Renshaws non selection in Worlds Team?

[Nearly]

As much as I would like to see Renshaw in the mix I think Ferminal is right particularly in his assessment of the opportunities not taken in Hamburg and Plouay.

Perhaps Whitey should have whispered in his ear before those two that at best he was a fringe selection for the short team and he might have responded accordingly (as he seems to have done at the ToB) - not only Gerrans and Clarke but Robbie Mac certainly seemed to be trying harder.

NB Interesting that a Dutch team would take on a lead sprinter who supposedly cannot do classics - next year will be interesting (as always).

 

[woodie]

As much as I would like to see Renshaw in the mix I think Ferminal is right particularly in his assessment of the opportunities not taken in Hamburg and Plouay.

Perhaps Whitey should have whispered in his ear before those two that at best he was a fringe selection for the short team and he might have responded accordingly (as he seems to have done at the ToB) - not only Gerrans and Clarke but Robbie Mac certainly seemed to be trying harder.

NB Interesting that a Dutch team would take on a lead sprinter who supposedly cannot do classics - next year will be interesting (as always).

Mark was chasing up cycling australia and the selectors for weeks before the decision was made to see what he should do to ensure selectio and they didn't say anything. I agree hamberg and plouay were missed opportunities but he's going super strong right now a week before so it looks like he was on track.

Either way nothing can be done now and I hope he proves everyone wrong next year

 

[Tuarts]

Matt white #epicfail

Mark seems to be one of the only riders who actually has some decent form currently. Haussler will be a pick they regret imo.

ToB != WC

Because Förster and Van Poppel are such illustrious sprinting company for a WT rider...

 

[Ferminal]

Never doubted Renshaw's ability to win a sprint

(There was no selection).

 

[Tigerion]

Not sure if his ToB win does much to help his cause for WC selection. If he has been left out because the selector don't think he can make the 260 km hilly course, it certainly won't.
In the post race interview he said he was almost popped off the back half a dozen times and that was only a 180 km stage. It shows he has good form but doesn't do much to help his claim "I can make the distance"

 

[greenedge]

I wonder what Bannans' philosophy/ selections might have been.

 

[Swabian Lass]

Not sure if his ToB win does much to help his cause for WC selection. If he has been left out because the selector don't think he can make the 260 km hilly course, it certainly won't.
In the post race interview he said he was almost popped off the back half a dozen times and that was only a 180 km stage. It shows he has good form but doesn't do much to help his claim "I can make the distance"

Did he say that? I didn't hear the interview. Wouldn't help his chances. I'd have gone for Sutton over Renshaw, but possibly Renshaw over Gerrans.

 

[movingtarget]

Personally I hope Renshaw wins something big next season. He has been a good team player and now he will get the chance to try and win a few races. I am caught in two minds about how far he can progress. I still think he deserved a spot on the Oz team ahead of some of the others. But it's true about some sprinters not coping with the classic, distance races but have no trouble winning the shorter stage race distances. The extra 60 kms or so is too much for some, even though some of those riders are usually quality sprinters. Freire could do both well but someone like McEwen won plenty of grand tour stages and semi classics but could not get the wins in the one day classics although he came close a few times. Hushovd is another one who has trouble winning classics but then he won the Worlds last year which surprised me even though he is a better climber than most sprinters but then he is not just a sprinter like Cipollini or Cavendish. He is more versatile.

 

[abbaskip]

Most of what I want to say has been said, but some things to think about: Renshaw wasn't in the finals selection in MSR because a team leader was, and so his team didn't chase. They won the race, seems it was the right move.

He spends most of the season riding got others, and riding in tours. He seems to be the best at this in the world.

His last two races, prior to ToB he didn't perform in, but in Plouay out lasted EBH and Cooke. Just like those guys Renshaw was racing Plouay for the miles, not a result. At vattenfalls he had 4 bike changes and a wheel change in the first 80km. So I'm not sure it's fair to judge him on that.

Haussler and Cooke haven't done much all year. Sutton wins a stage of the Vuelta and everyone talks up the relevance of grand tour stages. Sutton is dropped before the end in a stage in the Vuelta, that Bennati wins, and we hear **tumbleweed**. Renshaw is a star and key man for Cavendish during the tour and we're told that Grand Tour's are irrelevant (but what about CJs win?).

Renshaw wins a stage of the Tour of Britain, and finishes second to the man he is leading out, twice, and we're told ToB is too easy and irrelevant. Even though Swift and Thomas, two men Sky close over Sutton for the TdF were there competing. Forster was there, Hushovd was there, Bos was there. Renshaw could only beat whoever rocked up, and he did that, whilst working for Cav, and setting him up...what more was he meant to do?

Whispers about political decisions don't appear from nowhere. There are other riders who have missed selection previously (and this year), who have received much less publicity.

I think it's quite clear this wasn't a 100% sporting decision. It was a politically motivated/personal decision, that they have JUST enough doubt created to allow them to justify it as a sporting decision.

Quite disgusting really.

The point isn't about if Renshaw turns around and wins loads of races for Rabo next year. The point is that he should be there as a helper. The role he plays as well as anyone all year. If this course isn't the one for Renshaw, what is? If this was a one off pro team race, you can bet HTC would be taking him. In fact, I'm sure basically any team he rode for would be taking him.

 

[mb2612]

But when His leader did win MSR in 2009 did Renshaw lead him out?

Or was Renshaw 8 minutes back having not had the legs?


Name one classic over 220km when Renshaw has shown his ability

 

[woodie]

But when His leader did win MSR in 2009 did Renshaw lead him out?

Or was Renshaw 8 minutes back having not had the legs?


Name one classic over 220km when Renshaw has shown his ability

That was 2009, when he then went on to help Cav to 6 stage wins in the Tour, he was probably still building for the Tour because that's what his season has predominately been built around.

His form has been super, or at least equal to that of 80% of Australia's team, he would have been a great addition to any team to do any job that was asked of him.

 

[abbaskip]

But when His leader did win MSR in 2009 did Renshaw lead him out?

Or was Renshaw 8 minutes back having not had the legs?


Name one classic over 220km when Renshaw has shown his ability

So for Renshaw, "form" 2.5 years ago it's relevant, but for Sutton it's all about a Vuelta stage a month ago. In that race he also did some work early on, and the race was not a target for him. It was all about build up to the tdf.

Name a race over 220km where Renshaw has ridden for a result. His season is geared towards the tdf, stage 18 this year was 218km, and he lead Cav out perfectly at the end. This year after the tdf his whole season has been about the worlds, but seems that form will be wasted.

How about stage 1 of the 2010 tour. Over 220km, and I realise it's not a classic, but tour stage win provides as much incentive. Renshaw finished 2nd to Petacchi, even though he was meant to be there as a support act, he stepped up when Cav was caught up.

Or stage 6 from the same tour. Again over 220, and again Renshaw set up Cav perfectly. It wasn't exactly rolling, but it wasn't flat, and even had four cat4 kom climbs.

 

[Midnightfright]

So for Renshaw, "form" 2.5 years ago it's relevant, but for Sutton it's all about a Vuelta stage a month ago. In that race he also did some work early on, and the race was not a target for him. It was all about build up to the tdf.

Name a race over 220km where Renshaw has ridden for a result. His season is geared towards the tdf, stage 18 this year was 218km, and he lead Cav out perfectly at the end. This year after the tdf his whole season has been about the worlds, but seems that form will be wasted.

How about stage 1 of the 2010 tour. Over 220km, and I realise it's not a classic, but tour stage win provides as much incentive. Renshaw finished 2nd to Petacchi, even though he was meant to be there as a support act, he stepped up when Cav was caught up.

Or stage 6 from the same tour. Again over 220, and again Renshaw set up Cav perfectly. It wasn't exactly rolling, but it wasn't flat, and even had four cat4 kom climbs.

Renshaw actually seems to have more difficulty than Cav to get over these even moderately small bumps and there isn't much evidence than what u supply of last the super long stages. Even those he would be less than likely to be there at the end surely he would atleast be worth a spot? Why is Rogers in the team?

 

[Dermie]

Not read all of the posts but figure if Cav is still there at the end then it all over as he is the fastest sprinter, so whats the use of a guy (Renshaw) being there, if he can still be there? to lead out who? cos Cav's the fastest.
So I guess Australia's tactics are something else???
Perhaps Renshaw has too much affinity with Cav.
I would hope its not politics but I guess the characters in Aus cycling have been circling around together for a number of years & there are bound to be some relationships built over that time both good & bad.

 

[Tuarts]

 

[greenedge]

According to Cycling Central Cav said Renshaw will have to get used to being 2nd next year.

Even if Cav is the fastest it might not matter if he has bad positioning. If he has to go from 250M expect someone to be closing real fast. The GB squad won't be as good measuring out their leadout compared to HTC and even they get it wrong sometimes.

 

[woodie]

According to Cycling Central Cav said Renshaw will have to get used to being 2nd next year.

Even if Cav is the fastest it might not matter if he has bad positioning. If he has to go from 250M expect someone to be closing real fast. The GB squad won't be as good measuring out their leadout compared to HTC and even they get it wrong sometimes.

Where did you see that?

 

[Boardslide]

Where did you see that?

The quote comes from the interview they both gave after Renshaw won at Exmouth (said with a laugh in the voice) when asked how he thought Renshaw would find next year, they were joking around.

 

[woodie]

The quote comes from the interview they both gave after Renshaw won at Exmouth (said with a laugh in the voice) when asked how he thought Renshaw would find next year, they were joking around.

Oh ok cool, just interested in seeing it, thanks

 

[Polyarmour]

Renshaw is in super form, he should have had a start. Haussler won't last the distance.

 

[Ferminal]

Why is Rogers in the team?

To be fair to the selectors, Rogers showed decent form in Britain, so maybe they knew something we didn't.

 

[mb2612]

Renshaw is in super form, he should have had a start. Haussler won't last the distance.

Haussler: 2nd places in monuments

Renshaw: Literally no result in a proper classic ever.

I would rather have Haussler in my team

 

[woodie]

Haussler: 2nd places in monuments

Renshaw: Literally no result in a proper classic ever.

I would rather have Haussler in my team

That was 2 years ago. Due to injury and illness he hasn't shown the same form since. Renshaw is paid to lead out Cav and work as a team helper not race for himself, his whole season revolves around working for the team that pays his bills. Haussler and Renshaw have different roles in their respective teams.

How do people not understand this?

 

[mb2612]

I understand this, but when I am picking someone for my national team, for an uphill sprint after 260km I pick the guy who has done it before, not the guy who has never shown any ability to compete at the end of that sort of race.

Next year, if he leads Rabo in MSR and does well then sure he should be selected, but until then why pick him?

He can barely climb, and as such will be no use as final lead out man, the one job he is good for.

 

[woodie]

I understand this, but when I am picking someone for my national team, for an uphill sprint after 260km I pick the guy who has done it before, not the guy who has never shown any ability to compete at the end of that sort of race.

Next year, if he leads Rabo in MSR and does well then sure he should be selected, but until then why pick him?

He can barely climb, and as such will be no use as final lead out man, the one job he is good for.

I'd pick the guy who is on form and has been performing in his role all year. He might not make it to the finish but will Cooke? There's other things he can do during the race to help which he does in any other race. Plus this course hardly has any hills in it, the speed will be so high they won't notice anything except the finish rise.

I just think Renshaw deserves a chance considering how he's been riding, but we'll never know what could've happened. Hopefully he has a successful year next year