Nicolas Roche Discussion Thread

[Kokoso]

Let's not forget that Roche lost weight for this season (or specifically for the Vuelta) which of course would contribute to his improved climbing.

He was two kilos overweight for TdF and compared to previous seasons but. So no, that shouldn't be the reason.

 

[murali]

the lost kilo is the secret of his success?

 

[Netserk]

He was two kilos overweight for TdF and compared to previous seasons but. So no, that shouldn't be the reason.

AFAIK he lost ~4kg since the Tour.

 

[murali]

when will nico attack today?

he is just 14 pts shy of valv for points jersey. anf j-rod is just 5 pts behind him.

 

[Gloin22]

Ruben time you eat your own hat

 

[murali]

at last, he saved his top-5 spot in a GT.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

at last, he saved his top-5 spot in a GT.

I didn't share the view a few here expressed that his pre-race goal of a top 5 was laughable, but I did think it was extremely ambitious and would be a big stretch. In fact, despite a couple of bad days, he did it pretty comfortably.

A stage win, a day in the leaders jersey and a top 5 on GC. That's a huge step forward in his career.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

quite unbelievable after his season so far. I was one of the ones who outright laughed at his goal.

But yeah, he did it. I don't even know how anymore. Then again, stranger things have happened, like Horner winning the freaking thing and in the same space of time we saw Mollema winning a flat stage and Gesink outsprinting Sagan and Van Avermaet.

Late season cycling is a strange world

 

[Red Rick]

fixed that bit for you

 

[Red Rick]

cycling is a strange world

Fixed that bit for you

 

[trevim]

He can pay a dinner to his team mates, great job from all of them. Specially the one and only Rafal Majka. Great climber and consistent GT rider this kid.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He can pay a dinner to his team mates, great job from all of them.

Yes. He had the most useful support from his team of any leader.

 

[Anderis]

It's funny now to recall some pre-Vuelta opinions. My favourite one was the question when will Roche understand he is not even top-10 material for GC.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

It's funny now to recall some pre-Vuelta opinions. My favourite one was the question when will Roche understand he is not even top-10 material for GC.

Yeah, could be a while before he comes to that realisation now.

 

[LaFlorecita]

He can pay a dinner to his team mates, great job from all of them. Specially the one and only Rafal Majka. Great climber and consistent GT rider this kid.

Yup! Nico's been giving Rafal plenty of credit on twitter... I guess if Rafal hadn't lost all that time on that ridiculously cold stage, he could've finished top 10 or very close to it. He's been gradually climbing up since that stage and just slipped into the top 10, while working for Nico. Brilliant.

Nico really impressed me too, wow, he was really strong, even though he seemed to be struggling all the time

 

[pmcg76]

quite unbelievable after his season so far. I was one of the ones who outright laughed at his goal.

But yeah, he did it. I don't even know how anymore. Then again, stranger things have happened, like Horner winning the freaking thing and in the same space of time we saw Mollema winning a flat stage and Gesink outsprinting Sagan and Van Avermaet.

Late season cycling is a strange world

I don't think Roche making Top 5 was unrealistic, I thought it was the max of what he achieve do but I also understand on his season to date how that might have seemed unlikely. Then again he was always targeting the Vuelta.

Roche benefited immensely from winning a stage and wearing the red jersey, his confidence was sky-high and with the backing of a strong willing Saxo Bank team he rode an aggressive race. For more direct evidence, take out the TTT and crosswinds stage and Roche would be 7th.

I think Roche also benefited from there not being many multi-col stages or long finishing climbs, he seems to struggle more on those like today.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I think Roche also benefited from there not being many multi-col stages or long finishing climbs, he seems to struggle more on those like today.

Perhaps a reason why he is usually better at the Vuelta than elsewhere, given Unipublic's absolute infatuation with one climb stages.

 

[Kokoso]

He can pay a dinner to his team mates, great job from all of them. Specially the one and only Rafal Majka. Great climber and consistent GT rider this kid.

I don't follow your drift...maybe just seemingly but. How is he consistent GT rider? Vuelta 2011 DNF, Vuelta 2012 32nd, Giro 2013 7th, Vuelta 19th... I think itš to soon to talk about consistency here. Only time will tell. He fuc*ed this Vuelta, mibby because of bad weather, but weather is part of racing.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He fuc*ed this Vuelta, mibby because of bad weather, but weather is part of racing.

I agree that it's much too soon to describe him as "consistent". But I think you are being a bit harsh with this last sentence. He didn't perform as hoped for in GC terms, but while finishing in the top 20 he also did great work as a domestique. That's not too bad for a second GT of the yeat.

 

[Kokoso]

I agree that it's much too soon to describe him as "consistent". But I think you are being a bit harsh with this last sentence. He didn't perform as hoped for in GC terms, but while finishing in the top 20 he also did great work as a domestique. That's not too bad for a second GT of the yeat.

Ok than, he messed Vuelta, if you like.

 

[Netserk]

Ok than, he messed Vuelta, if you like.

He's young and it's his second GT this year, so it's not really surprising. He was still quite strong in several stages, though.

 

[Kokoso]

He's young and it's his second GT this year, so it's not really surprising. He was still quite strong in several stages, though.

Ok, I realise that and that changes just about nothing.

 

[movingtarget]

It was a nice performance by Roche and one that will give some confidence for the future.

 

[HCl+HN03]

Very good job by Roche, I really like him both because his racings and his writings. Fun to see how he suprised us all. Thought after half the race that it could have been better, but it turned out that the favorite trio was in decent shape. So fith was defintly the best Roche could do.

 

[search]

Very good job by Roche, I really like him both because his racings and his writings.

I really like his blog as well. But he isn't writing that himself, is he?! He does have a ghostwriter I think