Cancellara is back! How about Spartacus?

[richo36]

The problem with 9 rider teams is the riders from smaller nations really have no cards to play. really if you come from a smaller nation and only have 3 riders there is not much you can do against the bigger nations. it becomes a wait and hope that one of the big nations race to a strategy that suits you. so I think by reducing the team sizes it gives the smaller teams a chance to make more impact on the race without completely disadvantaging the big nations who deserve to have the extra riders.

 

[Samson777]

So, will Spartacus ever get the Rainbow jersey? Now his obsessing can continue another year..

 

[Gloin22]

Nah, he's past it imo.

I also expect Vanmarcke to beast him in the cobbled classics next year too.

 

[Ferminal]

If he was that obsessed he would make it his peak form for the year instead of March-April. In reality he's only ever been at his best for the RR in Mendrisio (Copenhagen doesn't count).

 

[Echoes]

So, will Spartacus ever get the Rainbow jersey? Now his obsessing can continue another year..

He's got 4 of them..

 

[BigMac]

He's got 4 of them..

10char

 

[Arnout]

Focusing on a race for most of the season. Then it rained

 

[Afrank]

So, will Spartacus ever get the Rainbow jersey? Now his obsessing can continue another year..

Not if he continues to race like he can compete with the top favorites. New guys are emerging and he's not getting any younger. He needs to take chances and go early (ride like Kwiat did if possible even), hope the peloton screws up. Maybe look around at each other and give him too much of a gap. Easier said then done of course.

 

[Echoes]

Glad to make you smile/laugh again.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Seems to me Cancellara isn't the greatest rain rider. He was really anonymous.

 

[Netserk]

Seems to me Cancellara isn't the greatest rain rider. He was really anonymous.

Yep, the same with Boonen. Wondering who would win a wet P-R.

 

[Lupetto]

He still has a chance, if Qatar loses the WC and they give it to Oudenaarde.

 

[Pentacycle]

Yep, the same with Boonen. Wondering who would win a wet P-R.

Boom/Stybar. Or Nibali, I dreamt last night that he won it

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yep, the same with Boonen. Wondering who would win a wet P-R.

Easy.. Lars Boom

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Nah, he's past it imo.

I also expect Vanmarcke to beast him in the cobbled classics next year too.

I think he has two more years left on his Trek contract, no reason he won't be competitive in the two big cobbles races during this time. Not sure about other races however.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I hope this was just one "bad" year for him. He never really looked anywhere as sharp as he did in 2013, although results was good in the spring. Speaking of a decline, when he's only 33 years old is too early. Hopefully next year will be better and a return to the usual dominance

 

[Arredondo]

I hope this was just one "bad" year for him. He never really looked anywhere as sharp as he did in 2013, although results was good in the spring. Speaking of a decline, when he's only 33 years old is too early. Hopefully next year will be better and a return to the usual dominance

You have guys who were already good at a young age. They decline earlier. Don't forget Spartacus already won the prologue of the Tour back in 2004, in the outfit of Fassa Bortolo (what a time that was).

 

[Netserk]

You have guys who were already good at a young age. They decline earlier. Don't forget Spartacus already won the prologue of the Tour back in 2004, in the outfit of Fassa Bortolo (what a time that was).

Tell that to Valverde

 

[shalgo]

Tell that to Valverde

2003: 3rd in Vuelta, 2nd in World's.
2014: 3rd in Vuelta, 3rd in World's.

I agree, no sign of decline, that's for sure.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Boom/Stybar. Or Nibali, I dreamt last night that he won it

I'd put my money on Stybar

 

[MatParker117]

Richmond maybe?

 

[ILovecycling]

I'd put my money on Stybar

His form is bad, probably didnt recover well after that awful fall.

 

[Samson777]

He's got 4 of them..

Should have seen that one coming.

 

[afpm90]

Tell that to Valverde

I guess the two years he was off competition slowed down his decline.

 

[SeriousSam]

I guess the two years he was off competition slowed down his decline.

There might be something to that, actually.


I'm sure this has been discussed before but who has greater palmares, Cancellara or Boonen? And how many more huge (monuments, worlds) races are they going to win?