Teams & Riders Marc Hirschi discussion thread

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I was actually not too worried about Hirschi, when he underperformed last year. One however can never be sure, because injury and disease can destroy everything - also in the long term.

He seems to have had the luck he needed, and now is back to his best.

UAE and his agent Cancellara will be happy with how things developed in the last weeks and months.

Cancellara probably more than once thought to himself, „Hirschi, I did not introduce you to Gianetti for lying in bed… You are Mauro‘s and my cash-cow, and nothing else…“. But Cance, being the gentleman he still is, probably calmed Hirschi („Don‘t worry, Marc - everything will be fine…“).

 

[SafeBet]

Looked in good shape at GP Indurain today.
His sprint is the only thing that worries me a bit. Both today and during Coppi & Bartali he went backwards when he tried sprinting.

 

[tobydawq]

Looked in good shape at GP Indurain today.
His sprint is the only thing that worries me a bit. Both today and during Coppi & Bartali he went backwards when he tried sprinting.

Yeah, that was an awful sprint, I was sure he was going to win the race at the top of the final hill. He probably would have if he had reached the top first, though (and the motos didn't impede him on the descent), as he is a much better descender than Latour.

 

[johnymax]

Strange because his sprint when he was at his best in 2020 was usually good. Somewhere in the Pogačar, Alaphilippe ballpark. Maybe slightly worse.

 

[tobydawq]

Strange because his sprint when he was at his best in 2020 was usually good. Somewhere in the Pogačar, Alaphilippe ballpark. Maybe slightly worse.

He may have become afraid of sprinting after Alaphilippe's swerve in Liège.

 

[johnymax]

He may have become afraid of sprinting after Alaphilippe's swerve in Liège.

Hopefully he doesn't become afraid of descending after today... I doubt it.
Let's see what he can do in Itzulia (he is riding it, right?). He can become another strong card to play for UAE in the Ardenness next to Pogačar.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Oh man, I completely forgot about Marc. He was so strong in 2020, joined UAE and then disappeared from headlines due to his problems. Hopefully this year will be his comeback.

 

[tobydawq]

Hopefully he doesn't become afraid of descending after today... I doubt it.
Let's see what he can do in Itzulia (he is riding it, right?). He can become another strong card to play for UAE in the Ardenness next to Pogačar.

I think he will do Amstel, so no Itzulia.

 

[Valv.Piti]

The Itzulia -> no AGR is the worst thing about this schedule switchup. The best part is that Wout gets 2 weeks to recuperate.

 

[postmanhat]

Yeah, that was an awful sprint, I was sure he was going to win the race at the top of the final hill. He probably would have if he had reached the top first, though (and the motos didn't impede him on the descent), as he is a much better descender than Latour.

That's how I saw it as well. Good move by Latour to get himself in front, but his slow descent completely undid all the work put in on the climb. Not sure if Hirschi would have soloed to victory otherwise, but I'm sure there wouldn't have been such a large group with him.

 

[Eeslliw]

Another setback, out for two months. He never came back to his magic 2020 year form, but I have feeling there was always something to have an excuse (hip surgery, ilness...). I was really looking forward to this season if we will see at least some glimps of 2020 Hirschi.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Another setback, out for two months. He never came back to his magic 2020 year form, but I have feeling there was always something to have an excuse (hip surgery, ilness...). I was really looking forward to this season if we will see at least some glimps of 2020 Hirschi.

I still have a good feeling for his career because he is so talented. But often has bad luck, like very talented Kämna.

I was a little bit angry about the way Gianetti and Cancellara pulled him away from DSM to UAE. But at UAE he looks somehow cursed until now. But I think he‘ll stay at the team for long time, and they‘ll celebrate nice wins together.

Fracture is a bad moment, however. Not even two months before his Classics. He‘ll train on indoor trainer now, probably.

 

[Offline]

Good to have him back. Most be the most unlucky rider over the past 2.5 year in the peleton. Great ride yesterday. I hope he can keep the GC lead today

 

[Offline]

Great ride today again! And MVP Fisher-Black

 

[Lequack]

Nice win today. You almost forget how strong Hirschi arrived at the scene, but he still has the magic.

 

[Salvarani]

Nice win today. You almost forget how strong Hirschi arrived at the scene, but he still has the magic.

Yes... but still, his first two pro wins remains his biggest ones.

 

[Didinho]

Couldn’t see it but does he look back like his old self? Want to see him fighting for the victory in April again.

 

[Lequack]

For sure, his revelation at Sunweb was a great time. Ever he since started being clean shaven, the wins almost stopped. Coincidence?

 

[Tim Cahill]

Hurricane Hirschi was 12th in points the world last season, they have him smurfing and doing altitude camps for laps around supermarket car parks against part-time plumbers and postmen so they can farm UCI points rather than putting a program together for him to peak for the big races.

Have him peak for Liege and a Grand Tour and he will do stuff.