For me is a pity... but mainly becouse he was a good rider to measure the right level this year. He was one of the strong riders last year, and Nibali is not here. There is still TVG or Pinot, but, it is not the same
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Afrank said:Sad to hear, hopefully he goes for the Vuelta now. Much better chance of a podium/top 10 there.
Logic-is-your-friend said:If he doesn't crash, he does top 10 in TDF, what are you talking about "much better chance"? He finished 13th in 2009 after losing a lot of time after a crash in a TTT and going in ridiculous breaks in every mountain stage. He finished 4th in 2010. He crashed out in 2011. He finished 4th in 2012. In 2011 he punctured his longue, broke ribs and a colarbone, and he still managed to finish 8th in the Vuelta, being in bad shape.
Seriously, wtf. He had more chance in 2011 to podium in the TDF than he had in the Vuelta due to his injury. So it remains to be seen how much better his chances are in the vuelta. It all depends on his injury.
Logic-is-your-friend said:JVDB should have left Lotto a long time ago for a team where common sense prevails.
they enable JVDB to live solely for a top 5 spot in the TDF (hint: getting him some good moral in smaller races wouldn't hurt)
Roderick said:Do you think there are any World Tour-teams that want a rider who only does one race a year for a measly top-5?
I hope you do know that's his own choice?
Roderick said:Do you think there are any World Tour-teams that want a rider who only does one race a year for a measly top-5?
I said they enable him. I didn't say they force him. They "let" him do it and support him in doing so. Enable.Roderick said:I hope you do know that's his own choice?
Gloin22 said:Hmmmmm..
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23898
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23928
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23941
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23945
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23888
Bit harsh on him.
Pippo_San said:Lol in Romandie he was beaten even by friggin Tommy D.
Nice way to prove a point dude
All I read is that there are always at least 3-4 people better than him in every race he enters. In every single one.
Definitely material for a podium in the Tour or Vuelta, oh yes
Panda Claws said:And yet he always beats people like Tommy D. in GT's, so what are you saying? That GT's = One week races?
Logic-is-your-friend said:Oh wow, a measly top 5. Look, TDF is the biggest and most prestigious race in the world. There are only 3 podium places. There are dozens of other races to be won. Do you think it's easier to finish 4th, twice, in the TDF than it is to win one of many races instead? I already made my point clear that i don't agree with focussing entirely on the TDF. That doesn't mean you have to belittle his achievements because that is simply out of place.
I said they enable him. I didn't say they force him. They "let" him do it and support him in doing so. Enable.
Froome and Contador were right next to him.TheEnoculator said:I feel bad for VdB that he crashed badly, but he's asking for it by being so close to the sprinters. He wouldn't lose that much time if he hung back, or stayed with Froome and Contador. The climbing hasn't even started yet, why would he worry about losing a few seconds?
Pippo_San said:And where the heck did I say something like that? I repeat, in every single race he enters there are at least 3-4 people better than him. The words here are AT LEAST 3-4 PEOPLE and IN EVERY SINGLE RACE.
Nuff said
Pippo_San said:All I read is that there are always at least 3-4 people better than him in every race he enters. In every single one.
Definitely material for a podium in the Tour or Vuelta, oh yes
Dekker_Tifosi said:You can laugh about Ten Dam
But Mollema? Dude stop it. Mollema at his age has achieved more than JvdB when he was 26/27.. I doubt Mollema is worse at JvdB even at his top
Logic-is-your-friend said:Fin de saison.
He's out for the season, no Vuelta either. Another wasted year.
brilleaben said:The rest of the season won't be the same without his presence.