Just underscores the importance of the Tour. Teams get up to two-thirds of their publicity out of that one stage race. Doubt it's true for Italian (centric) teams, but...
i know this is early yet, but the way he is climbing as well, i really see him winning all five monuments eventually...
Flandres and P-R are no brainers.
but LBL and Lombardy now come into view, i think...
Flandres and P-R are no brainers.
but LBL and Lombardy now come into view, i think...
- Jun 7, 2011
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If Jungels can win Liège, in his current form he can too. Lombardia? Doubt it, unless circumstances really play in his favor.
Realistically, in the current format he just has to survive Sormano with a decent number of team leaders to chase down whoever’s off the front. At that point, he’s well able to survive the last couple of obstacles.
And Lombardia being Lombardia, the route will undergo more changes over the remaining 7-10 years of Wout’s career; I would absolutely pick him as a favorite to win on, say, the 2014 course where Dan Martin won from a group of 8 or 9 leaders.
I liked the “new” Liege route last year, I think it might play out well for a strongman like VanAert.
On the other hand, having said all I just did above, Sagan by comparison is 30 now, may never win MSR, and has never kicked on to be the Jalabert/Kelly-type all-rounder that many of us thought he might, especially after his California win, when he was 25, the age VanAert is now.
- Apr 15, 2014
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There's only going to be one this year, I think. NC TT
- Feb 23, 2014
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If I recall correctly Sagan won an easier edition of the Tour of California.
- Feb 20, 2012
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Lost a minute to Alaphilippe on a pretty hard MTF, 6th on the stage or something
- Nov 16, 2013
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Also to never position himself on a team where he has to give up personal ambitions for team leaders like Wout will do this Tour.
And yes that is a quality.
- Feb 21, 2019
- 4,423
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Incredible display of strength in a very hilly course today. Impey was the only one that came close.
Its a shame that he won't be allowed to fight for the green jersey in the Tour but he can still snatch a stage win or two if he keeps this shape.
Its a shame that he won't be allowed to fight for the green jersey in the Tour but he can still snatch a stage win or two if he keeps this shape.
Last edited:
- Jan 4, 2020
- 6,327
- 7,737
- 16,180
I think working for Contador was part of Sagan’s job description at the 2015(?) Tour? He was sent up the road in the break, and as a result was with the leaders (in the Alps?) when Alberto had to go and crash on a descent.
If I recall correctly, Sagan also won a freaking mountainstage to Grindelwald in the Tour de Suisse. Descending like a madman.
- Nov 16, 2013
- 27,068
- 28,257
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True, but apart from the cobbled stage (where he finished 4th), he was still allowed to chase stage wins and the green jersey. Van Aert isn't even allowed to sprint in the upcoming Tour.
- Nov 16, 2013
- 27,068
- 28,257
- 28,180
Yes, he also won the notorious 2013 stage in Tirreno with the rain and the very steep Muritos, the day where Froome crumbled and Nibali won the race. Somehow, Sagan followed Nibali and Purito on the climbs, then easily beat them in the sprint. I guess gravity didn't work that day either.
- Feb 23, 2014
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But with this type of strength I bet he’ll take advantage of anything that comes his way. Stage wins still look good for a GC focused team.
- Feb 20, 2012
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It's decent. Nobody denied that. It's also not really indicative of being a climbing prodigy.
- Nov 16, 2013
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They'll probably let him sprint, but not on bunch sprints. Stage 2 will be interesting too see where his limits are, with those 2 big climbs in the first half and some smaller ones in the final.
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