auscyclefan94 said:I don't get what you mean by that first sentence. Phil has said he wants to work for Cadel at the tour. Those guys developed a close friendship at Lotto. He wants to work for Cadel. It i not about him at the tour and he knows that. He's not risking any of his aims.
Yes he is.
His big aim for the season. What could that be?
Lets see, he has won Amstel Gold twice in a row.
The World Championships will take in parts of the Amstel Gold course.
I guess the TDF will be his main aim for the season then
AussieGoddess said:It wouldnt do him much good to work for Cadel at the Tour .... thats just the price to pay for Cadel's support in the classics.
He wants to win RvV first and foremost, then defend the Ardennes, and a world championship (if he doesnt win this year). Those are his goals. He wants to do it on a team with his friends (Cadel and Thor especially) ... and the price for that is to support Cadel in the Tour.
I personally think he wants to have a bit of a go at GT's in the future, so will ride for Cadel to learn how to do it. Cadel is pretty good at knowing when to conserve, when to go and when to wait ..... something Phil needs to learn in order to do 3 week tours.
Cadels support isnt going to be worth much in RVV and Gilbert doesnt need Evan's support in the Ardennes.
The race where Evan's support would be most important, is the worlds but oh wait, they wont be on the same team.
Likewise Gilberts support wont be worth much in the Tour de France. Cadel cant beat Contador anyway, and if he could, where exactly is Gilbert going to offer any major help?
Instead hes going to hurt himself before the olympics, and the Vuelta comes soon after - (what hes used as preperation before).
When is he supposed to rest?
By far his best option is to rest during the Tour where he has nothing to prove really.