2012 Road World Championships, Mens Road Race Maastricht - Valkenburg 267 km 23/09/12

[Bushman]

My heart tells me that had Fabian been here, he would have followed gilbert. Uh I miss that man. Hoping he will reach his top shape next year and destroy the classics

 

[movingtarget]

Nice ride by John Degenkolb. Held onto his Vuelta form.

 

[Netserk]

I hope Thor comes back. I really enjoyed watching him in the Tour a few years back and he had seemed to reinvent himself since his sprinting legs had somewhat gone. Hopefully something at PR.

And I hope he retires...

 

[thirteen]

pretty good, of course it was not as special as the first time. This was my second time.
But got a great seat at the grand stand, really noisy though.
The best part is that I didn't even know what was going on in the race
I thought vettel crashed...

lucky you! alas, i am still a virgin, but one day...

and you thought Vettel had crashed? when did you realise he didn't? when you saw him on the podium

 

[Panda Claws]

My heart tells me that had Fabian been here, he would have followed gilbert. Uh I miss that man. Hoping he will reach his top shape next year and destroy the classics

Yeah because Fabian is known for his extreme explosiveness.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Sounds like he has had a horrible time with illness. His two stage wins in the 2011 Tour were great to watch.

Yeah, wish him well.
Those stage wins were fantastic. Showed some seriously good climbing for a big guy.

 

[pdluz7]

I love Oscar but from my perspective, Oscar wasn't in any position to be led out. I'll have to review the standings but had Valverde waited on Freire and attempted to lead him out, Spain would've missed the podium entirely.

In video.
http://www.steephill.tv/players/nos...-championships&id=tcmid=tcm-5-1440757&yr=2012

Four Belgians (Phil. ..) and behind one Spanish.

 

[movingtarget]

Yeah because Fabian is known for his extreme explosiveness.

Maybe in the TT.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah because Fabian is known for his extreme explosiveness.

No but Fabian can make the difference on the top of the climb, the 1.5km part from Cauberg to finish would be ideal for a 100% Cancellara. But I think he would get outsprinted by Gilbert then

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

And I hope he retires...

Really? Any particular reason or is that just a bit of Scandinavian joking?

 

[will10]

Yeah because Fabian is known for his extreme explosiveness.

Mendrisio 2009.

 

[Elminutobueno]

I love Oscar but from my perspective, Oscar wasn't in any position to be led out. I'll have to review the standings but had Valverde waited on Freire and attempted to lead him out, Spain would've missed the podium entirely.

Exactly what I think. He was also furious at him after 08 words by the way.

 

[Froome19]

I think there is an odd contrast to that; I reckon that the coaching at Team Sky will get the best out of EBH more so than if he changes team. However they will never put the same focus on the classics than on le Tour.

Does he need a team built around him or a team that will get him into the best shape possible but not support him as much on race day?

Though with stannard, thomas and hayman he should have good support on the cobbles (though i suspect thomas may be a co-leader)

Dont forget Puccio and Rowe 2 very talented riders..

Additionally they just signed Rasch who is handy on cobbles.


EBH imo should focus on the Ardennes, he seems to be much better adapted to them and he was the second strongest on the climb today, if he is in that form come spring then only Gilbert can challenge him on the Cauberg and possibly even the Mur.

Considering his perfomance in the GP Ouest Plouay (or whatever it is called) I would say his sprinting capabilities are probably not his strongest assets.

Also Thomas is being groomed for the cobbles and is currently higher on the cobbles priority list than EBH and Stannard will surely make an impression as well. He is a talent which not many people truly appreciate even after today's perfomance.

 

[El Pistolero]

LOL I noticed he finished last from the 5s group. Guess he did a classic Nibali-after-attack-blow-up.

Did you write your name on the Cauberg?

 

[TheEnoculator]

So I guess Friere is FINALLY retiring. He didn't have a good season this year anyways. Not a good thing for a high profile rider to go into retirement with not so much a whimper.

Vino, on the other hand, is going out with a big bang.

 

[dlwssonic]

Did you write your name on the Cauberg?

Congrats, you must have gone wild when Gilbert won

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Also Thomas is being groomed for the cobbles

Wiggins also has shown some interest about riding PR. My guess is they will both build up for the cobbles and then head of to the Giro and Froome to lead the Tour. Should probably take this to a Sky thread...

 

[whittashau]

Nice ride by John Degenkolb. Held onto his Vuelta form.

Almost a certain future world champion if he can finish in the front group over this distance on this time of parcours.

 

[Bushman]

Yeah because Fabian is known for his extreme explosiveness.

No, he would probably not stick to gilbert's wheel on the cauberg, but he could've caught him on the flat part.
And besides, many people underrate his explosiveness, take a look at the two early Tour stages that sagan won

 

[TheEnoculator]

So I guess Friere is FINALLY retiring. He didn't have a good season this year anyways. Not a good thing for a high profile rider to go into retirement with not so much a whimper.

Vino, on the other hand, going out with a big bang.

 

[User Guide]

Almost a certain future world champion if he can finish in the front group over this distance on this time of parcours.

Other than Gilbert has to be ride of the day,whats Degenkolb like on cobbles?

 

[TheEnoculator]

Indeed, Boom also progressed on the CQ ranking every year, very linear progression that goes along with the type of results he is getting.

Nice chart!

 

[Pantani_lives]

Fantastic win by PhilGil. My favorite WC of the decade.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Fantastic win by PhilGil. My favorite WC of the decade.

Well, there have only been 2 so far...

 

[Pantani_lives]

Well, there have only been 2 so far...

I mean of the last ten years.