Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

[darwin553]

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.

I reckon he is there to give some spiritual guidance to Sanchez rather than actual working support for his high GC aspirations. He is at a point in his career where he just wouldn't accept being that domestique role. The other factor to consider that backs this is that he won't be with BMC next year so there is no team motivation element to convince him to really turn himself inside out for Sanchez like a Porte would for Froome for example...

 

[inthepink]

I reckon he is there to give some spiritual guidance to Sanchez rather than actual working support for his high GC aspirations. He is at a point in his career where he just wouldn't accept being that domestique role. The other factor to consider that backs this is that he won't be with BMC next year so there is no team motivation element to convince him to really turn himself inside out for Sanchez like a Porte would for Froome for example...

Well if thet were true I would have no respect for him....His team have turned themselves insid eout for him and NO rider is bigger than the team......many top riders work or their temamates

You are way off

 

[Walkman]

Well if thet were true I would have no respect for him....His team have turned themselves insid eout for him and NO rider is bigger than the team......many top riders work or their temamates

You are way off

Without Cadel BMC would not be where they are today. No question. Also, it wasn't like Sánchez turned himself inside out for Cadel in the Giro. In fact, I can hardly remember him anything in the Giro.

 

[The Hitch]

Without Cadel BMC would not be where they are today. No question. Also, it wasn't like Sánchez turned himself inside out for Cadel in the Giro. In fact, I can hardly remember him anything in the Giro.

Not that we would know considering Evans spent most of the giro a little bit too far down the road for the cameras to care

 

[Cookster15]

Not that we would know considering Evans spent most of the giro a little bit too far down the road for the cameras to care

I think that's a little harsh - and not supported by what actually happened in the first two weeks of the Giro - were the cameras not turned on then? Evans was in Pink prior to the stage 11 ITT and was one rider who had animated the race to that point.

But I do wish Evans was a better help to Sanchez at the Vuelta than he has been - regardless if he is using Vuelta as prep for the worlds or not. He is probably not strong enough to be much help to Sanchez. Just as Sanchez was not strong enough to be much help to Evans at the Giro.

 

[Coat-O]

I have a question for you guys.

When riders are 33-34 they seem to be just as good as those in their mid-twenties or even peak at that age. (Think Evans and Sanchez.. or Valverde now)

But once they hit 35, it's like they are declining rapidly. Why is 26-34 the ideal age, but 35-36 is the wall?

 

[Coat-O]

I have a question for you guys.

When riders are 33-34 they seem to be just as good as those in their mid-twenties or even peak at that age. (Think Evans and Sanchez.. or Valverde now)

But once they hit 35, it's like they are declining rapidly. Why is 26-34 the ideal age, but 35-36 is the wall?

To follow up. It's like when they are 34 they are very very good, but when they are 35 they begin to suck.

 

[Walkman]

I have a question for you guys.

When riders are 33-34 they seem to be just as good as those in their mid-twenties or even peak at that age. (Think Evans and Sanchez.. or Valverde now)

But once they hit 35, it's like they are declining rapidly. Why is 26-34 the ideal age, but 35-36 is the wall?

Evans got hit by that virus which took the best out of him for two seasons (2012 and 2013) and now he is 37. Add to that that it is easier to maintain good form that recreate it. Had Evans not caught that virus he would had performed better during the last coupe of years and probably during this year also.

 

[Coat-O]

Evans got hit by that virus which took the best out of him for two seasons (2012 and 2013) and now he is 37. Add to that that it is easier to maintain good form that recreate it. Had Evans not caught that virus he would had performed better during the last coupe of years and probably during this year also.

But it's like 35 is the wall.

Sanchez and Evans were at their best when they were 34, but once they turned 35, they began to suck.

The same can be said for many other riders. Early 30's is the ideal for GC riders, but the mid-30's is a no-go.

 

[Cookster15]

But it's like 35 is the wall.

Except when your name is Chris Horner, when 35 is when you are just warming up

 

[Coat-O]

Except when your name is Chris Horner, when 35 is when you are just warming up

Yeah, Horner was like 25 at 35..

 

[Angliru]

I reckon he is there to give some spiritual guidance to Sanchez rather than actual working support for his high GC aspirations. He is at a point in his career where he just wouldn't accept being that domestique role. The other factor to consider that backs this is that he won't be with BMC next year so there is no team motivation element to convince him to really turn himself inside out for Sanchez like a Porte would for Froome for example...

His motivation should be that he is still getting paid to ride for BMC and to do his job. I would hope that he would be contributing more than "spiritual guidance" whatever that is.

 

[inthepink]

I don't think its 35 and you suddently fall off a cliff

Sure ageing is a factor but length of years racing,how hard the racing , injuries accumulated, health issues and MOTIVATION

I think you can be as good at 35 than as at 30 if you train well & race less and target your form and stay motivated , avoid injury or illness...obviuosly you lose top end speed but can gain endurance and maintian power

Some times bike racing is about luck though

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Riders tend to get stronger towards their mid-to-late 20s; early 30s you have the benefit of the most years' experience in energy management but once you've got too many miles on the clock, maintaining form for the requisite length of time becomes harder and top end power may start to fall away. Injuries start to take longer to recover from as the body doesn't rebuild itself as quickly, plus you've got the simple additional factor of riders who weren't at their peak a few years ago now moving into theirs and essentially pushing you out of the competition pool. I should imagine that having been to the top of the mountain and now trying to push and your body just not being able to comply and seeing others you used to be racing with now distancing you must have quite a negative impact on your mindset, too.

 

[darwin553]

Without Cadel BMC would not be where they are today. No question. Also, it wasn't like Sánchez turned himself inside out for Cadel in the Giro. In fact, I can hardly remember him anything in the Giro.

That's correct. Sanchez was a joke at the giro.

Not that we would know considering Evans spent most of the giro a little bit too far down the road for the cameras to care

Must off just started watching the race half-way through - either that, or your constant belittling of Evans is way off with this argument.

 

[Helvellyn]

Riders tend to get stronger towards their mid-to-late 20s; early 30s you have the benefit of the most years' experience in energy management but once you've got too many miles on the clock, maintaining form for the requisite length of time becomes harder and top end power may start to fall away. Injuries start to take longer to recover from as the body doesn't rebuild itself as quickly, plus you've got the simple additional factor of riders who weren't at their peak a few years ago now moving into theirs and essentially pushing you out of the competition pool. I should imagine that having been to the top of the mountain and now trying to push and your body just not being able to comply and seeing others you used to be racing with now distancing you must have quite a negative impact on your mindset, too.

I think it's interesting that snooker players tend to drop off at a similar sort of age to athletes, i.e. early 30s. For example, Stephen Hendry won his last world championship at the age of 30 and Steve Davis won his last at 32. There is not really a physical reason why this should be the case.

I am a bit sceptical that age is the barrier we are led to believe and think that motivation and family life are probably more important factors in cyclists declining in their mid-30s.

 

[movingtarget]

I reckon he is there to give some spiritual guidance to Sanchez rather than actual working support for his high GC aspirations. He is at a point in his career where he just wouldn't accept being that domestique role. The other factor to consider that backs this is that he won't be with BMC next year so there is no team motivation element to convince him to really turn himself inside out for Sanchez like a Porte would for Froome for example...

Not sure about that. How much spiritual guidance does Sanchez need ? He 's riding a Spanish GT and he's almost as old as Evans. Evans seems to be riding close to Sanchez on most stages especially towards the end but it's hard to know how much work he is doing. Usually towards the end of stages it is more about positioning and helping out if the team leader gets dropped. Evans is not at the stage of his career where he can provide Porte like support in the mountains. An in form Porte is probably the best mountain domestique in the peloton. Cadel is doing what he can and Sanchez would understand that just as Sanchez did what he could for Cadel in the Giro. Both of them are nearing retirement and were only aiming for a top 10 anyway.

 

[movingtarget]

That's correct. Sanchez was a joke at the giro.



Must off just started watching the race half-way through - either that, or your constant belittling of Evans is way off with this argument.

Sanchez also had some illness and injury problems before and during the Giro. But would it have made a difference to Cadel's result ? No.

 

[Angliru]

That's correct. Sanchez was a joke at the giro.



Must off just started watching the race half-way through - either that, or your constant belittling of Evans is way off with this argument.

So Sanchez was a joke at the Giro but you give Evans a break for similar lack of performance at the Vuelta as him offering some b.s. spiritual guidance? WTF exactly is "spiritual guidance"? Are they holding a seance led by Cadel before every stage?

 

[cineteq]

I wouldn't have bet Evans or Sanchez to be top 10 on today's ITT. Here you'd need to look at the equipment, methinks. Other thoughts?

http://www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/at...team-puts-two-in-top-10-at-vuelta-time-trial/

 

[Yingge]

I wouldn't have bet Evans or Sanchez to be top 10 on today's ITT. Here you'd need to look at the equipment, methinks. Other thoughts?

The downhill portion was, in Evans words 'sketchy' (which Quintana can confirm), and both he and Sammy are known to like a technical downhill.

Evans said that he "...started out conservatively but had a promising first time check so kept at it...". Sammy apparently had his former Euskaltel-Euskadi manager in the Car behind which apparently "... pushed me emotionally...". Lots of "Emotion" and "Spiritual Guidance" doing the rounds it seems!!

After Stage 9, Evans had said of the TT "...Probably one of the few times I will get to go 'easy' in a Grand Tour time trial...". He changed his tune along the way it seems - having a "Rabbit" to chase helps as he appears to have caught the two riders ahead of him along the way.


As to the Worlds and Evans riding in it - he will get selected if he is fit as the outcry if he was overlooked would probably see the selectors sacked. It would be very interesting though if it got down to the last lap and he was the sole Australian in contention - he would be dammed if he sat up, but would have to go another year if he won it.

 

[hughmoore]

The downhill portion was, in Evans words 'sketchy' (which Quintana can confirm), and both he and Sammy are known to like a technical downhill.

Evans said that he "...started out conservatively but had a promising first time check so kept at it...". Sammy apparently had his former Euskaltel-Euskadi manager in the Car behind which apparently "... pushed me emotionally...". Lots of "Emotion" and "Spiritual Guidance" doing the rounds it seems!!

After Stage 9, Evans had said of the TT "...Probably one of the few times I will get to go 'easy' in a Grand Tour time trial...". He changed his tune along the way it seems - having a "Rabbit" to chase helps as he appears to have caught the two riders ahead of him along the way.


As to the Worlds and Evans riding in it - he will get selected if he is fit as the outcry if he was overlooked would probably see the selectors sacked. It would be very interesting though if it got down to the last lap and he was the sole Australian in contention - he would be dammed if he sat up, but would have to go another year if he won it.

Great ride last night, has good form, so barring injury, would surely have to be in team, joint leader with Gerro.

Hugh

 

[movingtarget]

I wouldn't have bet Evans or Sanchez to be top 10 on today's ITT. Here you'd need to look at the equipment, methinks. Other thoughts?

http://www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/at...team-puts-two-in-top-10-at-vuelta-time-trial/

Obviously Cadel felt like cleaning the pipes out and it was a good course for him. Nice ride by Sanchez also. Like Cadel, he can be inconsistent in his TTs but BMC will be happy with that. Cadel did not fade too much in the final sector. I am starting to think Sanchez could top 5 instead of top 10. If looks are anything to go by, Evans looked really good in the TT. Bodes well for the Worlds and it's apparent that he is not putting 100 % in on each stage which should help with the fatigue factor after the Vuelta. Once he gets Sanchez in position he backs off like most domestiques do. That's the advantage of losing time early in the race, less pressure and better recovery.

 

[darwin553]

Great ride last night, has good form, so barring injury, would surely have to be in team, joint leader with Gerro.

Hugh

For once I will write a harsh comment about Cadel - there was nothing great about it, the performance was expectant given he was down in the 40s in the overall GC.

 

[del1962]

So he is retiring after TDU?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/cadel-evans-retire-2015-tour-136547