Isn't that true of 90% of the riders who turn out at the Tour, though?Moondance said:While I don't think its a bad move, though I doubt he'll get much opportunity to ride for himself. He'll be working slavishly for Bertie I warrant.
And that's why he was brought in for the Giro roster... Or did you think he'd ride for himself in the Giro?Moondance said:While I don't think its a bad move, though I doubt he'll get much opportunity to ride for himself. He'll be working slavishly for Bertie I warrant.
Yeah, just look at Andy. Carrying bottles for his team mates and doing a great job in helping Contador win. He did a good job setting the pace on the Tourmalet and Contador was nice enough to let his team mate win the stage.Mellow Velo said:Isn't that true of 90% of the riders who turn out at the Tour, though?
A lot of top quality riders carry bottles, or playing choo-choos for 3 weeks.
Yea he has been very sick. But I don't understand how he can't ride in the mountains but can still ride a kick-*** TT whilst he's sick. In both CL and Romandie he has been second to Conta and DZ by the narrowist of margins. Are Saxo riding California cause I reckon that race would have suited him down to the ground?M Sport said:Contador and Riis must be pretty confident of the CAS appeal failing. I really can't see any other logic to the decision other than not needing Porte as much at the Tour. The two riders swaped out just don't make sense.
FWIW regarding Porte's recent form. Apparantly he's been on anti-biotics most of the last month. Some sort of illness.
looks like Porte is using the same "antibiotics" that AC is using since he also has been ill after Castilla y LeonM Sport said:FWIW regarding Porte's recent form. Apparantly he's been on anti-biotics most of the last month. Some sort of illness.
Well I lol'd.hfer07 said:looks like Porte is using the same "antibiotics" that AC is using since he also has been ill after Castilla y Leon![]()
The probably wont ride for the GC in that case. They will go for stages and possible Chris Anker will go after the mountain jersey.search said:who's gonna be left for the Tour if Contador isn't able/allowed to ride? Chris Anker Soerensen as Saxos guy for GC?!
I doubt Porte will finish the Giro this year, bad move in my humble opinion
Aye, Mørkøv replaced Noval, cos Noval has been sick. Mørkøv's force will be on the flat stages and the TTTgreenedge said:I think they let Porte compete to gain more experience. Also because he just did Tour of Romandie. He may not have known it but his schedule was practically suited for Giro. Also i thought Noval would have been in this team. Now AC is short of one mountain domestique. He will have to launch attacks from earlier or race smarter.
The reason might very well be that Larsson was in the need of a break after doing the cobbled classics. Esp considering that its likely that both Porte and Larsson will do the Tour, Larsson needs the break now more than Porte.Sydney21 said:The strangest thing is that He replaced Gustav Larsson in the team. At this stage of Richie's career, Larsson offers virutually the same thing as Porte does, and has more experience. They are barely strengthening the team at all merely changing it.
The reason might very well be that Larsson was in the need of a break after doing the cobbled classics. Esp considering that its likely that both Porte and Larsson will do the Tour, Larsson needs the break now more than Porte.Sydney21 said:The strangest thing is that He replaced Gustav Larsson in the team. At this stage of Richie's career, Larsson offers virutually the same thing as Porte does, and has more experience. They are barely strengthening the team at all merely changing it.
I dont disagree with your assessment of Noval, but fact is that he was supposed to ride the Giro, but was replaced by Mørkøv due to illness.Delicato said:No, Contador has enough mountain domestiques. Noval is really not the great force in mountains, don't exaggerate his abilities.
Yes, I don't think it has anything to do with Porte originally aiming for a high overall in the TDF. I think it's more to do with the Contador situation. Porte was never going to seriously challenge for the overall in the TDF this year.M Sport said:Contador and Riis must be pretty confident of the CAS appeal failing. I really can't see any other logic to the decision other than not needing Porte as much at the Tour. The two riders swaped out just don't make sense.
FWIW regarding Porte's recent form. Apparantly he's been on anti-biotics most of the last month. Some sort of illness.
verily, he commented on it a while ago himself:movingtarget said:Yes, I don't think it has anything to do with Porte originally aiming for a high overall in the TDF. I think it's more to do with the Contador situation. Porte was never going to seriously challenge for the overall in the TDF this year.
Are you saying that Andrew is a top quality rider?????El Pistolero said:Yeah, just look at Andy. Carrying bottles for his team mates and doing a great job in helping Contador win. He did a good job setting the pace on the Tourmalet and Contador was nice enough to let his team mate win the stage.
That was one angle I didn't think of when I commented earlier. You could be right but then I think Riis is a bit smarter player than that, in any case would Porte really want to go to GreenEdge?Ryaguas said:What about if Riis is using Porte in that way cuz He knows that He is going to lose him the next year?
Well Sorensen has shown alot more than Porte this year. It's the best move for the team. If Contador isn't allowed to do the Tour, then they have Sorensen there to stage chase or seek a high placing in the gc. If Contador is able ride the Tour they have Sorensen as his chief lieutenant in the mountains. Also I think there is a chance that Contador will pass up the Tour or give it a try and pull out fatigued after a strenuous Giro. This leaves Andy to feel the pressure of being the heavy favorite, feel that churning sensation in his little belly and do something stupid to muck up his chances, handing the win over to someone more worthy, like Samu.search said:who's gonna be left for the Tour if Contador isn't able/allowed to ride? Chris Anker Soerensen as Saxos guy for GC?!
I doubt Porte will finish the Giro this year, bad move in my humble opinion