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gregrowlerson said:I posted this ramble in the Wiggins thread, following the discussion about the Froome/Wiggins co-leaders pros and cons argument. Probably more apt here:
I agree with Hitch that you can have two leaders, or at least a strong domestique who is given a relatively free role.
It can depend on the team make up. When Lance won his seven Tours it wasn't going to matter what anyone else did. Apart from '03 he was clearly the strongest rider.
But take a couple of Kloden's Tours. In '04, if he'd been made to wait for Ullrich in the Pyrenees, then there is no way that he would have beaten Basso to second spot on the podium. And the small help that he could have given Jan wouldn't have allowed him to limit his losses enough to eventually defeat Ivan, so giving Andreas a free role here was a good decision.
The opposite occurred in the '07 Tour. Already well ahead of Vino in the overall standings and with apparently stronger legs given his super showing in the prologue, Kloden was nevertheless asked to work and then wait for his team captain on the first MTF in the Alps. In the end it didn't matter since Astana was thrown out of the race in disgrace, but Kloden was a potential podium finisher in that event, whereas Vino wasn't.
jens_attacks said:vino had the both knees destroyed. all what he had done in that tour was a miracle
MBotero said:You can't really compare Kloeden,the most overrated rider ever,with Froome/Wiggins situation,this guy should be happy that is was allowed to ride in company of Ullrich and Vino.
Akuryo said:Don't you think that is a little harsh. After all, he was second behind the mighty Pereiro!
And even when he was in such a position, he managed not to get handed the win.icefire said:He just did his best in order not to win even if someone ahead of him was disqualified
jens_attacks said:vino had the both knees destroyed. all what he had done in that tour was a miracle
gregrowlerson said:Apparently Andreas is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing cyclist of all time.
It has proved to me that I am even vaner than I thought
Here is a photo from his best ever TDF stage (IMO):
gregrowlerson said:Apparently Andreas is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing cyclist of all time.
It has proved to me that I am even vaner than I thought
Here is a photo from his best ever TDF stage (IMO):
gregrowlerson said:He has done much better, but considering all of the circumstances, that is my favourite ride from him.
It was an epic climb, with Moreau attacking from 17k to the finish, a favorite group attacking each other, Klöden trying to cross the gap for Vino, Contador suffering a flat tire then attacking again from the second group...gregrowlerson said:He has done much better, but considering all of the circumstances, that is my favourite ride from him.
Valv.Piti said:gregrowlerson said:He has done much better, but considering all of the circumstances, that is my favourite ride from him.
I see. But thanks for bringing back memories from that day. Vino being done, my first encounter with a sprinting up-a-hill Alberto (yeah, was very young), Mayo's resurrection and obviously MR.
trevim said:
One of my favourites, Contador and Kloden casually hanging out at Liege presentation back in 2010. After thar Col de Romme "misunderstanding"
Busche's career peaked that day.
PS: I love this thread.