Cavendish and the classics?

[Eric8-A]

It seems like this little p***y wants to do good in the classics in 2011.

To date, he only has MSR and Scheldeprijs (if you count that one). He didn't finish Flanders this year and he didn't finish the World course this year either. This year when he wanted to go for another MSR win, many were saying that he wouldn't be able to because he didn't have Big George no more.

So now, what do you think his chances are of actually performing well in the classics?

 

[daniguti]

It seems like this little p***y wants to do good in the classics in 2011.

To date, he only has MSR and Scheldeprijs (if you count that one). He didn't finish Flanders this year and he didn't finish the World course this year either. This year when he wanted to go for another MSR win, many were saying that he wouldn't be able to because he didn't have Big George no more.

So now, what do you think his chances are of actually performing well in the classics?

At your fingertips are Milan-San Remo, Fleca Brabancona, Gent Wevelgem and Paris-Tour, the others see it difficult.

 

[ingsve]

It seems like this little p***y wants to do good in the classics in 2011.

To date, he only has MSR and Scheldeprijs (if you count that one). He didn't finish Flanders this year and he didn't finish the World course this year either. This year when he wanted to go for another MSR win, many were saying that he wouldn't be able to because he didn't have Big George no more.

So now, what do you think his chances are of actually performing well in the classics?

Well, what he said was that he wanted to ride the classics in support of his team mates and was hoping to perhaps add one of the classics to his palmares in the future but not next year.

 

[Jancouver]

So Cav opened his big mouth again. Well, nothing new, still the same cocky attitude. Blah blah blah. I dont think HTC has a cobble train express that would deliver him to the 200m sign so the chances of Cav winning PR is similar to Floyd Landis wining "again" TDF.....ZERO

 

[Frosty]

So Cav opened his big mouth again. Well, nothing new, still the same cocky attitude. Blah blah blah. I dont think HTC has a cobble train express that would deliver him to the 200m sign so the chances of Cav winning PR is similar to Floyd Landis wining "again" TDF.....ZERO

Yeah he's so cocky saying this isnt he...

"My team does all my work for me, they're incredible guys, and I don't really have to do anything anymore. I kind of miss that - I want to be able to get involved in the racing, help someone else and get some experience in those races. I've been wanting to do that since I turned pro but I wasn't allowed."

I think he just wants to do something different and give them a go, not necessarily to win but just to see what happens.

 

[boardhanger]

Cav can develope into a classic contender with a change of training and diet. Its really that easy.

 

[kurtinsc]

I'm not sure why Cav couldn't do well at some of the flatter classics right now.

I'm not saying he's going to win Paris-Roubaix or anything, but if things worked out like they did for him with his MSR win I don't see why he couldn't take races like Gent-Wevelgem, Scheldiprijs, Vattenfall Cyclassics/Hamburg, Paris-Tours, Ouest-France Plouay and the like.

In time with some focus... would Omloop het Volk and Paris - Roubaix be impossible dreams?

 

[ingsve]

I'm not sure why Cav couldn't do well at some of the flatter classics right now.

I'm not saying he's going to win Paris-Roubaix or anything, but if things worked out like they did for him with his MSR win I don't see why he couldn't take races like Gent-Wevelgem, Scheldiprijs, Vattenfall Cyclassics/Hamburg, Paris-Tours, Ouest-France Plouay and the like.

In time with some focus... would Omloop het Volk and Paris - Roubaix be impossible dreams?

Well, he can win either of those except perhaps Plouay which is a little thougher and I'm not sure about the new GW course yet either but those aren't the races we're talking about. The ones that he talked about riding was RVV and P-R more specifically and those would take a lot more for him to do.

 

[cycledp]

Not a chance. Stick to the sprints and your lead out train, Cav.

 

[who dat]

I think cav targeting P-R would be a mistake if that is what he is planning to do in the future

 

[Kwibus]

The Cav is cocky comments are pathetic.

After reading this I like Cavs ambition and his love for these classics. He knows it's not going to be easy, but you can also feel that he thinks he can do it. He is very confident which is a good trait imo.
It's probably wiser for him to focus on sprints and win 20 stages every year, but it's good that he gives himself new goals.

This guy simply loves the classics and dreams of winning one.

 

[skidmark]

Agreed, kiwibus. Man, I love to hate that guy sometimes, like after the '2 finger' victory salute in... romandie? I just wanted to punch him, he's the biggest jerk. Or the bunny hop at the Vuelta. Or most of the time he opens his mouth...

But then you see things like this, 'I want to get the chance to help my teammates' and he seems really genuine. What a strange contrast, that man.

Anyway, don't think he can win the cobbled classics anytime soon, but then I didn't think he had a chance in MSR either. I'm willing to reassess in mid-April.

 

[aahmadhu]

i think he meant he wants to race in those classics as a genuine contender, not necessarily win them. he said it clearly he wants to feel the gritty side of racing. this guy wants to suffer. maybe he wants to have the feeling of winning after hours of suffering, kinda like he earns and deserves the win. not after being protected for the whole race and come out just outside 200meters to the line.

maybe he envies the sprinters of freire, boonen, hushovd etc, who really know how to suffer in select parcours.

i hated him but now i hate him less. he's starting to show that he can race the old fashion way.

 

[Kwibus]

i think he meant he wants to race in those classics as a genuine contender, not necessarily win them. he said it clearly he wants to feel the gritty side of racing. this guy wants to suffer. maybe he wants to have the feeling of winning after hours of suffering, kinda like he earns and deserves the win. not after being protected for the whole race and come out just outside 200meters to the line.

maybe he envies the sprinters of freire, boonen, hushovd etc, who really know how to suffer in select parcours.

i hated him but now i hate him less. he's starting to show that he can race the old fashion way.

Well described. He still has to show it, but this can only be appreciated.
Really looking forward to see him struggle on the cobbles and little hills.

 

[profff]

he won M-SR, when nobody expected that.
he can work and train for classic and i see no reason why he cannot become a contender, not in 2011 but later.

i like this guy.
he has new goals and he want to become a real champion, not just a winner of flat stages in GTs.
petacchi, which has in palmares just stages and a M-SR, is not recognized as a cycling legend in italy.
he feels sorrow for never competing in flanders and others classics.
he and the cycling suiveurs feels that something is lacking in his career.

cav wants to do more and he has to be complimented for that, if he is able to make a real try.

 

[Mambo95]

To date, he only has MSR and Scheldeprijs (if you count that one).

That's more than Sean Kelly and Johan Museeuw put together at the same age. Now he won't rise to their heights, but I think he can win P-R some day in the future.

 

[Muriel]

I want to be able to get involved in the racing, help someone else and get some experience in those races. I've been wanting to do that since I turned pro but I wasn't allowed."

That last bit is key, imho. HTC have been delivering success for the sponsors because that's what teams have to do. Cavendish has been peeking over the hedge and he wants to play on the other side. There's an allure, that's racing for him and he aspires to it. You've got to admire that, regardless of the sh*t he comes out with sometimes!

I personally would love to see him give it a go, perhaps add a classic or two to his palmares, but I do think it's a challenge for him to make the transition to classics rider.

 

[flyor64]

It seems like this little p***y wants to do good in the classics in 2011.

To date, he only has MSR and Scheldeprijs (if you count that one). He didn't finish Flanders this year and he didn't finish the World course this year either. This year when he wanted to go for another MSR win, many were saying that he wouldn't be able to because he didn't have Big George no more.

So now, what do you think his chances are of actually performing well in the classics?

I rarely get riled up at these posts but this one bothers me a bit...

Granted Cav can and does rub alot of folks the wrong way.

However, to your post, the highlighted portions are more of a "classics palmares" than alot of pros in the European peloton will ever see in their entire careers. And he was how old when he won them?

I think it an obvious transition for a sprinter with the aptitude to do it, and there are plently of examples out there. Cav included. When he's no longer dominating sprints (which we're starting to see a bit of already I'd hazard), then he can start to focus on the flatter classics and work on getting over the bumps better. Nothing to date says he can't do that very thing.

Also his article speaks to a focus on helping his team and future wins. So it appears he understands this as well.

So, in answer to your question, yes I think he's in with a real chance at performing well in future classics.

 

[Frosty]

Not perhaps strictly on-topic but i had wondered whether Cav will go for the safe option in the tour this year and just save himself for the flat stages, or whether he might concentrate his training more towards trying to stay there on the less flat stages? Could go wrong taking this tack but he should still win some stages.

 

[Anonymous]

It seems like this little p***y wants to do good in the classics in 2011.

So Cav opened his big mouth again. Well, nothing new, still the same cocky attitude. Blah blah blah.

Did either of you actually read the article?

 

[Mambo95]

Not perhaps strictly on-topic but i had wondered whether Cav will go for the safe option in the tour this year and just save himself for the flat stages, or whether he might concentrate his training more towards trying to stay there on the less flat stages? Could go wrong taking this tack but he should still win some stages.

I'd imagine, for the Tour, he'll be training to sprint hard twice a day. Plus maybe a little work on uphill finishes.

 

[Moncoutie]

I can see him doing quite well in the classics in a few years time. Cant fault him for wanting to give it a go.

 

[flatclimb]

I think if he was smart he would keep quiet and let his riding to the talking for him. How out of left field would it be to log onto cyclingnews to find out he actually won a race himself? But he sticks to his same old tactics and sings praises of his efforts without the work first.

You're a good sprinter man..just shut up.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Did anybody see Greipel get on the front in the Giro mountains? He only stuck it out for 200m or so at the bottom, but that's the kind of thing I assume Cav is talking about. Petacchi led the péloton to the bottom of one Tour climb. Cav has never had to do this, probably never been asked or maybe even instructed not to. It's part of the ethos of his team. Cav must not be asked to do that work - but it's ok if Peter Velits, 3rd overall in the Vuelta, puts in a big turn on the front in the leadout train.

Last year, Cav said he wanted to win de Ronde before he turned 28, giving him four attempts at it, and that he's always achieved the goals he's set out to achieve in the past. Sounds like a tougher year has taught him that this won't be as achievable a goal as he imagined last year, but that he still really wants to win it.

 

[cobblehead]

never gonna happen unless he totally changes both his diet and training and gets very lucky to be either in a long flight or can hang on even after 225 km (and even then it's a long shot)

...or does anyone here see cavendish sticking boys like cancellara or boonen on the muur van geraardsbergen or carrefour when these musclemachines punch the gas?

why would HTC even want him to do this? to make him a contender he would have to change as a rider and would lose his ability to win groupsprints and the current rate. Why give up that for a long shot?