- May 27, 2014
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Akuryo said:
I dont know man. The biggest thing I took away from this race is not a fact that he won't lose massive time in flat TT (good to know), or that he has some serious punch (suspected that, he just didnt have confidence not to look back). It is his unfreakingbelievable recovery. The guy rode two GTs, all the prep races for Giro, and then went on to win a WT race in which parcours didnt suit him at all and he had to make the race.
Jspear said:Yes he will. Can't find the source right now though....to lazy.
Last start of the season, but Majka stated that goes there to help others, but it sounded like he did not intend to do a lot in Colorado.
This is debatable and in case of Nibbles incorrect.Akuryo said:
First the debatable: Majka certainly is way beyond Aru and Pinot as he not only has shown to be the best climber, he also does the most difficult and important thing for a rider; WINNING. Majka is a superstar by merit of his stage wins. This means team tactics will center on him, teammates will work for him and he will have the confidence to be aggresive.
Then the incorrect: Nibali was not "long questioned" but was seen as the next big Italian thing. There was a whiff of contention in 2008 with Ricco as he overtook Nibali, but even at that time people were acknowledging Nibbles was the more complete rider.
Akuryo said:
When Nibali won the 2010 vuelta he was not really that good. He has improved a lot since then and seems to be still getting better. I think Majka, Aru and Pinot and others are probably close to the level Nibali was in 2010.
The question , as you say, is whether they can take the next step and really contend for a GT. One of the younger group might well win the Giro next year as the big 4 are probably all going to do the Tour.
Franklin said:
How has Majka shown he is definitely a superior climber to Aru and Pinot, particularly Aru? Aru out climbed Majka in the Giro.
Pinot never wins anything, that's a bad sign. Aru is indeed being dismissed a bit too easily by me, appologies. That said, even Aru has'n managed the transformation Majka has made.Luigi_Max said:
majka is winning multiple stages at the highest podium, namely the TdF. And then proceeds to win his home stage race in overpowering manner. Winning one time is hard. Winning time and time again is the mark of a star. I'm not saying Aru won't overtake Majka, but right now Majka is much farther in his development by showing to be a serial winner.
Notice the difference his one win made... all of a sudden he keeps on winning. This is not just physiogical, but also mentally. He knows he can win and knows how to do it. His teammates will thus turn towards him and work harder for him.
Again, Aru is hardly a scrub and certainly know how to win a race. But he doesn't show what Majka manages to do right now.
I do not want to compare Majka and Aru as I am obviously biased, but I agree with the opinion about mentality change - Majka was insecure, stressed, but after 1st TDF win - revolution, he is full of swag and keeps winning
and keeps winning
- Apr 19, 2014
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Franklin said:
But you have to agree that it is a lot easier to win stages when you are out of contention after the first week. Aru was in the Top 10 when the real mountains began during the Giro. Majka could go on the attack during the Tour and nobody cared. He was too far behind to bother the likes of Nibali, Pinot, Bardet, etc. Only Purito/Katusha wasn't happy when he got away, because of the polka-dot jersey. So you can't compare Majkas stage wins with Arus performance in the Giro.
- May 15, 2011
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Akuryo said:
At that time it looked like whining, but Majka said that he had some viral infection and could not eat much or sleep during second part of Giro, the show he put during last weeks gives this explanation some credibility.
True enough, but keep in mind that winning a TdF stage is always hotly contended. I love the Giro and I certainly won't say it's field was much weaker, but generally racing is a lot more cut throat (and controlled) in the TdF.Akuryo said:
As I said, I was dismissing Aru way too easily, but winning two stages and then adding another three wins (2 stages+GC) in his home race is beyond what Aru managed so far. And perhaps more importantly, Majka is a much better TT rider than Aru.
Time will tell, but curently I rate Aru behind Majka by a fair stretch, most of all the knack to win. That's my opinion ofc
- Aug 16, 2011
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Franklin said:
Would Majka have won those stags at the Tour if he wasn't already far far down on the GC and been riding all the previous stages in the grupetto to conserve energy? If we're talking about GT's, then consistency over 3 weeks is the key thing these guys need to win/podium. And so far Aru has soundly beaten Majka in that respect.
Don't forget Aru also won a stage at the Giro and came 2nd to Quintana in the TT. That combined with his 3rd (ahead of Majka) puts him ahead of Majka IMO.
One stage in the giro versus two in the TdF plus the Polka dot? Who beats who soundly? Sure, Aru was third versus Majka coming in sixth, but any pro will tell you how much harder contested the TdF is.Afrank said:
In the flat TT Majka was much better than Aru. Aru didn't even manage a top ten there.
It's of course my opinion, but again: In being able to win a race there truly is no contest. There's no bias in this, the facts are tremendously in the advantage of Majka.
And sure, Aru might turn out to be a better rider, but any rider would take Majka's palmares over Aru this year.
- Aug 16, 2011
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Franklin said:
But Aru's stage was also while competing for a podium. Majka likely would have found it harder to win those stages if he was also a podium contender.
And in the same sense, Aru probably could have done the same as Majka and won a couple stage if he wasn't competing for a podium.
I was talking about the MTT.
- May 27, 2014
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The guy does have legit points.
Majka did win 2 stage, took 2nd behind Nibali while starting with contenders on the bottom of the climb (of course he deserved 3rd because Konig was stronger), and then showed that he can drop everyone but Nibali (including Pinot) on Hautacam. And that is after riding Giro and being called to TdF in last minute.
Then, instead of resting after being active for last 8 stages in TdF burning more energy than most GC contenders, he went on, rode two small races and 5 days later destroys the field (2 stage wins +GC is destroying the field) at another WT race. Yes, I would rate that way higher than Giro stage win. And entire gap that Aru had was due to MTT, and since TT hardly shows riders ability to win......
Majka >Aru in palmares so far and by a mile. Aru could turn out to be a better climber and overall rider, hopefully we will get to see next year if both are 100% healthy, but right now Majka is better.
Also, Aru seemed to be on a last gas at the end of Giro. He is young but since its the race he targeted I am not sure just how good his recovery is at this point (of course much energy was spent in MTT but still have my doubts whether he can hang on with better climbers in 3rd week)
Majka did win 2 stage, took 2nd behind Nibali while starting with contenders on the bottom of the climb (of course he deserved 3rd because Konig was stronger), and then showed that he can drop everyone but Nibali (including Pinot) on Hautacam. And that is after riding Giro and being called to TdF in last minute.
Then, instead of resting after being active for last 8 stages in TdF burning more energy than most GC contenders, he went on, rode two small races and 5 days later destroys the field (2 stage wins +GC is destroying the field) at another WT race. Yes, I would rate that way higher than Giro stage win. And entire gap that Aru had was due to MTT, and since TT hardly shows riders ability to win......
Majka >Aru in palmares so far and by a mile. Aru could turn out to be a better climber and overall rider, hopefully we will get to see next year if both are 100% healthy, but right now Majka is better.
Also, Aru seemed to be on a last gas at the end of Giro. He is young but since its the race he targeted I am not sure just how good his recovery is at this point (of course much energy was spent in MTT but still have my doubts whether he can hang on with better climbers in 3rd week)
Majka has been impressive this year but my point was that it is not because he is a superior climber to Aru in particular. He has shown great endurance/recovery to keep his performance at such a high level but he still was out climbed by Aru when they competed in the same race. Majka is also a year older than Aru so might be a little ahead in development at this stage of his career.
Long term the biggest problem for both Majka and Aru in winning GTs, especially the Tour, might not turn out to be each other, but Quintana who's age is in between the two of them and is definitely a better rider currently. If he continues to improve they might never make up the gap.
Long term the biggest problem for both Majka and Aru in winning GTs, especially the Tour, might not turn out to be each other, but Quintana who's age is in between the two of them and is definitely a better rider currently. If he continues to improve they might never make up the gap.
Aru showed great amount of talent in Giro, but still it is too small amount of data to compare him to Majka, especially taking Majkas illness into account.
Agreed, I did say that and it's completely inaccurate. Claiming Majka is a much better climber than Aru is silly with the little data we have. I do stand with my opinion that Majka is further along in his progress.Luigi_Max said:
On Quintana: Agreed ofc. Though there are quite a few GT's to go around, so it is possible to avoid him... and then they will run into the older guard. Winning a GT will be tough on either of the, fully agreed.
- May 27, 2014
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Majka said that he will target Vuelta, and if it was up to him he would skip Giro and Tour, but understands he will have to ride as a domestique in one of them.
Just started training again, gained 4.5kg
If it was up to me, I would send him to the Tour.
offtopic: Kwiatkowski didnt say much about calendar except that it will be similar to this years. What worries me is that he is starting his season with San Luis. So lots of racing days again :/ 3kg gain in offseason.
Targeting Ardennes but also likes first week of TdF. Would like to grab yellow jersey and some stage wins.
Just started training again, gained 4.5kg
If it was up to me, I would send him to the Tour.
offtopic: Kwiatkowski didnt say much about calendar except that it will be similar to this years. What worries me is that he is starting his season with San Luis. So lots of racing days again :/ 3kg gain in offseason.
Targeting Ardennes but also likes first week of TdF. Would like to grab yellow jersey and some stage wins.
Akuryo said:
Was he
I think many realised that he could eventually win GT's and in 2010 he rode very well highlighting his talent. Even in 2006 he won Plouay and in 08 Trentino, while steadily emerging as a GC rider. In 2009 he came 7th in the TDF behind some very strong riders- Kloden, F.Shleck, Wiggins...
- Feb 23, 2014
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damian13ster said:
I'm sure if AC has his way he would want Majka to ride the Tour. AC will need stronger support there because he will be a little weaker himself.
Thinking only of himself and his goals, I would think that Majka would want to do the Giro. It is much easier to do well in the Vuelta with a Giro in your legs over the Tour.
- Jun 30, 2014
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Jspear said:
Hard to say, if Contador fades in the TdF after the Giro even a very strong team won't be enough. Riding the hilly spring classics, being just a superdomestique without any personal ambitions for the Giro should allow him to peak for the Vuelta.
Majka should go to the TdF as second weapon just like Kreuziger in 2013. He can be as strong or stronger than Roman.
Together they can bring other teams into pain and outride them tactically.
In the Vuelta he should be the leader or again joint with Contador if Alberto wins Giro +TdF and gives the the triple a chance.
Together they can bring other teams into pain and outride them tactically.
In the Vuelta he should be the leader or again joint with Contador if Alberto wins Giro +TdF and gives the the triple a chance.
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