- Dec 7, 2010
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How did Garmin-Cervelo’s performance at the 2011 TdF compare with your expectations?
This thread is to celebrate the success of Garmin-Cervélo at the 2011 TdF.
There's been a lot of cynicism directed their way since the start of the season, and JV's selection for the Tour team was called into question as well.
So, how did Garmin-Cervélo’s performance at the 2011 TdF compare with your expectations?
I’ve included a poll to gauge how their performance compared with your expectations.
Here’s the breakdown. Discuss any of the stages or your opinion from the poll.
Stage 1:
Thor Hushovd positions himself well in the final climb, finishing 3rd on the stage behind Philippe Gilbert and eventual TdF winner Cadel Evans. The next day will find the mighty Norwegian wearing the unlikely Polka Dot Jersey.
Stage 2: TTT
Garmin-Cervelo brings it. I’m reminded of Cav’s disparaging comments from the 2009 Giro about how he felt it was “disrespectful” to the sponsor for Garmin to put such an emphasis on “only” the TTT.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-calls-garmins-team-trial-trial-fixation-disrespectful
Garmin-Cervelo wins the TTT.
Thor takes the Maillot Jaune!
Stage 3:
BOOM!
Thor, dressed in yellow, leads Tyler to the line to win the sprint and take his first ever TdF stage win. Memories of the dynamic duo taking stage two of Tirreno-Adriatico come to mind.
Tyler displays the Wouter Weylandt tribute at the finish line.
Later that day, in addition to other remarks, Vaughters tweets about the Lithuanian national champion and last minute addition to the Tour squad:
Stage 4:
On a stage finish custom-made for Philippe Gilbert, Thor shocks everyone
by finishing in 6th place and holding on to the Maillot Jaune by only one second over Cadel Evans.
Every day in yellow is a good day.
Stage 5:
Crashes galore on this windy day in Brittany. Thor hangs tough once again, makes the top ten and retains the yellow jersey as Cavendish takes the stage.
Stage 6:
Once again, the God of Thunder is kept near the front of the peloton by the tireless work of Dave. Z, Tour rookie Ramunas Navardauskas and veteran David Millar. Thor finishes in 3rd place on another uphill finish and lives to see another day with his rainbow jersey being replaced with yellow. Close-ups throughout the stage reveal the majestic beauty and efficiency of Zabriskie’s pedaling style. Man and machine are one.
Stage 7:
Generally considered Thor’s last chance to keep the Maillot Jaune, this was a classic flat stage for the sprinters. HTC took the peloton to school with another text book lead-out to the line for Cav. Thor hangs with the front group and crosses the finish line in 6th place. Once again, he maintains his one second lead over 2nd placed Cadel Evans and keeps the yellow jersey for another day.
The only rider to finish in the top ten of every stage thus far? Thor Hushovd.
JV takes into the account the real competition at hand:
Stage 8: Thor de France
The first climbers stage: Super-Besse. Windy conditions and a bit of rain make it one for the hard men. BMC leads the peloton as Vino attacks the breakaway. Rui Costa of Movistar takes the stage—beautiful tribute to his fallen teammates. Story of the day? The God of Thunder—with teammates Christian Vande Velde and Tom Danielson by his side—stays with the leaders to cross the line with the main group and keeps the Maillot Jaune for yet another day!
JV’s smartphone explodes at the finish line. Vaughters then seeks medical attention for his over-worked thumbs.
CVV tweets:
GC standings:
Thor Hushovd......................1st Place
David Millar...........................9th 0:19
Tom Danielson....................21st 01:57
Christian Vande Velde.......22nd 01:57
Ryder Hesjedal..................46th 05:46
Julian Dean............................53
Ramunas Navardauskusm...155
Tyler Fararr...........................159
David Zabriskie.....................175
Stage 9:
Pre-stage speculation is that Garmin will try to defend the yellow jersey going into the first rest day of the Tour. Will the God of Thunder sleep with the Maillot Jaune for two more nights?
Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha taken out by press car!
Damn! ANOTHER CRASH!
Vino out with a broken femur.
JVDB out with a broken shoulder blade.
David Zabriskie out with a broken wrist.
The peloton slows to regroup. Thomas Voekler, in a breakaway, gains an insurmountable lead, and the Garmin/Thor fairytale comes to an end on a stage that was originally well within their ability to control.
[Rest Day 1]
This thread is to celebrate the success of Garmin-Cervélo at the 2011 TdF.
There's been a lot of cynicism directed their way since the start of the season, and JV's selection for the Tour team was called into question as well.
So, how did Garmin-Cervélo’s performance at the 2011 TdF compare with your expectations?
I’ve included a poll to gauge how their performance compared with your expectations.
Here’s the breakdown. Discuss any of the stages or your opinion from the poll.
Stage 1:
Thor Hushovd positions himself well in the final climb, finishing 3rd on the stage behind Philippe Gilbert and eventual TdF winner Cadel Evans. The next day will find the mighty Norwegian wearing the unlikely Polka Dot Jersey.
Stage 2: TTT
Garmin-Cervelo brings it. I’m reminded of Cav’s disparaging comments from the 2009 Giro about how he felt it was “disrespectful” to the sponsor for Garmin to put such an emphasis on “only” the TTT.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-calls-garmins-team-trial-trial-fixation-disrespectful
Garmin-Cervelo wins the TTT.
Thor takes the Maillot Jaune!
Stage 3:
BOOM!
Thor, dressed in yellow, leads Tyler to the line to win the sprint and take his first ever TdF stage win. Memories of the dynamic duo taking stage two of Tirreno-Adriatico come to mind.
Tyler displays the Wouter Weylandt tribute at the finish line.
Later that day, in addition to other remarks, Vaughters tweets about the Lithuanian national champion and last minute addition to the Tour squad:
It’s all smiles in the Garmin camp.
Stage 4:
On a stage finish custom-made for Philippe Gilbert, Thor shocks everyone
by finishing in 6th place and holding on to the Maillot Jaune by only one second over Cadel Evans.
Every day in yellow is a good day.
Stage 5:
Crashes galore on this windy day in Brittany. Thor hangs tough once again, makes the top ten and retains the yellow jersey as Cavendish takes the stage.
Stage 6:
Once again, the God of Thunder is kept near the front of the peloton by the tireless work of Dave. Z, Tour rookie Ramunas Navardauskas and veteran David Millar. Thor finishes in 3rd place on another uphill finish and lives to see another day with his rainbow jersey being replaced with yellow. Close-ups throughout the stage reveal the majestic beauty and efficiency of Zabriskie’s pedaling style. Man and machine are one.
Stage 7:
Generally considered Thor’s last chance to keep the Maillot Jaune, this was a classic flat stage for the sprinters. HTC took the peloton to school with another text book lead-out to the line for Cav. Thor hangs with the front group and crosses the finish line in 6th place. Once again, he maintains his one second lead over 2nd placed Cadel Evans and keeps the yellow jersey for another day.
The only rider to finish in the top ten of every stage thus far? Thor Hushovd.
JV takes into the account the real competition at hand:
Stage 8: Thor de France
The first climbers stage: Super-Besse. Windy conditions and a bit of rain make it one for the hard men. BMC leads the peloton as Vino attacks the breakaway. Rui Costa of Movistar takes the stage—beautiful tribute to his fallen teammates. Story of the day? The God of Thunder—with teammates Christian Vande Velde and Tom Danielson by his side—stays with the leaders to cross the line with the main group and keeps the Maillot Jaune for yet another day!
JV’s smartphone explodes at the finish line. Vaughters then seeks medical attention for his over-worked thumbs.
CVV tweets:
GC standings:
Thor Hushovd......................1st Place
David Millar...........................9th 0:19
Tom Danielson....................21st 01:57
Christian Vande Velde.......22nd 01:57
Ryder Hesjedal..................46th 05:46
Julian Dean............................53
Ramunas Navardauskusm...155
Tyler Fararr...........................159
David Zabriskie.....................175
Stage 9:
Pre-stage speculation is that Garmin will try to defend the yellow jersey going into the first rest day of the Tour. Will the God of Thunder sleep with the Maillot Jaune for two more nights?
Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha taken out by press car!
Damn! ANOTHER CRASH!
Vino out with a broken femur.
JVDB out with a broken shoulder blade.
David Zabriskie out with a broken wrist.
The peloton slows to regroup. Thomas Voekler, in a breakaway, gains an insurmountable lead, and the Garmin/Thor fairytale comes to an end on a stage that was originally well within their ability to control.
[Rest Day 1]
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