BMC in disarray?

[Ripper]

His "off" form still nets him high placings that many a rider would covet. I think he's representing himself admirably. Sort of scarey that in his less-than-best state he's still better than most.

Mucho respect for Gilbert. Nothing like seeing a champion struggle and get better and better again. And you are right about how he is still better than most ... yikes.

 

[El Pistolero]

Could Samu's increased recognition in the forum and the media be more a sign of folks finally appreciating a rider that has long deserved it? I figure all these late comers to the Samu party are just not as sharp as you and I.

I loved Samu since his Zürich-Metzgete win

God, I miss that classic.

 

[Angliru]

I loved Samu since his Zürich-Metzgete win

God, I miss that classic.

I fell for Samu at a Paris-Nice long ago (I can't remember exactly which one) when he was descending so fearlessly fast that he was passing the moto's.
It was a thing of beauty! I'd been a Euskaltel fan before thanks to Roberto Laiseka and after Mayo and Zubeldia, Samu came along to keep it rolling!

 

[movingtarget]

I'm surprised you think getting 'dropped' by Albasini is pretty good shape for Gilbert?_?

Nothing to be ashamed of there. Alabasini has been in great form. The change of team is all some riders need. Not many people expected Gilbert to repeat the April results he had last year.

 

[karlboss]

Nothing to be ashamed of there. Alabasini has been in great form. The change of team is all some riders need. Not many people expected Gilbert to repeat the April results he had last year.

“Last year, I was really at the top and almost certain of winning, or at least being there for the win,” he said. “Now I’m good, but not as strong. I’m missing some percentage points that could make the difference. I’m in sufficient form to compete for the win, but if I ride a race without committing any errors and if I don’t have any problems.”

Sounds pretty accurate to me. He can win but he needs to be a little smarter, have a little luck go his way.

 

[movingtarget]

“Last year, I was really at the top and almost certain of winning, or at least being there for the win,” he said. “Now I’m good, but not as strong. I’m missing some percentage points that could make the difference. I’m in sufficient form to compete for the win, but if I ride a race without committing any errors and if I don’t have any problems.”

Sounds pretty accurate to me. He can win but he needs to be a little smarter, have a little luck go his way.

Yes, he lacks the strength at the finish and he looked dead on the bike after the Fleche. You rarely see Gilbert look like that after any race. That's why I don't see him winning Liege but I think he could podium. BMC will be more than happy to see him peaking for the Tour as will Evans.

 

[karlboss]

Yes, he lacks the strength at the finish and he looked dead on the bike after the Fleche. You rarely see Gilbert look like that after any race. That's why I don't see him winning Liege but I think he could podium. BMC will be more than happy to see him peaking for the Tour as will Evans.

It's why I think he should play the foil for GVA.

What can he realistically achieve at the tour which is worth putting into doubt his classics season? I remembered some comments he made about "learning" from Evans at the tour, and another comment from his brother saying his form would be peaking at the Tour...if that is the case, to what end?

 

[movingtarget]

It's why I think he should play the foil for GVA.

What can he realistically achieve at the tour which is worth putting into doubt his classics season? I remembered some comments he made about "learning" from Evans at the tour, and another comment from his brother saying his form would be peaking at the Tour...if that is the case, to what end?

I don't mean individually. He should be a strong team mate for Evans and maybe BMC will let him off the leash for an uphill finish if Evans is having an off day. This is why I am not sure whether BMC will be doing the right thing having both Gilbert and Hushovd at the Tour. Both of them like to stage hunt but maybe BMC don't think that will effect Evan's chances because in the mountains they won't be providing much support. Teams still love to win stages. Money talks so expect them both to be there.

 

[karlboss]

I don't mean individually. He should be a strong team mate for Evans and maybe BMC will let him off the leash for an uphill finish if Evans is having an off day. This is why I am not sure whether BMC will be doing the right thing having both Gilbert and Hushovd at the Tour. Both of them like to stage hunt but maybe BMC don't think that will effect Evan's chances because in the mountains they won't be providing much support. Teams still love to win stages. Money talks so expect them both to be there.

This is my point, how do you/a team rate a guy like Gilbert peaking for the ardennes winning 2 out of 4 ardennes classics and 1 tour stage, or peaking for the tour perhaps winning nothing in the ardennes, win 1 maybe 2 stages at the tour and be a good domestique?

The type of stages Gilbert could win at the tour shouldn't effect how much work he can do as a domestique. They'll be won on uphill "sprints".
Thor needs a breakaway nowadays or so it seems, again that should mean a few times he tries to goes in a break and the one time it sticks he'll be tired for a few days afterwards, don't underestimate how useful it is to be in Yellow and send a rider like thor in a break.

 

[movingtarget]

This is my point, how do you/a team rate a guy like Gilbert peaking for the ardennes winning 2 out of 4 ardennes classics and 1 tour stage, or peaking for the tour perhaps winning nothing in the ardennes, win 1 maybe 2 stages at the tour and be a good domestique?

The type of stages Gilbert could win at the tour shouldn't effect how much work he can do as a domestique. They'll be won on uphill "sprints".
Thor needs a breakaway nowadays or so it seems, again that should mean a few times he tries to goes in a break and the one time it sticks he'll be tired for a few days afterwards, don't underestimate how useful it is to be in Yellow and send a rider like thor in a break.

Gilbert also has the Worlds, Olympics and Lombardy to aim for. I still think Gilbert can rescue his season. I think people are underestimating how good his Lotto team were last year in a support role. Will be interesting to see how BMC approach the Tour. The main thing obviously is to get Evans there in good shape. The team is solid as it showed last year. The race this year is no more difficult, maybe harder intermediate stages but the domestiques also get a break with three TT stages and no TTT. Once again it would suit BMC not to have yellow early in the race. Europcar did well in support of Voeckler but they were looking very tired in the the alps except for Rolland of course.

 

[Lanark]

Bump. Ended in style.

 

[Parrulo]

Bump. Ended in style.

this thread just signed a contract of staying in front page at least until the start of the tour

 

[Fetisoff]

I invite dwlssonic into this thread again. Remember how you said we can talk about BMCfail after the Ardennes, since Brabantse Pijl is a **** race anyway?

Well....

 

[dlwssonic]

I invite dwlssonic into this thread again. Remember how you said we can talk about BMCfail after the Ardennes, since Brabantse Pijl is a **** race anyway?

Well....

yeah they failed in LBL. Im wrong. You win.
At least gilbert tried something at AGR and FW despite being nowhere near his good form.

 

[dlwssonic]

hopefully things can go BMC's way at Romandie and Giro.
Hope evans, Hushovd, TJVG and phinney will perform there.

 

[Fetisoff]

yeah they failed in LBL. Im wrong. You win.
At least gilbert tried something at AGR and FW despite being nowhere near his good form.

I'm actually bummed out over VanGarderen somewhat. Looked to friggin' strong, not sure he would have been in the mix, if he didn't ride the whole race up front, but certainly would have been better than the end result that they got

 

[Mellow Velo]

Finally, things end as many suspected.
BMC's classic season may have ended winless, but on the plus side, I admire they way they have patronised the peloton.

 

[dlwssonic]

Finally, things end as many suspected.
BMC's classic season may have ended winless, but on the plus side, I admire they way they have patronised the peloton.

They were pretty strong in the classics just could not get the win

 

[dlwssonic]

I'm actually bummed out over VanGarderen somewhat. Looked to friggin' strong, not sure he would have been in the mix, if he didn't ride the whole race up front, but certainly would have been better than the end result that they got

Im not sure about that, his climbing still can improve. But the course for Romandie really suits TJVG. He is a rider on the rise. Young riders jersey and a 5th in PN is only the beginning of things for him this year.

 

[Fetisoff]

Im not sure about that, his climbing still can improve. But the course for Romandie really suits TJVG. He is a rider on the rise. Young riders jersey and a 5th in PN is only the beginning of things for him this year.

Yeah, he could do OK at Romandie. We all know who's winning it though The Pope is

 

[dlwssonic]

Yeah, he could do OK at Romandie. We all know who's winning it though The Pope is

Wiggins??? Evans????

 

[Lanark]

Gilbert lost his number 1 spot on the CQ-ranking to Rodriguez. Pretty crazy, to think that at the beginning of this year he had a lead of over 1100 points. Now he's 300 down to Rodriguez.

 

[Panda Claws]

Yeah Gilbert is certainly in disarray for the time being.

It will be fun to see him back at 100% again, I miss the hopelessness.

Actually I am just annoyed because I hate it when outsiders win. I ****in hate freakin Johan Van Summeren since 2011.

 

[ElChingon]

What happened to Greg Van Avermaet? I expected more from him, definitely thought he'd be the 2nd card so to speak.

 

[Moviefan1203]

What happened to Greg Van Avermaet? I expected more from him, definitely thought he'd be the 2nd card so to speak.

Tejay put him in the red zone.