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Kelderman can top 5, he has been good in both ITT and mountains this year.
Looking at this years route, there dont seem to be that many classic Sagan stages - unfortunately. Apart from the two first days, its either flat or two hard for Sagan I think.
I know and agree. And Van der Poel will probably win both those stages quite easily. It's really an annoying route this year.
On paper Kelderman isnt good enough for a top 5 but if the usual procedure takes place and few other GC contenders crash out, get sick, perform below their best or just have one really bad day while he consistantly performs on a decent level he could actually could place very high in the GC.
I dont know if this is a good idea for Buchmann, maybe if his training numbers are really good... But I guess they would need to be better than what he was showing during the Giro to achieve any high placing in the GC.
I think the problem is not riding for Sagan's stage wins, it's riding for green and for GC - and then having a free role rider in addition!
Green requires being there on almost every stage when there is a competitor who's serious, and DQS with Bennett definitely are. Unless Bennett's injury turns out to be worse.
Kelderman is really crash prone, but I guess that makes it even more important to babysit riders like that through a GT. I also wonder if Buchmann's crash could have been prevented by placing him on the front always (or if it was his decision to be behind like that).
I think whatever goal Bora have, they should commit to it, instead of this "a bit this, a bit this and also a bit of that".
The way it looks Kelderman will have one helper, and that's Konrad? I'm not a personal fan of Kelderman, but that's ridiculous if you want a really good placing in the Tour.
And Buchmann in a "free role" doesn't even make sense to me on its own, because in my eyes he's definitely not the stage hunter type.
I guess their plans where really messed with, with Ackerman's form drop and Kämna dropping out, still I think their hopes look weird.
Green requires being there on almost every stage when there is a competitor who's serious, and DQS with Bennett definitely are. Unless Bennett's injury turns out to be worse.
Kelderman is really crash prone, but I guess that makes it even more important to babysit riders like that through a GT. I also wonder if Buchmann's crash could have been prevented by placing him on the front always (or if it was his decision to be behind like that).
I think whatever goal Bora have, they should commit to it, instead of this "a bit this, a bit this and also a bit of that".
The way it looks Kelderman will have one helper, and that's Konrad? I'm not a personal fan of Kelderman, but that's ridiculous if you want a really good placing in the Tour.
And Buchmann in a "free role" doesn't even make sense to me on its own, because in my eyes he's definitely not the stage hunter type.
I guess their plans where really messed with, with Ackerman's form drop and Kämna dropping out, still I think their hopes look weird.
When they say free role I think they mean no pressure so it might still include GC.
I see what you are talking about. There are not that many difficult mountain stages. Kelderman can also ride alone with the favorites until he can no longer. Maybe Buchmann can support Kelderman a bit like Konrad and go for a stage another day. Imagine Buchmann in the mountain jersey for some time. Could be sexy and it could be a good experience for him riding on his own like he did two years ago at Vuelta ciclista al Paid Vasco . Somehow I would prefer to see Buchmann in shape at the Vuelta, but the Tour is more important for him and Bora.
In this edition of the Tour, strong men like Pöstelberger or Politt are important as escort squadrons when the wind does play something funny. By the way, someone said a while ago that Schelling is not in the extended tour roster. It would surprise me if that was still the case. The young Dutchman would be part of my personal squad if Kämna and Schachmann were canceled for different reasons. Neither his calendar speaks against it, nor do I see a Bora team member in Belgium, Switzerland or at the Dauphine right now who would even have deserved it like him. Schelling is flying since last years edition of the Vuelta.
And Sagan and Ackermann...why not both to support each other? The goal is top 5 with Kelderman, a stage win on the road to Paris and maybe a jersey to Paris or even temporarily.
Kelderman, Konrad, Buchmann, Pöstelberger, Politt, Schelling, Sagan,
This does not look that terrible for me at all. Ackermann is perhaps the most questionable person with his form drop/mental block though.Precisely because of this, Ackermann could be thrown in without his usual companion and comfort zone. Still, that is not to be expected. Ackermann and "his team" will probably be sent to the Vuelta. Maybe Gamper can go in instead of Ackermann in france. I could also imagine Meeus, but who knows...Burghardt was strong during spring classics. Maybe it would be his last chance to ride the Tour...
Kelderman, Buchmann, Konrad, Pöstlberger and Politt are in the team right now.
I don‘t think they bring Schelling, he probably will ride the Vuelta with Schachmann, Großschartner and Kämna.
If Ackermann gets a spot, the other two spots go to his buddies Selig and Schwarzmann.
If Sagan gets the spot its likely Oss + x (Burghardt/Gamper?)
I don‘t think they bring Schelling, he probably will ride the Vuelta with Schachmann, Großschartner and Kämna.
If Ackermann gets a spot, the other two spots go to his buddies Selig and Schwarzmann.
If Sagan gets the spot its likely Oss + x (Burghardt/Gamper?)
I don't really understand what they are saying, two articles on radsport news and in one they say stage hunting, in the other one GC but in one of those roles I will never get...
Without any helpers, without losing time deliberately, see where it leads... classic approach to get a top 15-20 in my eyes. Oof, I don't know why this bugs me. I guess I like clear plans. This doesn't sound like one.
Without any helpers, without losing time deliberately, see where it leads... classic approach to get a top 15-20 in my eyes. Oof, I don't know why this bugs me. I guess I like clear plans. This doesn't sound like one.
Buchmann to ride Tour de France in support of Kelderman
German added to Bora-Hansgrohe squad after Giro d'Italia crash
www.cyclingnews.com
Lol, cyclingnews understands his role even differently.
So basically to me this looks like they let him ride this so the time until the Vuelta doesn't get too long and so that they have a German in a not too small role in the Tour team - PR/ German fans.
Tbf, he has also never raced a gt as a stagehunter before.Buchmann to ride Tour de France in support of Kelderman
German added to Bora-Hansgrohe squad after Giro d'Italia crash
Lol, cyclingnews understands his role even differently.
So basically to me this looks like they let him ride this so the time until the Vuelta doesn't get too long and so that they have a German in a not too small role in the Tour team - PR/ German fans.
I guess his form is fine and without Kämna they kinda need a 2nd option if Wilco once again finds a way to crash out of a race. They should have just said that he's taking it day by day and that Wilco is still their gc leader.
You are probably right. Still I always have a problem with this kind of approach. They won't let him go unless he loses significant time, so how is he going to win any stages (with his sprint)?
And Buchmann crashes almost as easily as Kelderman. I would take care that my leader doesn't crash - of course that can always happen, but you can influence this by sending good domestiques and a road captain who keep the main guy out of trouble. That is so important in a GT. If you aren't really willing to do that...
To be honest I don't even know who could take up that role in the whole Bora team?
The problem is if they write Buchmann goes for GC, german media will go crazy and put a lot of pressure on him and the team. Already you can read everywhere the headline that would sugest he goes for GC. And it wouldn’t be fair for Kelderman either, who always was the guy for the Tour.
But reading between the lines it sounds like he will go for GC.
Wouldn't that be a job for Burghardt, Politt, Oss or even Sagan? They will of course also be occupied with the green jersey, but they should, at least in theory, be able to keep Buchmann and/or Keldermann out of too much trouble outside the mountains.
I also think it´s a bit the UAE team approach from last year. They said Aru is the leader in the team and Pogacar will get a free ride, so that Pogacar hadn´t pressure in his first TDF.
Could work out in the same way, but it´s also possible that Keldermann will be stronger and Buchmann will indeed in the end work for him.
I think main reason Buchmann is on the squad is to give the german audience a reason to follow the Tdf. With Schachmann, Kamna and Ackermann out for different reasons I highly doubt the Tour would raise any attention in the more casual cycling fan in Germany.
Bringing your best best GC rider to support Keldermann whos chances for a place in the top 5 are questionable doesnt make a lot of sense.
Even if his numbers are really good and he can be in top shape at the Tour the parcour still doesnt suit him and unless he is actually in better than Giro form I wouldnt expect him under the top 5. And how much of an achievement would an 8th place be for someone who finished 4th before?
Stagehunting with no punch and no sprint isnt an easy task for him either, and likely wont work unless he is very close to his best.
Nobody actually believed that Pogacar wasn't the leader last year, he was one of the big favourites.
The thing is this year GC field is very weak. Let‘s assume Buchmann is in top shape, who is clearly better than him?
Roglic, Pogacar, Thomas and Carapaz. Maybe MAL, but he is even worse at TT. So let one of them crash or have a really bad day and he could fight for the podium.
The big question remains how his shape is, I think we will know after the Grand-Bornand stage.
2-3 riders for the GC could be really useful. If Ineos and UAE decide to attack early and especially INEOS have the firepower (Carapaz, yates, ....) there could be chaos. It could be really hard for Kelderman alone then.
I think that was one of the reasons, too. With good legs Buchmann can attack or follow long range attacks with nothing to loose and Keldermann can play it more tactically at the back.
I think that was one of the reasons, too. With good legs Buchmann can attack or follow long range attacks with nothing to loose and Keldermann can play it more tactically at the back.
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