Renshaw #1

[woodie]

Yeah, but if someone said Cadel won this year's Tour because he had strong team support in the mountains would you agree?

Sometimes people win because they have the strongest team(Sastre), sometimes people win because they're simply the best(Menchov in 2007/2009).

No I wouldn't, but he did have strong team support when it counted like on the Alpe d'huez stage and other crucial moments. My point is they were happy with the support that was provided to them so why is there a problem? What point are you trying to make exactly? I'm sure Rabobank provided the support they could to Menchov at those races, just like they will provide the support they can to Renshaw, what it comes down to is the athlete being happy with the support they were given.

 

[El Pistolero]

No I wouldn't, but he did have strong team support when it counted like on the Alpe d'huez stage and other crucial moments. My point is they were happy with the support that was provided to them so why is there a problem? What point are you trying to make exactly? I'm sure Rabobank provided the support they could to Menchov at those races, just like they will provide the support they can to Renshaw, what it comes down to is the athlete being happy with the support they were given.

I just don't see how Rabo can help Renshaw. They aren't exactly the best team in positioning their sprinters and keeping them up front And I don't believe for once Renshaw will want to lead out Bos(hence it's stupid to even say)... Why did he leave Cavendish if he wasn't tired of playing second fiddle?

Renshaw chose Rabo for money above all else. I don't think it's a smart move by Rabo or Renshaw. There are a few other teams out there who lack a pure sprinter. At Rabo Renshaw will have to compete with Theo Bos.

Ps: cyclists lie in their interviews, just because they say they're grateful doesn't actually make it so. Contador for example has his best friend in his team. Hence he doesn't criticize him even though he did nothing of note.

 

[movingtarget]

It appears Renshaw has initiated the transfer himself. Will lead-out Bos and also get his own chances.

Source: http://www.rabosport.nl/wielrennen/nieuws/3823/Komst_Mark_Renshaw_definitief (Dutch)

Quotes:

Bos: "Mark is the best lead-out man in the world. I'm thrilled Renshaw had chosen for Rabo. Working together with Mark will benefit my development."

Renshaw: "For many years I've helped others win races, now I'll try to win some of the biggest races myself. Rabo is one of the most professional teams with a solid structure, which will allow me to chase my goals. I look forward to sharing my experience, helping Theo Bos, and helping Rabo to win races."

You can't blame Renshaw for wanting to win a few races for himself. Like he said, he is not getting any younger. I see Bos as more of a sprinter for stage races not classics so Renshaw and Matthews might get their chances as well. Be interesting to see how Renshaw goes. O'Grady started out as mainly a sprinter but managed to be a much better all round rider when he forgot about fighting for the Green jersey. Renshaw has a way to go to reach that level.

 

[woodie]

I just don't see how Rabo can help Renshaw. They aren't exactly the best team in positioning their sprinters and keeping them up front And I don't believe for once Renshaw will want to lead out Bos(hence it's stupid to even say)... Why did he leave Cavendish if he wasn't tired of playing second fiddle?

Renshaw chose Rabo for money above all else. I don't think it's a smart move by Rabo or Renshaw. There are a few other teams out there who lack a pure sprinter. At Rabo Renshaw will have to compete with Theo Bos.

Ps: cyclists lie in their interviews, just because they say they're grateful doesn't actually make it so. Contador for example has his best friend in his team. Hence he doesn't criticize him even though he did nothing of note.

He doesn't need a whole team built around him, like HTC were designed for their sprinters, all he will probably need is two or so guys in the final of the race to keep him out of the wind and move up. Maybe Rabo aren't very good at it now but they can learn.

Whats wrong with him leading out Bos in smaller races and helping him develop? Maybe what they meant by work together is Bos leading him out or Mark showing him some tips.

How do you know for sure money is the deciding factor? Do you know Renshaw personally? Have you met him? Because I know him and I know how badly he wants to win races and if he thinks Rabo can help him do that then good. I'm sure the money was a nice bonus as he just got married but we don't know how much it is, only that it was more than sky, hell Sky might have only offered him 200 000 or something and Rabo offered 400 000, I don't know, but I can tell you money wasn't the deciding factor.

Why does he have to compete with Bos? Cav and Goss worked out well together this year as long as there is a clear understanding from the start.

Yes I know cyclists lie, everyone lies, but if we assume they always lie then whats the point? If Contador, or Evans, or Renshaw or whoever is happy with the support then thats all that matters, not the opinion of a guy on a forum who only saw what was on TV.

 

[NickBVK]

He certainly knows how to find his way to the pointy end of the field, even without being the 2nd last member of the HTC train I think we will still see him right up there in most sprints. He is a top positioner and can pick the right wheel to follow.

Just be a matter of him learning how to time his 'explosion' for the winning move if indeed he has it.

 

[Eric8-A]

Just be a matter of him learning how to time his 'explosion' for the winning move if indeed he has it.

Or if he'll be able to stay on the wheel of a Gripel or Cavendish

 

[abbaskip]

Dude, he won one stage in it. Qatar, Down Under, Eneco Tour were races were he was allowed to ride for him self and he didn't impress anyone as a sprinter. People like Goss and Greipel won races even if they were forced in the lead out train of Cav. Greipel didn't ride since the Tour as well and won 2 stages this Eneco Tour and worked his balls of for Phil in the hilly stages(he could have won the last stage to be honest)

If he wants to be a sprinter, Rabobank is the wrong team to go to. They don't support anyone except if you're Dutch. Besides, I was calling it stupid that Renshaw would be lead out man for Bos. Not going to happen.

Boonen, Steegmans and Haussler sure had amazing seasons this year, how anyone could ever beat these guys is beyond me

Renshaw didn't go to Qatar to win. He originally went to work for Cav, and this plan only changed when they decided Cav didn't have the form.

Greipel has trained all year to be a sprinter, Renshaw hasn't? We've been over that. And Goss and Greipel in those previous years where they've lead out Cav, didn't revolve their season around it. They filled in, in the train for a couple of races, but their season revolved around their results. Renshaw's season, currently, revolves around riding the big races for Cav.

Haussler was going ok at the start of the season (during Qatar). He was building well. But after that he has had no luck.