Has Wiggins peaked too early?

[The Hitch]

Valverde has been impressive so far this year, especially if you consider he was banned for 1.5 years, but he's still not at the same level as he was before his ban in my opinion.

I'd give Evans the benefit of the doubt over Wiggins any day though. He has won Flèche Wallonne, Tirreno-Adriatico, a hilly world championships, the Tour de France and a stage that finished on the Mur de Bretagne where he beat Contador and Gilbert, etc

That's a palmares any puncheur wants. Joaquim Rodriguez is considered one of the best cyclists in the world on steep walls, yet he has nowhere near the palmares Evans. Cotée de Laurent Jalabert is somewhere in the middle of a steep wall and a real mountain finish.

We aren't arguing that Evans would beat Wiggins.

Its the cringeworthy and unpleasant " beat like a baby seal" simile which causes discussion.

Im arguing that Evans would not go Contador on this kind of finish. That instead, he would win, but Wiggins would not be far behind.

You do make good points though.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Im not one to deny Evans's abilities on hills, he truly is one of the best.

But.

1 So is Valverde, better maybe even and he finished with Wiggins.
2 If wiggins is also "on top form", no he wouldnt.
3 Have we seen a top Wiggins face a top Evans on a hill? Wiggins has only ever been on top form in 2009 when he beat Evans in the mountains, Dauphine 2011 when they matched and in Vuelta 2011 when Evans wasnt there. We havent really seen Evans go against Wiggins on such a finish.
4 I think some of his mountain performances arent that different from a climb like Mende. Its what 2.5k? Thats not exactly Muur du hoy. Quite a bit longer.

Yes but we know what Wiggins is like on short sharp hills and we know what Evans is like on short sharp hills. Evans would beat him. tbh Valverde just sat on Wiggins's wheel and didn't really put in any attacks on Cote de Montee Laurent Jalabert. A Wiggins on top form on such a climb didn't really impress me.

We aren't arguing that Evans would beat Wiggins.

Its the cringeworthy and unpleasant " beat like a baby seal" simile which causes discussion.

Im arguing that Evans would not go Contador on this kind of finish. That instead, he would win, but Wiggins would not be far behind.

You do make good points though.

If you find that simile "unpleasant and cringeworthy" then you really need a bucket of cement inside you.

 

[Mellow Velo]

LOL back at you. So you win PN or TA by chance and not by being in peak early form. Hmmm.

Which is it: peak or early form?
Thereby hangs the difference and was the title of this thread.
Wiggins has early form, not peak.

I keep recalling what Sean Kelly says about winning this race and he should know.

 

[ferryman]

Which is it: peak or early form?
Thereby hangs the difference and was the title of this thread.
Wiggins has early form, not peak.

I keep recalling what Sean Kelly says about winning this race and he should know.

Tooo early and tooo subtle a difference

Ah, Sean, a man who could peak/keep his form from March through September, no debate

 

[Winterfold]

Good to see ACF back to his one eyed best

The more polite PC one is much less fun, although less wrong.

All this Wiggo sledding we've seen recently Methinks ACF getting nervy for July...

 

[William H]

Considering Evans has won Fleche Wallonne, I'd certainly rate him well ahead of Wiggins on this sort of finish

 

[auscyclefan94]

Good to see ACF back to his one eyed best

The more polite PC one is much less fun, although less wrong.

All this Wiggo sledding we've seen recently Methinks ACF getting nervy for July...

My posts earlier in the thread say I am not nervous about Wiggins' chances in July in regards to him dismantling Evans off his throne.

Also Winterfold, when have I ever been PC? I have always been a strong opponent of PC.

 

[Winterfold]

My posts earlier in the thread say I am not nervous about Wiggins' chances in July in regards to him dismantling Evans off his throne.

Also Winterfold, when have I ever been PC? I have always been a strong opponent of PC.

Ok, just a bit more polite then, this place is more fun when there is banter and some strong opinions being chucked around (IMO).

Re Wiggo - maybe not consciously, but I reckon your sixth sense is getting worried

Wiggo was good yesterday, I dont see Cuddles putting much into him if he'd been there - Mende is not a Mur, it is too long for a big anaerobic effort.

We will be giving Richie Porte a UK passport if he carries on dishing out beastings like that.

 

[uphillstruggle]

3 Have we seen a top Wiggins face a top Evans on a hill?

Stage 4 of the tour. Wiggins said his form was great at the tour last year and Evans dropped him.

 

[DominicDecoco]

I haven't seen a team hype the form of a rider that much as Sky did afterwards his crash at the tour. He was 'in shape of his life' 'best preparation ever' etc. 'Great' is to undermine it.

 

[webvan]

No, he's got class and he'll get better until the Olympics, not your average one trick pony like the Schlecks...especially Schlecket.

 

[greenedge]

To be fair, Wiggins podiumed this race last year and was still good in August.

He did have to have a break ( after the TDF- crash ) before the Vuelta though.