Basso totally out of form, will he be able do something in the tour?

[El Pistolero]

Basso suffers from having a Russian first name.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Basso suffers from an insecurity and inferiority complex.

I think Andy suffers from some of that.

 

[mr. tibbs]

With Contador rolling pink, this was probably Basso's best chance to win. (I think JensAttacks mentioned this a couple of pages ago.) But maybe he should just enjoy a pressure-free Tour to build form for the Vuelta.

 

[profff]

basso is one of the most dedicated rider in the world.
he trains like nobody else and he has a good engine.
he is experienced, knows how to get out from a hole.
he has succesfully overcome many difficult situation in his career.

he will be ready for the tour.
he will fight, may be not win, but definitely he will be ready for the mountains.

i do not know if the team will be ready to support him in the first week like they did in a very difficult giro start.
that is very important: it will allow him to gain confidence and refine his condition

 

[Orvieto]

will he still be in good form for the Tour? Why doesn't he do Vuelta instead?

I was going to say the same myself. I've been about this option for a lot of GC contenders whose name isn't Contador. If Contador is going to hog all the yellow jerseys why not peak for the Vuelta? Then I realized that this is harsh on the Vuelta. It ought to be more than a TDF GC also ran's "safety race".

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think he'll be fine, but not enough to win. I imagine what his strategy is going to be is to let Andy and AC attack each other and stay close behind, while peaking in the last week of the Tour. Keep in mind, as Tommy said, the real mountains don't happen until after 12 days of racing.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I think he'll be fine, but not enough to win. I imagine what his strategy is going to be is to let Andy and AC attack each other and stay close behind, while peaking in the last week of the Tour. Keep in mind, as Tommy said, the real mountains don't happen until after 12 days of racing.

I agree with you, Alpe. I like Basso and always have, I think he rides with style, and sometimes rides himself into better shape the longer the tour.

..it would be nice to see him do some great climbing, bring in his TT at top form, and do this year's Tour for the win. May be a longshot, but I sure would like to see him top off his career like that.

 

[rrj1170]

Basso's Chances

He'll be lucky to finish in the Top 10. Absolutely no chance at the podium.

 

[Nikoloz]

He'll be lucky to finish in the Top 10. Absolutely no chance at the podium.

I think it will be podium or top 100

(-:

1 - 5-10%

2 - 90-95%

 

[rhubroma]

Perhaps some encouraging news.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/basso-says-condition-improving-at-pre-tour-de-france-training-camp

Interesting his assessment of Contador, though not surprising.

It will also be interesting to see of the Spaniard can be in top shape for "round two" and, conversely, what the likes of an Ivan can do if in maximum form in the mountains. Theoretically if he's like Zoncolan last year, he would be better than rivals like Scarponi and Nibali that Alberto faced at the Giro and should be better than Evans and at least as good as a top Schleck.

I'd put him now at 75% odds of being that type of Ivan in the second part of the Tour. Whereas just a week ago it was 40/60.

 

[lancaster]

GC hopes doing the vuelta because it's "easy" is a really poor option.
there are usually some really strong dedicated guys. the route, race pace and competition aren't to be underestimated. add in some guys using it as WC warm up means stages may be hard to come by.

just ask Cadel, Samu and Sastre (to name a few) if vuelta wins are easier to come by.

I don't see it as a problem if GC boys start the tour a little under cooked.

as long as IB has no injuries (leaky can put together a TTT) he should be fine as long as he can find legs by week 2.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I wanted to dredge this up because I didn't want to start a new thread about it, but as I was looking through the Stage 1 and 2 photos from the Tour I noticed Basso in every one looking different.

He looks very strange, tired and not really smiling. Sort of like after his crash he has aged and just doesn't look right...
Has anyone else noticed or thought the same??

 

[Parrulo]

I wanted to dredge this up because I didn't want to start a new thread about it, but as I was looking through the Stage 1 and 2 photos from the Tour I noticed Basso in every one looking different.

He looks very strange, tired and not really smiling. Sort of like after his crash he has aged and just doesn't look right...
Has anyone else noticed or thought the same??

pics or it didn't happen

seriously can you link to those pics?

 

[mewmewmew13]

sorry Parrulo...my mind is lazy this morning..it's hot out and I'm tired from running.

this one:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-1/photos/180275

and scroll through a few there is another closeup..
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-1/photos/180270

he looks really out of it

 

[Parrulo]

he really didn't look all that good in the second picture.i hope you are wrong and he is in good form

 

[maxmartin]

he is not in form right now for sure, did he get dropped in today's bridge? then his team have to come back to rescue him? and the director later admit there is a little panic at that time, well good luck IB

 

[mewmewmew13]

I actually really like Basso and have always been a fan but he looks really beat up. Hope he finds himself getter better over the weeks...

 

[Barrus]

he is not in form right now for sure, did he get dropped in today's bridge? then his team have to come back to rescue him? and the director later admit there is a little panic at that time, well good luck IB

If I am correct there was a crash just before the bridge, this combined with the winds at that point created the situation in which the peloton was split

 

[Parrulo]

If I am correct there was a crash just before the bridge, this combined with the winds at that point created the situation in which the peloton was split

exactly. people are going too far here. even a non form basso would be dropped on a bridge lol

 

[greenedge]

Basso has to be up with the favourites today on the hill. He needs his team to help. If struggling send someone up the road, Bodnar or Syzmd. Ride at the front and get your team to help by pulling. That shall give them some proper work and should get them ready to help you by the mountains and you in contention for it.

 

[Anonymous]

ok for paisan today.

 

[jens_attacks]

since st. nazaire bridge,he is always at the front well positioned by the team...when they'll hit the mountains,they won't know what hit them...

 

[maxmartin]

I hope he can do something spectacular in the big mountains, that will make this tour so interesting to watch

since st. nazaire bridge,he is always at the front well positioned by the team...when they'll hit the mountains,they won't know what hit them...

 

[Parrulo]

since st. nazaire bridge,he is always at the front well positioned by the team...when they'll hit the mountains,they won't know what hit them...

they will bit hit by ivan basso aka robobasso aka the smilling assassin aka ivan the terrible

 

[hfer07]

damn- I got this strange feeling that Basso is going to come up with some amazing performance in the mountains, perhaps not dropping Andy & Conta, but rather riding along them....... we shall see