Great 2017 coming?

[doperhopper]

Dumurain just announced targeting a GT, Chavito maturing into a GT winner, Adam Yates too, Aru already has a GT win, and riders and teams no longer afraid to attack a demolish SkyBorgs from long range after Vuelta experience...

Are we going to have a breakthrough year, thrilling 2017 with great racing and potentially all three GTs won by the first time winners? Even Nairito can be in danger. Several teams constantly attacking, races impossible to control, long range efforts, peloton ripped apart on the first mountain regularly, etc.

But let's not forget it can also go the othere way: Landa effect - he grabs Giro and SkyTrain effect - Vroom will bring superstrong team to Vuelta to prove the point (after yet another Tour win).

 

[hrotha]

I'm not particularly optimistic. Young guns step up all the time, but there is reason to fear Contador and Nibali might not be good enough next season, which would have a massive impact on the spectacle.

Boonen being on his last spring season will probably have positive effects on the classics, though.

 

[gregrowlerson]

We need to wait and see what the GT routes reveal in the next couple of months. It there are not at least 80 kms of relatively flat ITT at the TDF then it's a disgrace, and Dimoulin won't have much chance of making the podium anyway. How about a Tour with 2 x 50 km ITT's and just the five high mountain stages (still difficult though and with one true Queen stage)? Give Tom a 2 minute lead going into 2 Alpine stages, and maybe he limits his losses and we see what happens in the Pyrenees....

 

[jsem94]

Cobbled classics will be great again, but can they top this year's?

Ardennes will hopefully be better, was terrible the year.

We have two great GTs this year and I'm optimistic for what's to come, but I fear the worst.

 

[BigMac]

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

 

[SKSemtex]

One thing is sure. One day racing will be super. With new kids in the blocks, Sagan not in the Etixx, and matured GVA we will have some show in spring.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

There's apparently more than 60km of time trialing, Froome has a four minute advantage going in.

 

[Amnes2015]

Re: Re:

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

There's apparently more than 60km of time trialing, Froome has a four minute advantage going in.

any source for that?

 

[hrotha]

One thing is sure. One day racing will be super. With new kids in the blocks, Sagan not in the Etixx, and matured GVA we will have some show in spring.

When did they turn the Ardennes into stage races?

 

[KyoGrey]

Don't see a reason why cobbled classics can't be as good or even better. There is no Cancellara, but that can be positive as now people aren't just waiting for his attack. Sagan not on a super team. Degenkolb is back. Van Avermaet hopefully doesn't crash. Vanmarcke with Cannondale is an mistery though.

Ardennes classics can only get better. No Purito's Katusha waiting for final kms, Valverde not the monster everyone feared years ago and maybe Etixx can actually play something smart with Gilbert in their ranks along with Martin and Alaphillippe. Also expect Kwiatkowski to be better than last year and the Lotto youngsters to improve and do something.

Giro Centenario. Presumably super-parcours. Nibali vs Aru vs Chaves vs Landa vs Kruijkwijk.

The Tour definitely only can get better, because this year it was the worst ever. Quintana to carry on psychological upgrade against Froome. There has to be a year when Contador doesn't crash, and both frenchies manage to be good at the same time.

La Vuelta is totally random, but it usually works in handsight.

Better World Championships. Not too hard, but not too soft, and in a wonderful scenario rather than in the desert.

The only way that 2017 can be worst is if the ludicrous new WT calendar with so many unnecessary races manages to *** the planning of the teams.

 

[Durden93]

Re:

I'm not particularly optimistic. Young guns step up all the time, but there is reason to fear Contador and Nibali might not be good enough next season, which would have a massive impact on the spectacle.

Boonen being on his last spring season will probably have positive effects on the classics, though.

If Contador goes to the Giro it doesn't matter how good Nibali and the others are, it will be a spectacle. On a more general note, no sky A-train= quality GT racing.

 

[TMP402]

Re:

Cobbled classics will be great again, but can they top this year's?

The cobbles have been hijacked by farewells these last few seasons. Wiggins last year, Cancellara this year, Boonen next year. Time for a first time monument winner. Come on Sep!

 

[Durden93]

Re: Re:

Cobbled classics will be great again, but can they top this year's?

The cobbles have been hijacked by farewells these last few seasons. Wiggins last year, Cancellara this year, Boonen next year. Time for a first time monument winner. Come on Sep!

How many classics specialists could Sep beat in a sprint? Terpstra? Long range attack ftw

 

[lmrt]

Sagan vs GVA during classics.

Great giro in perspective: Nibali vs Aru vs Chaves vs Landa vs Kruijkwijk vs Barden and Pinot if they ride

Tour: well no surprise there.

Vuelta: Froome can do the double.

Moscon to go crazy af and podium in a monument

 

[Valv.Piti]

Cobbles looks amazing, GVA v Sagan will be a goodie.

Giro also looks to be very good considering who are going to ride and all, but haven't seen the route, but so far, so good.

Thats the 2 things I look forward to the most. And obviously, I hope Nairo at least can challenge Froome this year which he should be able to, but they probably really aren't squaring up against each other until the Tour.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Dumurain just announced targeting a GT, Chavito maturing into a GT winner, Adam Yates too, Aru already has a GT win, and riders and teams no longer afraid to attack a demolish SkyBorgs from long range after Vuelta experience...

I'm really curious.

Why Adam Yates above all? Kruijswijk and Bardet had better athletic performances.

 

[Ramon Koran]

Dumurain just announced targeting a GT, Chavito maturing into a GT winner, Adam Yates too, Aru already has a GT win, and riders and teams no longer afraid to attack a demolish SkyBorgs from long range after Vuelta experience...

I'm really curious.

Why Adam Yates above all? Kruijswijk and Bardet had better athletic performances.

Because he's younger and probably has more potential

 

[Jspear]

It's hard for the cobbled classics to be bad just because of the courses.

It's to hard to say for the big stage races since we don't know who's racing what. Most likely the Tour will be the worst. My guess is it won't be anything special next year. I don't think the young guns are going to rise to a level were they're doing anything off the charts. Lopez is the only dude who I'm really curious as to what he can manage in a gt. Riders like Aru and Chaves will only get a little better. My guess is the Yates brothers will be similar to this year.

 

[Poursuivant]

Re: Re:

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

There's apparently more than 60km of time trialing, Froome has a four minute advantage going in.

60km of TT?

 

[yaco]

Re:

We need to wait and see what the GT routes reveal in the next couple of months. It there are not at least 80 kms of relatively flat ITT at the TDF then it's a disgrace, and Dimoulin won't have much chance of making the podium anyway. How about a Tour with 2 x 50 km ITT's and just the five high mountain stages (still difficult though and with one true Queen stage)? Give Tom a 2 minute lead going into 2 Alpine stages, and maybe he limits his losses and we see what happens in the Pyrenees....

Doubt Dumoulin will get two minutes on Froome. It could be the other way around.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

There's apparently more than 60km of time trialing, Froome has a four minute advantage going in.

60km of TT?

http://velopeloton.com/2017-tour-de-france-route/

13k TT to start and then apparently around a 50k one between Périgueux & Bergerac

 

[Poursuivant]

Re: Re:

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

There's apparently more than 60km of time trialing, Froome has a four minute advantage going in.

60km of TT?

http://velopeloton.com/2017-tour-de-france-route/

13k TT to start and then apparently around a 50k one between Périgueux & Bergerac

Thanks.

Hm, it doesn't specify that it would be a TT, but the distance is so small (relatively), and they have used these two towns in the past for a TT if I remember right.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

uote="Poursuivant"]

Contador should do the Ardennes. He could perform well there and entertainment levels would at least spike. We can't rely on Tim Wellens alone.

I can't realistically look forward to the Tour because I have no reason to think it is not already won before the race even starts, from recent experience, that is. Giro might be good.

We can rely on him being caught 5km before the finish line.
Would be nice if Fuglsang decided to focus his energy on the classics (including the cobbled ones). Like Wellens, he's one of the few who attacks from further out.

I disagree with you about the Tour. Depending on the route, Quintana could have the upper hand on Froome. Certainly, his latest win must have been a great boost of confidence.

There's apparently more than 60km of time trialing, Froome has a four minute advantage going in.

60km of TT?

http://velopeloton.com/2017-tour-de-france-route/

13k TT to start and then apparently around a 50k one between Périgueux & Bergerac

Thanks.

Hm, it doesn't specify that it would be a TT, but the distance is so small (relatively), and they have used these two towns in the past for a TT if I remember right.[/quote]

Tony Martin won in the opposite direction in 2014. Would expect Froome to make it all over bar the shouting if it is a TT.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Seems like somewhat meh - but 63 km of ITT on flat/rolling terrain is great for Tour standards, but the mountain stages seem weak. Looking forward to the presentation. Doesnt we have a 2017-thread for rumours and such like the Giro?