BMC in disarray?

[Zam_Olyas]

want BMC jersey signed by thor ? http://www.girostart2012.com/contest/?s=400 ..

 

[Lanark]

Too many cooks in that kitchen.

I really don't think that's the problem at this stage. Most of the cooks are just in really average shape. Only Ballan (for whom the important part of the season is over), and van Avermaet (who isn't good enough to win big races on his own) are good, the rest ride like a bunch of jokers (well, Evans is fine as usual).

 

[dlwssonic]

I really don't think that's the problem at this stage. Most of the cooks are just in really average shape. Only Ballan (for whom the important part of the season is over), and van Avermaet (who isn't good enough to win big races on his own) are good, the rest ride like a bunch of jokers (well, Evans is fine as usual).

Gilbert looked much better today, he followed nearly all of the attacks and had some minor attacks of his own. Until the important break formed which they sent GVA and Gilbert was able to sit back in the peloton. Gilbert had a gap on the peloton at the end. I think he can be competitive at the ardennes but might not be able to win.

 

[roundabout]

On one hand 12th (?) is the best result this year, on the other hand 10th was the best he could hope for at that point so getting a gap over an apathetic group doesn't mean much.

 

[Lanark]

Gilbert looked much better today, he followed nearly all of the attacks and had some minor attacks of his own. Until the important break formed which they sent GVA and Gilbert was able to sit back in the peloton. Gilbert had a gap on the peloton at the end. I think he can be competitive at the ardennes but might not be able to win.

You're joking. Gilbert went from looking absolutely dreadful (E3) to very average (today). He's still in far worse shape than he was in the entire 2011 season. Did you see Rodriguez in Pais Vasco? You don't even have to make that comparison. Did you see Gilbert in 2011 in this race? (I know he didn't ride for BMC then, so you probably didn't care about him, but maybe you saw the race). To win in the Ardennes he has to improve more in the next 4 days than he has done in the entire season thus far.

 

[theyoungest]

Gilbert is really trying, I saw him suffer like hell to even hold his teammate GVA's wheel, just like we saw him suffer in the RvV. But it's just not good enough. Rodriguez will indeed crush him.

 

[will10]

You're joking. Gilbert went from looking absolutely dreadful (E3) to very average (today). He's still in far worse shape than he was in the entire 2011 season. Did you see Rodriguez in Pais Vasco? You don't even have to make that comparison. Did you see Gilbert in 2011 in this race? (I know he didn't ride for BMC then, so you probably didn't care about him, but maybe you saw the race). To win in the Ardennes he has to improve more in the next 4 days than he has done in the entire season thus far.

I agree to a point, but even an average shape Gilbert could win a passively-raced Amstel.

I don't expect him to do so, though.

 

[Lanark]

I agree to a point, but even an average shape Gilbert could win a passively-raced Amstel.
.

I disagree. The level in those races is just too high. A man who was outclassed by Alex Howes and Pieter Serry today shouldn't normally be able to beat Rodriguez next sunday.

 

[El Pistolero]

Gilbert is really trying, I saw him suffer like hell to even hold his teammate GVA's wheel, just like we saw him suffer in the RvV. But it's just not good enough. Rodriguez will indeed crush him.

Luckily Rodriguez will get crushed as well by other cyclists

 

[roundabout]

Luckily Rodriguez will get crushed as well by other cyclists

Such as?

Uh...

 

[roundabout]

I agree to a point, but even an average shape Gilbert could win a passively-raced Amstel.

I don't expect him to do so, though.

So what shape did Gilbert look to be in today? Poor? Average? Good?

 

[theyoungest]

Such as?

Uh...

Probably someone Belgian. Gianni Meersman?

 

[El Pistolero]

Such as?

Uh...

Valverde and Cadel Evans.

 

[El Pistolero]

Probably someone Belgian. Gianni Meersman?

What we do know is: it won't be a Dutchman

 

[woodenswan]

an average shape Gilbert could win a passively-raced Amstel.

which is precisely why it wont be raced passively isn't it?
the next few weeks should be much more interesting than last year

 

[roundabout]

Valverde and Cadel Evans.

So if a rider who is obviously in form is going to get crushed by 2 riders, how many people will crush Gilbert, 20?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

valverde always sucks in agr and on cauberg

 

[El Pistolero]

So if a rider who is obviously in form is going to get crushed by 2 riders, how many people will crush Gilbert, 20?

Second or 20th, who cares? Maybe born losers care.

Rodriguez is always obviously in form and has always failed at the Mur.

 

[El Pistolero]

valverde always sucks in agr and on cauberg

True, but there are 2 more races

 

[greenedge]

Rodriguez is always obviously in form and has always failed at the Mur.

Yea but this year he looks in better form than last years winner. I think Samu and Evans will be his main threats on the Mur.

 

[hrotha]

Second or 20th, who cares? Maybe born losers care.

Rodriguez is always obviously in form and has always failed at the Mur.

Seriously? Being 2nd too years in a row counts as failing?

 

[Lanark]

Seriously? Being 2nd too years in a row counts as failing?

Calling it failing is too much, but it is weird how the guy who always seems to dominate the steep walls in the Tirreno, Pais Vasco or Vuelta hasn't won the Fleche yet.

 

[El Pistolero]

Seriously? Being 2nd too years in a row counts as failing?

If your objective is to win the race then yes.

 

[movingtarget]

You're joking. Gilbert went from looking absolutely dreadful (E3) to very average (today). He's still in far worse shape than he was in the entire 2011 season. Did you see Rodriguez in Pais Vasco? You don't even have to make that comparison. Did you see Gilbert in 2011 in this race? (I know he didn't ride for BMC then, so you probably didn't care about him, but maybe you saw the race). To win in the Ardennes he has to improve more in the next 4 days than he has done in the entire season thus far.

I have never seen Gilbert struggle so much, even he seems confused about his lack of form. He could start now and wouldn't win the Amstel. I think he is being honest when he said he doubts he can win during the next few weeks. Some improvment yesterday but it was that sort of race with plenty of crashes and riders dropping out. At least he is managing to finish races unlike Andrew Schleck.

 

[hrotha]

If your objective is to win the race then yes.

Except you're using that to dismiss his chances this year. He was 2nd last year to a guy who isn't expected to feature this year (and who by your definition must be the greatest failure of the season).