Bit premature no? Haven't seen Evans on tough climbs yet, so can't say anything about it.Bavarianrider said:If Evans can keep this form till July, he'll be a big favorite for the Tour!
I don't think Luis Leon is doing much worse at Rabo than he was before, it's only in the time trials that he really sucks right now. He was always slightly overrated (I remember you even mentioned him as Rabo's strongest riderLibertine Seguros said:I think Luís León was the prize item in the Caisse d'Epargne yard sale when it looked like the side was going to the wall. I think negotiations had gone too far with Rabobank to justify turning back when Unzué brought Telefonica on board. You could say there's a clinic side to things (he was implicated in the Jesús Losa thing a couple of years ago of course), but he really just doesn't look happy or comfortable at Rabo. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up leaving fairly quickly. Maybe even scuttling back to Unzué - just like Cobo going back to Matxín after his dismal year with Caisse.
I believe a time trial is a pretty good indicator of someones overall form. Especially for someone who is reasonably good at ITT.theyoungest said:I don't think Luis Leon is doing much worse at Rabo than he was before, it's only in the time trials that he really sucks right now. He was always slightly overrated (I remember you even mentioned him as Rabo's strongest rider) but so far he hasn't really been able to shine in any tactically clever moves, which is where most of his wins came from, but which is not something Rabo are very good at.
Usually, I'd agree. But on the climbs he's actually going quite well (except for this week of course).boomcie said:I believe a time trial is a pretty good indicator of someones overall form. Especially for someone who is reasonably good at ITT.
He "looks" quite a bit leaner/lighter this year IMO.K-0tic said:Bit premature no? Haven't seen Evans on tough climbs yet, so can't say anything about it.
2009theyoungest said:I don't think Luis Leon is doing much worse at Rabo than he was before, it's only in the time trials that he really sucks right now. He was always slightly overrated (I remember you even mentioned him as Rabo's strongest rider) but so far he hasn't really been able to shine in any tactically clever moves, which is where most of his wins came from, but which is not something Rabo are very good at.
Why?Bavarianrider said:If Evans can keep this form till July, he'll be a big favorite for the Tour!
I think Cuddles has shown more than any other Tour contender barring the 2 great Spaniards (one of whom may not be there).Dekker_Tifosi said:Why?
What has he shown in high mountains so far? We have no idea. Only hills (tirreno) and very easy climbs (romandie)...
The only mountain he did so far, in Catalunya, he lost 50 seconds...
Besides his ITT in both Tirreno and here were good, but not super.
He'll need a lot more in the Tour.
YeahTuarts said:Wow Cadel...you'll get 5 seconds of media attention in Aus now!
Still, he's on track for another great year, he'll be high up on the rankings again.
Fresh but with very few race miles and coming off an injury.El Pistolero said:Plus he's actually fresh while a lot of the guys he's facing now already had quite the busy season.
Looked to be using a higher cadence today than in the past too.auscyclefan94 said:Yeah. He'll get a 5 sentence article on the back page of the sport
I'm quite happy with his position on the tt bike
Seems to be getting further down and more forward.
Actually probably not. I should have said that the only 2 that come close (from Tour contenders) are the 2 spaniards. Even Pistoleros Catalunia and Murcia or whatever arent all that.hrotha said:You rate Samu's season over Cadel's?
He then pulled Gilbert back though.El Pistolero said:Both Andy and Frank Schleck have shown better form to be honest. Contador as well, putting 50 seconds into Evans in a relatively easy mountain finish. That would be 3 minutes on Alpe Dhuez.
Last year Cuddles got dropped by Gilbert on the Saint Nicholas. This year Frank easily followed Gilbert's acceleration on the Saint Nicholas while Andy was dropped(Andy is Andy, can only peak 2 times in one season and his biggest peak will be in July). Sure Saint Nicholas is a short hill, but it's certainly a better indication than Romandie(this edition), especially considering the competition at LBL is always higher than at Romandie.
Yeah he did. I think it's in one article that he was withdrawing at the end for some reason????The Hitch said:What happened to Damiano, did he withdraw or something.
Also got to admire Cuddles. Amazing.
Didn't see or heard any mention to problems on the bike. I believe he just sucked yesterday.The Hitch said:Also, what happened to Cunego?