In a doping-free world, wouldn't we expect mountain people to climb much better than flatlanders on average? (I mean, the lack of mountains is also why we Dutchies suck so hard at e.g. skiing)
So two Dutchies doing top 5, versus just one lonely Frenchman in the top 20.
How do flatlanders like Mollema and Ten Dam grow a (relatively sudden) talent to climb in their mid-20s? And isn't it nice that they peak both at the same time? The last time a Dutch team was so strong was in 2007.
Are there any answers other than doping?
As to Belkin: why were they on trainingscamp in Girona in April in preparation for races in Italy and France?
Before today, Mollema had never gone up the Ventoux once. Wouldn't it have made a hell of a lot more sense to go to France in April (or post-Giro) to check out the parcours? (Same of course for teams training in Tenerife. Why the focus on Spain when the GTs go down in Italy and France...rethorical question of course).
In a cynical mood, I'd say fast climbing these days comes down to one thing only: juice.
To add, as Fearless GL pointed out recently, Belkin have just started a (apparently commercial) partnership with Jan Gisbers, one of the guys behind the PDM doping factory. I'm really having trouble understanding that decision, so shortly after the Rabo fiasco.
So two Dutchies doing top 5, versus just one lonely Frenchman in the top 20.
How do flatlanders like Mollema and Ten Dam grow a (relatively sudden) talent to climb in their mid-20s? And isn't it nice that they peak both at the same time? The last time a Dutch team was so strong was in 2007.
Are there any answers other than doping?
As to Belkin: why were they on trainingscamp in Girona in April in preparation for races in Italy and France?
Before today, Mollema had never gone up the Ventoux once. Wouldn't it have made a hell of a lot more sense to go to France in April (or post-Giro) to check out the parcours? (Same of course for teams training in Tenerife. Why the focus on Spain when the GTs go down in Italy and France...rethorical question of course).
In a cynical mood, I'd say fast climbing these days comes down to one thing only: juice.
To add, as Fearless GL pointed out recently, Belkin have just started a (apparently commercial) partnership with Jan Gisbers, one of the guys behind the PDM doping factory. I'm really having trouble understanding that decision, so shortly after the Rabo fiasco.