Cavendish and the classics?

[ultimobici]

Hushovd is a u23 world champion in time trial and he was 7th in the olympic tt at the age of 22. Cavendish on the other hand is nothing but a sprinter, and he will never be anything else.

I think you need to do a little research before you post, mate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_accomplishments_of_Mark_Cavendish

Double World Madison Champion.
15 Tour Stages
6 Giro Stages
1 Monument

All by the time he turned 25.

By contrast Hushovd had won two stages of the Tour plus a smattering of stage wins as well as the two U23 events you cited at the same stage of his career.

Cavendish is far from just a sprinter and, as others have before him, has the ability to win other races that aren't necessarily his forte now.

Remember that Sean Kelly was just a sprinter at the beginning of his career. He didn't win his first monument until 83 when he was 27.

 

[M Sport]

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

Paris Tours, maybe another MSR one day. Not much else really.

 

[maltiv]

I think you need to do a little research before you post, mate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_accomplishments_of_Mark_Cavendish

Double World Madison Champion. Basically a sprint
15 Tour Stages Sprint
6 Giro Stages Sprint
1 Monument Sprint

All by the time he turned 25.

By contrast Hushovd had won two stages of the Tour plus a smattering of stage wins as well as the two U23 events you cited at the same stage of his career.

Cavendish is far from just a sprinter and, as others have before him, has the ability to win other races that aren't necessarily his forte now.

Remember that Sean Kelly was just a sprinter at the beginning of his career. He didn't win his first monument until 83 when he was 27.

What's your point? I didn't say Hushovd is better than Cavendish. I said that Cavendish is a pure sprinter. Telling me his amount of grand tour stage wins won't change that.

 

[ultimobici]

What's your point? I didn't say Hushovd is better than Cavendish. I said that Cavendish is a pure sprinter. Telling me his amount of grand tour stage wins won't change that.

It was your comment, "Cavendish on the other hand is nothing but a sprinter, and he will never be anything else" . To dismiss a rider as just a .... at 25 is disingenuous to say the least.

 

[595RED]

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.

After his ride at the Commonwealth Games I think he rekindled the love of having to really race his bike, closing gaps, chasing hard etc. Would be incredible to see him make some sort of transition.

 

[woodie]

Originally Posted by ultimobici View Post
I think you need to do a little research before you post, mate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_...Mark_Cavendish

Double World Madison Champion. Basically a sprint
15 Tour Stages Sprint
6 Giro Stages Sprint
1 Monument Sprint

All by the time he turned 25.

By contrast Hushovd had won two stages of the Tour plus a smattering of stage wins as well as the two U23 events you cited at the same stage of his career.

Cavendish is far from just a sprinter and, as others have before him, has the ability to win other races that aren't necessarily his forte now.

Remember that Sean Kelly was just a sprinter at the beginning of his career. He didn't win his first monument until 83 when he was 27.

What's your point? I didn't say Hushovd is better than Cavendish. I said that Cavendish is a pure sprinter. Telling me his amount of grand tour stage wins won't change that.

Dude have you even seen a maddison???? It's nothing like a sprint on the road.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It was your comment, "Cavendish on the other hand is nothing but a sprinter, and he will never be anything else" . To dismiss a rider as just a .... at 25 is disingenuous to say the least.

Andy Schleck is a climber and man for the Ardennes, and he will never be anything else.

 

[Ferminal]

Andy Schleck is a climber and man for the Ardennes, and he will never be anything else.

Are you telling me Schlecky will never be a P-R contender?

 

[boardhanger]

Andy Schleck is a climber and man for the Ardennes, and he will never be anything else.

I refuse to acept this statement hook, line and.........CHAIN !!!!!
(C'mon Alberto where is the butchers shop?)