Esteban Chaves Discussion Thread

[classicomano]

Still same Chaves, start good (or great this time) then implode spectacularly.

 

[yaco]

We will wait and see - Thought he was impatient on the final climb . though he was trying to react to Dumoulin's attacks - Interested to see how he goes in stage 11.

 

[Arnout]

Re:

We will wait and see - Thought he was impatient on the final climb . though he was trying to react to Dumoulin's attacks - Interested to see how he goes in stage 11.

Sadly I think he just lacks the stamina, though you're right he reacted on everything before the final km.

 

[Arredondo]

His Vuelta is already a succes.

I would likely have a team leader who wins 2 stages and then implodes heavily, then someone who rides to a boring 8th place on GC.

 

[Arnout]

Re:

His Vuelta is already a succes.

I would likely have a team leader who wins 2 stages and then implodes heavily, then someone who rides to a boring 8th place on GC.

Oh absolutely. I rather see him than Froome or Valverde though, but if it ain't to be anyway he can still be very happy.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

1 week racer

 

[Escarabajo]

I would agree with you Dekker. But in this case I would wait. He lost the jersey it does not mean that he does not have a chance at a high GC anymore. He is still OK. Let's make a better judgment after Wednesday.

 

[Tigerion]

Re:

Still same Chaves, start good (or great this time) then implode spectacularly.

I would hardly call 15th and a minute down on the winner and still in a podium position a spectatular implosion.
You might have to wait until Wednesday to get that.
losing the Red might have been a good thing coming into Wednesday, to me it looked like I went too deep trying to pull back the attacks in the early part of the climb and paid for it later. Without the pressure and desire to defend the red he should be able to follow wheels a bit more and not need to chase so hard.

 

[movingtarget]

He is still young and has the makings of a good GT rider. GE has Chaves and Yates for the future which is probably why they did not bother with Porte. GE and Chaves have already had a great Vuelta even if the rest of the race proves disappointing.

 

[No_Balls]

Re:

The star of the show no doubt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYB1C991HM

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

The star of the show no doubt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYB1C991HM

LOL.



He didn't know what he was getting into. No wonder why he was trying so fiercely to defend red.

 

[SergeDeM]

So will he podium? Top 5? Top 10?. I'm still not sure he'll even top 10. I hope he makes a fool out of me though

 

[42x16ss]

Wait and see how he pulls up after the rest day. Stage 11 is probably going to be key. That much climbing packed into such a short stage will show up anyone who is lacking form.

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

The star of the show no doubt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYB1C991HM

LOL.



He didn't know what he was getting into. No wonder why he was trying so fiercely to defend red.

How funny was Keukeleire the other day playing bodyguard! The look on his face when he lost Chaves in the crowd was priceless

"You had one job!"

 

[Escarabajo]

Not a bad day. Beginning to be more consistent. Please keep it up Chavito!

 

[Escarabajo]

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/19533-qesta-fue-la-etapa-mas-dificil-de-mi-vida-hoy-corri-con-la-cabeza-no-con-el-corazon-esteban-chaves.html

"Hardest stage of my life"

"Today I rode with my head, not my heart"

 

[gmedina]

if he can keep it together...i think a top 5 finish, maybe a podium might be within reach!

 

[Valv.Piti]

if he can keep it together...i think a top 5 finish, maybe a podium might be within reach!

Ugh, yeah. Who knows. He better be climbing well since I could imagine what an downright abomination-Purito 2010 (?) style he would be at an flat ITT. Top-5 should be the goal since top-3 is hard and Orica and Chaves has downplayed their expectations so far in order not to be disappointed

 

[IndianCyclist]

Should have worked with Domoulin since his GC was also at stake. Not nice to attack the leader at the end when he wheel sucked the entire climb and refused to work

 

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

The star of the show no doubt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYB1C991HM

LOL.



He didn't know what he was getting into. No wonder why he was trying so fiercely to defend red.

How funny was Keukeleire the other day playing bodyguard! The look on his face when he lost Chaves in the crowd was priceless

"You had one job!"

Still wondering whether Keukeleire's "one photo only" line was to the spectators.
Or to Chaves...

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

Should have worked with Domoulin since his GC was also at stake. Not nice to attack the leader at the end when he wheel sucked the entire climb and refused to work

You are reading way too much out of the way they rode yesterday. No need to create drama where is not.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re: Re:

Should have worked with Domoulin since his GC was also at stake. Not nice to attack the leader at the end when he wheel sucked the entire climb and refused to work

You are reading way too much out of the way they rode yesterday. No need to create drama where is not.

Dumoulin asks him a number of times to work with him. Every time he refuses. He is entirely focused on Dumoulin. When Aru, Majka, Purito etc are forging ahead. Hope he has not learned the Gerrans' way of wheelsucking. Just see the way Kruijswijk worked on Motirolo with Contador when it was not required. Even Rolland, Hesjedal worked with Quintana in the Giro 14.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Should have worked with Domoulin since his GC was also at stake. Not nice to attack the leader at the end when he wheel sucked the entire climb and refused to work

Just because he did not work did not mean he was able to and chose not to. It was hardly an attack and they finished on the same time. Neither of them have form over three weeks so they have both done well so far. With the TT to come Dumoulin is in a better position unless Chaves can do something special on one of the climbs and Dumoulin collapses. I think they are both riding smart races so far although Aru looks the freshest of the GT riders and will be hard to beat. Quintana has been ill but was looking fatigued as was Valverde and Froome has gone so it's looking good for Aru.

 

[SergeDeM]

Two weeks in and he's 4th. Not bad.
With his TT, I say a top 5 is too much, but a top 10 is certainly possible to maintain now.

 

[Pentacycle]

Re:

1 week racer

So far, he's proven himself a 2-week racer