Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

[Pentacycle]

Actually, this may be a good race to target for him, since most riders will be in training mode. He may never have another chance to win an important stage race in his life.

TDU is the only race where riders are still in training mode, haven't you noticed how most Tour contenders use Suisse and Dauphine to go full gas one more time before the Tour? Even Tour of Poland and ENECO Tour aren't training races, there are point at stake everywhere.

 

[Carols]

There was a 'bad legs' quote from him on FB, but I can't find it now....

 

[One Eyed Aussie]

Stick a fork in him - he's done. Last year we saw the most pathetic defence of the yellow jersey last year in modern history. This year he's just embarrassing himself now. Time to admit to himself and the world that domestique duties is the best he can do now. He would get more respect that way instead of all this cryptic "bad legs, virus" rubbish that comes out of his mouth.

 

[cineteq]

TDU is the only race where riders are still in training mode, haven't you noticed how most Tour contenders use Suisse and Dauphine to go full gas one more time before the Tour? Even Tour of Poland and ENECO Tour aren't training races, there are point at stake everywhere.

No, it's not what I see at all. Sorry I beg to differ big time.

 

[movingtarget]

Stick a fork in him - he's done. Last year we saw the most pathetic defence of the yellow jersey last year in modern history. This year he's just embarrassing himself now. Time to admit to himself and the world that domestique duties is the best he can do now. He would get more respect that way instead of all this cryptic "bad legs, virus" rubbish that comes out of his mouth.

Well I think seventh place with a virus was pretty good. He said his preparation was good. At Oman he looked good but Tirreno and the Criterium were pretty woeful by his standards.

 

[movingtarget]

TDU is the only race where riders are still in training mode, haven't you noticed how most Tour contenders use Suisse and Dauphine to go full gas one more time before the Tour? Even Tour of Poland and ENECO Tour aren't training races, there are point at stake everywhere.

Andy and Frank never went all out in the TDS and even in the Dauphine while riders like Wiggins and Evans were trying to win stages others were just sitting back and still performed in the Tour. Some riders just don't want to race hard that close to the Tour.

 

[maxmartin]

Andy and Frank never went all out in the TDS and even in the Dauphine while riders like Wiggins and Evans were trying to win stages others were just sitting back and still performed in the Tour. Some riders just don't want to race hard that close to the Tour.

yep Nibali did terrible Dauphine, and performed quite well in the Tour.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Stick a fork in him - he's done. Last year we saw the most pathetic defence of the yellow jersey last year in modern history. This year he's just embarrassing himself now. Time to admit to himself and the world that domestique duties is the best he can do now. He would get more respect that way instead of all this cryptic "bad legs, virus" rubbish that comes out of his mouth.

Think he will be somewhat competitive in the Tour, certainly enough to be a tactical asset for BMC. Not sure about other races this year.

 

[Papa Kel]

Will be another tough year for Cadel. Say what you want about the man, but no one can doubt how hard he works and his commitment to racing as hard as he possibly can in July. However, the chances of Cadel stepping on the podium this year seem slim.

 

[movingtarget]

Different build up for Cadel now. No Dauphine, Fleche or Romandie. Doing the Giro instead. The Giro will get even more interesting if he shows some improvement.

 

[auscyclefan94]

This makes me so happy!

 

[Miburo]

This makes me so happy!

Nice!!!!

 

[Yingge]

Yep, now he has thrown the cat amongst to pigeons. Interesting stuff, he has unfinished business with the Giro and would love to see him do well.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Different build up for Cadel now. No Dauphine, Fleche or Romandie. Doing the Giro instead. The Giro will get even more interesting if he shows some improvement.

Great news about the Giro plan.
Solid addition to the race.

 

[Afrank]

Great news! The Giro field just keeps getting better and better. A top 10 could definitely be possible for him here, would be nice to see him get a stage as well.
Good news for Tejay also, he'll most likely be leader at the Tour now, like he deserves.

 

[cineteq]

Good news for Tejay also, he'll most likely be leader at the Tour now, like he deserves.

This is the only good news from Cadel riding the Giro for top 10.

 

[movingtarget]

This is the only good news from Cadel riding the Giro for top 10.

If he continues the way he's been going, better make it top 30. But I am hopeful for improvement.

 

[Jelantik]

Happy that Evans takes the Giro. Throwing his hat on the ring. At least he is a good TT, much better than Nibali. Just need to keep his form in the mountain, so he can hang with sky. He and wiggin are similar style of rider IMHO. I hope he gives wiggin a headache. I wonder who else will throw their hat on the ring?

 

[Gloin22]

Tour is the big target.

Tour Still Top Objective

Evans, winner of the 2011 Tour de France, said that race remains his No. 1 goal. "The team will put everything into the Tour de France," he said. "My situation is a bit strange because there are not many riders who perform better with two grand tours than one in their legs. In my situation, with the racing I missed last year, I need and I feel comfortable with this program." His objective for the Giro d'Italia, which runs May 4-26, is simple: "To get back to my best," he said. "Since the virus I had last year, I have had to change my approach to my work. It's difficult when you struggle to get to your best even though you are doing everything correctly. I am not coming to the Giro just for training. I don't know where I will be with my form, but for sure, I will give it everything."

 

[Cookster15]

Good news for Tejay also, he'll most likely be leader at the Tour now, like he deserves.

Maybe or maybe not. In Evans favor will be that he shows serious improvement in the Giro which would put pressure back on Tejay for Tour leadership. On the other hand the Giro may confirm Evans decline. The thing is riders loose form with age gradually. Form does not fall off a cliff if health and preparation are optimal. Yes Evans is 36 but it is still only two years since 2011. Horner is older and beat Cadel at TA. The most promising thing would be if Cadel shows he's getting stronger in the 3rd week of the Giro. Then it's game on.

 

[Captain Kirk]

This makes me so happy!

Game on ACF, GAME ON

 

[Afrank]

This is the only good news from Cadel riding the Giro for top 10.

I could see Evans going for a stage win, perhaps on one of the hilly classic-like stages. If he did do that it might help to put Wiggins into difficulty, and Guys like Nibali might be able to take some time on him. That's another way that this is good news.

Hopefully Evans isn't completely past his prime and he can do something in the race.

 

[movingtarget]

Maybe or maybe not. In Evans favor will be that he shows serious improvement in the Giro which would put pressure back on Tejay for Tour leadership. On the other hand the Giro may confirm Evans decline. The thing is riders loose form with age gradually. Form does not fall off a cliff if health and preparation are optimal. Yes Evans is 36 but it is still only two years since 2011. Horner is older and beat Cadel at TA. The most promising thing would be if Cadel shows he's getting stronger in the 3rd week of the Giro. Then it's game on.

I think so. In his current form he won't be able to do anything to help TJVG in the Tour or himself. Realistically he will hope for improvement throughout the Giro. He isn't usually the type of rider that has big swings in form as he said himself previously, his strength is his consistency.

 

[cineteq]

I could see Evans going for a stage win, perhaps on one of the hilly classic-like stages. If he did do that it might help to put Wiggins into difficulty, and Guys like Nibali might be able to take some time on him. That's another way that this is good news.

Hopefully Evans isn't completely past his prime and he can do something in the race.

Nibali 'might be able' to take some time on him? Are you kidding

PS: I don't think it's the last time we've seen Evans contesting for a GT win, but he's far from being in (previous) top form.

 

[The Hitch]

Great news! The Giro field just keeps getting better and better. A top 10 could definitely be possible for him here, would be nice to see him get a stage as well.
Good news for Tejay also, he'll most likely be leader at the Tour now, like he deserves.

Tour team leader like he deserves? There are plenty of better gt riders out there who are not team leaders.

The guy is 23 and already getting drilled into his head that his entire career should be based chasing a top 5 in 1 race in July every year then spending the remaining 11 months talking about July.