Grand Tour Wild Cards - 2011 Thread

[Anonymous]

Did consider adding this to the 2010 one but its a bit long.

First bit of news:

Geox not getting invited according to Patrick Chasse

Que feront Menchov et Sastre en juillet ? J'apprends qu'ASO a inform&#233]

 

[The Hitch]

Did consider adding this to the 2010 one but its a bit long.

First bit of news:

Geox not getting invited according to Patrick Chasse

With the only active Tour champ and last years 3rd place, i dont see how they dont get invited.


Also i wanted to see Samu crush Menchov to show what would have happened had he not broken his wrist.

If there arent high quality fields Menchov might be able to scrape a Giro or Vuelta even though the course isnt for him in either.

I hope Geox do get invited.

 

[roundabout]

Bah. Provincialism all the way.

Europcar
Cofidis
FDJ

and?

 

[hrotha]

Maybe they really want Andy to win this.

 

[Rocksteady]

Quite possible that Geox wasn't going to bring Menchov, and I don't think Sastre is that big of a draw anymore.

 

[ingsve]

I wonder if the surprise might be Bretagne - Schuller. I remember reading that they think they have a shot.

 

[jaylew]

Bah. Provincialism all the way.

Europcar
Cofidis
FDJ

and?

Well, you would want Saur-Sojasun or Bretagne, then.

My prediction for the 4 wildcards:

Cofidis
Europcar
FDJ
Saur or Geox

I'm perfectly ok with that, provided it's Geox instead of Saur or Bretagne. Who I'd like to see, though it won't happen:

Geox
FDJ
Columbia Es Pasion
and any of the below who misses a Giro invite:

Farnese Vini
Androni
Acqua & Sapone

 

[DAOTEC]

"Coulda Woulda Shoulda"

All French teams will ride the TdF ...

 

[theyoungest]

With the only active Tour champ and last years 3rd place, i dont see how they dont get invited.


Also i wanted to see Samu crush Menchov to show what would have happened had he not broken his wrist.

If there arent high quality fields Menchov might be able to scrape a Giro or Vuelta even though the course isnt for him in either.

I hope Geox do get invited.

Somehow because he's a great time trialist people forget that he's also a great climber. Only Contador and Schleck were clearly stronger than him uphill, in last year's Tour.

Oh, and if Menchov can't get an invite, but Jerome Coppel can, that's insane.

 

[rzombie1988]

Why wouldn't Geox-TMC get invited? I can't understand that.

 

[The Hitch]

Only Contador and Schleck were clearly stronger than him uphill, in last year's Tour.

.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjwaqZfjIY

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

it would be a shame if menchov missed out.

There will be at least 2 (more likely 3 french teams). Which I don't mind.
I certainly wanna see bbox (europcar) there, they are generally good value. Same goes for Fdj. I don't even mind seeing cofidos get a spot (but then i don't think these teams should gets spots to the giro before the italian teams, which they wont)

I'd suggest Columbia Es Pasion's best chance for a GT lies in the vuelta.

 

[theyoungest]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRYmudWEUSo

You're resorting to DAOTEC-like methods of argument

 

[skidmark]

Yeah the Tour would be livelier with Menchov for sure, as he's a big contender. But what about Sastre? Sure he probably won't even be the leader of his team, but it seems disrespectful as a matter of principle to not invite a former champion to a race. And I mean it's not like he's starting a team up that's not going for a ProTeam license but expects to get invited anyway (ie. Cervelo), he moved to a team that was in the Tour last year with a much weaker lineup.

There is no reason not to invite them. None. I mean, when we've seen this in the recent past it's been a jab at either individuals (Brunyeel in 2008) or the UCI (Unibet in 2007). In this case, the UCI is already against Geox, so wouldn't the ASO be more inclined to invite them? Unless they've got something against Gianetti or someone else behind the scenes.

I just hope they get an invite.

 

[The Hitch]

Good idea

Or do you think, Samuel Sanchez no habla Ingles. > *** Oye Samuel Sanchez

es el mejor escalador, comprende amigo

I love you much youngest but el escalador de Asturias will show you just how much a baby you are

 

[jaylew]

Nice, DAOHITCH!

 

[craig1985]

Or do you think, Samuel Sanchez no habla Ingles. > *** Oye Samuel Sanchez

es el mejor escalador, comprende amigo

I love you much youngest but el escalador de Asturias will show you just how much a baby you are

Post of the day.

 

[The Hitch]

If Geox dont ride the Tour, that makes them a shoe in for the other 2 gts right?

Maybe this should be extended to a thread for all 3 gts.

 

[Anonymous]

If Geox dont ride the Tour, that makes them a shoe in for the other 2 gts right?

Maybe this should be extended to a thread for all 3 gts.

I agree.. maybe a mod can change the title to grand tour wild cards..

 

[Michielveedeebee]

It would be outrageous not to invite Geox...
They have the (active) guy with the best GT-palmares who was 3rd last year + a former champion. they should be a no-brainer for all 3 GT's...

For the Giro: Acqua&Sapone - Diquigiovanni - Farnese-VINI and Geox
for the Tour: Europcar - Cofidis - FDJ - Geox
for the Vuelta: Cofidis - Andalucia - Geox and a dunno

 

[Dutchsmurf]

If Geox dont ride the Tour, that makes them a shoe in for the other 2 gts right?

As far as I know there is no relation between the selection processes of the GTs. Geox missing out on the Tour means nothing for their chances in the Giro and Vuelta. Just look at Vacansoleil last year. Not saying they should miss out on all 3, but just because they miss out 1, doesn't mean they automatically get the other 2.

Anyway, for the Tour, outside Geox, I don't expect any non-French teams. Unless they want to give a signal to the French teams. Or they decide to kick one of the protour teams out for some reason.

 

[Descender]

It would be outrageous not to invite Geox...
They have the (active) guy with the best GT-palmares who was 3rd last year + a former champion. they should be a no-brainer for all 3 GT's...

For the Giro: Acqua&Sapone - Diquigiovanni - Farnese-VINI and Geox
for the Tour: Europcar - Cofidis - FDJ - Geox
for the Vuelta: Cofidis - Andalucia - Geox and a dunno

Caja Rural.

 

[nobilis]

I think that Geox will be the Cervelo of 2011. They're a proteam team without a proteam licence.
As for the 3 GTs, i think:
Giro: Androni Giocatolli (or whatever sponsor they're using as name) - Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli - Geox TMC - The 4th sport might be between CSF Inox Colnago - De Rosa Flaminia

Tour: FDJ - Europcar - Geox TMC - Saur Sojasun (I hope) or Cofidis

Vuelta: Andalucia Caja Granada - Caja Rural - Geox TMC - Cofidis

I have one question: Do the 18 proteams have the option not to race in GTs this year?

 

[jaylew]

As far as I know there is no relation between the selection processes of the GTs. Geox missing out on the Tour means nothing for their chances in the Giro and Vuelta. Just look at Vacansoleil last year. Not saying they should miss out on all 3, but just because they miss out 1, doesn't mean they automatically get the other 2.

I think it would help because if they don't get into the Tour, the list of riders they would give to the Giro and Vuelta organizers would be better and would almost certainly include Menchov and Sastre.

 

[The Hitch]

As far as I know there is no relation between the selection processes of the GTs. Geox missing out on the Tour means nothing for their chances in the Giro and Vuelta. Just look at Vacansoleil last year. Not saying they should miss out on all 3, but just because they miss out 1, doesn't mean they automatically get the other 2.

It should help them as now they have Menchov and Sastre not doing the TOur. Whats more Menchov and Sastre are pretty much the 2 big non classic gt riders.

So Giro and Vuelta now have the option of fully fit and ready Menchov and Sastre. - No brainer.