Don't think so. I think they will take: Cav, Petacchi, Renshaw, Boonen/Trentin, Stybar, Terpstra, Kwiatkowski, Martin and Bakelants. Just my opinion.murali said:btw, any idea whether Poels or TdG will help him in Tour?
Looking at their cobbles recon, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that Poels at the front?murali said:once he starts training with Uran, i think he will start doing better in the mountains.
but the way it stands, i will give a very wide band of 6-15.
btw, any idea whether Poels or TdG will help him in Tour?
That's Steegmans. Poels is definitely not among those guys.alspacka said:Looking at their cobbles recon, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that Poels at the front?
http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/opqs-recons-tour-de-france-cobbles/1782
Thats the thing. You would like to take him to every race in the calendar, cause he always has a chance of winning. It's a curse and a blessing at the same time. This year for example he skipped the cobbles even though he is a decent rider on these roads.Krzysztof_O said:The "problem" is that Kwiatkowski is too versatile. He can win one day races, stage races and time trials. Actually he can do all the things - he is a big talent. In Poland people wonder what kind of speciality he will choose in the future. He has to choose something at some point bacause otherwise he may waste his potential. I would say he's a born one-day racer but with a potential for grand tour podiums.
TBH I think his schedule wasn't problematic, until he decided to race Romandie. You can't podium LBL without an almost ideal prep.Netserk said:I think the only problem is that he was in too good shape too early and later over raced, and that he is riding in a HTC like team where he has to slave for Cav. Ideally he should've had a slower build up starting in Algarve and then race Strade and Tirreno as preparation for MSR, then just Pais Vasco (without going too deep) before the Ardennes and then a break. This spring he was already racing to win in February and didn't hold back in any races.
Absolutely.Krzysztof_O said:The "problem" is that Kwiatkowski is too versatile. He can win one day races, stage races and time trials. Actually he can do all the things - he is a big talent. In Poland people wonder what kind of speciality he will choose in the future. He has to choose something at some point bacause otherwise he may waste his potential. I would say he's a born one-day racer but with a potential for grand tour podiums.
I agree with you. I was perfectly fine with the schedule but he shouls have stopped after LBL and recover properly. Sending him to Romandie was terrible decision. I am not sure just how much you can recover in the time remaining to a TdF, especially since serious racing starts already in the first week and because of leadout duties (is that really necessary with such a strong spring train without him?). Considering all of that, top10 would be a huge success but all it takes is one weak day in high mountains and even that can be out of reach quickly.Pentacycle said:TBH I think his schedule wasn't problematic, until he decided to race Romandie. You can't podium LBL without an almost ideal prep.
Ofc you can. If you noticed I didn't suggest much of a change in schedule, but simply that he shouldn't have been in so good shape so early (as much because of how it will affect the rest of his season, not just the Ardennes, as I don't think just cutting Romandie would've meant he would be fresh for Dauphiné). It's quite telling that he didn't win anything between Strade and Romandie.Pentacycle said:TBH I think his schedule wasn't problematic, until he decided to race Romandie. You can't podium LBL without an almost ideal prep.
Well, 2nd in Pais Vasco behind Contador, stage win at Tirreno-Adriatico, top 5 in AGR, FW, LBL (and I think last one he had good momentum coming into right corner but Moreno caused him to slow down so could have won there) is nothing to be ashamed of.Netserk said:Ofc you can. If you noticed I didn't suggest much of a change in schedule, but simply that he shouldn't have been in so good shape so early (as much because of how it will affect the rest of his season, not just the Ardennes, as I don't think just cutting Romandie would've meant he would be fresh for Dauphiné). It's quite telling that he didn't win anything between Strade and Romandie.
Yes he lacked a real 'peak' performance like Gerrans and Gilbert had. Like you say, somewhat reducing the training intensity could work for him.Netserk said:Ofc you can. If you noticed I didn't suggest much of a change in schedule, but simply that he shouldn't have been in so good shape so early (as much because of how it will affect the rest of his season, not just the Ardennes, as I don't think just cutting Romandie would've meant he would be fresh for Dauphiné). It's quite telling that he didn't win anything between Strade and Romandie.
So OPQS is not pulling him out of the Tour? What a stupid decision.HappyLoser said:Some news:
1. Kwiat says they haven't found any viruses in his blood, he's just tired because of training.
2. He feels stronger than last year.
3. He'll be working in Cav train again. He won't be given any special domestiques for GC.
4. We need to watch him during Polish Championships in Sobotka. (25-29 VI)
Source:
Well, maybe he can trat TdF as a preparation race for Tour de Pologne?Netserk said:At least we can be sure he'll be dead the rest of the season, perhaps with a single bright moment in the WCTTT![]()
He will race it. It is after the Tour.Netserk said:Yeah Pologne is perfect for him. Would be great if he raced that instead of the Tour.