Really? If this stage had been on asphalt, then Gaviria might have won it.
Huh?
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Really? If this stage had been on asphalt, then Gaviria might have won it.
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A perfect analysis. Everything went wrong. Clearly a bad day, maby due to the rest day. But his technique downhill on gravel ? Never seen a pro showing that lack of technique. Even worse than Thomas De Gendt. And the team tactics. Bad communication (not functioning earbuds ?). Almeida clearly rebelling and refusing to do his job. When Evenepoel was still in the group. Not let him follow in his wheel. And later on, refusing to wait when Evenepoel was dropped. I think the poore Portuguese will be send without supper to bed this evening..... Lefevere can't bear such a behaviour. I don't think Almeida will race a lot after this Giro....
While Remco caused his own issues, Almeida's insolence was embarrassing.
And you really belive Lefevere will tell all the truth, even if it'd be inconvinient for them as a team?Let's wait for Lefevere words to know what really happened before we start to make assumptions!
I think even outside of Almeida (imo he didn't do a great job) but where were the rest of the team. I know it's probably harsh to compare them to Ineos but talent level, that DQS team is stacked and they've not shown up at all imo. Outside of the TT, what has Cavagna done this Giro, or what has Honore or Knox done? To me, those 3 in particular have been very missing considering their talent anyway
I think it's possible they deliberately decided to let Knox and Masnada rest on days like this so that they'll be fresh on the big mountain stages. I think a couple of their guys, including Honore, were dropped after working to bring back Evenepoel's group after the first gravel sector. Cavagna has been disappointing though as a team player and I can't help thinking he's just saving himself for later stage winning attempts.
I think it's possible they deliberately decided to let Knox and Masnada rest on days like this so that they'll be fresh on the big mountain stages. I think a couple of their guys, including Honore, were dropped after working to bring back Evenepoel's group after the first gravel sector. Cavagna has been disappointing though as a team player and I can't help thinking he's just saving himself for later stage winning attempts.
I suppose all of them riding at least 28s on the stage like this (Vincenzo even opted for 30s), but that's just my prediction. Do you have any more confirmed info about that? Apart from that one from Trek saying Nibs riding 30s and 28s for all the rest.I’d be interested to hear the DCQ party line on why Almeida didn’t stay with Remco when he was first suffering.
And also the tire choices and pressure. Running a 28 at 80 psi vs, a 25 at 90 would make a huge difference on gravel.
The team was disappointing for sure. But it didn't help they had to chase after the first meters of the first sterrato sector already. Was that a team mistake or was simply Remco simply not comfortable on the gravel roads at all? Probably both.I think even outside of Almeida (imo he didn't do a great job) but where were the rest of the team. I know it's probably harsh to compare them to Ineos but talent level, that DQS team is stacked and they've not shown up at all imo. Outside of the TT, what has Cavagna done this Giro, or what has Honore or Knox done? To me, those 3 in particular have been very missing considering their talent anyway
The team was disappointing for sure. But it didn't help they had to chase after the first meters of the first sterrato sector already. Was that a team mistake or was simply Remco simply not comfortable on the gravel roads at all? Probably both.
But this is the stage where it shows why I was very sceptical to have Remco as a top favourite for the Giro before the race. He is fantastic, but he has his limitations still. And his far from perfect approach to the Giro isn't helping at all. He's still in a very good position all things considered. Now he also has some incentive to attack and will be important to see how he reacts to a setback during the race.
“Unfortunately, I lost two minutes. It wasn’t the best day for me. I was suffering a lot on the second sector, then on the third one, when they started sprinting, I felt the legs were pretty empty, that’s why I was in the last position and couldn’t follow. It’s the way my body reacted after eleven days of racing that came after so much time with no racing. I’m thankful to the team and João for the job they did for me today, from the start until the finish. It’s not a good result for me, but I’m still seventh in my first Grand Tour and remain confident, as there’s still a long way to go until Milano”, said Remco after Wednesday’s stage."
By REMCO in DQS website
And you really belive Lefevere will tell all the truth, even if it'd be inconvinient for them as a team?
As much as I agree with what you wrote about Lefevere, I can't imagine him saying outright "João didn't follow DS's instructions" or something like that if that was really the case.Are you kidding? He always do that so why would it be different this time? Lefevere always talks too much without much worries about timing or impact... Was in the convenience of the team to say that João Almeida won't stay with deceunick in 2022? Wouldn't be more convenient for the team to give that information after the Giro?
signature as wellIt's funny, but not even completely wrong.
btw. love the nickname, Journey to the End of the Night is one of my favourite books.
Was it really? Almeida's mistake was not riding near Remco when they were in the group and he spent too much time before he dropped to Remco. But after that he was pacing the young Belgian from that point till the finish line. I don't think it was perfect domestique work, but it was far from embarassing. What I call embarassing is what Sebastian Henao did at Algarve for Hayter for example.
Yes.Didn't Evenepoel mention on the rest-day that he wanted to explore this ride but couldn't because the mechanics didn't want to?