If he wants to win a stage there can't be 4500 meters of climbing, nor a flat sprinters fest. Good rider, a jack of all trades, but a master of none. Life sucks.Another great ride QS!
Probably the best chances terrain-wise were the hilly but not mountainous stages in Week 1. But Healy rode off with one opportunity and all the fresh GC guys another. Maybe Stage 20 if he’s still got this form.If he wants to win a stage there can't be 4500 meters of climbing, nor a flat sprinters fest. Good rider, a jack of all trades, but a master of none. Life sucks.
For sure. Although I don’t think he could have beat the true climbers in that finish.He is still very wasteful with his energy.
Strong, but needs to ride smarter.
Me neither, but beside the point.For sure. Although I don’t think he could have beat the true climbers in that finish.
This is only partially true.. He was looking excellent in first stages, had really good legs, going fast and instead of team playing on some of Simmons strengths, which are many, they are wasting him blocking wind and chasing everything..He is still very wasteful with his energy.
Strong, but needs to ride smarter.
next chance comes right after the rest day, I think. Milan won't make it over the climb anyway.Probably the best chances terrain-wise were the hilly but not mountainous stages in Week 1. But Healy rode off with one opportunity and all the fresh GC guys another. Maybe Stage 20 if he’s still got this form.
I didn’t think a 1 km at 9% climb with 8 km to the line from the top was his kind of scenario. But if he’s in a break without an elite climber (and he saves energy on previous climbs) I suppose that’s possible?next chance comes right after the rest day, I think. Milan won't make it over the climb anyway.
Some might say "does a lot of good work for the team".He is still very wasteful with his energy.
Strong, but needs to ride smarter.
Sure, but MvdP doesn't win either of those kinds of races either. Neither do Pidcock, Van Aert, Pedersen, etc.If he wants to win a stage there can't be 4500 meters of climbing, nor a flat sprinters fest. Good rider, a jack of all trades, but a master of none. Life sucks.
This is only partially true.. He was looking excellent in first stages, had really good legs, going fast and instead of team playing on some of Simmons strengths, which are many, they are wasting him blocking wind and chasing everything..
The goofy management at Lidl Trek have needlessly squandered Simmons' available energy doing grunt work instead of hunting for a stage.
* in the past I have considered Trek to have intelligent tactics*
Right, but MvdP is much stronger than Simons. Look, what I meant was Simons is very strong, but not quite strong enough to have many options and for a cyclist of his calibre life sucks, because someone is always putting you to the lash.Sure, but MvdP doesn't win either of those kinds of races either. Neither do Pidcock, Van Aert, Pedersen, etc.
I completely agree..Nys is certainly not on great form. Although the Simmons selection is not as systematic, once team sees his form is there.. through regular bike racing metrics the immediate questions would be..will Simmons be of any use for all three weeks? And should we try and exploit his positive form and outward, obvious motivation? I am a longtime Bauke Mollema fan, have found the guy tough, capable and motivated for years.. That said I have not liked the way I see Trek teams misuse or underutilize him..this year at 38 he can't find form unfortunately.It is a team selection issue. I maintain that Bernard was a better fit for this team then Simmons who was a last minute inclusion. Then you have the baffling selection of Nys who was never ready for the TDF.
Pidcock and Van Aert have both famously won 4500+ Vertical meter days and Van Aert has also won bunch sprints, so this is not true.Sure, but MvdP doesn't win either of those kinds of races either. Neither do Pidcock, Van Aert, Pedersen, etc.
You were right—at least he considered it the type of stage for him to give it a go.next chance comes right after the rest day, I think. Milan won't make it over the climb anyway.