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Cunego targets TdF GC

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The Hitch

The Hitch

Jun 14, 2010
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His performance on Zoncolan 2010 was very very impressive.

And hes won a gt before.

If he can put these 2 together (ability to hold form for 3 weeks, and his 2010 Giro ability on stages like Zonc and Moltacino) then I can definately see him challenging.

I know its unlikely considering how things have been going for him but then he hasnt even hit 30 yet.

Hes the age Ryder was last year when he broke out and a year older than Wigo in 2009 Tour. Cunego has far more of a chance than I would have given those 2 in their respective impressive years.
 
A

ansimi

Jan 2, 2010
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Lampre is a bit of a mess right now. I guess it makes sense for him to at least start out the Tour protected and targeting GC. They can always change tactics mid-race.

Anyone know who else will be on the Lampre Tour squad?
 
Timmy-loves-Rabo

Timmy-loves-Rabo

Jun 22, 2009
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The Hitch said:
His performance on Zoncolan 2010 was very very impressive.

And hes won a gt before.

If he can put these 2 together (ability to hold form for 3 weeks, and his 2010 Giro ability on stages like Zonc and Moltacino) then I can definately see him challenging.

I know its unlikely considering how things have been going for him but then he hasnt even hit 30 yet.

Hes the age Ryder was last year when he broke out and a year older than Wigo in 2009 Tour. Cunego has far more of a chance than I would have given those 2 in their respective impressive years.
Click to expand...

The GT he won wasn't a great course tho.
Top 10 maybe, can't see top 5.
 
Moose McKnuckles

Moose McKnuckles

Nov 7, 2009
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movingtarget said:
I will fall out of my chair if he makes the top 10. He should target a few of the harder stage finishes that don't suit the sprinters. Plus his time trialling is mediocre at best.
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Yep, I agree. Fantastic rider for an Amstel Gold type of race. Not a TdF contender. Unless, of course, we move this thread to a more appropriate forum.
 
ericthesportsman6

ericthesportsman6

Jul 14, 2009
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No. I wish he would just stage hunt, as he could be really deadly in that role. More riders need to accept that they have no real chance at GC, but that they have plenty of ability to go for individual stages. It would really liven up all races.
 
ElChingon

ElChingon

Mar 10, 2009
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I think its a pipe dream even if he's won the Giro in '04, times are different and I'll leave it at that. I do wish he'd just go Voigt at the Tour and get in ever breakaway he can and try to get some stages and hopefully scare the GC boys that he might just do it ala Chiapucchi (sp?).
 
G

greenedge

Mar 27, 2011
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Scarponi and Gavazzi should try be in it even just to help. Bole, Hondo and Petacchi. Niemic if he can. Spilak. Aitor Perez??? No idea it depends on whether Scarponi wants to ride the Vuelta and who wants to back up from Giro
 
Matty_Tucks

Matty_Tucks

Jun 1, 2011
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The Hitch said:
His performance on Zoncolan 2010 was very very impressive.

And hes won a gt before.

If he can put these 2 together (ability to hold form for 3 weeks, and his 2010 Giro ability on stages like Zonc and Moltacino) then I can definately see him challenging.

I know its unlikely considering how things have been going for him but then he hasnt even hit 30 yet.

Hes the age Ryder was last year when he broke out and a year older than Wigo in 2009 Tour. Cunego has far more of a chance than I would have given those 2 in their respective impressive years.
Click to expand...

Yeah he seems to have a couple of wins under his belt so far. I wouldn't write him off just yet. TDF is going to be interesting this year, much more so than last year.
 
S

skidmark

Mar 13, 2009
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He should really work on getting a stage first, that's a more manageable goal, albeit one he hasn't reached yet... he could realistically target 2nd to Gilbert on the Mur de Bretagne stage... that's at least a start.
 
Michielveedeebee

Michielveedeebee

Feb 25, 2010
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skidmark said:
He should really work on getting a stage first, that's a more manageable goal, albeit one he hasn't reached yet... he could realistically target 2nd to Gilbert on the Mur de Bretagne stage... that's at least a start.
Click to expand...

I dunno, Evans could get 2nd as well
 
nobilis

nobilis

Oct 18, 2009
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When you say GC, is 30th place still considered as GC? Because I can't see him anywhere in the top 10. Maybe he should be targeting stage wins. But again, I was so annoyed last year, to see him get in the breakaways and be the only one not wanting to contribute.
 
Midnightfright

Midnightfright

Mar 6, 2011
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I'm huge fan of the little problem he's probo my favourite rider but I would be very surprised I'd top 10d . Although hitch did make a very gd point about where he' at in comparison to where wigwam or ryder here. I still feel he would be better suited sattsge hunting.
 
hrotha

hrotha

Jun 10, 2010
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The stages that suit him best come before the mountains so it's not like his GC ambitions will clash with any attempts to win a stage. That said, I could see him in the top 10, but that shouldn't be that appealing to him, and if he doesn't win one of those early stages I hope he changes his plan and lets go in the first mountain stage (or get in a breakaway right there and see what happens).
 
F

FabulousCandelabra

Mar 26, 2011
270
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What does targeting GC mean? I feel like getting 2nd or 3rd is a big deal and worthy of giving up stage wins for... but I feel like a single stage win is more valuable than a top 10 placing in the GC. When someone gets 7th place in a grand tour... who cares? I mean, he has no chance against AC or AS or CE... why bother?? I thought for sure the little prince was over this phase of his career, especially now that he has his tattoo.
 
Libertine Seguros

Libertine Seguros

Feb 20, 2010
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Cunego can still do it in the right circumstances. He won two mountain stages in the 2009 Vuelta; he's too threatening to be allowed to go until he's dropped a bunch of time, but he's not good enough to stick it with the best consistently.

At that Vuelta, he won a conservatively-raced climb to the Alto de Aitana (conservatively raced climb? Perfect Tour de France prep!), but his second win came from a breakaway after he came in half an hour down on Sierra Nevada.

With the stages in the first week, I wouldn't be surprised if he could find himself in a good GC position as long as Lampre don't totally drop the ball in the TTT - some stages that suit him and he can try and get close to Gilbert, plus Super-Besse could be good for him too. If he's in a good place at that point, he can always ride in the group-behind-the-front and be able to go in a late mountain breakaway to get some time back, like Horner and Plaza last year. That way I could see him getting in the top 10-15 if he's on good form. But of course, even if that goes well, you'll see the likes of Sky and Garmin riding on the front to protect 10th place if they have it, like last year.
 
Ryo Hazuki

Ryo Hazuki

Mar 31, 2010
18,136
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The Hitch said:
His performance on Zoncolan 2010 was very very impressive.

And hes won a gt before.

If he can put these 2 together (ability to hold form for 3 weeks, and his 2010 Giro ability on stages like Zonc and Moltacino) then I can definately see him challenging.

I know its unlikely considering how things have been going for him but then he hasnt even hit 30 yet.

Hes the age Ryder was last year when he broke out and a year older than Wigo in 2009 Tour. Cunego has far more of a chance than I would have given those 2 in their respective impressive years.
Click to expand...

cunego isn't a climber so how the hell is he supposed to do well in a tour gc?? don't get me started on his giro win 2004. which had horrible competition, he beat gonchar and cioni for christsake and also after that he got pfeiffer, which is lethal for future of gc riders and in fact most riders. not to mention his inconsistancy
 
Z

Zinoviev Letter

Aug 18, 2010
11,435
3,594
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FabulousCandelabra said:
What does targeting GC mean? I feel like getting 2nd or 3rd is a big deal and worthy of giving up stage wins for... but I feel like a single stage win is more valuable than a top 10 placing in the GC.
Click to expand...

You may think that, but most teams do not. Getting a top 10 in the Tour is worth a great deal more to your pay packet and career prospects than winning a stage. And that ultimately is much bigger motivator than the approval of a few of us on this forum.
 
ultimobici

ultimobici

Mar 17, 2009
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Could targeting GC not be looking to take the jersey early on before the mountains rather than the overall win?
 
taiwan

taiwan

Aug 18, 2009
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It's hardly worth trumpeting your GC ambitions when the race will decide anyway.
 
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