The cycling world's gone mad methinks. All kidding aside, Porte is on fire. Richie Contador.
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rhubroma said:The cycling world's gone mad methinks. All kidding aside, Porte is on fire. Richie Contador.
LaFlorecita said:Trek team for the Giro:
Mollema, Nizzolo, Alafaci, Bernard, Didier, Pedersen, Stetina, Stuyven, Hernandez
I guess that confirms Felline for the Tour, and no Jesusito. Maybe he can go as a mascot.
Contador
Degenkolb
Mollema
Pantano
Felline
De Kort?
Zubeldia?
Irizar?
Brändle?
Rast?
Gogl?
Theuns?
Cardoso?
I agree, Gogl is very strong and should be considered for the Tour, but he's also still young so it's not clear how he'll handle 3 weeks, and I'd rather see another big strong rouleur instead of him. But actually I think it's quite likely he'll be selected because it seems Alberto gets along well with him.Cance > TheRest said:Trek should put Gogl in the preliminary Tour-line-up based on this spring. Great allround-domestique. I agree, that Haimar should also be included.
I'm pretty sure Contador is the reason why Gogl went to Trek, so yeah it would be surprising if they don't get along well. I think after the Vuelta last year Gogl said in an interview that it was great to rider for a guy like Alberto.LaFlorecita said:I agree, Gogl is very strong and should be considered for the Tour, but he's also still young so it's not clear how he'll handle 3 weeks, and I'd rather see another big strong rouleur instead of him. But actually I think it's quite likely he'll be selected because it seems Alberto gets along well with him.Cance > TheRest said:Trek should put Gogl in the preliminary Tour-line-up based on this spring. Great allround-domestique. I agree, that Haimar should also be included.
Oh really, I would have never guessed....LaFlorecita said:IMO, for the remaining 4, they should select Zubeldia (seems very certain as he's raced every race with Alberto so far), 2 of Brändle/Rast/Irizar and one of De Kort/Theuns.
I'd almost wish Trek would leave Degenkolb at home but that isn't going to happen, obviously.
Anyway, he should be well protected on the flat stages, in the mountains he doesn't need much help as Sky/BMC/Movistar will do a lot of work. He just needs one or two riders that can stay with him for a long time.
He's a pretty good engine as well nowdays, perhaps even the best at Trek at closing gaps. So if there are some crosswind splits, he could play a big role in helping Contador get to the front. Of course, that depends whether or not Contador can learn how to follow his team-mates wheel in the next couple of months.Valv.Piti said:Oh really, I would have never guessed....LaFlorecita said:IMO, for the remaining 4, they should select Zubeldia (seems very certain as he's raced every race with Alberto so far), 2 of Brändle/Rast/Irizar and one of De Kort/Theuns.
I'd almost wish Trek would leave Degenkolb at home but that isn't going to happen, obviously.
Anyway, he should be well protected on the flat stages, in the mountains he doesn't need much help as Sky/BMC/Movistar will do a lot of work. He just needs one or two riders that can stay with him for a long time.
Degenstache is gonna have a few helpers devoted to him down the line, nothing more. He can't win bunch sprints in the TdF anyways. If Alberto's not winning, Im sure it won't be because of Degen..
Well, if he can do the same this year, then I think Degenkolb could end up being his most valuable team-mate. Certainly more potentially valuable than filling the squad with one or two more not very good climbers, who get dropped as soon as someone drops the hammer.LaFlorecita said:Sagan did a great job closing gaps for Alberto at the 2015 TDF. Berto had no issues following his wheel.
Like who? What rouleurs do Trek have that are stronger than and potentially as useful as Degenkolb and de Kort? Degenkolb is probably the best rouleur on their squad - he's a guy capable of winning Paris Roubaix after all! The key is to get the best out of him to help Contador at the times where it doesn't harm his own chances; strong and inspirational leadership from Alberto will be important.LaFlorecita said:Obviously, taking more climbers instead of Degenkolb and De Kort would be senseless, the options are limited. Instead, they could select two more rouleurs that would be fully dedicated to protecting Alberto, and let's be honest, that's what he needs most.
This isn't about pure quality, it's about dedication as well. If you're serious about winning a GT, having 2 riders on your team with a different objective is a big disadvantage. A slightly lesser rouleur with the sole aim of delivering Alberto safely to the finish would be a much bigger help than Degenkolb.DFA123 said:Like who? What rouleurs do Trek have that are stronger than and potentially as useful as Degenkolb and de Kort? Degenkolb is probably the best rouleur on their squad - he's a guy capable of winning Paris Roubaix after all! The key is to get the best out of him to help Contador at the times where it doesn't harm his own chances; strong and inspirational leadership from Alberto will be important.LaFlorecita said:Obviously, taking more climbers instead of Degenkolb and De Kort would be senseless, the options are limited. Instead, they could select two more rouleurs that would be fully dedicated to protecting Alberto, and let's be honest, that's what he needs most.
I don't really agree with that. You said above how Sagan helped him at times. A lesser rouleur that could go instead just doesn't have the power to close a crucial gap or make the difference that a rider like Sagan or Degenkolb could do at a crucial part of the race. The only time an extra rouleur of average quality could be really useful is if Contador is in a position to defend the yellow jersey - or if he has to use his team to chase down an early split like Froome needed on Formigal stage last year. But, in either of those situations, I'm pretty sure Degenkolb would put his own ambitions aside and work for him as well. It's not like we're talking about someone like Cavendish here who offers nothing else and is a bit self-absorbed. Degenkolb is a very good all round rider and, by all accounts, a pretty grounded personality.LaFlorecita said:This isn't about pure quality, it's about dedication as well. If you're serious about winning a GT, having 2 riders on your team with a different objective is a big disadvantage. A slightly lesser rouleur with the sole aim of delivering Alberto safely to the finish would be a much bigger help than Degenkolb.DFA123 said:Like who? What rouleurs do Trek have that are stronger than and potentially as useful as Degenkolb and de Kort? Degenkolb is probably the best rouleur on their squad - he's a guy capable of winning Paris Roubaix after all! The key is to get the best out of him to help Contador at the times where it doesn't harm his own chances; strong and inspirational leadership from Alberto will be important.LaFlorecita said:Obviously, taking more climbers instead of Degenkolb and De Kort would be senseless, the options are limited. Instead, they could select two more rouleurs that would be fully dedicated to protecting Alberto, and let's be honest, that's what he needs most.
He looks like a badass with that mustache!Scarponi said:Thought he had a fully fleshed out moustache there lol
Thankfully not, lol the stubble looks good, but please, don't let him go full SerpaScarponi said:Thought he had a fully fleshed out moustache there lol
LaFlorecita said:Thankfully not, lol the stubble looks good, but please, don't let him go full SerpaScarponi said:Thought he had a fully fleshed out moustache there lol
Gigs_98 said:Wait a second. Someone posted a picture of Contador in this thread but there are no discussions if he is lean or too fat, which would give us an 100% reliable indicator for how well he will do at the tour?
Of course! But not with a Serpa-like moustacheCarols said:I think he is quite attractive with a full beard . Meanwhile I hope the Legs are feeling good!
Latest obsession is the beard, not the weight, duhGigs_98 said:Wait a second. Someone posted a picture of Contador in this thread but there are no discussions if he is lean or too fat, which would give us an 100% reliable indicator for how well he will do at the tour?