Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

[BroDeal]

In his worst Tours in 2009 and 2010 the third week did not matter. 2009 he was riding in the autobus in 30th place or whatever and in 2010 broke his elbow. Evans made a steady progression in his first few Tours until the two second places in 2007 and 2008.

Stop trying to cherry pick results and watch the races.

 

[greenedge]

Evans "did" win the Albi ITT in the TDF 07- after Vino got found out.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Certainly Evans has been fortunate with the cancellation of stage 19; stage 18 showed that his form is now questionable. What isn't questionable is that it has still been a great performance to be second overall up until this point at the age of 36. On the one hand I want him to hold onto his position, but on the other I want to see some good racing tonight! Oh well, you can't have it both ways

As for the TDF, BMC should definitely start with Van Garderen as leader, with Cadel a semi-protected rider as backup.

 

[Franklin]

Stop trying to cherry pick results and watch the races.

Sorry Bro, I often fully agree with you, but Cadel's results in the third week of the TdF aren't especially weak. Your "just once when it counted" is flat out wrong. There are several years where he had a good last week. And of course does the first week count in your narrative... if his first week is also bad it simply was a bad year.

Your "below expectations" is not mirrored by other results. Because if that was true other weeks would show better results, somethng whichis rather absent in Cadel's case. Quite simply Cadel seldom is the best.

He was usually better at that in the first time trial than the second.

Let's check if that claim is actually true:

2005? No
2006? No
2007 No (2nd vs 2nd)
2008 Yes (4th vs 7th)
2011 No
2012 Yes

Seriously Bro, the data does not support your claim at all.

 

[movingtarget]

Certainly Evans has been fortunate with the cancellation of stage 19; stage 18 showed that his form is now questionable. What isn't questionable is that it has still been a great performance to be second overall up until this point at the age of 36. On the one hand I want him to hold onto his position, but on the other I want to see some good racing tonight! Oh well, you can't have it both ways

As for the TDF, BMC should definitely start with Van Garderen as leader, with Cadel a semi-protected rider as backup.

I disagree. A good win in the Tour of California does not have much in common with a grand tour. If Evans is having a bad one it's apparent usually early in the race which means BMC won't suffer if they make the switch. That said it seems even Evans is mystified about the TT result in the Giro.

 

[Franklin]

As for the TDF, BMC should definitely start with Van Garderen as leader, with Cadel a semi-protected rider as backup.

The problem here is that Cadel has a very, very good pedigree in GT's and especially the TdF.

Anyway, I doubt this will hurt TJVG as I don't think they will be doing much pacing. They will be following in the mountains and if TJVG is stronger it will become apparent pretty quickly.

 

[webbie146]

Youtube or it didn't happen... What look was that, I don't remember that.

In the tdf alp d'huez MTT Armstrong passed CSC teamcar and gave Riss 'the look'. It's in a documentary called 'Overcoming'. I will put the clip on youtube tonight

 

[BroDeal]

And the classic Evans fade sinks his chances once again.

Good try but TJ should be the team's man for the Tour.

 

[Parrulo]

without the bad weather affecting the mountain stages he would be out of the top 5 maybe even the top 10, age forgives no one.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Evans is proven in GTs and coming 3rd in the Giro only goes to confirm it. What is the best placing TJVG has in a GT?

Of course, if Evans fades then it makes sense to go to plan B but I think he has earned the right to lead in the Tour.

 

[roundabout]

This reminds me, time to bump the thread about riders podiuming all 3 GTs.

 

[movingtarget]

And the classic Evans fade sinks his chances once again.

Good try but TJ should be the team's man for the Tour.

Yes that Tour of California win must be putting fear into the other riders.

 

[Netserk]

This reminds me, time to bump the thread about riders podiuming all 3 GTs.

Wait until tomorrow.

 

[Netserk]

Without the cancellations Betancur would've podiumed. Not Evans.

 

[Afrank]

Evans is proven in GTs and coming 3rd in the Giro only goes to confirm it. What is the best placing TJVG has in a GT?

Of course, if Evans fades then it makes sense to go to plan B but I think he has earned the right to lead in the Tour.

How many chances has Tejay had in GT's? (he's only ridden 3) Give him some time.

Evans showed in the last week that while he is still capable of a decent performance, age is taking it's toll.

 

[goggalor]

without the bad weather affecting the mountain stages he would be out of the top 5 maybe even the top 10, age forgives no one.

How do you figure? He put in a decent ride today. With Scarponi's form I doubt he would have passed Evans, maybe Betancur could but Cadel has a good gap to him.

As for the Tour, I'd go with Cadel over TJ. What are you riding for with TJ really, a top 5? At least Evans has a podium level within reach, though it's unlikely he'll get there. Doesn't matter though, neither of them will win.

 

[movingtarget]

without the bad weather affecting the mountain stages he would be out of the top 5 maybe even the top 10, age forgives no one.

Without the bad weather Ryder, Wiggins and Gesink would probably still be in the race. Evans knows how to finish grand tours and before the race most people gave him no hope of a podium. He gave his best over three weeks, not bad for a 36 year old and if all the mountains were raced, Nibali would have won by 10 minutes.

 

[Netserk]

Cadel won't top-10 the Tour.

 

[goggalor]

Cadel won't top-10 the Tour.

But he'll podium the Giro. Chapeau.

 

[contessador]

It did appear, until the MTT, that Cuddles might even win and considering he was not planning on riding the Giro until the last minute, this was a very good performance! Kudos!

 

[movingtarget]

Cadel won't top-10 the Tour.

Right and Wiggins couldn't lose the Giro and Froome should have won the Vuelta and the Tour and Contador should have won the Tour in 2011. And Evans won't podium the Giro ! Could have should have might have. He rode to the conditions and did his best. The rest is guess work.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

How many chances has Tejay had in GT's? (he's only ridden 3) Give him some time.

Evans showed in the last week that while he is still capable of a decent performance, age is taking it's toll.

TJVG will get his chance but as of now he is unproven (Chicken and egg I know). Evans (all things being equal) will get third in a damn hard giro. I think he has proven he is in much better form than last year.

As I said, it makes sense to assess the situation as the Tour goes on but I personally think Cadel has the better case atm.

 

[Netserk]

Right and Wiggins couldn't lose the Giro and Froome should have won the Vuelta and the Tour and Contador should have won the Tour in 2011. And Evans won't podium the Giro ! Could have should have might have. He rode to the conditions and did his best. The rest is guess work.

Wanna bet?

 

[Angliru]

How many chances has Tejay had in GT's? (he's only ridden 3) Give him some time.

Evans showed in the last week that while he is still capable of a decent performance, age is taking it's toll.

It was my understanding that Evans came to Giro with modest goals and that what he accomplished was gravy. For him he was building his form for July.

 

[airstream]

Karmic thirst to retrospective thinking on the forum puzzles me. It's all enigmas. If some riders had remained in the race, it would've (wouldn't have) been unfolded absolutely differently. No one knows / will know.