Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

[BroDeal]

Ule, I have given solid evidence that this is a nonsense. Point out a year where he flunked his TT this badly and you will arrive at either the TdF 2009 or 2010. Clearly those years are by far the worst in his GT career. Claiming this is typically Cadel is ridonculous.

Don't forget 2007 (losing two minutes on a MTF) and 2008 (tanking in the final time trial).

So 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. I am sensing a pattern.

And then there was the 2010 Giro...looks good...looks great...this could be the one..looks good...fail.

 

[movingtarget]

Don't forget 2007 (losing two minutes on a MTF) and 2008 (tanking in the final time trial).

So 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. I am sensing a pattern.

And then there was the 2010 Giro...looks good...looks great...this could be the one..looks good...fail.

If Evan's career is compared to that of proven cheats it may look light in grand tour victories. A podium in all grand tours, a Tour win and two seconds in the Tour plus the Worlds. There is no fail. Only people that win every race don't fail so fail is a meaningless word. Just to make it as a pro sportsmen is a win. If Evans is regarded as a failure what does that make Gesink and Cunego ? A podium at 36 is a win. Don't think it's happened since 1928.

 

[BroDeal]

If Evan's career is compared to that of proven cheats it may look light in grand tour victories. A podium in all grand tours, a Tour win and two seconds in the Tour plus the Worlds. There is no fail. Only people that win every race don't fail so fail is a meaningless word. Just to make it as a pro sportsmen is a win. If Evans is regarded as a failure what does that make Gesink and Cunego ? A podium at 36 is a win. Don't think it's happened since 1928.

Cunego: 1 GT and four weekend classics including three monument wins. Not too shabby.

 

[icefire]

If Evan's career is compared to that of proven cheats it may look light in grand tour victories. A podium in all grand tours, a Tour win and two seconds in the Tour plus the Worlds. There is no fail. Only people that win every race don't fail so fail is a meaningless word. Just to make it as a pro sportsmen is a win. If Evans is regarded as a failure what does that make Gesink and Cunego ? A podium at 36 is a win. Don't think it's happened since 1928.

Poulidor says hello!

 

[karlboss]

With Gilbert saying he's only part of 15 man squad, who will BMC send? Is it all about GT or stage wins also? There don't look to be any "Gilbert" stages. Again I'll express my lack of confidence in Cadel and TJ to threaten the top step and hence back stage wins over GC. Hence take Phil 100%. WC jersey looks good in a team too.

 

[Ferminal]

Van Aboveaverage has a better chance of winning a stage than anyone else in their squad

 

[karlboss]

Van Aboveaverage has a better chance of winning a stage than anyone else in their squad

Thinking exactly the same. There are a few stages which might be fought out by Sagan, Meersman and Van Avermaet. However...I don't need to point out the error in that equation.

Evans, TJ obviously
Burghardt, Schar, Cummings almost certainly.
I imagine Phinney and Pinotti will get a jersey for the TTT and ITTs.
+2, I'd go stage winners, Gilbert and ...hushovd showed a little life in Cali, Vanavermaet is almost there always, Oss if he isn't too tired from the Giro. really not many winners on that team.

 

[movingtarget]

Cunego: 1 GT and four weekend classics including three monument wins. Not too shabby.

Okay. Cunego has a good classics record. I was thinking more about his grand tour record since winning the Giro while very young. Never looked likely again but he was effected by accidents and some bad luck in some of those races which happens to most riders when they have been around for a while.

 

[movingtarget]

Poulidor says hello!

In the Giro I though it had not happened since 1928. Could be wrong. Poulidor was a great rider but always seemed to have someone better than him. Anquetil thought he was stupid. Can't comment on that one !

 

[movingtarget]

Van Aboveaverage has a better chance of winning a stage than anyone else in their squad

Maybe better than Gilbert at this stage but on his day Evans can still contest a hilltop finish pretty well. Gilbert has been disappointing once again. Maybe he looking to hit form in the Vuelta and the Worlds again ? But his Ardennes season was below par. VG can't sprint so the only possible stage he could win is a TT.

 

[greenedge]

Thinking exactly the same. There are a few stages which might be fought out by Sagan, Meersman and Van Avermaet. However...I don't need to point out the error in that equation.

Evans, TJ obviously
Burghardt, Schar, Cummings almost certainly.
I imagine Phinney and Pinotti will get a jersey for the TTT and ITTs.
+2, I'd go stage winners, Gilbert and ...hushovd showed a little life in Cali, Vanavermaet is almost there always, Oss if he isn't too tired from the Giro. really not many winners on that team.

No Morabito or Moinard?
Nerz as well.

 

[all_in]

Evans,Tejay,Moinard,Nerz,Pinotti,Burghardt,Schar,Gilbert and Hushovd will be probably the TdF team for BMC.

 

[movingtarget]

No Morabito or Moinard?
Nerz as well.

Morabito rode the Giro and usually never does two GTs in one year. Phinney won't be a certainty unless they are only thinking of the TTT. Moinard might go. Can't see Gilbert going, Hushovd could also be a query. Ballan is on the comeback trail after his bad accident so he probably won't go but if he's fit he could be good for the team. The only three certainties are probably VG, Evans and Burghardt. Would also like to see GVA go probably instead of Hushovd. Better for the team.

 

[karlboss]

Morabito rode the Giro and usually never does two GTs in one year. Phinney won't be a certainty unless they are only thinking of the TTT. Moinard might go. Can't see Gilbert going, Hushovd could also be a query. Ballan is on the comeback trail after his bad accident so he probably won't go but if he's fit he could be good for the team. The only three certainties are probably VG, Evans and Burghardt. Would also like to see GVA go probably instead of Hushovd. Better for the team.

I guess I was saying what I'd do, two captains. Then some flatland domestiques to keep them out of trouble and help in the TTT, Moinard(forgot about him in my earlier post), Schar(has done the last 2 was in great form early season), Burghardt(been there for the last 3).
Looking after the TTT again, (remember the 2009 TTT?) pinotti and Phinney. Then with the 2 remaining positions remember that Cadel has never had any real help in the mountains. This year with TJ and Pinotti it should be enough for his style of riding and the fact that Sky should control the mountains, so move to other objectives, stages, of which morabito and nerz are not your best bets.
Ballan if he's fit would be good. But I think more likely you'll be looking at a combination of Van Avermaet, Gilbert, Hushovd, Oss.
Personally I'd take Gilbert, the last position I'd like to say Hushovd, but more likely Van Avermaet. These 2 are also very handy for a TTT. Hushovd pre BMC would be perfect in this TDF.

 

[goggalor]

Phinney has very little to offer in a GT, Bookwalter would be a much better choice.

 

[Miburo]

Phinney has very little to offer in a GT, Bookwalter would be a much better choice.

Phinney can offer publicity just by being there in the race. Can bookwalter do that?

It's not that BMC is going win the tour or anything so whatever

 

[Ferminal]

It's really hard to guess the team, a lot of it will come down to who is best after the Giro, recovered from injury etc.

Evans
Van Garderen
Burghardt
Schar
Moinard

Those three are very much trusted domestiques. Burghardt is flatlands captain, Schar a big windbreak who will ride all day, and Moinard takes over when the road goes up.

and 2 of:

Gilbert/Van Avermaet/Hushovd/Quinziato

Can't see both Gilbert and Hushovd going though. Their names are too big to have their season defined by riding 21 days for others (not saying they are selfish, that's just how it is).

and 2 of:

Frank/Pinotti/Bookwalter/Morabito/Cummings/Santaromita

Frank is the best climber but didn't go to the Tour the last two years, probably peaking for Suisse again. Pinotti will go if he's 100% and the final three will only go if they are still improving after the Giro.

I can't see Phinney or Nerz, they lack the experience without having much else to compensate. Phinney a few seconds in the TTT, Nerz might make it over one or two climbs. The only other is Oss who Evans seemed to value highly during the Giro, may be an option if he has recovered.

 

[movingtarget]

It's really hard to guess the team, a lot of it will come down to who is best after the Giro, recovered from injury etc.

Evans
Van Garderen
Burghardt
Schar
Moinard

Those three are very much trusted domestiques. Burghardt is flatlands captain, Schar a big windbreak who will ride all day, and Moinard takes over when the road goes up.

and 2 of:

Gilbert/Van Avermaet/Hushovd/Quinziato

Can't see both Gilbert and Hushovd going though. Their names are too big to have their season defined by riding 21 days for others (not saying they are selfish, that's just how it is).

and 2 of:

Frank/Pinotti/Bookwalter/Morabito/Cummings/Santaromita

Frank is the best climber but didn't go to the Tour the last two years, probably peaking for Suisse again. Pinotti will go if he's 100% and the final three will only go if they are still improving after the Giro.

I can't see Phinney or Nerz, they lack the experience without having much else to compensate. Phinney a few seconds in the TTT, Nerz might make it over one or two climbs. The only other is Oss who Evans seemed to value highly during the Giro, may be an option if he has recovered.

I wouldn't argue with the first 5 mentioned. Forgot about Quinziato and Bookwalter they both did excellent jobs for Evans in 2011. I would rather see them in there than Gilbert or Hushovd, also include GVA. Cummings might be the query after the Giro if not him probably Pinotti who is a reasonable climber and good TT rider. Evans and VG won't get the mountain support from anyone in BMC so they will stack the team like they did in 2011 with strong, experienced domestiques. They would probably like Phinney for the TTT but he won't probably go for that only even though it is an important stage. I think Gilbert will move on as soon as his contract's up. Even though GVA does great for him, Lotto were much stronger in support in the Ardennes.

 

[goggalor]

Phinney can offer publicity just by being there in the race. Can bookwalter do that?

It's not that BMC is going win the tour or anything so whatever

That's very true. If he goes I'm thinking it's more because of his personality and nationality than anything else. People still think of BMC as a Swiss team, they're gonna have to put some effort in to sell the team to the American Tour de France audience.

 

[fezzer]

It's really hard to guess the team, a lot of it will come down to who is best after the Giro, recovered from injury etc.

Evans
Van Garderen
Burghardt
Schar
Moinard

Those three are very much trusted domestiques. Burghardt is flatlands captain, Schar a big windbreak who will ride all day, and Moinard takes over when the road goes up.

and 2 of:

Gilbert/Van Avermaet/Hushovd/Quinziato

Can't see both Gilbert and Hushovd going though. Their names are too big to have their season defined by riding 21 days for others (not saying they are selfish, that's just how it is).

and 2 of:

Frank/Pinotti/Bookwalter/Morabito/Cummings/Santaromita

Frank is the best climber but didn't go to the Tour the last two years, probably peaking for Suisse again. Pinotti will go if he's 100% and the final three will only go if they are still improving after the Giro.

I can't see Phinney or Nerz, they lack the experience without having much else to compensate. Phinney a few seconds in the TTT, Nerz might make it over one or two climbs. The only other is Oss who Evans seemed to value highly during the Giro, may be an option if he has recovered.

I do think both Hushovd and Gilbert will show up.

I have never really seen Hushovd so fit that he is right know(he always seems to have a couple of kg's extra). I'm sure you have seen his instagram photos(the one in the pool and with his wife). Norwegian TV2 interviewed him today, and he cofirmed a weight-loss. He was also stating that he wanted to test his climbing-legs by leading chases in the "mountainius" stages at Dauphine.

Even though his spring-campaigns is inconcistent, Thor always seems to find superb form in the Tour. For that reasons, and the fact that he is 100% comitted to be a helper(if he is given 1 or 2 chances of his own), I am actually quite sure he will show up in this years edition if he does a decent effort at Dauphine. Thor is a very good TTT'er aswell.

Just by bringing the rainbow-jersey, and the fact that it is Gilbert, will generate lots of publicity. He will surely bring in a stage win if given the chanse aswell.. BMC, most likely, doesn't have to take the same resposibility as Sky/Saxo in the mountains anyways.

 

[maxmartin]

mathias frank is 100% in the Tour

 

[The Eggman]

If Evan's career is compared to that of proven cheats it may look light in grand tour victories. A podium in all grand tours, a Tour win and two seconds in the Tour plus the Worlds. There is no fail. Only people that win every race don't fail so fail is a meaningless word. Just to make it as a pro sportsmen is a win. If Evans is regarded as a failure what does that make Gesink and Cunego ? A podium at 36 is a win. Don't think it's happened since 1928.

Exactly.

A GT, a podium in all 3 GTs, a bunch of GT stages, Worlds, plus a bunch of smaller races, all riding seemingly clean thru some fairly addled times. That's a brilliant record, not a poor one.

Time will tell if he's the right man to take a tilt at this years tour for BMC, but he's earned the right of a shot

 

[movingtarget]

mathias frank is 100% in the Tour

I hear that Santaromita will also be in in the Tour after a good support ride in the Giro. Seems Evans wants him in the team. So the BMC team looks like it will be quite different to the team Evans had in the 2011 Tour. I think Hushovd has a better chance of being included than Gilbert but would be surprised if they both were selected.

 

[klmorgan]

Queen's Birthday Honours List

While it may be slightly off track with this threat, the 2013 Australian Queen's Birthday Honours list has been released and Cadel Evans was awarded The Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for services to Cycling and to the community (see: http://www.news.com.au/national-news/queens-birthday-honours-list-2013/story-fncynjr2-1226661027332), this is above that other Australian Cyclists including Stuart O'Grady, of an Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Quite an achievement (although the two times Moto-GP Champion Casey Stoner also received the same award as Evans).

 

[maxmartin]

mathias frank is 100% in the Tour

another strong showing from Mathias Frank today