2014 Speculation (and confirmation) thread - rider schedules and parcours

[theyoungest]

He followed Pete Kennaugh well down descents at the tour and Suitsou, Kiryenka, Porte & Wiggins are more than capable of setting the pace if Saxo try it again. Thomas was in the sprint for the win in the last tour stage with cobbles as well.

The problem is not so much the horsepower, as the capability to ride in echelons. Stannard and Thomas can do it, the others: not so much.

 

[Poursuivant]

I just can't see Wiggins going le Tour.

Who is that person on Twitter who put that team up? Is he reliable?

 

[fauniera]

The problem is not so much the horsepower, as the capability to ride in echelons. Stannard and Thomas can do it, the others: not so much.

True, but Eisel is number one at Sky regarding crosswinds. Was a huge mistake not selecting him for the Tour.

 

[will10]

The Tour will be won in the mountains, not on one stage in Northern France. Froome's got a more than capable team if those guys get picked.

 

[LugHugger]

True, but Eisel is number one at Sky regarding crosswinds. Was a huge mistake not selecting him for the Tour.

Eisel absolutely has the experience. I wonder how much will he be able to contribute after the first week? Stannard/Eisel/Thomas are all capable of guiding Froome safely across the line over the cobbles. After all, Sky won't be trying to win stage 5. They don't need a Paris Roubaix winner, just experienced guys to get the team over the line as Cancellara did with Schleklet in 2010. Losing a minute or two (being pessimistic on an 156km stage) to a Classics specialist won't even register on their radar.

And they have cross-winds covered - Stage 2 Paris Nice and Paris Roubaix 2012 both spring to mind.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cadel Evans to ride the Australian National Championships Road Race.

 

[CycloAndy]

José Been ‏@TourDeJose 9h

SKY already lines up TDF team: Froome, Wiggins, Porte, Kiryienka, Siutsou, Henao, Nieve, Kennaugh & Stannard/Thomas (via @biciciclismoweb)

NO EISEL?

he was so fvcked for not riding this year

Can't see Wiggins riding it, even if he is scheduled to. Won't be willing to put in the effort if the going gets tough. Stannard/Eisel will take his place. EBH might take Siutsou's spot (or Porte's if he's too tired from the giro).

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Let's be honest a team of Froome, Eisel, Pate, EBH, Stannard, Thomas, Rowe, Rasch and Puccio would probably be good enough to win the Tour

 

[theyoungest]

Let's be honest a team of Froome, Eisel, Pate, EBH, Stannard, Thomas, Rowe, Rasch and Puccio would probably be good enough to win the Tour

A team where every domestique is dropped before the final climb? I doubt it.

 

[Ferminal]

Pretty much, you need descents and flatter sections to gain tactical advantage over a stronger rider. So having no teammates on the one hard stage isn't really a problem as Froome showed on the Pyrenees stage this year.

Domestiques on a final climb are totally pointless if you're the strongest. Maybe on a massive roller like Iseran you could get broken down.

 

[theyoungest]

Pretty much, you need descents and flatter sections to gain tactical advantage over a stronger rider. So having no teammates on the one hard stage isn't really a problem as Froome showed on the Pyrenees stage this year.

Domestiques on a final climb are totally pointless if you're the strongest. Maybe on a massive roller like Iseran you could get broken down.

That stage showed that you're very vulnerable indeed without any teammates. That the other teams lacked the tactical nous or cooperation to make use of that situation is a different story altogether.

 

[the asian]

Any news on which GT Uran is going to ride?

 

[Arredondo]

Any news on which GT Uran is going to ride?

http://www.wielerflits.nl/nieuws/25084/lefevere-verwacht-veel-van-boonen-in-2014.html

Lefevre here says that the sponsors of OPQS did want a rider who can ride a good GC in the Tour, so perhaps a sign? But i think he will ride Giro-Vuelta.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

http://www.wielerflits.nl/nieuws/25084/lefevere-verwacht-veel-van-boonen-in-2014.html

Lefevre here says that the sponsors of OPQS did want a rider who can ride a good GC in the Tour, so perhaps a sign? But i think he will ride Giro-Vuelta.

They should have signed a better rider then.

 

[fauniera]

They should have signed a better rider then.

Like whom?

 

[Netserk]

Like whom?

Rui Costa

 

[Ferminal]

Chris Horner...

 

[Flamin]

Beñat Intxausti:

San Luis
Mallorca
Teide (altitude camp)
Paris-Nice
E3 Harelbeke
Gent-Wevelgem
País Vasco
Tour de Romandie

Instead of Giro the past 2 years, he will shift his focus to helping Valverde in Tour.

 

[roundabout]

E3?

Gent-Wevelgem?

Huh?

Is it true that Valverde is doing E3 as well?

 

[Gloin22]

I thought only young neo pros did cobbled classics at Movistar xd

 

[roundabout]

Guess it's training for the Tour in race conditions

 

[Arredondo]

Beñat will be a factor in PN, after a early season start and a trainingscamp in El Teide.

 

[BigMac]

Beñat will be a factor in PN, after a early season start and a trainingscamp in El Teide.

I think he will do very well. He has always showed talent but never had the support inside Movistar because of Costa. Now he will lead a couple of 1-week-races and show how good he is!

animo beñat.

 

[BigMac]

André Cardoso will be riding Giro and Vuelta in order to help Dan Martin. He is starting the seasin at P-N, followed by Catalunya, GP Miguel Indurain, País Vasco and Romandie, before heading to the Giro D'Italia.

He says Dan Martin will most likely ride the Vuelta as well.

http://tv.eurosport.pt/ciclismo/storynews_sto4072661.shtml

 

[trevim]

Nice schedule for Cardoso although I think he would prefer something like Trentino instead of Romandie. The only downside is that he won't be riding Liege. It's shame because he has the engine but I guess that as defending champions, Garmin wants to send a more experienced team to support Martin.