le Tour team thread

[Angliru]

again you can't read? I say noval is not a BAD climber, where do I say he's a climber??

noval has been 6th and 9th in volta catalunya, and even as a helper done 40th in vuelta.

I didn't know that. Thanks for posting that info.

 

[roundabout]

They sacked Lloyd, Bakelants and De Greef are probably the only 2 people who could have helped VdB2 in the mountains at least somewhat who are not doing the Tour.

Yeah, there's also Pujol but he has been pretty bad this season and Aerts with his health problems.

 

[pmcg76]

To be fair, OPL's squad as a whole isn't exactly overloaded with mountain goats.

That was my point, it was someone else who suggested riders who would finish between 4th-10th didnt need mountain domestiques which is why I then listed teams with riders who might fall into that category. They all have climbing domestiques except Omega.

It is strange that they sacrificed De Greef and Bakelants at the Giro when they are probably the only two decent climbers they have apart from De Clercq now.

 

[roundabout]

Doesn't Basso only have Szmyd and Evans only has Morabito and Moinard and they to me can do better than 4-10.

 

[Anonymous]

I imagine he will. HTC are likely to select Goss who's likely to leave next season.

Your thoughts about Gerrans being selected?

Looked strong in the spring in the ardennes and did a decent job in the Dauphine.

I think probably team spirit plays an important part in the selection. Obviously the team that rode the Dauphine seem to have a good rappor with each other, and Swift gets on with everyone. Not saying Hendo etc dont, but the Dauphine team clearly work well together.

 

[TeoSheva]

Whats the source btw? Cant find anything official about it

biciciclismo

 

[lucybears]

biciciclismo

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=570876&postcount=459

 

[Ragerod]

exactly wanted to say that too. they shouldnt have that much leadout men for greipel they should have given more men to VDB.

But are they lead-out men for Greipel?

It makes much more sense to consider Lang, Roelandts and Sieberg as workhorses to pull back breakaways giving Gilbert the opportunity to win stages 1 and 4.

Stage 1 isn't appealing to some of the sprinters teams, namely HTC, and the other teams capable of pulling back breakaways will be focusing on the TTT. If Gilbert wants to wear yellow then OPL will have to do some work on day 1. The same problem will exist on stage 4 but if OPL can win those two stages, spending a day a yellow, then it'll be a successful tour. Helping Greipel should be a secondary objective.

 

[theyoungest]

But are they lead-out men for Greipel?

It makes much more sense to consider Lang, Roelandts and Sieberg as workhorses to pull back breakaways giving Gilbert the opportunity to win stages 1 and 4.

Stage 1 isn't appealing to some of the sprinters teams, namely HTC, and the other teams capable of pulling back breakaways will be focusing on the TTT. If Gilbert wants to wear yellow then OPL will have to do some work on day 1. The same problem will exist on stage 4 but if OPL can win those two stages, spending a day a yellow, then it'll be a successful tour. Helping Greipel should be a secondary objective.

Matthew Goss?

 

[TeoSheva]

Matthew Goss?

too hard for him... in the TdS he was not able to follow Marcato and he should have the chance to follow Gilbert? no way!

 

[gustienordic]

OPL & Wrong Priorities

That was my point, it was someone else who suggested riders who would finish between 4th-10th didnt need mountain domestiques which is why I then listed teams with riders who might fall into that category. They all have climbing domestiques except Omega.

It is strange that they sacrificed De Greef and Bakelants at the Giro when they are probably the only two decent climbers they have apart from De Clercq now.

I think OPL is trying to target stage wins way too much for JVDB to perform to his best. However, I could see Gilbert as an awesome teammate if VDB ever can snatch yellow. Gilbert may not be able to climb for a long time, but I think he would spill his guts out for JVDB in yellow.

 

[Ragerod]

Matthew Goss?

Why do the work when someone else will do it for you? Goss will no doubt try to win the stage but his chances aren't good enough for HTC to spend the day pulling on the front, particularly when the TTT presents a much better opportunity for a stage win.

 

[Frosty]

But are they lead-out men for Greipel?

It makes much more sense to consider Lang, Roelandts and Sieberg as workhorses to pull back breakaways giving Gilbert the opportunity to win stages 1 and 4.

Stage 1 isn't appealing to some of the sprinters teams, namely HTC, and the other teams capable of pulling back breakaways will be focusing on the TTT. If Gilbert wants to wear yellow then OPL will have to do some work on day 1. The same problem will exist on stage 4 but if OPL can win those two stages, spending a day a yellow, then it'll be a successful tour. Helping Greipel should be a secondary objective.

Its a strange one stage 1. Some teams will be wanting to save energy for the TTT but those who think they can win the TTT and take yellow will be wanting to bring the break back so will be willing to do some work. OPL will probably be the team expected to do the most though. The thing with the OPL tour team is that they also could do a good job in the TTT. If there are time gaps on stages 1 and 4 then it could be possible for Gilbert to have a chance of taking yellow back? Dont think he'd do it but could be close?

As far as VDB goes i assume that they will be looking to someone on each mountain stage to be at the bottom of the last climb with him. Vanendert went well in the Classics and is quite light. Could he be a surprise super-domestique? (maybe a class below super- but still making select groups of 20/30?)

 

[Sørensen]

For those of us that don't have access to google translate because we're at work (Keep it hush-hush!), could you please post in English? This is an English language forum isn't it?

Hey bud. My sweetheart wrote me in danish, all I did was answer him..

Here's what I wrote in pirate

"Arrr, well possibly. As Me see it, the only thin' I am guilty o' a bit o' national bias by belie'in' that 'andborg is better than Larsson, Me admit e'en Me have no other reasons than national bias, as gi'en has been reinforced by readin' this forum. If people start callin' me , imbecile, etc., and accuses me o' 'otin' Df. Me think that I have e'ery right t' defend myself and gi'e back the same drawer. Ye'll ne'er get me buried booty!"

 

[roundabout]

I'll pop a vein if I see Vanendert in the final 20/30 in the mountain stages.

 

[theyoungest]

I'll pop a vein if I see Vanendert in the final 20/30 in the mountain stages.

He used to be a big climbing talent... some of that already showed in the Ardennes classics. I think he's been injured a lot?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Correction, he used to be a big ardennes talent, something he is finally showing now.

He was never good at high mountains (so far) even at U23 level (tho granted they don't have much high mountains there)

 

[theyoungest]

Correction, he used to be a big ardennes talent, something he is finally showing now.

He was never good at high mountains (so far) even at U23 level (tho granted they don't have much high mountains there)

Yeah, a bit like Thomas Dekker.

 

[Ragerod]

Its a strange one stage 1. Some teams will be wanting to save energy for the TTT but those who think they can win the TTT and take yellow will be wanting to bring the break back so will be willing to do some work. OPL will probably be the team expected to do the most though. The thing with the OPL tour team is that they also could do a good job in the TTT. If there are time gaps on stages 1 and 4 then it could be possible for Gilbert to have a chance of taking yellow back? Dont think he'd do it but could be close?

Stage 1 is strange. There is also the possibility that Garmin and Lampre will not only consider it a possible stage win but also a good opportunity to get ahead of Cavendish in the green jersey battle.

It's likely everyone will arrive at the last km together, I was merely making the point that Lang, Sieberg and Roelandts will be team-mates for Gilbert before they provide Greipel with any help.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

He used to be a big climbing talent... some of that already showed in the Ardennes classics. I think he's been injured a lot?

yep, had a great neo-pro year 12th in Fleche I think, and since then he'd be constantly injured

 

[roundabout]

He used to be a big climbing talent... some of that already showed in the Ardennes classics. I think he's been injured a lot?

Ok, he did pretty well in the Ronde de l'Isard and the Giro della Valle d’Aosta but then so have a few other people who didn't end up in the top 20/30 in the mountains.

He can certainly climb, but on the Tourmalets, Galibiers, Agnels etc I don't see him sticking with the best.

 

[theyoungest]

Ok, he did pretty well in the Ronde de l'Isard and the Giro della Valle d’Aosta but then so have a few other people who didn't end up in the top 20/30 in the mountains.

He can certainly climb, but on the Tourmalets, Galibiers, Agnels etc I don't see him sticking with the best.

Me neither, but I wouldn't be totally surprised if he does.

 

[lucybears]

why are Leopard waiting to announce their team as Posthuma in and Feillu out is confirmed?
http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2011/20110623_191644_b-feillu-s-y-attendait.html

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah, a bit like Thomas Dekker.

Dekker won mountain stages (climbs longer than 10km that werent 5%)

 

[theyoungest]

Dekker won mountain stages (climbs longer than 10km that werent 5%)

Aren't you supposed to be in the audience for Knevel & Van den Brink?