ENECO Tour(WT), 12th-18th August 2013

[ILovecycling]

Stybar ftw?Maybe.

 

[ILovecycling]

If Demare brings his Dunkerque form (The London showdown was a good indicator), he could take this overall.

Wiggo could go very well too.

yeah,he will put minutes into everyone at Redoute

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

If Demare brings his Dunkerque form (The London showdown was a good indicator), he could take this overall.

Wiggo could go very well too.

I've got to be honest, I don't fancy either of those for the overall. Is Wiggins even going to try for GC? Doesn't look his sort of race at all even if he does.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I've got to be honest, I don't fancy either of those for the overall. Is Wiggins even going to try for GC? Doesn't look his sort of race at all even if he does.

On Demare, its more a wish than reality perhaps. I hope he will do very well.

If not Wiggo for GC, what else would Sky be doing? Their fast men can't beat the likes of Greipel and Bos on the flats. Bank everything on Hayman, Eisel or Stannard? Maybe its "just" stage wins.

 

[will10]

I don't see Wiggins riding for GC here. Unnecessary risk.

 

[manafana]

same for me wiggins might win tt but do not see him hanging in next day not designed for that sort of day.

 

[Orbit501]

Can't see Wiggins doing anything different to Tour of Poland - soft pedalling the whole way round except for the TT. This is just another opportunity for getting some race miles back in his legs, surely?

Kelderman would be my best guess for the overall win here. Will be interesting to see how Chavanel and Gilbert go here though.

Sprints should be good with Kittel and Greipel going head to head, Demare in good form and even Bos too. Be nice to see Danny Van Poppel right up there as well.

 

[Pippo_San]

BELIEVE

 

[will10]

same for me wiggins might win tt but do not see him hanging in next day not designed for that sort of day.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him lose time most days, no need to fight for position in the final of typical Eneco sprint stages.

 

[Lanark]

Can't see Wiggins doing anything different to Tour of Poland - soft pedalling the whole way round except for the TT. This is just another opportunity for getting some race miles back in his legs, surely?

All the tough stages are after the time trial, if he wins the ITT, he'll be in the lead with 2 stages to go. At that point, you might as well just win it.

 

[Afrank]

All the tough stages are after the time trial, if he wins the ITT, he'll be in the lead with 2 stages to go. At that point, you might as well just win it.

This isn't 2012 where he could just go ahead and win it, just for the hell of it. It will be a little harder then that.

 

[Orbit501]

All the tough stages are after the time trial, if he wins the ITT, he'll be in the lead with 2 stages to go. At that point, you might as well just win it.

That's true, TT will probably shape GC.

But it's a very short TT - I think the gaps will be small enough and there be enough good classics/puncheurs still in the hunt and up for the stage win/GC over the next two days to mean Wiggins won't be bothered.

On current form and desire, all adds up to Kelderman for me.

Edit: I should also add that the likes of Kelderman will ride right near the front and certainly won't allow themselves to be in any peloton time splits on the sprint stages. Again, I don't think Wiggins will be bothered if he's in any split and loses some time here and there.

 

[polarbear70]

The short and hilly ITT could suit alot of classics-riders. Both Chavanel and Gilbert will do well in it it.

I rode this course last year . Is it really hilly? A few gentle climbs.

 

[manafana]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him lose time most days, no need to fight for position in the final of typical Eneco sprint stages.

good point, some of the run ins were quiet hairy didnt contador lose time on flat day last year with the tricky run in ?

 

[jsem94]

Best Eneco rout ever. But only good for the last two days really, the other stages are borefests.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

The wheather forcast doesn't predict echelons for the Zeeland stage

Ah well, they finish on this island, so it' just tough luck I guess.

 

[classicomano]

Race is now live on Eurosport/Sporza.

 

[wirral]

Yawn..........

 

[TourOfSardinia]

........Fest

 

[Shardi]

Wiggins dropped

 

[Lanark]

Looks like you were right, this is pretty sad by Wiggins. Devolder dropped as well.

 

[roundabout]

If ever there was a WT race that needed to have 6 riders per team

 

[SafeBet]

Two Lampre riders dropped. I wouldn't be surprised if one is Pippo.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Sensible move by Wiggo, we might even see him in a breakaway at some stage this week.

 

[SafeBet]

Ok I think I saw Pippo there.
Is this Alejet first race since coming back?