dreams and delusions

[Andre.J]

Hesjedal: I can win a Tour de France....yeah right...keep dreaming.

 

[Gloin22]

Did you think he was going win Giro

I doubt many did.

While that's just race talk, we don't know how he will perform. Don't judge someone before the race has even began...

Although obviously it's doubtful.

 

[Angliru]

I guess under ideal circumstances he could win a Tour. There have been surprise winners in the past as he stated and he's going with that angle to continue to give himself hope.

I have to say that he's suffering from the euphoria from his quite unexpected Giro victory. I doubt that even he gave himself a real chance at winning. We certainly didn't hear the level of confidence that he's displaying now in his appearances in the media.

Now as far as his winning this year's Tour after already winning the Giro and the effort that it entails, I think he would've been wise to strongly play down his chances at the Giro/Tour double when one considers the stature of the riders who have successfully achieved this difficult task. He likely figures his Giro win and the effort involved is his out should he fail.

 

[Froome19]

We dont know his level at the moment and so we cant judge whether he will be tired and not able to repeat his Giro form at the Tour or vice versa.

It is true even Contador was unable to do so, but he is a different rider and here we are not considering ability but recovery on a long time scale. Different circumstances also are something we need to consider, but in the most likely circumstance Hesjedal will be too tired as has been with most riders around or just below his level who have tried to do the Giro Tour double in the past, such as Kreuziger and Gadret last year.

Yet Menchov managed it fairly well a couple of years back so I do believe it really depends on the rider and his preparation so we will have to see.

 

[taiwan]

I guess under ideal circumstances he could win a Tour.

Yeah exactly. He may as well go for this one as leader, but it's unlikely to impossible for him to do something. He can come back next year as a major contender for the podium or even FTW.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

He could definitely do something in this Tour, but a top 5 on GC is unlikely to be it. If he were a better TTer maybe a good top 10, but he may be better served going stagehunting or going for the GPM like Pellizotti in 2009.

 

[DominicDecoco]

We definitely needed a new thread for that.

 

[cineteq]

We dont know his level at the moment and so we cant judge whether he will be tired and not able to repeat his Giro form at the Tour or vice versa.

Even if he's at Giro level his chances are very low due to the parcours and top competition.

 

[greenedge]

A delusion would be Rabobank stating Gesink is only trying to get a top 10.

Either they are just trying to make him attract low media attention or they underestimate his ability ( after his crash ).

 

[DominicDecoco]

Daniel Martin will be the better rider for Garmin.

 

[JPM London]

Hesjedal: I can win a Tour de France....yeah right...keep dreaming.

Did you also say that when Wiggins said exactly the same thing a few years ago?

To me it's certainly within the realm of possible. Especially when you actually read what he's saying. He's not going: "Oh, I'ma win the Tour this year - you just wait and see!". He's saying he thinks he can win it at some point, partly based on the fact that he has just shown to himself (and the world) that he can win a GT. Yes, the giro was not as heavily weighted down in top-contenders, but it's always extremely tough none-the-less. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on him in the Tour this year...

Also he's not launching himself as the one-and-only captain of Garmin. They still ride with the tactic that they're focusing on being a team and supporting whoever turns out to be the strongest - whether it be him, Martin or someone third. For now Hesjedal has really just said that with the Giro win he can ride completely relaxed - he's got a GT this year no matter what - and has proven his right to ride for GC...

 

[Ripper]

Hesjedal: I can win a Tour de France....yeah right...keep dreaming.

Well, if he was walking around just saying that, with specific note to this year, he'd be a bit of nit, no doubt! You make it sound like he's claiming he's gonna kick everyone's as$.

Read more of the interview - http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/06/news/giro-tour-double-talk-doesnt-faze-hesjedal_225630

If you do not believe you can win, you definitely will not, so ya gotta start somewhere.

Oh, and just so no one thinks I am deluded - no, I don't think he'll win this year's TdF. As for future races, I'll wait to see if he continues to progress ... he'll need to in order to win this GT.

 

[hiero2]

With all you guys betting against Ryder - maybe I should go back to the betting odds, and see how Ryder is doing. If the odds get good, I could put some money on him for 3rd.

 

[joe1265]

whoda thunk Wiggans would be one of the favorites back in 2009? Then he placed 4th, re-positioned his priorities and look where are today.

Ryders definitely in the running.

Flame on

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

With all you guys betting against Ryder - maybe I should go back to the betting odds, and see how Ryder is doing. If the odds get good, I could put some money on him for 3rd.

just send me your money if you wanna give it away

 

[hfer07]

Cancellara capable of winning Liege-Bastogne Liege..... Dream?

 

[Froome19]

Even if he's at Giro level his chances are very low due to the parcours and top competition.

The parcours suit him perfectly, dont get misled by the complaints concerning the route it has a balance which is perfect for riders like Hesjedal.

 

[Viking]

Cancellara capable of winning Liege-Bastogne Liege..... Dream?

Realistic, but I think he'd have to skip the cobbles to do it. I don't see that happening.

 

[theyoungest]

This thread is brought to you by the same guy who posted this:

For TDF victory:

1. VDB
2. Sanchez
3. Valverde

Only because I want it so.

I know, I know: against all odds.

 

[jens_attacks]

this guy is the biggest nationalist of this forum i guess.

 

[Froome19]

this guy is the biggest nationalist of this forum i guess.

Wow that is quite an audacious statement to make,
but anyway everyone is allowed to have their dreams and expressing them is perfectly fine.. to be convinced they will be reality is what is wrong.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The parcours suit him perfectly, dont get misled by the complaints concerning the route it has a balance which is perfect for riders like Hesjedal.

Hesjedal's TT is overrated. He pulled a good one out in the Giro to win the race, but let's not kid ourselves: 40km total ITT mileage against the likes of Basso and Purito is nothing like the same challenge as 100km ITT mileage against the likes of Wiggins, Evans and Menchov.

Oh, and just so no one thinks I am deluded - no, I don't think he'll win this year's TdF. As for future races, I'll wait to see if he continues to progress ... he'll need to in order to win this GT.

Well, he'd better get his skates on, since he's 32. Evans just became the oldest first time winner of the race at 34.

 

[Froome19]

Hesjedal's TT is overrated. He pulled a good one out in the Giro to win the race, but let's not kid ourselves: 40km total ITT mileage against the likes of Basso and Purito is nothing like the same challenge as 100km ITT mileage against the likes of Wiggins, Evans and Menchov.
.

I rate his TT at just above Gesink's TT level.
Yet what I was reffering to is the misconception of the Tour's route being heavily favoured to TT's over the climbers.

With a rider like Hesjedal who has the ability unlike most of the other pure climbers to limit his losses in the TT and then if his Giro perfomance is anything to go by he also has the ability to really perform in the mountains. That is the type of rider who will suit this Tour, if the climbers decide to take the game to the time triallists on stages 10 and 16 then this will be a Tour which will be wide open and will not be limited to the time triallists as people seem to think.

 

[Panda Claws]

I rate his TT at just above Gesink's TT level.
Yet what I was reffering to is the misconception of the Tour's route being heavily favoured to TT's over the climbers.

With a rider like Hesjedal who has the ability unlike most of the other pure climbers to limit his losses in the TT and then if his Giro perfomance is anything to go by he also has the ability to really perform in the mountains. That is the type of rider who will suit this Tour, if the climbers decide to take the game to the time triallists on stages 10 and 16 then this will be a Tour which will be wide open and will not be limited to the time triallists as people seem to think.

The problem is that Evans still climbs better than pretty much every current tour contender.

 

[jens_attacks]

vino to win 2012 tour

ricky ricco to come back in 2014 and win liege for amore e vita


now that's some delusion right here