Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

[Walkman]

+1

It's been funny to see how people's opinions toward Evans is gradually changing.
Who would've have thought that he would be second after the TT...
If still have what it takes for the mountain then he could be a real threat. Are there bonus seconds on MTF ?

Don't think so. I was disappointed by this back in 2010 since Cadel really needed to pick up time by then.

 

[hfer07]

Are you certain he won't? Everything he's done so far this week has looked pretty decent and in control, and he seems to have become better as well. He's surprised most of us so far, and IMO he's Nibali's best adversary.

2010 looked to me his best chance to podium Il Giro, because of his change in riding style & great form to back it up...and yet it didn't happen. 3 years later he's older & his contenders have gotten stronger. Nibbs already beat him back then-Scarponi has improved too & feels more confident on home soil, Hesjedal will fight until the end & then is whether or not Wiggo pulls a great result in the MTT ahead of Cadel....

HOWEVER......since in life nothing is a certainty- I'd be delighted if he proves me wrong

 

[Carols]

There are bonus seconds on all stages except TTs. There are also bonus seconds on the road where you see the TV indicators.

 

[Netserk]

Are you certain he won't? Everything he's done so far this week has looked pretty decent and in control, and he seems to have become better as well. He's surprised most of us so far, and IMO he's Nibali's best adversary.

Wanna bet?

I'm sure he won't podium.

 

[Better Call Saul]

Wanna bet?

I'm sure he won't podium.

C'mon. I've been v skeptical until today. He's got the experience, all terrain skills and it looks like the form to be right up there. I'm not sure he'll be right there until the end, but its defintely possible. Evans has always mirrored his tt and climbing form. He looked good today. I didn't predict it, but there's no denying that he's in this race

 

[Ripper]

Wanna bet?

I'm sure he won't podium.

Well, time will tell if your confidence is well founded. I would not be surprised if he did podium, I would not be surprised if he didn't. But he is doing better than many expected.

Tuesday will provide a long awaited answer about his climbing legs. Some thoughts ...

Evans looks thinner this year compared to last, so his climbing might actually be pretty good.

Nibs has been flying for a wee bit now, so hopefully we won't see him losing form too drastically. Although that might make the final week a bit more of a nail biter.

Wiggo will probably climb a bit better than some expect, but I seriously doubt he will podium.

 

[Pentacycle]

Wanna bet?

I'm sure he won't podium.

That's what I thought a week ago, but he's shown good signs. I'm not saying he's definitely podiuming, but in his current shape he's the biggest threat to Nibali.

If age is really catching up on Evans, he'll not make the podium. However if he's got his peak right for one final time, who knows what he can do.

No bets btw, or I'll probably have an Evans or Boonen avatar in two weeks.

 

[Netserk]

That's what I thought a week ago, but he's shown good signs. I'm not saying he's definitely podiuming, but in his current shape he's the biggest threat to Nibali.

If age is really catching up on Evans, he'll not make the podium. However if he's got his peak right for one final time, who knows what he can do.

No bets btw, or I'll probably have an Evans or Boonen avatar in two weeks.

C'mon!

Bets are fun

 

[auscyclefan94]

My problem with Evans is still reserve tank, he did OKish in the first week of Tour, then dropped bomb in the second and third week. let's see how this times goes in Giro. Hope last year Tour is only a fluke not a trend.

How many times do people have to explain that circumstances are clearly different to last year when state this remark?

 

[maxmartin]

How many times do people have to explain that circumstances are clearly different to last year when state this remark?

"clearly different" ? to you maybe, to many other people, they thought clearly it was the start of downtrend until proven otherwise.

Personally I reserve the judgement until the end of second week.

 

[auscyclefan94]

"clearly different" ? to you maybe, to many other people, they thought clearly it was the start of downtrend until proven otherwise.

Personally I reserve the judgement until the end of second week.

I do as well reserve judgement but the actual circumstances are clearly different. Blind Freddy can see that.

 

[delbified]

Evans will win the Giro then back it up in the Tour

 

[mherm79]

Whoever it was at BMC that talked cadel into riding this giro is starting to look like a genius. Whatever happens from here, this will be a big boost for both the team & cuddles.

+1

He certainly is a confidence rider and he is perfectly placed for a podium finish. Lets hope Astana burns too many matches trying to control the race and Cadel can sneak some bonus points in wk 3 for a chance at a win.

 

[Parrot23]

If Evans can keep it together he has a great chance. A very dangerous rider to Nibali. Can TT, climb, and outsprint him in close finishes for bonuses.

Nibbles has a dogfight on his hands if Cuddles can keep it together. Gonna have to call in some Sicilian friends, for some extra help. Ha, ha!

Will be totally hilarious if he takes this, really turning the recent consensus of his prospects on its head.

Go Cuddles!

 

[movingtarget]

I do as well reserve judgement but the actual circumstances are clearly different. Blind Freddy can see that.

If he climbs well he is in the ideal position where he can use teams like Sky and others and work with them. As usual the third week will tell all. Nibali may weaken while riders like Evans and Ryder can hold it together. Nibali has been in good form for a long time now. The next TT will also be critical especially to Wiggins. I can't believe that some people are already calling Nibali the winner and already writing off Wiggins and Evans. Wiggins may do much better in the mountains than expected and has been training on his climbing. Evans won't waste energy this early in the race and has always raced with the three week duration in mind.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

If he climbs well he is in the ideal position where he can use teams like Sky and others and work with them. As usual the third week will tell all. Nibali may weaken while riders like Evans and Ryder can hold it together. Nibali has been in good form for a long time now. The next TT will also be critical especially to Wiggins. I can't believe that some people are already calling Nibali the winner and already writing off Wiggins and Evans. Wiggins may do much better in the mountains than expected and has been training on his climbing. Evans won't waste energy this early in the race and has always raced with the three week duration in mind.

I have no idea why people constantly assume races are a done deal. Look at MSR. In fact look at this Giro... many people assumed that Wiggins would haven all but wrapped it up by now. And, now people are thinking Nibali has all but won it.

One advantage that plays to Evans is bonus seconds. He has a great kick if he is in the lead group and he could easily make 30+ seconds back. The result is far from certain imo.

 

[auscyclefan94]

If Evans can keep it together he has a great chance. A very dangerous rider to Nibali. Can TT, climb, and outsprint him in close finishes for bonuses.

Nibbles has a dogfight on his hands if Cuddles can keep it together. Gonna have to call in some Sicilian friends, for some extra help. Ha, ha!

Will be totally hilarious if he takes this, really turning the recent consensus of his prospects on its head.

Go Cuddles!

I agree that it would be funny to shut up the doubters, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

 

[del1962]

http://www.fillarifoorumi.fi/forum/showthread.php?48354-Giro-d-Italia-2013&p=2024257#post2024257

Evans 10:11 -> 17:06 = 6:55
Wiggins 09:37 -> 16:37 = 7:00
Pozzovivo 12:00 -> 19:01 = 7:01
Nibali 09:45 -> 16:48 = 7:03
Scarponi 10:16 -> 17:20 = 7:04
Kessiakoff 12:00 -> 19:05 = 7:05
Majka 12:46 -> 19:54 = 7:08
Pellizotti 13:36 -> 20:45 = 7:09
Aru 11:59 -> 19:11 = 7:12
Gesink 10:36 -> 17:49 = 7:13

Niemiec 11:26 -> 18:40 = 7:14
Henao 10:05 -> 17:20 = 7:15
Garzelli 13:39 -> 20:54 = 7:15
Sanchez 12:28 -> 19:44 = 7:16
Santambrogio 12:06 -> 19:23 = 7:17
Kelderman 11:06 -> 18:24 = 7:18
Weening 11:55 -> 19:14 = 7:19
Duarte 14:23 -> 21:43 = 7:20
Kangert 09:20 -> 16:41 = 7:21
Clement 09:37 -> 16:59 = 7:22

Looking at these times for the uphill finish says to me that Evans may be the favourite for the giro

 

[jens_attacks]

cadel is extremely strong yes
but don't read too much in those times because the effort wasn't just of 7 minutes it was more than one hour and 15 minutes and it massively depended on how you organized it all over the course

the first real prove will be on montasio

 

[blaxland]

I have to say that was a good solid ride by cadel and one that gives hope for the rest of the giro.really looking forward to the mountains looming on the horizon.

 

[gerundium]

Wanna bet?

I'm sure he won't podium.

I'll take that bet.

 

[delbified]

cadel is extremely strong yes
but don't read too much in those times because the effort wasn't just of 7 minutes it was more than one hour and 15 minutes and it massively depended on how you organized it all over the course

yeah, exactly. cadel dropped some time in the middle section, keeping something in reserve for the final kick. experience showing through there.

 

[Better Call Saul]

cadel is extremely strong yes
but don't read too much in those times because the effort wasn't just of 7 minutes it was more than one hour and 15 minutes and it massively depended on how you organized it all over the course

the first real prove will be on montasio

On the contrary, i would have thought that it gives a bit of an indication how the various contenders will climb on tired legs. A climb early in the tt would have been another matter entirely.

 

[auscyclefan94]

yeah, exactly. cadel dropped some time in the middle section, keeping something in reserve for the final kick. experience showing through there.

Cadel gained slightly on Nibali in the middle section. It was only Wiggins that he really lost to in the middle section. That indicates that it was simply Wiggins going super quick on the flat part of the course and Evans not going as fast. I don't think he paced himself per se.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Allan Peiper talking about Cadel's preparation on SBS. Saying that Cadel is here to win the Giro and is feeling confident. The team is not that strong according to Peiper but that can be used to BMC's advantaged.