The British on Eurosport expected him to win by the sounds of itPidcock performed above expectations though.
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The British on Eurosport expected him to win by the sounds of itPidcock performed above expectations though.
I'm aware his Vuelta was a main factor here. But he went there totally unprepared after fulfiling his most important goal of this season and just used the race as a preparation for today.Think that's because he was really not impressing in the Vuelta and he never sounded like this race was very important for him this year?
I never said the decline started in 2021, just that 2021 has shown he has started his decline.
But it's ok because he is better on the declineI never said the decline started in 2021, just that 2021 has shown he has started his decline.
I don't see much difference between 2020 and 2021 for Alaphilippe.
I'm aware his Vuelta was a main factor here. But he went there totally unprepared after fulfiling his most important goal of this season and just used the race as a preparation for today.
He also never sounded like this race isn't important for him. That's why I was totally surprised he's rarely been mentioned even as a 3rd tier favourite.
Remember he won on those roads in the spring
...today is clearly an example...I never said the decline started in 2021, just that 2021 has shown he has started his decline.
Seriously, it used to be Andersen instead of Hundahl, didn't it? I may live under a rock, but what is this about?
Another CX rider has already proved before him, that you don't necessairly need to race that much on the road in the preparation to do well there.If the Worlds were at the end of April, then expectations would have been sky high. But effectively, all he's ridden on the road since then has been the Vuelta. I think the low expectations going in to this race were about right, and he certainly exceeded mine
You must really love your partner if you are willing to get that close after 280km of cyclingWhat a winner, chapoeu
I would also like to decline like this.I never said the decline started in 2021, just that 2021 has shown he has started his decline.
You must really love your partner if you are willing to get that close after 280km of cycling
What can I say I overestimated the Belgian teams strategical accumen.What a surprise that the perpetual pessimists of the forum didn't get it right when they predicted how a sprint would be an unavoidable conclusion to a 280 km race with 42 climbs.
Except she’s a cyclist too, so I don’t think some sweat, grime, and odor are going to phase her.Yes, that's what I'm always thinking. I think I couldn't...
Same!!! It might look sexy on TV but irl no pleaseYes, that's what I'm always thinking. I think I couldn't...
Wow I only realized just now that no Slovenian was a major player in this race
The Italians were on the defensive after the early crashes and with Trentin they had also lost their road captain.I also thought Belgium's tactics were weird, but not even the Evenepoel part... they so often seem to use up riders in the wrong parts of the races.
But anyway, I really think the French selection and tactics were absolutely spot on again. Without Alaphilippe being amazing it wouldn't have come to that much, but they had a clear plan, they took the race in their hands and didn't wait, control, gamble diffusely etc. Cosnefroy was very strong today and it might have backfired had Ala not been able to finish it off, but it looks like they knew very well the strengths of each rider, they used them to their best, didn't hesitate... and they still had Sénéchal fresh in the mix all the time.
The Danes and Italians had more bad luck and lost riders early... but it looked like the Italians especially weren't as clear with their tactics as yesterday. They were pretty passive even when they had almost all riders left... they said they wanted to get Colbrelli in a small group without van Aert, but I never saw them doing anything for that. Even when Colbrelli could go with Ala he didn't work.
So, basically, like I already said: you need to have the legs, but the French and especially Alaphilippe took their fate into their own hands and that's why I'm even more happy they/he won.
I think his uphill explosivity falls off a lot in super hard races with a lot of repetitions tbh.