Rider(s) to watch in 2011

[deValtos]

And yeah guys like Samu menchov basso Evans etc is not a lot between them, depending on form they could all beat each other.

Physically not a lot between them, but I think Basso is the only one who thinks he can actually beat contador or schleck (regardless of whether he can or not) and this is where I think he has the edge. In the recent articles on cyclingnews Basso always talks of winning the tour http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/basso-to-skip-giro-for-tour-de-france never for just a podium position. I just get the impression he seems to have the correct mentality.

Incidently I think the only other two riders who actually believe they can win the 2011Tour with Contador in it are Sastre and Armstrong (even though I'm nearly 100% sure they cant) but it's the belief that makes them strong riders and why they have won Tours in the past. Always believe you can win.

 

[janraaskalt]

Incidently I think the only other two riders who actually believe they can win the 2011Tour with Contador in it are Sastre and Armstrong (even though I'm nearly 100% sure they cant) but it's the belief that makes them strong riders and why they have won Tours in the past. Always believe you can win.

Armstrong? He's not even competing in the Tour of 2011. If the guy thought he would stand chance for another Tour win, he would try it again (and fail).

 

[Matthijs]

Riders I'm going to watch besides the obvious

Sprints
Boonen, McEwen (do they still have it?), Greipel (really 2-3 in the world in topfields?), Chicchi (they say he's very fast, not so much results though)

Cobbles
Leukemans (time for his big win!), Terpstra (time for a smaller but substantial win, backing of a still great team?) Boom (can he hold on to 260k?)

Ardennes
Hoogerland (not 'overtrained' like last year?), LLS (finally a real season goal), Uran (team leader!)

Italy/Giro
Pozzovivo, Ricco, Scarponi, Pellizotti battling on cold snowy mountains!

weeklong races
Boom hope he lives up to the expectations and win some minor race like Pologne, Brittain but I prefer Eneco!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Boom will be interesting to follow. He has made steady progress imo, might be a big year, hard one to predict.

 

[Bike Boy]

I expect Fuglsang to make a big step forward. Think he can become a main contender in Paris-Nice, Tour de Suisse, ... and LBL, Lombardia, etc.

When not employed as a work horse he will definately get his own chance. I think he will manage a couple of top 5 in week long races, and if everything works well, maybe a victory in races like emilia or piemonte.

 

[Christian]

I expect Fuglsang to make a big step forward. Think he can become a main contender in Paris-Nice, Tour de Suisse, ... and LBL, Lombardia, etc.

Yeah he was already 3rd in Suisse and 4th in Lombardia. Paris-Nice is usually Fränk Schleck's first focus of the season though, so I don't know if he'll get a shot there. But I could definitely see him repeat his Suisse podium

 

[Libertine Seguros]

As the Schlecks both tend to race Suisse, Fuglsang might be off at the Dauphiné, where his star first really shone back in 2009.

 

[AnthonyO]

So why wont anyone give Rasmussen a chace to come back? Plenty of Italian riders have been welcomed back into the peleton.

 

[theyoungest]

As the Schlecks both tend to race Suisse, Fuglsang might be off at the Dauphiné, where his star first really shone back in 2009.

If the Schlecks follow up on what they've learned from Riis, they'll have almost their entire TDF squad in the Tour de Suisse. That is, if Fuglsang doesn't ride the Giro (although he probably won't).

 

[Kvinto]

Shlecks will definitely ride Suisse and they'll definitely want to have TDF squad there. This years Frank's TdSuisse performance was an exception to the rule, he didn't plan to ride for the result but found himself in a right place in a right time... I think we can predict Fuglsang as one of the main contenders for TdSuisse 2011

 

[Christian]

Shlecks will definitely ride Suisse and they'll definitely want to have TDF squad there. This years Frank's TdSuisse performance was an exception to the rule, he didn't plan to ride for the result but found himself in a right place in a right time... I think we can predict Fuglsang as one of the main contenders for TdSuisse 2011

Yeah I think so as well, both Schlecks being in Suisse doesn't mean Fuglsang can't be the team leader

/edit: That's gonna be one mean team:

Fuglsang
Schleck
Schleck
Monfort
Zaugg (?)
Cancellara
Voigt
O'Grady
Posthuma (?)

 

[Bike Boy]

No matter how the coin will flip, Fuglsang will get plenty chances. Fuglsang will try to better his 3rd place in suisse of course, but who knows? perhaps he will trade it into a stage victory or even better, both.

I'm also curious to find out how much freedom he will get in certain stages during the tour.

 

[Matthijs]

edit: That's gonna be one mean team:

Fuglsang
Schleck
Schleck
Monfort
Zaugg (?)
Cancellara
Voigt
O'Grady
Posthuma (?)

but Voigt and Ogrady getting older and older, and the Schlecks aren't doing much domestique work maybe? or do people here think they will really work in de TDS?
Hope Fuglsang can get some decent placings on the hilly classics too

 

[Bike Boy]

but Voigt and Ogrady getting older and older, and the Schlecks aren't doing much domestique work maybe? or do people here think they will really work in de TDS?

Looks all good to me. Strong in the mountains, and great support in every possible terrain.

 

[Glockers]

When Robbie hurts himself I think Pegasus will have Cantwell as the man. Having Kemps/Hunter as his last wheel will make him an effective sprinter. I think Cantwell will get plenty of wins.

Of course they could go for Hunter, but I don't see the point of that.

 

[auscyclefan94]

When Robbie hurts himself I think Pegasus will have Cantwell as the man. Having Kemps/Hunter as his last wheel will make him an effective sprinter. I think Cantwell will get plenty of wins.

Of course they could go for Hunter, but I don't see the point of that.

I hope Cantwell gets to ride some big races next year. He is going to be good.

 

[ferryman]

I'm looking forward to a full on focussed assault of the Ardennes by Cunego.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I'm expecting some things from Greg Van Avermaet this year!

 

[IlCobraFan]

Matthew Busche, the RadioShack rider who started cycling 3 years ago. Had some good results as neo-pro but I think he's much more than that.

 

[flatclimb]

Gesink
Ricco
Nibali
Samuel Sanchez

Richie Porte?

 

[Bike Boy]

Matthew Busche, the RadioShack rider who started cycling 3 years ago. Had some good results as neo-pro but I think he's much more than that.

I came across this guy for the first time in Tour of Denmark back in august. He managed a 3rd place, not that I paid him any particular notice for that reason, but I didn't know he had risen so quickly.

That's quite an achievement.

 

[Martina]

Not to mention others, personally I´m very curious about the cooperation of Kreuziger and his new Directeur Sportif Martinelli (as he has huge believe in him).
In adition, duel Kreuziger / Nibali at Giro - that might be nice stuff to watch