- Oct 10, 2015
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Unless he has a crash I don't see why you would think that Ewan would finish OTL in the ITT, he comfortably finished inside the time limit with 30 riders behind him in the Chianti TT in last years Giro, this years first TT isn't that much hillier than the Chianti TT.yaco said:
- Jul 13, 2009
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Looking at the result sheet; it was a case of no real damage done as SY was in the 2nd group with all the other GC men. Ewan .... praiseworthy maybe. His history in similar conditions if far from stellar but making/holding onto the 2nd group is an acheivement. Whether this is solely due to better endurance or being surrounded by big engines who could shield him (and SY) as much as possible through the worst. Looking at the finishing positions of certain riders and their characteristics (Mezgec 48s, Hepburn 1.17, Edmondson/Tuft/JJ 1.29); this may've been the scenario.
What has been curious has been the fact that Verona has tailled right off on all 3 stages so far; is this indicative of health or poor form ...... or a plan to send him up the road at some point in the next week ?
Understandable; you need to be attentive and they missed the move but it would've been a case of having to have your very best engines alongside your key man/men in the key position at that specific moment.yaco said:
Looking at the result sheet; it was a case of no real damage done as SY was in the 2nd group with all the other GC men. Ewan .... praiseworthy maybe. His history in similar conditions if far from stellar but making/holding onto the 2nd group is an acheivement. Whether this is solely due to better endurance or being surrounded by big engines who could shield him (and SY) as much as possible through the worst. Looking at the finishing positions of certain riders and their characteristics (Mezgec 48s, Hepburn 1.17, Edmondson/Tuft/JJ 1.29); this may've been the scenario.
What has been curious has been the fact that Verona has tailled right off on all 3 stages so far; is this indicative of health or poor form ...... or a plan to send him up the road at some point in the next week ?
- Nov 2, 2009
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- Jul 13, 2009
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That's the logical reason; just curious that they haven't been coming in with the same group which lead me to think that (1) yes, they will certainly be saving them for the stages that go upwards but (2) are they planning some specific move having one of them up the road on an upcoming stageyaco said:
- Aug 5, 2009
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I am sure that Ewan will be psyched for the next flat stage after what has happened in the first three stages but it's a good learning process for him anyway.
- Oct 10, 2015
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I think the best way to use Plaza is sending up the road in a breakaway on a multi mountain stage and when/if the main group catches up he is around to lend support, Verona looks like the rider who will ride along side Yates.yaco said:
- Aug 5, 2009
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Matt White will still be unhappy I would say. Renshaw on his own would have done better than that for Ewan.yaco said:
- Jul 13, 2009
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I continue to stand by what I have been saying for some time.
1. ORS (or whatever name they will be going by at the time) is selling itself (and the riders involved) perilously short by trying to seriously pursue both GC & sprint wins when the latter is going to be reliant on significant & specialised support. Select a quick guy or two who can "freelance" .... fine, as long as they also have legitimate utility towards the team's peak goal
2. What is Ewan's value to the team going forward (ie where are his peak wins likely to come from) and is that sufficient to warrant the effort needed to support such goals or diluting your GC campaign at GTs and the really big one week tours ? I see his major hopes of top tier wins coming from GT stages as there are very few WT one day races that look viable. Hamburg - he's won; MSR - maybe in a soft year, Ride London - only if they don't race Box Hill hard. Otherwise cobbles (not suited), Ardennes/Lombardie/San Sebastian - way too hard; Bretagne/Laurentian races/Cuddles Race - puncheurs better suited. He'll continue to pick up cheap wins in the early season or in non peak races but come peak season when the big boys are at THEIR peak and their trains are in order, those wins are likely to get much harder to come by.
3. In summation, I don't see Ewan being worth the investment going forward when (a) you have peak GC talent on your books and (2) you have other riders with either the proven capacity or legitimate potential to contend and even win the really big one day races on various terrain. At another team, Ewan CAN be given the train that he will need to contend .... then its up to him to prove he can match it when it counts
Would be interesting to hear the back story behind Kluge's non-selection (and from BOTH sides). Was it lack of fitness/race miles or are there some "personal chemistry" issues in play ? Edmondson's selection is, on the surface, a puzzling one if he was picked solely to work as a lead out man as he just hasn't the experience to go up against what you will be facing in a GT.yaco said:
I continue to stand by what I have been saying for some time.
1. ORS (or whatever name they will be going by at the time) is selling itself (and the riders involved) perilously short by trying to seriously pursue both GC & sprint wins when the latter is going to be reliant on significant & specialised support. Select a quick guy or two who can "freelance" .... fine, as long as they also have legitimate utility towards the team's peak goal
2. What is Ewan's value to the team going forward (ie where are his peak wins likely to come from) and is that sufficient to warrant the effort needed to support such goals or diluting your GC campaign at GTs and the really big one week tours ? I see his major hopes of top tier wins coming from GT stages as there are very few WT one day races that look viable. Hamburg - he's won; MSR - maybe in a soft year, Ride London - only if they don't race Box Hill hard. Otherwise cobbles (not suited), Ardennes/Lombardie/San Sebastian - way too hard; Bretagne/Laurentian races/Cuddles Race - puncheurs better suited. He'll continue to pick up cheap wins in the early season or in non peak races but come peak season when the big boys are at THEIR peak and their trains are in order, those wins are likely to get much harder to come by.
3. In summation, I don't see Ewan being worth the investment going forward when (a) you have peak GC talent on your books and (2) you have other riders with either the proven capacity or legitimate potential to contend and even win the really big one day races on various terrain. At another team, Ewan CAN be given the train that he will need to contend .... then its up to him to prove he can match it when it counts
- Jul 13, 2009
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Looking at Bewley & esp Howson's Twitter, both seem to have found a warm welcome from Chaves' family and crew.
I'd probably sub Albasini for Gerrans but otherwise its hard to debate any of the others. Either Albasini or Impey have the potential to snag a win from selective finishes and can do so without needing major support other than perhaps diverting the other punchy/quick guy to help.yaco said:
Looking at Bewley & esp Howson's Twitter, both seem to have found a warm welcome from Chaves' family and crew.
Listened to Jason Bakker on the Three Domestiques podcast - Bakker managed Cadel Evans and the Orics riders in Ewan, Haig and Power - More importantly he manages Lucas Hamilton and Robert Stannard - And Kluge got two votes in the weekly Tinkoff medal voting.
- Jul 13, 2009
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Bakker I remember as a rather mediocre cricketer; his rep as a manager somewhat of a mixed bag. Can't see Haig leaving ORS unless its some stupendous outside offer; Power will get another 2 years but would be wanting to have shown something by the end of next season in order to remain at WT level.
Stannard is only 19 this year so he may have up to another 2 years before making the jump unless he delivers something totally spectacular this year or next. Hindley, Hamilton & Storrer are the most touted to see market interest this year. Where they will go is open to speculation.
Orica took the plunge by signing the quartet of Haig, Power & Edmondson in 2015 with 2/3 already looking to be paying dividends; whether they'll take all 3 this time is another matter. There may be scope with the likely retirements of Tuft, Gerrans & potential exits of Plaza and maybe 2 others but they may also be looking to keep at least 2 of those for potential "market" signings. I'm thinking it may be 2 at most from Hindley, Hamilton & Storrer.
Seeing as I can't listen to that podcast or any other audio, am not sure as to the significance of said award; is it a "snark award" of some kind ?yaco said:
Bakker I remember as a rather mediocre cricketer; his rep as a manager somewhat of a mixed bag. Can't see Haig leaving ORS unless its some stupendous outside offer; Power will get another 2 years but would be wanting to have shown something by the end of next season in order to remain at WT level.
Stannard is only 19 this year so he may have up to another 2 years before making the jump unless he delivers something totally spectacular this year or next. Hindley, Hamilton & Storrer are the most touted to see market interest this year. Where they will go is open to speculation.
Orica took the plunge by signing the quartet of Haig, Power & Edmondson in 2015 with 2/3 already looking to be paying dividends; whether they'll take all 3 this time is another matter. There may be scope with the likely retirements of Tuft, Gerrans & potential exits of Plaza and maybe 2 others but they may also be looking to keep at least 2 of those for potential "market" signings. I'm thinking it may be 2 at most from Hindley, Hamilton & Storrer.
The hard question will be choosing which one not to pick? Is it Storer who is the best ITTer of them all/ has the best WT result, or Hindley who has proved he's a great climber, or Hamilton who is insanely strong? Personally i'd sign Storer (just because he seems like he could develop into a pure GC rider) and then have a really hard choice between the other two (if they only pick two out of 3).
- Apr 16, 2009
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Nice tan. Maybe the rain is washing off the sunblock.
Nice photo.42x16ss said:Meanwhile, in Colombia, the three amigos are looking mighty focused.
7 hour form finders in the rain, anyone?
Nice tan. Maybe the rain is washing off the sunblock.
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You could say the Tinkoff medal is a snark award - Good listening with Matt Keenan, Sam Edmunds and Dan Jones - Bakker is relevant because he is building his cycling portfolio as part of his management group - Team's do like to primarily deal with one or two trusted managers - You only have to look at the amount of behind the scenes dialogue with S.Yates management to convince him to change from the Giro to the TDF - Anyway, I'd expect Orica to sigh L.Hamilton for 2018 - Reckon Hindley and Storer are 2 years away from WT, Stannard is also 2 or 3 years away - Perfect world and only able to sign two riders - Hamilton and Stannard for me - Keep you eye on Michael Rice who is riding for Axeon Mercks team.dirkprovin said:
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A poster like 42 or Stryder should have more information.
Reckon they will sign one rider for 2018 - I suspect it will be Hamilton - Storer is of interest as he is a decent TTer for a potential GC team - Hindley is probably the best pure climber but probably needs more consistency - Stannard is the wild card as he turns 19 in September but already won a stage in a 2.2 race against seasoned pros. Have to think he is still 2 years from WT.greenedge said:
A poster like 42 or Stryder should have more information.
- Jul 13, 2009
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All if not most named COULD conceivably go another year before taking the plunge. It may be a case that more than just Stannard may take that route. At that point, ORS will at least have a better handle on whether Power will be an ongoing proposition beyond this year's likely 2 year extension .... or whether they use that slot for another young prospect.yaco said:
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