Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

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Cookster15

Cookster15

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May 14, 2011
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Just posted on Evans website:

I have to say, I felt a lot better on the climb from Mori yesterday than I did in the time trial at last year's Giro. That was a horrible day for me. Today's finish was shorter and steeper, coming after a hard stage made things very different. The 'BMC Boys' were great from the start to deliver me and the jersey to the start of the short and sharp (1.5km at 9-16%) final pitch. I'm glad I could finish their great work.
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Everything is pointing towards a stronger Giro for Evans than last year. Whether that is good enough to challenge Quintana or JRod is a different question.
 
auscyclefan94

auscyclefan94

Jun 16, 2009
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Even I am becoming more and more convinced that evans needs a victory salute. Put your hands up!

320-PIC455751771.jpg
 
Angliru

Angliru

Mar 10, 2009
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theyoungest said:
I seem to remember reading it, and thinking: why would you peak for this race, you finished 2nd in the Tour for crying out loud.
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I don't think it was that he peaked but that his form was further along than they had intended so they had to scale back his training. I really doubt that he "peaked" so early in the season. I would think the only riders that peak for that event are the South American continental teams/riders.
 
hfer07

hfer07

Mar 17, 2009
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I'm glad Cadel has won Trentino-but let's be objective here- It wasn't like he "smashed it" or was an "extraordinary win"- it was within his strength & skills. I have said it since two years ago that Evans should spend his last years winning One day & a week long races and profit greatly from them than going for GTs at this stage-to his credit -at least he acknowledged that going to the Tour is no longer worth it.
 
Pentacycle

Pentacycle

May 28, 2012
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Cookster15 said:
No - 2013 was affected by the virus. Trentino shows he seems to be approaching 2011 level again. Evans never looked like he did this week in 2013 - nor 2012 tbh.
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Dauphiné 2012? :confused: His current level is not higher than the past few years, there's no way 2011 Evans would've lost a minute to Landa and Meintjens.
 
Cookster15

Cookster15

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May 14, 2011
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Pentacycle said:
Dauphiné 2012? :confused: His current level is not higher than the past few years, there's no way 2011 Evans would've lost a minute to Landa and Meintjens.
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I said he is approaching 2011 - not there yet. Evans let Landa and Meintjens go, he did not have to chase. Did you watch the video of his climbing on stages 2, 3 and 4 - he looked very comfortable to me. Evans himself has said after Trentino that he has room to improve for the Giro and he will need to improve.

Edit: Plus Dauphine 2012 he looked to be struggling on the climbs I recall.

Edit 2: Plus it was 41 seconds to Landa and 30 seconds to Meintjens - not "a minute".
 
Angliru

Angliru

Mar 10, 2009
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If he were confident in his ability to compete for the team leadership at the Tour, he wouldn't be riding the Girl as team leader. He's obviously in better form than in 2013 but his performance against Pozzivivo and the other Trentino contenders shouldn't be confused with his fighting toe to toe with Quintana and Purito. Evans isn't over the hill but he is known to be nearing the end of his career and normally when that happens rider's begin scaling back their ambitions, just as Evans is doing.
 
Cookster15

Cookster15

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May 14, 2011
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Angliru said:
If he were confident in his ability to compete for the team leadership at the Tour, he wouldn't be riding the Giro as team leader. He's obviously in better form than in 2013 but his performance against Pozzivivo and the other Trentino contenders shouldn't be confused with his fighting toe to toe with Quintana and Purito. Evans isn't over the hill but he is known to be nearing the end of his career and normally when that happens rider's begin scaling back their ambitions, just as Evans is doing.
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I think it was BMC's call - not Evans? I suspect at the point in time they made the decision BMC were unsure if it was Virus or age affecting Cadel. I mean age can make you more susceptable to bugs anyhow. So I think they felt the safest option was to go for the Giro with a weaker field. Smart move I think.

For Evans if he retires with another GT Podium in the Giro that would look better for his career palmeres than missing altogether at the Tour. Even if TJVG fails at the Tour he is still young and there to build on what he did in 2012 - so less to lose for him than Cadel.
 
auscyclefan94

auscyclefan94

Jun 16, 2009
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Angliru said:
If he were confident in his ability to compete for the team leadership at the Tour, he wouldn't be riding the Girl as team leader. He's obviously in better form than in 2013 but his performance against Pozzivivo and the other Trentino contenders shouldn't be confused with his fighting toe to toe with Quintana and Purito. Evans isn't over the hill but he is known to be nearing the end of his career and normally when that happens rider's begin scaling back their ambitions, just as Evans is doing.
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The decision was made by the team, not Evans. TJVG is simply being parachuted into being BMC's next real leader because he is seen as a talent who can win a GT (wrongly imo) and it suits the sponsors and fans of the team desires of having an American leading the team. Also, because Evans should be looking to make his palmares more complete.

Pentacycle said:
Dauphiné 2012? :confused: His current level is not higher than the past few years, there's no way 2011 Evans would've lost a minute to Landa and Meintjens.
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LOL, which is why Evans dropped those two in the previous two stages :rolleyes:. Pretty obvious that Evans was just letting them go up the road. He looked extremely comfortable on the climb imo.
 
M

movingtarget

Aug 5, 2009
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Evans is there to ride support for Sanchez and he seems happy to be doing that. The Vuelta is not the Tour of Utah of course but he might get a chance at a stage later if Sanchez falters. Sanchez is doing as well as expected and could make the top 10 overall. This is still good racing for the Worlds which will probably be one of Cadel's last career targets.
 
Pentacycle

Pentacycle

May 28, 2012
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movingtarget said:
Evans is there to ride support for Sanchez and he seems happy to be doing that. The Vuelta is not the Tour of Utah of course but he might get a chance at a stage later if Sanchez falters. Sanchez is doing as well as expected and could make the top 10 overall. This is still good racing for the Worlds which will probably be one of Cadel's last career targets.
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The Australian federation has to select him first, but if you're dropped on stages like these it doesn't bode well.
 
I

inthepink

Jan 31, 2014
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Must remember that Evans has had a long season and is probably not in form at the moment ...I also think he has somewhat given up on GTs as he knows he cannot do a top GC

Imagine he is ridign in prep for Worlds
 
M

msjett

Mar 18, 2009
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Walkman said:
Missed todays stage.

Did Evans dropped off because they raced hard and he cracked of did he finally sat up and took it easy in order to, hopefully, go stage hunting later on?
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He sat up, he is saving his legs for later... He said in his diary on his website. He is not riding for GC. On the mountain stage he had a puncture and wasn't in position for the climb...

http://www.cadelevans.com.au/cadelsdiary.aspx
 
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