Frankly, I don't understand why Cosnefroy and Madouas are not there, and freaking Anthony Roux is.
It's a team built to shut down moves, not make them.
It's a team built to shut down moves, not make them.
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Flecha stayed true to form, Hayman improved, while Kwiatkowski, Stannard and Rowe have steadily developed. FFS, Ben Swift got worse after leaving and Poels is a monument winner.
The only classics riders that were better elsewhere were Gerrans, EBH and Hayman (who continued improving).
This whole "Sky are cr@p at the classics" rhetoric is a load of baloney. Sure, there's daylight between QuickStep and everyone else, but Sky/Ineos have been amongst the best of the rest for a long time now.
Madouas would have been a good shout to cover the breakaway moves as the race starts to split up.Frankly, I don't understand why Cosnefroy and Madouas are not there, and freaking Anthony Roux is.
It's a team built to shut down moves, not make them.
I think its more about the potential that those riders showed before joining ineos compared to their actual win rate after joining
Madouas would have been a good shout to cover the breakaway moves as the race starts to split up.
Of course it is all in for Alaphilippe and he warrants that but it would actually ease the pressure on the team to have viable riders to sit on dangerous moves rather than putting all riders on the task of trying to control the entire race.The french team is there for Alaphilippe, and only Alaphilippe.
If there was another viable medals candidate, that would be different but there isn't , on that route and the way the season has played out.
Next year will be different, next year the french squad will have a lot of options, but this year, it will be everyone for Alaphilippe..... and he may very well win because of it.
Of course it is all in for Alaphilippe and he warrants that but it would actually ease the pressure on the team to have viable riders to sit on dangerous moves rather than putting all riders on the task of trying to control the entire race.
A few years ago I would have said Gallopin, no hesitation. Now, maybe Laporte?For the French team, who would be co-leader if given a choice?
It's interesting that all 3 French riders from DQT were chosen even though they hardly race together.
I very much disagree with you when it comes to Belgium on this course as I think their big card is that they have multiple strong contenders so being aggressive and firing riders into every move and initiating breaks is by far their best use of resources.They will not be alone in wanting to control the race.
Many of the nations with big favorites, like Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Australia and Germany will be interested in controlling the race..... and the italians always ride that way at worlds
Have they named their team yet? I have this feeling it'll be the Belgian-you-least-expect who actually makes it into the final selection. Like "how did Sepp vanMarcke get into the winning break..?"I very much disagree with you when it comes to Belgium on this course as I think their big card is that they have multiple strong contenders so being aggressive and firing riders into every move and initiating breaks is by far their best use of resources.
Creating anarchy is far more beneficial to them than controlling the race.
I very much disagree with you when it comes to Belgium on this course as I think their big card is that they have multiple strong contenders so being aggressive and firing riders into every move and initiating breaks is by far their best use of resources.
Creating anarchy is far more beneficial to them than controlling the race.
All the lads in the office are moaning complaining they wont be able to get to work These are the ones who can walk in!
Brilliant!
Has Pidcock recovered from his crash?
Anyone up for some predictions?
Elite Road Race
1 Gilbert
2 Bettiol
3 MVP
U23 Road Race
1 Pidcock
2 Rutsch
3 Bisseger
Junior Road Race
1 Brenner
2 Stokke
3 Piccolo
Elite ITT
1 Roglic
2 Evenepoel
3 Asgreen
U23 ITT
1 Bjerg
2 Van Moer
3 Price Pijtersen
Junior ITT
1 Brenner
2 Fischer-Black
3 Simmons
It depends who made themselves available. Worlds always has that caveat.
Jaramillo needs to go.