Leopold Konig discussion thread

[ILovecycling]

Thats not what he said.
He never used the words GT and weeklong.

He said that he wouldn't mind working as a domestique, as long as he gets his chances in some big races.

Are you czech who lives in US?

 

[Jancouver]

Are you czech who lives in US?

Something like that

 

[ILovecycling]

Something like that

I dont understand it,but nvm



Great Tour by Konig,impressive TT after three weeks for rookie.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Fantastic tour. I wonder how close to Van Garderen/Bardet he would have been without the fall with talansky AND the bad cobble stage

couldve been top 5

Kreuziger move out... there's a new Czech top rider in town

 

[doubleaspect]

No need to make it some kind of sensation, that's work for journalists. There wew some emotions, understandably, and it'd all settle down if they are teammates. Hey, you don't have to look to far for comparison - last year Tinkov and Riis couldn't stand each other, this year they look almost like best friends

I'm just saying how it is.........nothing to do with emotions.......yes, you're right that they could get over the apparent dislike (or rather Leo's, not sure if it is mutual], just as you've shown, but things could not take this course and they might find themselves in a similar situation to Wiggins and Froome......

Going into a new team with the hope of "kissing and making up" is, in my book, worse than going somewhere without holding a grudge against somebody....

 

[doubleaspect]

Konig is a good rider but not as good as everyone here is making out....not as good as Kreuziger ( who if found guilty will be sacked by Tinkoff)

Kreuziger rides very well as domestique ....Not sure Konig would do that
Plus if at TCS will end up working for Contador & Majka ....not sure he would like that...It very hard to get results if you are domestique and almost impossible to get GT lead in that team

Alot of riders rode well in this Tour but if Contador, Quintanta, Froome, Talansky were fully in the race and other riders feeling better like Porte & VdBrook not sure they would look as good

Konig has finished in the seventh place on his first Tour de France.

It seems to me that you're playing down Konig's performance, which is obviously contrary to what think........

There is no way of comparing Kreuziger and Konig......an old hand vs a rookie

Accept the facts and don't hypothesise........if Contador, Quintana, Froome.....what a load of rubbish....anyroad, the IF questions are better suited to historians..........

I find some people afraid of being hit by reality.........

 

[Czapiewski]

Konig is a solid rider, but I think he is goint he way of Kreuziger, so rather super-domestique than winner, hard to call him a rookie as a 27-years old.

 

[inthepink]

Konig has finished in the seventh place on his first Tour de France.

It seems to me that you're playing down Konig's performance, which is obviously contrary to what think........

There is no way of comparing Kreuziger and Konig......an old hand vs a rookie

Accept the facts and don't hypothesise........if Contador, Quintana, Froome.....what a load of rubbish....anyroad, the IF questions are better suited to historians..........

I find some people afraid of being hit by reality.........

I am sorry you don't like my opinions but that is what they are ...just like your post are opinions ....I am not hypothesising as you put it ...I am stating an opinion..maybe you don't understand the concept..IF those top riders were in the Tour then results would be very different..it has nothing to do with history

It is quite insufferable to denigrate my opinions as rubbish
I am not 'afraid of reality' as you put it as I see nothing to be afraid of in Konig or you for that matter ...I am entitled to my opinion and to being able to state it here
You are fanboy and you are blinded by what you want to believe ...but if you are so certain in your belief why feel the need to have a go at anyone who disagrees with you

I will state it again - At this time I think Kreuziger is the better rider....what will happen in the future is uncertain
But many riders have ridden great first Tours without ever reaching the podium

 

[Kokoso]

Okay, I interpretated those words as domestique in GTs and captain in Tirreno-Adriatico, etc. Not sure, what exactly he meant. Maybe he'll get a Horner-role: Domestique in the Tour and captain in the Vuelta?

König definitely says he's GT man and GTs are his main goal.

What he showed in the mountains wasn't exceptional, but it was decent. TT was great. While there are plenty of good climbers, there are very few riders who can do both - TT and climb. And that's his case. Some WT teams would use leader like that without thinking twice.

 

[doubleaspect]

Konig is a solid rider, but I think he is goint he way of Kreuziger, so rather super-domestique than winner, hard to call him a rookie as a 27-years old.

What I meant is that Konig is a rookie in terms of the workings of a professional class A team.

Kreuziger has profited immensely from riding with Alberto, and he would always stress that he is more than just grateful for such experience. As matter of fact, he has never shown any signs of being tired of working as a domestique for Alberto.

Kreuziger would always make it clear that Alberto is in the league of his own, so learning from him has always been a priority.

Konig hasn't learnt much yet, and that's why choosing the right team is absolutely crucial for him.

Vincenzo took time and learnt to ride cobbles (stage 5) from the Dutch.......and it showed as he gained 3 minutes on Alberto....

 

[karlboss]

If he's talking about working for someone I can only think of few names right now, Froome, Contador, Nibali, Quintana, Rodriguez and at a stretch Uran and Aru. It would seem strange to me if his chances at other "big races" didn't include a GT. I'd think Katusha would always have a space, Rodriguez can at best compete for the win in 2. I think Astana and Saxo might be a little crowded and Sky would also be telling(it would mean they've lost faith in their current line up). Uran in the past has never done well in 2 GTs per year so I would think OPQS is a possibility, Movistar...would depend on Valverde, I'd think not. Riding with Horner wouldn't be the worst thing, he's shown an interest in helping out some of the young americans on occaision, maybe having a young promising teammate he could help also.

I'll watch this space with interest, of course the other way to go, would be for team Bora to recruit a team leader, Wiggins (yes I know), Horner are both out of contract.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I'll watch this space with interest, of course the other way to go, would be for team Bora to recruit a team leader, Wiggins (yes I know), Horner are both out of contract.

GC leaders generally cost money that Pro Conti teams don't have and demand support that they can't provide. Which is why Konig is the only one of note currently on a second division team. I'd be surprised if Bora are stumping enough cash for the team to add a second.

 

[karlboss]

GC leaders generally cost money that Pro Conti teams don't have and demand support that they can't provide. Which is why Konig is the only one of note currently on a second division team. I'd be surprised if Bora are stumping enough cash for the team to add a second.

As will I, but it is another option

 

[pastronef]

cyclingnews reports about König being targeted by team Sky for 2015

 

[pastronef]

if, IF Froome does not race the Tour in 2015, I look forward to Leopold having a great race

 

[Coat-O]

I don't think Froome will do the Tour. This is a good opportunity for Konig for a top 5. Should co-lead with Henao since it has all these Murito finishes which suits him well.

 

[pastronef]

I don't think Froome will do the Tour. This is a good opportunity for Konig for a top 5. Should co-lead with Henao since it has all these Murito finishes which suits him well.

they have to see how Henao, Porte, Konig form will be next July. Richie will sign for another team before of after the 2015 Tour, so let's see...

 

[pastronef]

interview with Leopold

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/konig-happy-with-decision-to-join-team-sky

I am expecting great things from him. He's expecting to improve at Sky

 

[42x16ss]

interview with Leopold

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/konig-happy-with-decision-to-join-team-sky

I am expecting great things from him. He's expecting to improve at Sky

Konig will be carting bottles and setting tempo for Froome, USPS style. Wait and see. I just hope that he doesn't stagnate like EBH because of it.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Konig will be carting bottles and setting tempo for Froome, USPS style. Wait and see. I just hope that he doesn't stagnate like EBH because of it.

Maybe next year he will support Froome in whichever GT he decides to do, but there will still be plenty of good opportunities for him. If Froome does Giro then Konig could get leadership at the Tour. If Froome does the Tour then Konig could support him then ride the Vuelta.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how he does next year, he is by far Sky's best new signing even though they have done good business in the transfer market this year.

 

[pastronef]

for the Giro:
Konig, Porte, Deignan, Henao, Knees, Eisel, Fenn, Swift, Viviani

for the Tour:
Froome, Porte, Poels, Konig, Nieve, Roche, Thomas, Stannard, Knees, Kiryenka

the question is: will Konig ride Giro-Tour or Giro-Vuelta?

will Porte be Froome's right hand man during the Tour too, while he will be in talks with other team for 2016?

 

[JRanton]

for the Giro:
Konig, Porte, Deignan, Henao, Knees, Eisel, Fenn, Swift, Viviani

for the Tour:
Froome, Porte, Poels, Konig, Nieve, Roche, Thomas, Stannard, Knees, Kiryenka

the question is: will Konig ride Giro-Tour or Giro-Vuelta?

will Porte be Froome's right hand man during the Tour too, while he will be in talks with other team for 2016?

They will send more climbers than that to the Giro I think. There are the likes of Kennaugh, Siutsou and Lopez who you haven't named in either team and are likely to ride at least one of those two Grand Tours. Even Sergio Henao might be available for the Tour or more likely the Vuelta I suppose given his long time out.

 

[Kokoso]

Looks like he's one of I think few riders who adapted quickly in Sky, but we will see, Giro just has just begun. I think he could manage to stay in top 5-6 and salvage GC for Sky a little. Untill now he hasn't looked in great climbing form but, than again it's long time to the end and it can turn both ways.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Looks like he's one of I think few riders who adapted quickly in Sky, but we will see, Giro just has just begun. I think he could manage to stay in top 5-6 and salvage GC for Sky a little. Untill now he hasn't looked in great climbing form but, than again it's long time to the end and it can turn both ways.

What the heck...he has been a lack lustre dom at SKY to be honest ...he never rode for Porte at this Giro and was MIA in the spring when riding for Froome & Porte ...Sure he can follow wheels and get a top 10...maybe a top 5 in a Giro/Vuelta if the field is not great ...but that is it ...Very over rated and especially by himself...what he said today when asked about Porte was cocky in the extreme....In SKY you have to earn your spurs ...not sure MR Konig has....would be ok if he was a super rider but he is not...he is just a good climber and a very good TTer

Ahead of him are Contador, Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Landa, Fuglsang, Uran, Purito, Valverde, TJVG, Talansky, Aru, Majka, Kelderman, Martin, Pinot, Bardet, Peraud, etc

 

[JRanton]

Re: Re:

Looks like he's one of I think few riders who adapted quickly in Sky, but we will see, Giro just has just begun. I think he could manage to stay in top 5-6 and salvage GC for Sky a little. Untill now he hasn't looked in great climbing form but, than again it's long time to the end and it can turn both ways.

What the heck...he has been a lack lustre dom at SKY to be honest ...he never rode for Porte at this Giro and was MIA in the spring when riding for Froome & Porte ...Sure he can follow wheels and get a top 10...maybe a top 5 in a Giro/Vuelta if the field is not great ...but that is it ...Very over rated and especially by himself...what he said today when asked about Porte was cocky in the extreme....In SKY you have to earn your spurs ...not sure MR Konig has....would be ok if he was a super rider but he is not...he is just a good climber and a very good TTer

Ahead of him are Contador, Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Landa, Fuglsang, Uran, Purito, Valverde, TJVG, Talansky, Aru, Majka, Kelderman, Martin, Pinot, Bardet, Peraud, etc

I agree. Who the hell does he think he is? Whoopie doo, he's finished 7th and 9th in two Grand Tours. Big deal. Porte has 2 Paris-Nice titles and has won Catalunya and other stage races. He has 9 wins already this year! I know which Palmares I'd rather have and at least Porte has showed he can hang with the elite riders in Grand Tours at times.