Teams & Riders Mark Cavendish Discussion Thread

[Akuryo]

It was the closest thing that came to my mind when you said bodyparts crossing the line before the bike. And in this particular case Walscheid would have won if the deciding factor for the win was his body. The only thing Gaviria had in front was his wheel cause of the bike throw. His entire body itself was behind his opponents. But no idea how they would actually rule it if they would fly over the line and their bikes a second later
Has that ever happened? That a crash was that close to the line that the "victor" was not riding but rather flying over the line?

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

It was the closest thing that came to my mind when you said bodyparts crossing the line before the bike. And in this particular case Walscheid would have won if the deciding factor for the win was his body. The only thing Gaviria had in front was his wheel cause of the bike throw. His entire body itself was behind his opponents. But no idea how they would actually rule it if they would fly over the line and their bikes a second later
Has that ever happened? That a crash was that close to the line that the "victor" was not riding but rather flying over the line?

Yes, if it was always body-part, which it - obviously - isn't. In this particular example both their front wheels were clearly ahead of both their shoulders (or is it all of their shoulders, since they both have a pair?)
Question is whether it's always bike-part, or whatever part happens to be across the line first, which - due to the laws of physics - is most often the front wheel. But just imagine a mass crash right on the line, with everyone crossing in a tangled mess of body parts and bike parts.

And no, it hasn't actually happened, though I guess if a rider went flying over the line, but his bike stayed behind, then it wouldn't count since you have to cross the line with your bike. Same if someone loses their wheel and it goes across on it's own.

 

[tobydawq]

It has happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jeB9_VmkNc

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

It has happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jeB9_VmkNc

The first ones across managed to stay upright though…

Hmm... wasn't there something a while back about Cavendish possibly reading these forums?
Mark, if you're reading this; do not test this theory! Just... stay upright!

 

[jmdirt]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2018/06/30/mark-cavendish-cal-crutchlow-superstars-backing-fastest-man/

 

[SHAD0W93]

Come on Cav, show everyone you still got it!

 

[Koronin]

Now if he can just stay upright he could win at least a stage or two this year.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Yeah It would be great if he turns up in his old form

 

[del1962]

Just can't see it, I would love him to find some form, but I think he is declining with age, for all his cleverness if the legs aren't there they aren't there.

 

[spalco]

I'm convinced he could have won a few stages last year, had he not crashed out.
He's not as good as 2011 anymore of course (especially in relation to his competition), but I don't think age is as big a factor as people make it out to be.

If his difficulties in the spring aren't a problem, I'm confident he can take several wins this year too, maybe even in Paris.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Re:

I'm convinced he could have won a few stages last year, had he not crashed out.
He's not as good as 2011 anymore of course (especially in relation to his competition), but I don't think age is as big a factor as people make it out to be.

If his difficulties in the spring aren't a problem, I'm confident he can take several wins this year too, maybe even in Paris.

Yea, last year he could gave won 2 or 3 based off EBH places.

 

[Oude Geuze]

I’m not so sure, EBH was really good last year, came second on several occasions both in sprints and on small punchy climbs and even winning one stage from a break. He also gave Kittel a run for his money with a very close photo finish, but if Cav really was on great form you’re probably right.

 

[SHAD0W93]

If he can overcome the lack of racing, injuries, and sickness from the last 2 years he will dominate and I will be able to watch it live for the first time in 5 years so will be cheering vigorously.

 

[Unchained]

Guy has nobody at the front!!! Quick Step is working to bring everything back.. this time Chavanel..who is putting on a show!! Cav has one guy in the mix.. if they are putting all the eggs in the lead out train basket..Cav is sunk

 

[SlickMongoose]

Hardly any team support at all. Cav was nowhere even before the crash.

 

[MuskyOurSaviour]

Re:

Hardly any team support at all. Cav was nowhere even before the crash.

What support does he need if he doesn't have the legs to stay with the best in last kms Maybe he'll get better by week 2

 

[therealthing]

At this rate merely contesting a sprint will be an achievement.

 

[Jspear]

Did people really expect something from him? I mean I had a hope but that only came from being a fan. Realistically he isn’t going to do anything this Tour.

 

[jaylew]

Judging from his comments before today's stage, sounds like he's given up on winning a stage this year already. Weird, he's already talking about next year. No fight in him at all.

"I don't know. It's going to be hard pushed to beat Bora and Quick-Step in any sprints this year. I can't really say why, but there's obviously next year."

"We'll see next year… but it's going to be hard to beat them, I think."

 

[therealthing]

Yes, his attitude is very different and it's a very poor attitude. Mentally this isn't right. In fairness I think it's unlikely he will win anything but he should at least be trying his very best. Doesn't sound like he can be bothered.

 

[SHAD0W93]

No, the last 2 days have not been good and his attitude has definitely changed from before the Tour expecting to win 6 stages and his comments now. I hope he is trying to downplay his chances like he has done before in order to surprise.

I will continue to root for him on each stage until there is none left with hopefully him winning 6.

 

[PremierAndrew]

This dimension data leadout train has been abysmal

 

[spalco]

Yeah, it's not looking very hopeful. Today doesn't mean much, getting held up by a crash can happen even on top form, but together with being in no man's land yesterday...
I guess the bad spring was just too much.

 

[Benotti69]

Re:

This dimension data leadout train has been abysmal

Sprinters don't need their own trains. If Cavendish had the legs and form he would be on Gaviria or Sagan's wheel and then blip past them in the final 50metres.

Sagan has done pretty well with out a sprint train.

 

[WKA311]

Re: Re:

This dimension data leadout train has been abysmal

Sprinters don't need their own trains. If Cavendish had the legs and form he would be on Gaviria or Sagan's wheel and then blip past them in the final 50metres.

Sagan has done pretty well with out a sprint train.

Yes, but Sagan always has his guys who deliver him in the Top 15 riders to the last k and then let him do his thing. Selig even said so last year that it was wildly different for him to work with Sagan after delivering Bennet on to the last 300m in the Giro. Cav doesn't even seem to have the guys to bring him in position for the last 1-2k. That's the problem.