonen. Boonen also did not show himself in the race either to that point ( although he did attack to reach his teammate- then failed to go with Cancellara )

Besides PG has always had goals to win at all the Classics/ WC. Last year he did not perform well at Copenhagen ( the route did not suit him ) so he did not bother to try.
Anyone in cycling can beat anyone ( if that person goes on the attack too long and tires themselves out ). Chavanel and Nuyens had great form and were smart ( though Lefevre was not ). Gilbert just could not sustain his massive attack ( thats' why he was caught )

 

[greenedge]

That was definitely Boonen's race to win. Still can't believe he missed the move of Cancellara. Again. It's not like he didn't have the legs if you saw that late surge.

He is the best sprinter of that group, he was practically sprinting for 200M just to catch the others before they did their sprints.
It does not mean he was the strongest ( though his tactical awareness in that race was **** )

 

[Michielveedeebee]

He is the best sprinter of that group, he was practically sprinting for 200M just to catch the others before they did their sprints.
It does not mean he was the strongest ( though his tactical awareness in that race was **** )

That wasn't a 200 M sprint, that was a sprint from 1000m up until 400 m or so when Cance saw it and accelerated again. Tomke came very very close

 

[El Pistolero]

Dont be stupid.

Do you not understand the concept of riding in front? Chavanel may have been out a bit longer but it was Cancellara doing all the work. He followed Cancellara and that makes him the strongest

Boonen also followed Canc easily in 2010 right up until the moment Canc decided to drop him does that mean Boonen was the strongest in RVV 2010

GEL also managed to follow Canc once Cancellara caught him, when even T Martin lost 3 minutes in Mendrisio. Should Larsson have been given the stripes? Afterall he did follow Canc after being caught, just like Chav.


Riding someone of your wheel may be a good idea when going up the Mortirolo but its not the same in classics because there is too much flat. Its usually an attack that wins it. You arent going to ride someone of your wheel when your on flats and you dont even care about them but are just trying to increase distance to the pack.

Lets also not forget how Canc managed to find an attack out of knowhere at the end, even after cracking which got Chave his podium rather than 5th place.

Chavanal attacked much earlier than Cancellara and was riding up front for a whole while. It actually took quite a while for Cancellara managed to catch Chavanel. Rewatch the race if you don't believe me! Also Chavanal said in post-race interviews Cancellara was going slow the whole fucking time and that he never had any problem following him. That's what makes him the strongest.

Your Boonen analogy is silly. Chavanel finished in front of Cancellara this year, not behind him

So who was better that day? Definitely not Cancellara.

Riding someone of his wheel on the flat is the only way Cancellara can actually win a classic, so how is it not a good idea for him lol?

 

[The Hitch]

Chavanal said in post-race interviews Cancellara was going slow the whole fucking time and that he never had any problem following him. That's what makes him the strongest.

Oh ok, i get it, because he said so

Your Boonen analogy is silly. Chavanel finished in front of Cancellara this year, not behind him

So who was better that day? Definitely not Cancellara.

Its silly to you because you dont understand it.
Canc never tried to drop Sylvain he was only concerned with the peloton. He never tried to drop Boonen either in 2010 RVV.

Right up until the moment he did.
From then, it took about 10 mili seconds for Boonen to be dropped.



Also lol at the idea that if someone finishes ahead of someone else they are therefore definitely better. So Voeckler was better than Contador?

Riding someone of his wheel on the flat is the only way Cancellara can actually win a classic, so how is it not a good idea for him lol?

Er no Cancellara wins classics by attacking. He attacks to drop the others and then paces it without them in his slipstream. Without the attack they are in his slipstream hence can follow - see Chavanel.

 

[El Pistolero]

Cancellara didn't drop Chavanel because he couldn't, not because he didn't want to drop him lol. How else was he going to win the race you think? I'm pretty sure Cancellara though the peloton would never see him again and was only concerned with winning. Until he felt he didn't have the legs which is why it took forever for him to catch Chavanel who was sitting up and waiting for him. It took him around 10-15km to close a 50 second gap between him and Chavanel. Chavanel was simply better that day, by a long-shot. He attacked at 86km from the finish lineand rode everyone off his wheel at the Oude Kwaremont in an epic manner. Cancellara only caught him at 33km to go from the finish line. Yeah, Chavanel practically did a 40km solo before Cancellara even got to him.

He was a billion times better than Cancellara that day(warning: this is a hyperbole). Cancellara wins by attacking on the flat. If you attack someone on the flat and you get a gap you rode them of your wheel.

 

[movingtarget]

Tactics beat Cancellara at Roubaix and Flanders. He was peeved that people only wanted to sit on his back wheel and he was not willing to tow them to the finish. That is fair enough but what do you expect when you are the race favourite ? Whining about it later does not achieve anything either. At Roubaix I think he cost himself the race. He was closing rapidly on the winner towards the finish and I still think it was worth his while continuing to attack Hushovd as he was still strong. By riding the way he did he was only protecting a place on the podium which probably don't mean much to someone used to winnning. I just think he was frustrated because he was unable to ride away from the others the way he did the year before in both races. I have to admit though that I was glad that Van Summeren won Roubaix. Such a workhorse for others. Nuyens win was just as unexpected but he won on his merits. Hushovd was so happy about his classics season that he changed teams !

 

[El Pistolero]

Tactics beat Cancellara at Roubaix and Flanders. He was peeved that people only wanted to sit on his back wheel and he was not willing to tow them to the finish. That is fair enough but what do you expect when you are the race favourite ? Whining about it later does not achieve anything either. At Roubaix I think he cost himself the race. He was closing rapidly on the winner towards the finish and I still think it was worth his while continuing to attack Hushovd as he was still strong. By riding the way he did he was only protecting a place on the podium which probably don't mean much to someone used to winnning. I just think he was frustrated because he was unable to ride away from the others the way he did the year before in both races. I have to admit though that I was glad that Van Summeren won Roubaix. Such a workhorse for others. Nuyens win was just as unexpected but he won on his merits. Hushovd was so happy about his classics season that he changed teams !

If Chavanel would have co-operated with Cancellara at the Ronde he would have won the race.

People really underestimating how strong Chavanel was that day. I hope he wins next year with Cancellara second.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

If Chavanel would have co-operated with Cancellara at the Ronde he would have won the race.

People really underestimating how strong Chavanel was that day. I hope he wins next year with Cancellara second.

I can agree with that, they would've gone to the finish together, not sure Chavanel would've won though

 

[El Pistolero]

I can agree with that, they would've gone to the finish together, not sure Chavanel would've won though

Depends on who would be at the front in the final 500 meters I guess, but Chavanel has a pretty good sprint.