BMC in disarray?

[Panda Claws]

i'm now 100% sure they will unleash the beast on the poggio.

It almost looks like it. Perhaps holding back a little, and then when they're think you weak...

No, doubt that.

 

[Lanark]

I think he will play a big role in Vlaanderen. There is still Tirreno and Sanremo (300km) to get in shape

Yeah, but if you look at the level that guys like Boonen, Flecha and Cancellara have now, he has to make a lot of progress to even match these guys (who presumably will improve to De Ronde as well). Not impossible, but time is running short for those races (not for AGR, Fleche and Liège of course).

 

[Peyote]

Yeah, but if you look at the level that guys like Boonen, Flecha and Cancellara have now, he has to make a lot of progress to even match these guys (who presumably will improve to De Ronde as well). Not impossible, but time is running short for those races (not for AGR, Fleche and Liège of course).

It will be hard to defeat them. Impossible maybe if you look at Cancellara today. But he aims at the Ardennes. And i think that's smart. Especially this year.

 

[theyoungest]

It will be hard to defeat them. Impossible maybe if you look at Cancellara today. But he aims at the Ardennes. And i think that's smart. Especially this year.

He aimed for the Ardennes last year as well, and it's fair to say he was a bit stronger already at this stage. Although not much. I think Strade Bianche was simply raced a little harder this year.

 

[El Pistolero]

There will be some surprised faces when the peloton arrives at the Poggio

 

[mewmewmew13]

Tirreno, Sanremo, E3, Gent Wevelgem, Vlaanderen, Babantse Pijl, Amstel, Fleche Wallonne, Liege .. races he can show himself in.

Fabs will win E3.

 

[El Pistolero]

Nope, Boonen will actually.

 

[mewmewmew13]

It's going to be an interesting spring!

 

[bicycle_rack]

Massively Best team on paper, didnt produce a win, they wouldn't win against Cancellara thought today anyway, but none at podium is a fail.

2nd is the last loser.

 

[Panda Claws]

Instead of firing cannonballs at everything, Gilbert will just fire precision bullets at every monument this time. Much more effective.

 

[woodenswan]

my fav 2 months

i dont think it's a fail when you're beaten by Cancellara

 

[Angliru]

Ballan and Van Avermaet actually worked quite well together today, Cancellara was just hors category.

I know this all in hindsight, but I couldn't understand what they seeked to gain by attacking when they did. It just seems to me that it would've been best to wait for Cancellara to attack, see if they could reel him in which would've been more likely had they not attacked and wasted resources earlier, and then counter attack once he's reeled in. It seemed to me Cancellara rode the much smarter race. Ballan and Van Avermaet's attacks seemed way too early to achieve anything other leaving them both with nothing left to respond when Cancellara made his move. Bennati wasn't likely to stay away IMO anyway. He's no breakaway expert, nor is he a dangerous solo/tt'ist.

 

[LugHugger]

Be that as it may he is always firing at this part of the season.

Besides he had loads left at the end of last season. In fact he rode strong all year.

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

This year is a different year for Phil. He doesn't have anything to prove with regard to the Ardennes classics. And last year, Phil did not have the Olympics or WC to shoot for. Of course, given the later weighting of his race programme his training will be structured to peak later or at least to peak twice. Expecting him to deliver results in what amount to 3rd tier races is just naive.

 

[Froome19]

Be that as it may he is always firing at this part of the season.

Besides he had loads left at the end of last season. In fact he rode strong all year.

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

You evidently didn't watch Lombardia last year, Gilbert was absolutely shattered.

 

[thehog]

You evidently didn't watch Lombardia last year, Gilbert was absolutely shattered.

You obviously have no idea who you are talking to.

Don't speak to me like this again.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

They should have won today.

I still see no problem. The team decided to let GvA and Ballan have a go before the real action starts. I am 100% sure, Gilbert could have played in the final if he and the team wanted to. At this point everybody understands their position in the team without getting told. The plan didn't win anything today, but it will later.

 

[karlboss]

1 or 2 mistakes in hindsight, Ballan should have ridden for GVA, should have marked Cancellara. Lesson learned move on. Had a rider in the early break, took responsibility to chase Bennati, attacked late in the race. Solid signs early in the season I'd say. Rode for the win instead of riding for second.

 

[The Hitch]

I know this all in hindsight, but I couldn't understand what they seeked to gain by attacking when they did. It just seems to me that it would've been best to wait for Cancellara to attack, see if they could reel him in which would've been more likely had they not attacked and wasted resources earlier, and then counter attack once he's reeled in. It seemed to me Cancellara rode the much smarter race. Ballan and Van Avermaet's attacks seemed way too early to achieve anything other leaving them both with nothing left to respond when Cancellara made his move. Bennati wasn't likely to stay away IMO anyway. He's no breakaway expert, nor is he a dangerous solo/tt'ist.

They attacked when they did so that canc would work to bring one back and then the other would attack. Probably didn't know canc was that strong and might have been better to attack on a flat where there's more slipstream. in hindsight nothing probably would have worked.

Oh and el p, call me when Phil does a 13 km solo vs a group like that rather than just another attack on the last hill

Im losing count of how many times canc does it.

 

[Anonymous]

They attacked when they did so that canc would work to bring one back and then the other would attack. Probably didn't know canc was that strong and might have been better to attack on a flat where there's more slipstream. in hindsight nothing probably would have worked.

Oh and el p, call me when Phil does a 13 km solo vs a group like that rather than just another attack on the last hill

Im losing count of how many times canc does it.

This.

When Bennati went, no BMC. Why? Liquigas saw it. At least Oss was astute enough to see what was going to happen. He was shelled but he raced his bike.

BMC could not let Canc have a free ride. BMC could not be put in the position to chase. They did both.

Not a great start. But, the season is young and they will win their fair share.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

1 or 2 mistakes in hindsight, Ballan should have ridden for GVA, should have marked Cancellara. Lesson learned move on. Had a rider in the early break, took responsibility to chase Bennati, attacked late in the race. Solid signs early in the season I'd say. Rode for the win instead of riding for second.

Sure, the end game tactics could have been better, but none of the BMC riders in the final could have touched Cancellara today in any case. GvA and Ballan no match for Cancellara in form.

 

[karlboss]

Sure, the end game tactics could have been better, but none of the BMC riders in the final could have touched Cancellara today in any case. GvA and Ballan no match for Cancellara in form.

Not so sure, If GVA didn't work to bring bennati back, and then sat on Cancellara's wheel...but we'll never know.

 

[Eric8-A]

I was at least expecting Ballan and GVA to podium today.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Not so sure, If GVA didn't work to bring bennati back, and then sat on Cancellara's wheel...but we'll never know.

It takes a leader to deal with Cancellara.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I was at least expecting Ballan and GVA to podium today.

I would agree with that.

 

[mewmewmew13]

you obviously have no idea who you are talking to.

Don't speak to me like this again.

lol!

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