Cadel Evans Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Of course, Wiggins looked comfortable on the climb and finished ahead of Cadel, but I don't suppose that counts for much.

I certainly can't recall anyone saying Cadel would take time today.

I can recall my commentators saying that.

 

[Froome19]

Froome historically, will probably be stronger than Wiggins at the end of the third week. If he's a podium chance over Wiggins, who would you pick. BMC is one of a few teams NOT hedging their bets. They have one clear captain and no mixed signals. Rabo have multiple bets. RSNT, Movistar and Sky have multiple bets as well. BMC actually seem to have their heads screwed on properly. Their DS is a smart man and has delivered two men to Paris in yellow. There is a reason for that.

One occurence not really proven historically...

 

[Galic Ho]

Today was chaos, the mountains will not be...

Of course today was a Sky fail but you cant take that and then say that the mountains will be because there is no relation between what happened today and what could happen in the mountains..

Wiggins looked after himself quite well. Was high up after he had to pull himself back. But he shouldn't have to pull himself up. Someone should have been there to do it for him. That's what I've been talking about with Sky. Last year he didn't make it to the end of the second week. Why? Falls. The team is no train, no team is in a GT. Did Cav or Eisel help? Nope. Even the Phil and Paul show were questioning what would happen on that team later on.

Today wasn't really chaos. First crash was Rogers fault. Not surprising. He is a bad talisman, thankfully nobody is really hurt. Second crash was a spectators fault. Just as a stage like this doesn't mean anything in regards to how a mountain stage will unfold, neither does the outcome of a week long stage race correlate to the mountains in a three week GT.

Wiggins had a reason to be ****ed at the finish. Those guys who should be watching him didn't. Porte, Rogers...absent. It'll be the same in the mountains. Froome is the man. EBH. Not the Aussie guys on Sky.

The quality Aussie riders are in Rabo, BMC and Greenedge. Did Stuart O'Grady ever leave the Schleck's unprotected like that? Nope. Rogers biggest weakness is he cannot stay upright. It's like he is cursed in GT's.

 

[Galic Ho]

One occurence not really proven historically...

When it is the ONLY occurence. Yes it is historically proven. When the GT in question favours your team leader more than this one happening now...it's a major weakness. Sure you can change it.

As I pointed out. There are many teams hedging bets. Heck, Cancellara was being talked up by Paul Sherwen on Aussie tv as a GC dark horse before the race footage started. The point is gambling is a BAD IDEA. If Alberto Contador was riding on any of the major teams with GC ambitions, how would they race? Would they hedge bets, aim for multiple angles? Nope. So why does Sky do it when their stated aspirations are to WIN the Tour?

They should mirror BMC, protect their GC rider and him alone. Everyone helps. Having your GC rider have to do extra work when he has a tendency to shun it isn't smart. It shows weakness.

 

[Galic Ho]

Of course, Wiggins looked comfortable on the climb and finished ahead of Cadel, but I don't suppose that counts for much.

I certainly can't recall anyone saying Cadel would take time today.

That would be trolling. Nice use of common sense there. Nobody is dumb enough to claim ANYONE is a candidate to take time on the first stage of a GT with a finish in Belgium, let alone when said rider has the most talented Ardennes classics rider as his team mate. That's madness.

Oh and don't forget who pulled up the hill the guys trying to catch Cancellara, Sagan and EBH. When Wiggins does that, well it'll be a first. You only do it if you can. After that leadout for Gilbert...yeah you sit up. Then again all the short sharp climbs last year who was the overwhelming strong man on them? Evans. Today was simply setting Phillipe up.

Cancellara and co were simply stronger.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Don't really understand why you make your GC man work for someone else on a tough climb, but you guys know cycling better than me.

Wasn't it Sky who were going to have conflicting objectives?

 

[Galic Ho]

Don't really understand why you make your GC man work for someone else on a tough climb, but you guys know cycling better than me.

Wasn't it Sky who were going to have conflicting objectives?

Difference is that Evans has proven many, many times that he can lead out on a small climb in the first days of a GT, or simply be there and attack for himself, do it well and still not punish himself. It's about energy expenditure. Evans has gauged it well many years. Multiple podiums and a win. Sky haven't. Better to play it safe.

Evans still finished with the front group. The scary thing is that he could lead out and did for everyone exvept the front three. Play your words the opposite way, he's arguably the strongest GC rider on the stage. After all, he willingly did all that work. On the second day. Sign he has serious form. If he was a risk of losing time, he would not have done it. That's how much faith they had in Gilbert. Problem was placing. Evans was well placed, he usually is. Lots of other riders were not. Lots of teams were anxious no doubt. Raw nerves, some jitters and thus lots of action the last 20km. Gilbert was closer to the front, he'd have won the stage.

Given what Sky did for Froome. That's more revealing than anything that happened to any other team. Wiggins reaction at the finish is also telling. Froome gets some more favours and Wiggins gets left...it'll get to him. He's a highly strung emotionally *** individual. Simply put, he's like Evans was years ago, he notices some attention spent on someone else, it can all end up lke 2009 at Lotto. Short story, he is jealous and susceptible to mental tells like everyone. This keeps up, I expect a nice old fashioned tantrum. Should be good for a laugh or two. Was when Evans did it.

 

[ferryman]

Don't really understand why you make your GC man work for someone else on a tough climb, but you guys know cycling better than me.

Wasn't it Sky who were going to have conflicting objectives?

Aren't cycling tactics baffling. Evans pulling and Wiggins abandoned. Day 2 and your troll count is already through the roof.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Racism!!!!

 

[greenedge]

Wiggins looked after himself quite well. Was high up after he had to pull himself back. But he shouldn't have to pull himself up. Someone should have been there to do it for him. That's what I've been talking about with Sky. Last year he didn't make it to the end of the second week. Why? Falls. The team is no train, no team is in a GT. Did Cav or Eisel help? Nope. Even the Phil and Paul show were questioning what would happen on that team later on.

Eisel did some work.

I am looking forward to stage 3- epic descending catches Wiggins off guard.

 

[cineteq]

Racism!!!!

What a troll, are you on medication or something, can some mod look into this subject?

Aren't cycling tactics baffling. Evans pulling and Wiggins abandoned. Day 2 and your troll count is already through the roof.

Glad I wasn't the only one noticing this poster's annoyance.

 

[movingtarget]

I think it's a bit early in the race to be calling anyone superior except maybe Sagan's sprinting ability and strength. His great year continues.

 

[hughmoore]

I thought Evans slowed when he realised he was on the front and no GC favourites in front of him and realised he couldnt get accross to Canc/Sagan.

He rode well though.



Hugh

 

[Simply The Best]

No that was about Evans underating his opponents.

this is about his fans underrating his opponents. 2 totally different discussions.

I thought that evans was underating menchov when I first heard about it but after seeing the press conference he was unsure of who was ahead of him in GC and his full quote was 'not to bad only lost time to 1 GC contender, I think' but it seems the media have left the last part of his comment out to make it look like he was underating Menchov.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I thought that evans was underating menchov when I first heard about it but after seeing the press conference he was unsure of who was ahead of him in GC and his full quote was 'not to bad only lost time to 1 GC contender, I think' but it seems the media have left the last part of his comment out to make it look like he was underating Menchov.

Clearly The Hitch is being an infant again considering that what you and many others have said clearly explains why Evans didn't mention Menchov. I really do wonder if The Hitch has ever made a mistake or forgotten something in his life?

 

[movingtarget]

Clearly The Hitch is being an infant again considering that what you and many others have said clearly explains why Evans didn't mention Menchov. I really do wonder if The Hitch has ever made a mistake or forgotten something in his life?

Evans is usually generous to his rivals. Call it an oversight. He is not dumb enough to think that Wiggins is only rival even though he has named Wiggins as the man to beat which is different altogether.

 

[Carols]

I thought Evans slowed when he realised he was on the front and no GC favourites in front of him and realised he couldnt get accross to Canc/Sagan.

He rode well though.

Hugh

I thought he backed off after looking around for Phil and not finding him...still he certainly 'showed himself'

 

[Galic Ho]

Eisel did some work.

I am looking forward to stage 3- epic descending catches Wiggins off guard.

Thats debatable. But if team Sky aren't next to him it could be intetesting. Definitely should be tested by Evans, Nibali, Samu and Valverde.

I didn't spot Eisel near the end. It took Phil and Paul forever to even notice Wiggins was eay back. Then I hear all the talk today about divisions in team Sky. Should have asked Cadel what to do. I can see the whole team leaving France in tears. Not everyone is a hatd **** psychologically. Some people thrive when supported and crumble when what they've assumed will be a given doesn't actually transpire.

 

[Galic Ho]

The irony is yesterday on every other thread he was generous enough to acknowledge Sky had issues and that something is clearly up with people waiting for Froome.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Catching up on news!

I didn't know Cadel and Chiara adopted! Little tyke's almost 2 years old.
LINK

 

[auscyclefan94]

I didn't know Cadel and Chiara adopted! Little tyke's almost 2 years old.
LINK

That was late last year!

Anyway, I am surprised that Cadel is likely going to give the Tour another go next year. I would have preferred him to do the Giro...oh well.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

That was late last year!

Anyway, I am surprised that Cadel is likely going to give the Tour another go next year. I would have preferred him to do the Giro...oh well.

Yeah, I contemplated not posting that and not set myself up. But I was excited to see that! So what the he11.

Cadel still has value on a Tour team. Who knows, maybe he has a kick-a$$ off season and comes in more prepared. Or maybe he can help someone else make top 5 again or podium.

 

[Warhawk]

So, I'm guessing placing a bet on Tejay for next year is a bad move, since he'll be working for Cadel again?

 

[movingtarget]

That was late last year!

Anyway, I am surprised that Cadel is likely going to give the Tour another go next year. I would have preferred him to do the Giro...oh well.

Getting results in the Tour has always been his obsession. Every other race is a distant second. Two more seasons will probably see out his career. Maybe one as leader and one to help TJVG. He does not get sick or injured much unlike his pre Lotto days although this year he had a few problems but nothing major. But you don't need much to effect a performance in such a hard sport.

 

[slartiblartfast]

I wouldn't be suprised if Cadel and Tejay start the 2013 TDF as co leaders. More tactical flexibility in the first half of the tour. Then in the second half if one of them falls off the pace they can become a workhorse for the other.

It is just a little presumptuous for Cadel to say that he will be the sole leader at next year's Tour.