BMC in disarray?

[greenedge]

They can't be considered that with Evans' victory in CI and Ballan's podium at RVV. A big disappointment, yes.

Also at P-R.

@Others: They have won a TDF in 2 years. That does not make them a flop.

 

[karlboss]

phil is not valverde.

maybe he thinks he is

 

[greenedge]

It's a good race between RadioShack & BMC for worst team of the year award.

Each of them will have good end of seasons/ TDF's.

At the moment the worst team is AG2R/ poor old SBS ( Nuyens out of RVV defence, Majka out of Giro and no Contador for the majority of the year- if he even stays ) and other than Gadret they will not get many meaningful results.

 

[Panda Claws]

If anything this shows that Phil in top form is clearly better than all other Ardennes riders. Even now he is still decent enough to compete. Still this is only AGR I might be completely wrong by LBL but Valverde is a bit overrated here in these things IMO.


According to Gilbert's brother (in the newspaper this morning) Phil won't be top until the Tour for some reason.

 

[Forunculo]

If anything this shows that Phil in top form is clearly better than all other Ardennes riders. Even now he is still decent enough to compete.


According to Gilbert's brother (in the newspaper this morning) Phil won't be top until the Tour for some reason.

So, great for BMC, isn't it?

 

[movingtarget]

Just watched the finish.

Have to say, hat off to Gilbert. Had the courage to take it up way too early, even though he was the marked man.
But, as predicted, a couple of percent off last year's super human form makes all the difference. Back to scrapping with the other top contenders.
By next weekend? Could get very close to getting BMC's first road victory of the year.

I'd like to know what was with Cadel today, climbing off so early.

Evans has been sick with a virus. He said before the start that he would support Gilbert in the race as long as possible but wasn't sure whether he would make it to the finish.

 

[movingtarget]

Honestly I think "team" BMC have looked great all season, they take responsibility for chasing and have delivered their captain to the business end of affairs in almost every case. GVA has been one of my riders of the season, has pulling pulling ultra loyal domestique duties and in some cases I'd say should have captained the team. Maybe again at Amstel ?
Now the BMC captains...well they have a little work to do, but there have been a few posititve signs. As long as Gilbert wasn't paid as though he'd repeat, or Hushovd to actually win roubaix all is going well.

Is anyone thinking about the Gilbert suggesting he was going to the tour to learn from Evans, and perhaps is already working for a peak at the tour instead of the Classics?

For a team that has been struggling to get results why are BMC spending so long on the front of the bunch ? Other teams are taking advantage of them. Of course if they did not deliver Gilbert to the finish yesterday Freire would have won. Gilbert was in a no win situation and had to go early. He rode well but I am not convinced he will win Fleche or Liege. He will be up there at the finish but not sure if he can grab the win at this stage. Surprised that Gerrans and Rodriguez were not at the front. I think Voeckler has to be considered for Liege, how good is he going ?

 

[dlwssonic]

If Gilbert wins LBL..... Everything will be forgotten.
I have to say he is one of the favorites for the race. But still there are many riders to contend with. Like the super strong schlecks or Jelle. Samu is not racing I think I have heard(dont know why). Jrod, Gerrans and Valverde are not going great either. I expect the usual schleck attack on the roche aux faucons. Gilbert has to follow that move.

 

[roundabout]

He is one of the favorites only because the rest of the big names are not riding particularly well.

 

[dlwssonic]

He is one of the favorites only because the rest of the big names are not riding particularly well.

Yeah have to agree with you. Its pretty funny when the best Hilly classics rider is not in great shape all his top contenders fail too......

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The Amstel Gold Race is a weird race though. Or at least it was this year.

I don't think I can make many conclusions for FW and LBL. Only that Gilbert is definitely good (but not super like last year). He'll have competition in FW and LBL this year. Last year he crushed them,that won't happen. Even with 1 week of extra form-rise

 

[dlwssonic]

The Amstel Gold Race is a weird race though. Or at least it was this year.

I don't think I can make many conclusions for FW and LBL. Only that Gilbert is definitely good (but not super like last year). He'll have competition in FW and LBL this year. Last year he crushed them,that won't happen. Even with 1 week of extra form-rise

Yeah at least its more exciting and open this year He should be a favorite in LBL, but it will be interesting to see how he goes on FW a race that does not really suit him that well as compared to AGR. But maybe I'm wrong. The way he dominated FW was better than AGR last year.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The Amstel Gold Race is a weird race though. Or at least it was this year.

I don't think I can make many conclusions for FW and LBL. Only that Gilbert is definitely good (but not super like last year). He'll have competition in FW and LBL this year. Last year he crushed them,that won't happen. Even with 1 week of extra form-rise

the only conclusion you can really make is that gilbetr is not good at all. that was clear on the cauberg. the agr was softpedaled and it's the most perfect race for him. even when he wasn't as godlike, in 2010 he would win the sprint here.

 

[dlwssonic]

the only conclusion you can really make is that gilbetr is not good at all. that was clear on the cauberg. the agr was softpedaled and it's the most perfect race for him. even when he wasn't as godlike, in 2010 he would win the sprint here.

The race was soft pedalled lol????
Sure explains to me why Valverde, Gerrans and jrod all suffered.

 

[El Pistolero]

We can also conclude Henao is worse than Nordhaug.

 

[movingtarget]

The Amstel Gold Race is a weird race though. Or at least it was this year.

I don't think I can make many conclusions for FW and LBL. Only that Gilbert is definitely good (but not super like last year). He'll have competition in FW and LBL this year. Last year he crushed them,that won't happen. Even with 1 week of extra form-rise

It's impossible to say who will win the next two races. I thought Rodriguez and Gerrans would have been good in the Amstel but they obviously weren't. I am starting to think that Valverde or Voeckler might have chance at Liege. Fleche will be a lottery. Maybe Rodriguez can bounce back. I think it suits him better than the Amstel.

 

[hatcher]

We can also conclude Henao is worse than Nordhaug.

Or Nordhaug is better than Henao.

 

[dlwssonic]

It's impossible to say who will win the next two races. I thought Rodriguez and Gerrans would have been good in the Amstel but they obviously weren't. I am starting to think that Valverde or Voeckler might have chance at Liege. Fleche will be a lottery. Maybe Rodriguez can bounce back. I think it suits him better than the Amstel.

Amstel suits Jrod pretty well and he got twenty something. Im not sure he can bounce back. Valverde has had a few crashes and some problems. Maybe its not surprising his form isn't good at all. I think Gilbert and a few other smaller names will contend for FW.

 

[movingtarget]

Amstel suits Jrod pretty well and he got twenty something. Im not sure he can bounce back. Valverde has had a few crashes and some problems. Maybe its not surprising his form isn't good at all. I think Gilbert and a few other smaller names will contend for FW.

Vanendert might be a chance in the Fleche, probably too steep for Sagan. Cunego ?

 

[dlwssonic]

Vanendert might be a chance in the Fleche, probably too steep for Sagan. Cunego ?

Yeah Cunego will probably be Gilbert's biggest opponent.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Sagan is end of spring. He doesn't ride FW or LBL. Rest period

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Yeah Cunego will probably be Gilbert's biggest opponent.

for 6th place?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

We can also conclude Henao is worse than Nordhaug.

you and your litte trolls

 

[sTTevie]

The race was soft pedalled lol????
Sure explains to me why Valverde, Gerrans and jrod all suffered.

LOL ... but it was ... they only did a 39.2kph average this year instead of the 39.9kph they did last year ...

they were so soft pedaling!!!

 

[dlwssonic]

for 6th place?

yeah because we all know the colombian riders will take the top 5 spots