Can Kevin Pauwels succeed on the road?

[Moose McKnuckles]

Been watching KP's cross racing this year. He's in superb form, especially on very difficult courses.
He does very well on courses requiring climbing, though we are obviously not talking about climbing Pla d'Adet or anything.

We've seen Stybar make the jump to road this year. Can Pauwels do it? His physique seems much more suited to road racing that Stybar's.

Albert has not chosen the road racing path. Nys has done limited road racing in his career, which is winding down. Of all the top riders I have seen on the cross scene, I think Kevin Pauwels seems most suited to road racing. I would think he would do quite well on lumpier classics.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Been watching KP's cross racing this year. He's in superb form, especially on very difficult courses.
He does very well on courses requiring climbing, though we are obviously not talking about climbing Pla d'Adet or anything.

We've seen Stybar make the jump to road this year. Can Pauwels do it? His physique seems much more suited to road racing that Stybar's.

Albert has not chosen the road racing path. Nys has done limited road racing in his career, which is winding down. Of all the top riders I have seen on the cross scene, I think Kevin Pauwels seems most suited to road racing. I would think he would do quite well on lumpier classics.

He likes the grass and dirt more tho. I remember one of the recent races he said stybar was taking the turns on the road (where he felt less comfortable) and then would do the pulls on the paddocks.

He certainly is riding well tho, if he would ride more on road I imagine a similar outcome to nys.

 

[greenedge]

He might consider it but i hope he stays cross for a while longer.
He did have interesting ideas about the UCI using cross points/ MTB transferring onto the road though.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

yes he can. in fact one has to only look up his roadresults to see how strong he is. one problem though that almost all cyclocrossers face. lack of engine. they are fantastic for a few hours but later in race they are empty. some can overcome this over years and some can never

 

[Panda Claws]

He might consider it but i hope he stays cross for a while longer.
He did have interesting ideas about the UCI using cross points/ MTB transferring onto the road though.

Actually those were the ideas of Nys.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Yes, i would like to think so but in saying how do we fine success in this context?

 

[El Pistolero]

The reason why Sven Nys never did something good on the road is because he can't stand the heat.

Although he had some good results in Paris-Roubaix as it's usually not too warm in April.

 

[happychappy]

Id rather see what Jaroslav Kulhavy could do on the road.

 

[El Pistolero]

Id rather see what Jaroslav Kulhavy could do on the road.

Win the Tour, WC and FW.

 

[Echoes]

I've followed his 2011 summer season rather closely. KP doesn't like road racing and prefers mtb in summer because 'the best always wins'.

I agree with Timmy. He's got a lot of trouble on the road sections of every cross.

He's had good results on the road in the past (top10 twice in the nats on very different courses and stages in the Tour of Lerida) but mainly in the sprint or in climbing. He does not have the engine, unlike Albert or Stybar.

 

[happychappy]

Win the Tour, WC and FW.

Wouldn't surprise me!

 

[El Pistolero]

Wouldn't surprise me!

But seriously, I'd like to see him try, Kulhavy is a beast.

 

[Zaschrona]

But seriously, I'd like to see him try, Kulhavy is a beast.

All what I can say now: Kulhavy will really likely try the road in 2013 after Olympics next year.

 

[greenedge]

Actually those were the ideas of Nys.

lol sry. I thought it might have been someone else. Should have asked in the post.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

The reason why Sven Nys never did something good on the road is because he can't stand the heat.

Although he had some good results in Paris-Roubaix as it's usually not too warm in April.

Nys races mountain bikes in summer, and does so quite successfully.
I don't think the heat is Nys' problem. He has a larger upper body than most cyclists. Moreover, he's trained himself towards 1-3 hour races. That won't lead to victory in classics.

 

[El Pistolero]

Nys races mountain bikes in summer, and does so quite successfully.
I don't think the heat is Nys' problem. He has a larger upper body thYan most cyclists. Moreover, he's trained himself towards 1-3 hour races. That won't lead to victory in classics.

Every time it gets warm during those mountain bike races Nys fails horribly

He starts cramping up very fast. He really can't stand the heat.

 

[theyoungest]

Nys races mountain bikes in summer, and does so quite successfully.
I don't think the heat is Nys' problem. He has a larger upper body than most cyclists. Moreover, he's trained himself towards 1-3 hour races. That won't lead to victory in classics.

The heat is definitely his problem. He even blamed some disappointing early season results on the "heat", when it was 15 degrees Celsius.