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Philipe Gilbert Future Tour de France Champion

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climber888

May 2, 2011
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Hey Everyone

I've been wondering lately after philipe gilberts amazing show of force in the last couple of weeks. Why couldn't he win the tour de france one day. I mean he can beat the best climbers in the world up 2km climbs with steep gradients, so why can't he beat them in the longer mountains of France. I believe if he really committed himself that he could do it. What is your opinion?

my blog- http://goldcoastcycling.blogspot.com/
 
rxgqgxnyfz

rxgqgxnyfz

Apr 26, 2010
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climber888 said:
I mean he can beat the best climbers in the world up 2km climbs with steep gradients, so why can't he beat them in the longer mountains of France.
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That's a good one.

I needed that laugh at my boring workday.
 
Polyarmour

Polyarmour

Jul 20, 2010
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His weight is about the same as Schleck's. He clearly has a lot of power over the short to medium length climbs. The question is whether he could change his training to maintain a high level of power over the longer climbs. Who knows?
 
boomcie

boomcie

Feb 15, 2011
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Ferminal said:
He will face tough competition from Boonen, Haussler and Cancellara.
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Boonen is aiming for the Giro GC this year, but I heard Vansummeren and Nuyens are taking up the gauntlet for the Tour after their recent successes.
 
El Pistolero

El Pistolero

Jul 16, 2010
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Timmy-loves-Rabo said:
this.

why did bettini never win the tour ?
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Mind you, Bettini also never won Fleche Wallone, so he definitely didn't have Gilbert's power on those hills.

With a good medical program, sure he can do something in a GC. Think Armstrong is the evidence of that one.

Let's not forget Wiggans was fourth in 2009. Competition can't be that tough :p
 
just some guy

just some guy

Apr 9, 2011
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Ferminal said:
Sure, if he loses enough weight and trains with the goals of transforming into a GC rider.

If Wiggins could do it...
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Can we start saying it past tense ... Wiggins did it once .....
 
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insideout leadout

Aug 6, 2010
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Yeah why not?

Shorten TDF to a 250k classic with short climbs and finish it off with 500-1500m at 5-6%. ;)

The TDF is about hors categorie climbing, time trailing, great team support and the ability to recover. Take a look at previous winners and you will see that Gilbert doesn't fit the criteria, he's a puncheur. The Schlecks are grimpeurs, at LBL they met at a quite fair playground, if the climbs were just a bit longer Gilbert would have been closer to the back than the front. Follow the giro closely in the coming weeks and you will see what kind of guys that are in contention for the GC in a grand tour.
 
El Pistolero

El Pistolero

Jul 16, 2010
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insideout leadout said:
Yeah why not?

Shorten TDF to a 250k classic with short climbs and finish it off with 500-1500m at 5-6%. ;)

The TDF is about hors categorie climbing, time trailing, great team support and the ability to recover. Take a look at previous winners and you will see that Gilbert doesn't fit the criteria, he's a puncheur. The Schlecks are grimpeurs, at LBL they met at a quite fair playground, if the climbs were just a bit longer Gilbert would have been closer to the back than the front. Follow the giro closely in the coming weeks and you will see what kind of guys that are in contention for the GC in a grand tour.
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Not that I don't agree, but looking at the past winners will work against your argument.
 
El Pistolero

El Pistolero

Jul 16, 2010
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insideout leadout said:
I was primarily thinking of your boyfriend.
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Yeah, but look at 1999-2006

Armstrong was of course a grimpeur, but he used to be a pretty good puncheur and then turned into a real GT threat(with the help of a good medical program of course)

Oscar Pereiro isn't the best of climbers as well. And looking at 2009 Wiggo almost made the podium. And Armstrong made it after 4 years of retirement and being mega old.
 
Astana1

Astana1

Aug 16, 2009
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El Pistolero said:
Yeah, but look at 1999-2006

Armstrong was of course a grimpeur, but he used to be a pretty good puncheur and then turned into a real GT threat(with the help of a good medical program of course)

Oscar Pereiro isn't the best of climbers as well. And looking at 2009 Wiggo almost made the podium. And Armstrong made it after 4 years of retirement and being mega old.
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Wiggo's performance was due in large part to an accomodating Tour route, some great TTs and that Astana was soft pedaling for Lance.
 
Astana1

Astana1

Aug 16, 2009
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I think what Gilbert did this year is more impressive than a Tour win. But that's just me.
 
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Sparta

Jan 7, 2011
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I think he could top 10 GTs. His ability to recover is relatively unknown - even dominating 3 races in a week is different from GT. Some with that domination in the ardennes surely must be able to fully focussed do decently in a GT. I don't think he would or will ever win but there have been a few surprising results in recent seasons. Wiggins, Velits, Arroyo - admittedly sort of by accident close to the podium. Porte, Deignan, Gesink have made top 10s. Not nessecarily the same type of rider but guys that before the race you would have given no chance.
 
I

insideout leadout

Aug 6, 2010
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Sparta said:
I think he could top 10 GTs. His ability to recover is relatively unknown - even dominating 3 races in a week is different from GT. Some with that domination in the ardennes surely must be able to fully focussed do decently in a GT. I don't think he would or will ever win but there have been a few surprising results in recent seasons. Wiggins, Velits, Arroyo - admittedly sort of by accident close to the podium. Porte, Deignan, Gesink have made top 10s. Not nessecarily the same type of rider but guys that before the race you would have given no chance.
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As long as you can climb there is always a possibility of a top 10. There is potential in all the guys you mentioned as they manage longer climbs well. And of course Gilbert can gain time in a breakaway and sneak into a top 10 by accident as you say. But I think Gilbert got too much fast twitch fibers that are not so good for 3 weeks.
 
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