Paris-Nice 2012 - Stage 5; Onet-le-Chateau - Mende (178.5 km)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

True, but Gesink is like 1m90. Hard to get below 70kg without losing energy. I should know.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

68 kgs, according to this interview.


Andy Schleck, Basso, Gesink are all 70 kgs or thereabouts. Still pretty decent climbers.

soler was 71 kg even

 

[theyoungest]

True, but Gesink is like 1m90. Hard to get below 70kg without losing energy. I should know.

Andy Schleck is pretty tall as well.

 

[Moviefan1203]

I was hoping Van Garderen would finish a bit better, but he still had a decent day. I still think the future is very bright for him.

 

[Museeuw]

I was hoping Van Garderen would finish a bit better, but he still had a decent day. I still think the future is very bright for him.

I was hoping too, but he was crap. I don't believe in him anymore until he delivers some results.

 

[Moviefan1203]

I was hoping too, but he was crap. I don't believe him anymore until he delivers some results.

Between him and Talansky, I have hope for a strong future in American stage racing. But Tejay was just 'good' today. I want greatness!!!

 

[jens_attacks]

the french and their envy....

Laurent Vergne ‏ @LaurentVergne Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Bon ben Westra grimpe maintenant. Ah les Vacansoleil...
Retweeted by Jimmy Engoulvent

always a joy to follow engoulvent's tweets,can't find more whining around

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'm thinking Brad should be more proud that he hung with Levi. Has to be a confidence booster for July as Brad has never finished ahead of Levi in a GT.
But Brad better not get too confident - he still might choke yikes.

When has Brad finished ahead of Valverde in a GT?

 

[maltiv]

Between him and Talansky, I have hope for a strong future in American stage racing. But Tejay was just 'good' today. I want greatness!!!

He is still young. Lieuwe Westra, for example, wasn't even a pro at the same age (23).

Honestly, I think he did pretty decent today. After all he's not suited to short, punchy climbs and is more of a TT'er. It's only if you believe in ACF's hyping that you would expect him to be riding with the best today.

 

[theyoungest]

He is still young. Lieuwe Westra, for example, wasn't even a pro at the same age (23).

Honestly, I think he did pretty decent today. After all he's not suited to short, punchy climbs and is more of a TT'er. It's only if you believe in ACF's hyping that you would expect him to be riding with the best today.

Maybe not the best comparison, Westra. For years he was a road worker who partied during weekends, a heavy drinker and a smoker.

I see Van Garderen as a kind of improved version of Luis Leon Sanchez. Strong time trialist, reasonable climber. But not the next American GT winner.

 

[Mambo95]

When has Brad finished ahead of Valverde in a GT?

Head to head they are 1-1 on GTs. Two Tours - one DNF each.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Maybe not the best comparison, Westra. For years he was a road worker who partied during weekends, a heavy drinker and a smoker.

I see Van Garderen as a kind of improved version of Luis Leon Sanchez. Strong time trialist, reasonable climber. But not the next American GT winner.

True. I have more faith in Talansky for the real climbs, although Talansky is still very inconsistent at this point.

However, van Garderen could win a soft vuelta or do suprisingly well in soft Tour with lots of ITT kilometers.

 

[insideout leadout]

Maybe not the best comparison, Westra. For years he was a road worker who partied during weekends, a heavy drinker and a smoker.

I like this story got any link to an article?

 

[theyoungest]

I like this story got any link to an article?

Here's his story (in Dutch, so needs to be Google translated I guess)

 

[classicomano]

Also I think he weighed close to 100 kilograms in those days

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

He is still young. Lieuwe Westra, for example, wasn't even a pro at the same age (23).

Honestly, I think he did pretty decent today. After all he's not suited to short, punchy climbs and is more of a TT'er. It's only if you believe in ACF's hyping that you would expect him to be riding with the best today.

actually he is suited for short punchy climbs as he is very explosive. hate to break if for you guys but tjvg will never be a great future gt rider in this sport. talansky might. he has a lot of talent and isn't as limited in climbing as van garderen is

 

[hfer07]

Gotta give Wiggo credit for his today's performance & his new found "climbing skills on steep roads" seems to me like he learned a lot & improved from his experience in the Angliru - he even "attached" for Pete's sake!!
I mean- if this form of his continuous on & progresses towards the Tour- I think Evans is going to be in serious trouble

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Gotta give Wiggo credit for his today's performance & his new found "climbing skills on steep roads" seems to me like he learned a lot & improved from his experience in the Angliru - he even "attached" for Pete's sake!!
I mean- if this form of his continuous on & progresses towards the Tour- I think Evans is going to be in serious trouble

Overkill...

Should we now claim Westra can win the Tour? Cuz after all before today he never did well on any sort of climb... and now he dropped everyone.

Just saying, it's march, stop with the early conclusions already. Last year Tony Martin was by far the strongest on a 8km climb of 7/8% and people where already losing their heads.
Don't make the same mistake

 

[Euskaltel!]

Yeah, definitely a bit of overkill there...
Wiggins is in shape, looking good, but who are the other candidates here? Westra? Valverde coming back from suspension? Levi? Hmm...

Let's wait for the Tour to see what happens in the Tour, it's a long way to go and most people aren't in any kind of shape here (see Basso)...

Although, kinda refreshing that Wiggins is going for it! Schleck could learn a thing or two...

 

[hfer07]

Overkill...

Should we now claim Westra can win the Tour? Cuz after all before today he never did well on any sort of climb... and now he dropped everyone.

Just saying, it's march, stop with the early conclusions already. Last year Tony Martin was by far the strongest on a 8km climb of 7/8% and people where already losing their heads.
Don't make the same mistake

did you notice that I wrote IF

 

[Angliru]

Gotta give Wiggo credit for his today's performance & his new found "climbing skills on steep roads" seems to me like he learned a lot & improved from his experience in the Angliru - he even "attached" for Pete's sake!!
I mean- if this form of his continuous on & progresses towards the Tour- I think Evans is going to be in serious trouble

I thought Wiggins' and Froome's suffering and time loss to Cobo on the Angliru was due largely to their less than wise choice in gearing (compared to Cobo's)?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I thought Wiggins' and Froome's suffering and time loss to Cobo on the Angliru was due largely to their less than wise choice in gearing (compared to Cobo's)?

:facepalm: for believing all those bs excuses. you also believe andy schleck lost the tour 2010 because he had a mechanical?

 

[Andy99]

Good to see Westra win today.

I've always liked Vacansoleil as a team, and always happy when a Dutchie, my nearest neighbours, wins

 

[Angliru]

:facepalm: for believing all those bs excuses. you also believe andy schleck lost the tour 2010 because he had a mechanical?

All?? That was one single explanation that I believe was based on observing how Cobo was spinning up the Angliru in its steepest sections while Wiggins and Froome were cranking an obviously larger gear. Cobo was obviously the strongest but apparently Sky didn't make it easy for their principles by underestimating the Angliru. Unless you have some insider info that contradicts what I read and since I haven't heard any statements to the contrary, I don't have a choice but to acknowledge what was stated/reported as being a possibility (but not necessarily factual since I wasn't there to prove or disprove by my own eyewitness testimony ).

 

[theyoungest]

:facepalm: for believing all those bs excuses. you also believe andy schleck lost the tour 2010 because he had a mechanical?

Yeah, being overgeared on a terribly steep climb, what a stupid excuse

Cobo was the only one of the heads of state with 34x32. It made a difference, you could see that clear as day.