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Dazed and Confused said:
I don't thing Gerro was the strongest today. His team was. Had Orica the same number of riders as most other teams in the finale, the story may very well have been different. I'm thinking for instance Costa's attack on the flat after the Uni descent. It was Orica chasing like mad with mad numbers that brought him back. After that and attacking on Camillien-Houde, he had the strenght to finish second. He was the strongest today the way I see it. Orica's dominance in numbers might have prevented some others from attacking too.
hfer07 said:
What is your problem. He did what he had to do. And he did not wheelsuck. He had the team strenght which allowed him to use the tactics he did. Orica played it well, so did Gerro. And not to mention Simon closed some gaps. Mainly after Camillien-Houde and when Bauke attacked, before the group behind with his mates arrived. You're being unfair to him.
Oh, just seen the highlights. That was an anti-climax.
It's starting to look a bit ominous for the WC; can't see which country will take the initiative to ride the climbs hard enough and get rid of Gerrans.
It's starting to look a bit ominous for the WC; can't see which country will take the initiative to ride the climbs hard enough and get rid of Gerrans.
hfer07 said:
Gerrans wins, Valverde get second or third.
That's the difference, and ofcourse Valverde is 10X more talented than Gerrans
Respectful podium. Well done.
I must say it was a pleasure to create this year's thread, as last year's.
Roderick said:
I had to laugh at this. Valverde has to be the winningest non-bunch sprinter in the peloton over the last decade.
Top 6 in wins this year:
Greipel
Kristoff
Kittel
Bouhanni
Valverde
Cavendish
Reminds me of that old Sesame Street song: "Which one of these things is not like the other...?"
Admittedly, he does get a lot of lesser podium places as well. He's pretty much always at the pointy end if he wants a result.
When Gerrans is at the pointy end he is more likely to win than finish second or third. I may well be wrong on this one (and it's not that important actually!), but I think that during his pro career Gerrans has had more wins than second and third places combined.
jaylew said:
I hope you do know that despite his many victories, Valverde has ****ed it up a lot of times where he should/could have won. Or don't you find it strange that he has 5WC-podia without a win?
Valverde is probably the best, most allround rider of his generation but still fails to win *** much as far lessss talented riders
He absolutely has a bunch of seconds and thirds as well, as I mentioned. I was just responding to your statement that implied that he didn't win which is ridiculous considering how chock full of victories his palmares is.
Impressive win for Gerrans, a weekend double Quebec & Montreal. The team made it happened. Costa made a big mistake attacking earlier, he knows that. Dissapointed other teams didn't race to win.
Those who called Gerrans a wheelsucker don't know what racing is all about.
Great job BigMac!
Courtesy cineteq
Those who called Gerrans a wheelsucker don't know what racing is all about.
Great job BigMac!
Courtesy cineteq
BigMac said:
Respectful podium. Well done.
I must say it was a pleasure to create this year's thread, as last year's.
Roderick said:
but still bigger specialist than he is.
There is no place for allrounders in nowadays peloton.
It is still amazing how many victories he gets. One in generation.
jaylew said:
I think Valverde has an enormous number of seconds and thirds. Despite his extremely impressive list of victories it does feel a little bit like he has underachieved.
cineteq said:Impressive win for Gerrans, a weekend double Quebec & Montreal. The team made it happened. Costa made a big mistake attacking earlier, he knows that. Dissapointed other teams didn't race to win.
Those who called Gerrans a wheelsucker don't know what racing is all about.
Great job BigMac!
Courtesy cineteq
Thanks. And thanks for your vital contributions.
Rui Costa http://www.rui-costa.com/wp/rui-costa-2-o-em-montreal/
Hello my friends,
First of all, allow me to thank all the Portuguese screaming and cheering for me here in Montréal. Never here in Canada did I see so many Portuguese on the road waving our flag. Thank you, friends, for giving me your strenght.
I'm really happy with this second place. Beating Gerrans on the sprint would be nearly impossible so this second place tastes like victory. After what I saw this two days, Simon, in my opinion, is the number one favourite to win the World title. He is in impressive form: he can pass well the tougher climbs and is one of the best sprinters in the world. I take my hat off to him.
I also want to thank my team for the enormous effort. They helped me to their maximum strenghts. I'm very pleased with my mates' work and also very thankful.
On the decisive climb, on the last lap, I knew I had to do something, otherwise it would finish in a sprint yet again and I would not stand a chance. So it was. I attacked and a good selection was made, a small group was formed. If there had been colaboration between us, the story would've been different. Even so, this result leaves me very happy and looking forward to the races left.
My next competition is wednesday, the G.P Agostoni in Italy, then the World Championships. I feel like I'm in a good path towards the Worlds, I worked very hard to be in good shape in Ponferrada. But then again, so did the other contenders. I will give my best and leave my skin on the road for Portugal, as I always do. More than that I can't promess and I hope I have your support.
I am happy and sad at the same time.
I just heard that an ex-companion of mine died today, Bruno Castenheira. We were mates in Benfica. He had so much to live. I'm so sad with this news, and to him, wherever he is, I dedicate this second place.
Rest in peace, friend.
SeriousSam said:
I can certainly agree with everything you say.
Just a 2014 sample:
1sts: 11
2nds: 9
3rds: 6
A great career for most riders.
Particularly Worlds with those 5 podiums seems like a big hole in his palmares, however. And honestly, a GT/Monument victory total of 3 could be considered somewhat disappointing for someone with his talent
jaylew said:
Yes, certainly. And even so he is an underachiever, particularly in the biggest races. Gerrans has the same number of monument wins and nowhere near the same talent.
If you could scoop out Gerrans brain and put it in Valverde's body you would have the biggest winner since Merckx.
BigMac said:
waw, you really can feel his connection with his fans. very nice.
(or he has much better PR manager than some other cyclists )
Zinoviev Letter said:
I think Valverde is riding in the wrong era, racing-wise. In the 70's and 80's his Palmares would have been even bigger i think.
The Montreal parcours is designed against attackers, with the climbs in the beginning of the circuit, followed by 5 km of decending where the chasers can always see the attackers in front of them, and an uphill finishing strait that also makes sitting and waiting more rewarding.
Design could be much improved.
Design could be much improved.
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