Nibali vs. Gesink vs. VDB2: TdF 2012

[Netserk]

Who of these three riders will place best in the final GC of the 2012 TdF?

Robert 'the condor' Gesink

Best result in the TdF: 6th (2010)
Best result in any GT: 6th (Tour 2010 & Vuelta 2009)

Vincenzo 'Lo squalo dello Stretto' Nibali

Best result in the TdF: 7th (2009)
Best result in any GT: 1st (Vuelta 2010)

VDB2

Best result in the TdF: 5th (2010)
Best result in any GT: 5th (Tour 2010)

 

[Fetisoff]

Out of these three - Gesink

 

[Netserk]

Last year we had the Gesink vs. VDB2 thread. Will it again be the Dutch against the Belgians, or will the Italians be able to win this great battle?

 

[vcampbell]

I think VDB2. He improved his TT, and if he is in good form, then he will attack in the moutains, so VDB2!

 

[CasperVg]

I'd say Gesink if he manages not to crash, otherwise VDB2. I like Nibali, but he never shows he can follow the best on big climbs.

 

[Machu Picchu]

Voted Nibali as I do think he's the better of the three (and hoping he'll be able to improve) but on current form - VDB2.

 

[theyoungest]

VDB2 seems to be having a perfect preparation so far. Nibali is slightly overrated, and Gesink won't be at his best. So VDB2 it is.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Going for VDB2 think he would also have been strong last year if he didnt crash out and think he can surprise. Gesink 2nd and Nibali 3rd (from these 3).

 

[classicomano]

I still think Gesink isnt strong enough yet.

 

[Fetisoff]

So, I guess this thread could also be named "the battle for last place in top 5" thread, right?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

As long as Gesink stays on his bike, Gesink. If not JvdB. If he falls.. Nibali

 

[Leonardus]

Although Gesink is not at his best yet and VDB2 looks ready for the tour, I still believe Gesink has more potential. He got better results, showed in several TT's more improvement and, on paper, has a better team. So only question mark is if he can reach his top form in July and for both of them if they can stay on their bikes.

 

[cineteq]

Nibali of course, he has the most tools to win, plus he's the smartest of the 4.

 

[TeoSheva]

So, I guess this thread could also be named "the battle for last place in top 5" thread, right?

IMO could be the battle for the 3rd place...

 

[DenisMenchov]

I hope VDB.

 

[Fetisoff]

IMO could be the battle for the 3rd place...

Yeah, it could very well be. Wigans and/or Evans can crash, Menchov can also suck for no reason, we don't know the extent of Sammy's injury, so this could even be the battle for the title, for all we know

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

IMO could be the battle for the 3rd place...

Some people still think Wiggo will make it up there on the podium with Menchov and Evans though, but I agree with you, these three should be able to battle it out for third behind Menchov and Evans.

 

[cineteq]

Some people still think Wiggo will make it up there on the podium with Menchov and Evans though, but I agree with you, these three should be able to battle it out for third behind Menchov and Evans.

Talking about Evans, Wiggo or Menchov are beyond the scope of this thread...It's still can't believe why people even mention Menchov as a favorite at all.

 

[TeoSheva]

Evans and Wiggo are out the scope of this thread...It's still beyond me why people even mention Menchov as a favorite.

+100000

Some people think that Menchov can TT like Wiggins
or climbing like Evans...

the reality is that he can TT like Barredo and can climb like Gallopin...

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Talking about Evans, Wiggo or Menchov are beyond the scope of this thread...It's still can't believe why people even mention Menchov as a favorite at all.

Eventhough my previous post in this thread was far from serious, maybe people talk about Menchov because he's won three GT's and podiumed the TDF twice?


ontopic though: barring sickness or crashes and assuming good shape: Gesink.

 

[The Hitch]

Vdb is all the bad of Andy schleck - only cares for the tour, without the good- attacks.

So i hope the others prevail. nibali is a hardcore fan's dream rider so lets hope he can bring it.

 

[Fetisoff]

+100000

Some people think that Menchov can TT like Wiggins
or climbing like Evans...

the reality is that he can TT like Barredo and can climb like Gallopin...

And yet he's still a 3-time GT winner. How's that even possible

 

[roundabout]

And yet he's still a 3-time GT winner. How's that even possible

He is not as good as he once was?

 

[Froome19]

Yeah, it could very well be. Wigans and/or Evans can crash, Menchov can also suck for no reason, we don't know the extent of Sammy's injury, so this could even be the battle for the title, for all we know

The question isnt whether Menchov will suck for no reason but rather whether, will he actually not suck for a reason.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Vdb is all the bad of Andy schleck - only cares for the tour, without the good- attacks.

So i hope the others prevail. nibali is a hardcore fan's dream rider so lets hope he can bring it.

So that's why Jurgen Van den Broeck was 4th in Algarve, 3rd in Catalunya, and 12th in Pais Vasco (though in top 10 position before screwing up the tt because of the rain, too afraid).
Also 10th in Fleche Wallone.

...that's more than Schleck usually does in other races ;-)