Nibali vs. Gesink vs. VDB2: TdF 2012

[Christophe]

I voted Nibs; Add Menchov to this list, and it's the list for places 3-6.

 

[maxmartin]

judging from past GT performance, this is no brainer Nibali, until proved otherwise.

 

[orangerider]

Gesink does not do well at 3 week grand tours and should focus on one week tours and hilly classics. The guy just isn't grand tour material. Freire summed it up right saying that while he has the physical strength, he's just clumbsy on a bike and isn't tactically very bright.

 

[blaxland]

in this poll ive said Jvb but id rather have Gesink finish higher.But thats just being a fan

 

[theyoungest]

Gesink does not do well at 3 week grand tours and should focus on one week tours and hilly classics. The guy just isn't grand tour material. Freire summed it up right saying that while he has the physical strength, he's just clumbsy on a bike and isn't tactically very bright.

He has finished 4 GTs, and finished 3 of those in the top-10. So to say that he doesn't do well at those races is a bit harsh.

 

[greenedge]

I voted Gesink as i think he is the best climber out of all 3. He has also improved his ITT. I think Nibali will do well on descents but might crack/ lose time on either a mountain stage or ITT.

I like JVDB but i would prefer for the others to go better as they animate the race more.

 

[orangerider]

He has finished 4 GTs, and finished 3 of those in the top-10. So to say that he doesn't do well at those races is a bit harsh.

So has Leipheimer and no one believed in his ability to win a grand tour despite placing very decently most years.

 

[Froome19]

I voted Nibs; Add Menchov to this list, and it's the list for places 3-6.

So you are saying Evans and Wiggins are guaranteed 1 & 2?

Did you not learn anything from the Giro?

 

[theyoungest]

So has Leipheimer and no one believed in his ability to win a grand tour despite placing very decently most years.

Depends on what you call "doing well", of course. 3 out of 4 GTs in the top-10 is pretty decent for a young rider. He's no Schleck or Contador, but VDB2 and Nibali aren't at that level either.

 

[webvan]

Interesting comparison, three excellent GT riders who will only win the TDF if top guys (Bertie, Andy, Evans, etc...) is absent or crashes. After TOC I would have said Gesink, now after the Dauphiné and the first climb at the TDS I'm not so sure...I'm ruling out Nibali though, it will be between Gesink and VDB2.

 

[Pippo_San]

First: VDB2 isn't a winner.
Second: Gesink isn't a winner IN EUROPE.

Guess who wins.

 

[theyoungest]

It's getting hard to distinguish El Pisti's alter ego from El Pisti himself... he might as well post everything under the same name.

 

[cineteq]

First: VDB2 isn't a winner.
Second: Gesink isn't a winner IN EUROPE.
Guess who wins.

The 2010 Vuelta winner, and 2010 & 2011 Giro top 3, perhaps the 2 toughest Giros ever

It's getting hard to distinguish El Pisti's alter ego from El Pisti himself... he might as well post everything under the same name.

Who cares as long as he's right

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

First: VDB2 isn't a winner.
Second: Gesink isn't a winner IN EUROPE.

Guess who wins.

[ITA] Giro dell'Emilia (195.6 km)
1. GESINK Robert RAB 4h49'14" 140
2. MARTIN Daniel GRM 84
3. SCARPONI Michele AND 01" 70
4. KOLOBNEV Alexandr KAT 09" 63
5. NIBALI Vincenzo LIQ 11" 56
6. POZZOVIVO Domenico COG 13" 49
7. COPPEL Jérôme SAU 16" 42
8. TONDO VOLPINI Xavier CTT 24" 36
9. RICCO Riccardo VAC 40" 30
10. SINKEWITZ Patrik ISD 50" 26

[ITA] Giro dell'Emilia (198.5 km)
1. GESINK Robert RAB 4h49'31" 140
2. FUGLSANG Jakob SAX 84
3. LÖFKVIST Thomas THR 70
4. EVANS Cadel SIL 20" 63
5. VINOKOUROV Alexandre AST 30" 56
6. KESSIAKOFF Fredrik FUJ 32" 49
7. KOLOBNEV Alexandr SAX 40" 42
8. SØRENSEN Chris Anker SAX 43" 36
9. FERNANDEZ DE LA PUEBLA RAMOS Alberto FUJ 43" 30
10. TIRALONGO Paolo LAM 50" 26

[SUI] Tour de Suisse, Stage 6 : Meiringen - La Punt (213.3 km)
1. GESINK Robert RAB 6h20'53" 40
2. URAN URAN Rigoberto GCE 42" 25
3. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 42" 15
4. ZAUGG Oliver LIQ 42" 10
5. ARMSTRONG Lance RSH 42" 5
6. CARRARA Matteo VAC 42" 3
7. MORABITO Steve BMC 42" 2
8. SCHLECK Fränk SAX 42" 1
9. KREUZIGER Roman LIQ 42" 0
10. FUGLSANG Jakob SAX 01'20" 0

[BEL] Ronde van België / Tour de Belgique, Stage 4 : Herzele - Aywaille (199.7 km) 2/06/2007
1. GESINK Robert RAB 4h30'59" 20
2. HOSTE Leif PRL 13" 10
3. DE WAELE Bert LAN 13" 5
4. VANENDERT Jelle JAC 13" 3
5. TJALLINGII Maarten SKS 13" 0
6. KIRYIENKA Vasil TCS 13" 0
7. GUSEV Vladimir DSC 13" 0
8. DANIELSON Tom DSC 17" 0
9. MERTENS Pieter PRL 44" 0
10. NEVENS Sven JAR 44" 0


Yeah, Gesink can't win in Europe

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Voted JvdB. His ITT has improved quite a bit and it has shown on a couple of occasions. His overall form is good but not too good, as the Dauphiné clearly showed he still doesn't have the same acceleration he had this time last year. If he wants to drop Wiggins and push Evans, he will certainly need it back. Going by Nibali's form in the Vuelta, where he barely beat a revovering JvdB, and his form in the Dauphiné, i doubt he'll do better. Gesink, i don't know.

 

[Der Effe]

Voted Gesink but probably should have waited to see how he performs in the next few days. If Gesink doesn't perform, it will be VDB.

 

[Christophe]

So you are saying Evans and Wiggins are guaranteed 1 & 2?

Did you not learn anything from the Giro?

It just seems to me that Wiggins is a level above these other guys. I suspect that Evans is coming into form on par with Wiggins. To me it's going to be a tight battle for 1-2, and a separate tight battle for 3-6.

 

[Fetisoff]

It just seems to me that Wiggins is a level above these other guys. I suspect that Evans is coming into form on par with Wiggins. To me it's going to be a tight battle for 1-2, and a separate tight battle for 3-6.

Because neither Evans nor Wiggans are known for getting injured/crashing out of a tour, no matter coming in as a favourite or not... right

 

[Froome19]

First: VDB2 isn't a winner.
Second: Gesink isn't a winner IN EUROPE.

Guess who wins.

Well this isnt about winning but about placings..

 

[gustienordic]

Nibbles and Gesink have both been riding with attacking styles this spring, so it could actually make the race interesting

 

[El Pistolero]

First: VDB2 isn't a winner.
Second: Gesink isn't a winner IN EUROPE.

Guess who wins.

Everyone but Pozzato?

 

[Fetisoff]

Everyone but Pozzato?

Does this post seem strange to anyone else, except me?

 

[Christophe]

Because neither Evans nor Wiggans are known for getting injured/crashing out of a tour, no matter coming in as a favourite or not... right

Of course, barring a crash or two -- This whole thread becomes pointless if we consider the crash histories of all the riders we're discussing here. As far as I can recall, Nibs might be the only one who hasn't had a high-profile season-altering crash.

 

[Fetisoff]

Of course, barring a crash or two -- This whole thread becomes pointless if we consider the crash histories of all the riders we're discussing here. As far as I can recall, Nibs might be the only one who hasn't had a high-profile season-altering crash.

Are you saying this time around it's his turn??

 

[cineteq]

Does this post seem strange to anyone else, except me?

Not strange at all