Rafal Majka discussion thread

[Jelantik]

I listed the 4 who if they turn up, barring disaster will almost certainly beat Majka. This then means that for Majka to get 5th he needs to beat Evans, Roche, Pozzovivo, Basso etc. Meaning 5th is optimistic in my opinion. However when setting goals for an event you have to be optimistic.

don't forget Quintana and Porte. That's like 6 already. Top 5 definitely is going to be a tough battle. Bentacour is going to the tour, so one less opponent for him. But he can do it. GO MAJKA!!

 

[karlboss]

In order.

So Uran, Quintana, Porte, Rodriguez....5th seems like a solid goal.

I listed the 4 who if they turn up, barring disaster will almost certainly beat Majka. This then means that for Majka to get 5th he needs to beat Evans, Roche, Pozzovivo, Basso etc. Meaning 5th is optimistic in my opinion. However when setting goals for an event you have to be optimistic.

don't forget Quintana and Porte. That's like 6 already. Top 5 definitely is going to be a tough battle. Bentacour is going to the tour, so one less opponent for him. But he can do it. GO MAJKA!!

Please keep up.

 

[RedheadDane]

I think this thread deserves a renewal!

 

[Afrank]

Can I edit out the bee part in the title? Doesn't seem to have stuck.

He's riding very well, definitely gonna improve on his 7th from last year I think.

 

[HSNHSN]

I really liked the way he rode today. It looked as if he could actually follow Pozzovivo's attack, but then realised he would bring Uran along, only to stop working and letting Uran do the work. And to drop Uran anyway later on. This only didn't work as well as could've been, since Poels was still around.

 

[Red Rick]

Can I edit out the bee part in the title? Doesn't seem to have stuck.

He's riding very well, definitely gonna improve on his 7th from last year I think.

Yeah, it was a lame joke anyway

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Improving now doubt, but he looked very tired at the end (most did of course).

Will be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow.

 

[Carols]

Improving now doubt, but he looked very tired at the end (most did of course).

Will be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow.

This kid is impressing me Yes he was tired. In the post stage interview he said he felt 'liquid'.

But he looks like the real deal for the future and if others falter and he keeps going strong he could even win this thing!

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I really liked the way he rode today. It looked as if he could actually follow Pozzovivo's attack, but then realised he would bring Uran along, only to stop working and letting Uran do the work. And to drop Uran anyway later on. This only didn't work as well as could've been, since Poels was still around.

Personally, I think he stopped because he knew he would hit the red zone and explode if he went with Pozzo/Quintana. He, instead, rode very cleverly and found his own rythm, knowing that he could then save some ressources for a small attack in the end, which succeeded.
Kelderman did the exact opposite, which eventually led to him being overtaken by Majka/Aru in the last K (Majka not possessing a strong sprint eventually ended up in st. as Kelderman to be fair). Two young riders but with very different levels of tactical smartness. Podium is still far from certain but it looks more and more plausible for Majka!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Actually that's strange because Kelderman is usually a rider who prefers his own pace, even when he was a junior/u23 rider.

But because of his own pace, he was not far off Quintana/Pozzo and might have gotten overexcited. He never seemed to 'blow up' as you call it. Otherwise he could not have sprinted like that

 

[trevim]

 

[trevim]

 

[T-Nielsen]

Someone was so kind to give Majka a nice big box of ham just before the start of a stage. He had to ask the reporter from danish TV2 if he could take it to the bus because he could not really ride with it.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Hope Majka top 5 this giro, in the white jersey he reminds me somewhat of Ricco for some reason

 

[RedheadDane]

Someone was so kind to give Majka a nice big box of ham just before the start of a stage. He had to ask the reporter from danish TV2 if he could take it to the bus because he could not really ride with it.

Yeah. That was pretty funny.
Kinda makes you wonder why organisers think it's a good idea to hand out random stuff to the riders before a stage.



But, could've been worse. Could've been a cow.

 

[MatParker117]

Replacing Roman at the Tour, favourite for the White Jersey?

 

[Red Rick]

Replacing Roman at the Tour, favourite for the White Jersey?

Not a chance i think. He's not even likely to be the best Pole under 25

 

[Afrank]

Not with having to work for Contador and the Giro in his legs.

Kwiatkowski, Pinot, Dennis, Bardet, probably a few others, are bigger candidates for white.

 

[hmpower]

Wonder how is head space is after all the dramas of not wanting to go to the tour?

 

[mrhender]

Wonder how is head space is after all the dramas of not wanting to go to the tour?

I think/hope he got the frustration out of his system..

But yes, it will be interesting to have him in the Tour with all the "drama"..
Will give us a clear wiev of what he's made of...

I think he's underestimating himself, and will do fine..

 

[Eyeballs Out]

He's 24 and cooked after the Giro. It's a ridiculous decision to make him ride another grand tour - smacks of desperation

 

[Netserk]

He's 24 and cooked after the Giro. It's a ridiculous decision to make him ride another grand tour - smacks of desperation

Kreuziger did back-to-back GTs year after year at the same point in his career. Majka will be fine as long as he can save himself until the Alpes.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Kreuziger did back-to-back GTs year after year at the same point in his career. Majka will be fine as long as he can save himself until the Alpes.

yep. join the grupetto in every stage excpet those 2-3 stages where he is needed

 

[murali]

I dont think anyone expects him to do exceptionally well in Tour. He worked hard in Giro, he was supposed to ride Vuelta.

I too think that he will do fine.

form is temporary. This guy has class.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

I dont think anyone expects him to do exceptionally well in Tour. He worked hard in Giro, he was supposed to ride Vuelta.

I too think that he will do fine.

form is temporary. This guy has class.

At least he can feel good about being wanted. He is a great cyclist and one would hope he will rise to the occasion. Ironically he could be the key to a Contador win!