Rider's schedule 2015 season

[jens_attacks]

pozzovivo won't make it in one piece to the second cobbled sector unfortunately
that's why we love him

 

[Gloin22]

Based on Betancur's comments about AG2R already having three (!) leaders for the Tour de France I would've assumed that Pozzovivo may go to France in a free role to go for the mountains jersey.

Might be a wise decision as he finally would win some gt stage(s) again and with his qualitys is likely to succeed for polka dot.

As well AG2R would not have to spend much time working at front of the peloton with their mountain goat being up front on the climbs all day. Concentrating on doing some back to back attacks with Bardet and Peraud wouldn't be too bad tactically.

Just my 2 cents of course.

Seems you misread a bit there. He meant himself as the third one.

Carlos Betancur will ride the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana in 2015 while Romain Bardet and Jean-Christophe Péraud lead Ag2r-La Mondiale's challenge at the Tour de France. Betancur is likely to be joined by Domenico Pozzovivo in the Ag2r line-up at the Giro.

"There's already Péraud and Bardet as leaders, there's no point in going to the Tour with three," Betancur told L’Équipe. "I'm going to concentrate on the Giro and Vuelta. It's a programme that suits me well."

 

[staubsauger]

Seems you misread a bit there. He meant himself as the third one.

Yeah but that's a new article and not the first one I referred my thoughts to isn't it?

Anyway seems like you're right.

 

[greenedge]

Does anyone know what the Yates brother's schedules could be? Just thinking that with Gerrans now injured Simon would be a great candidate to ride for the TDU's GC.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Does anyone know what the Yates brother's schedules could be? Just thinking that with Gerrans now injured Simon would be a great candidate to ride for the TDU's GC.

Yes. It's an important race for OGE in a way that it isn't for most WT teams. They will want to field a potential winner as their leader and behind Gerrans there aren't very many of those on their payroll. It's just a bit too tough for their corps of sprinters who can climb a bit.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Does anyone know what the Yates brother's schedules could be? Just thinking that with Gerrans now injured Simon would be a great candidate to ride for the TDU's GC.

What about Matthews, can he perform on Willunga?

 

[Akuryo]

Kwiatkowski is targeting San Remo (and Ardennes, of course)!

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...kwiatkowski-aims-2015-sanremo-ardennes_356683

 

[pablohidalgo7]

Vanmarcke schedule: algarve,strade bianche,tirreno adriatico,E3 harebelke,gante wevelgem,ronde van vlaanderen,paris roubaix and perhaps amstel.

 

[dirkprovin]

What about Matthews, can he perform on Willunga?

He's been in Europe and set for a start in March. Albasini is a similar rider to Gerrans but has been off the bike due to a (less serious) crash. They could bring out one of the Yates but disrupting their program may be counter-productive to their season.

Who do I see as possibilities:

- Clarke. Maybe hasn't the sprint finish of Gerrans but arguably stronger going uphill.
- Impey. As the South African nationals are at a similar time of year, he will usually be "up" at this point of the season. Again, has some similar characteristics to Gerrans and has a quick finish. Finished 7th in last years TdU
- Meyer. Did win this race in 2011 albeit due to getting himself in a break that "stuck".

 

[greenedge]

I believe if Matthews was in great form he could definitely win the TDU, if he won at Stirling and then limited his losses. OGE can still have a successful TDU (stages or GC options) but it's at the RR where they will suffer most, Howard and Ewan probably won't win a sprint against some other riders (Renshaw, Sutton) and without Gerrans i doubt any of their riders can follow Porte or Evans (maybe Cam Meyer again). Furthermore the PC/Conti teams are becoming stronger and can stop a repeat of Durbridge's 2013 win from a breakaway.

 

[damian13ster]

Kwiatkowski is targeting San Remo (and Ardennes, of course)!

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...kwiatkowski-aims-2015-sanremo-ardennes_356683

Awesome! He has a shot at San Remo, but things have to play into his hands.
He is not the fastest on the line (Gerrans, Valverde, Kristoff, Sagan, pure sprinters) and doesn't have the biggest punch uphill (Valverde, Purito, Martin, etc.) but I think he is the smartest rider in a peleton with crazy good tactical sense even at his age.

Also, I rewatched Ardennes and World Championships from last year and think that Golas is really underrated domestique. He delivered Kwiatkowski to a perfect place at the finale each time.

 

[dirkprovin]

I believe if Matthews was in great form he could definitely win the TDU, if he won at Stirling and then limited his losses. OGE can still have a successful TDU (stages or GC options) but it's at the RR where they will suffer most, Howard and Ewan probably won't win a sprint against some other riders (Renshaw, Sutton) and without Gerrans i doubt any of their riders can follow Porte or Evans (maybe Cam Meyer again). Furthermore the PC/Conti teams are becoming stronger and can stop a repeat of Durbridge's 2013 win from a breakaway.

Can agree with what you're saying but their schedule for Matthews is such that they are setting him for a European start and they feel that he's of sufficient importance to the team's overall results that they won't having him racing in the Australian season to cover Gerrans' absence.

Re the RR; I agree that Howard is a distinctly underwhelming performer and Ewan isn't nearly strong enough to compete regularly with the big boys but then again Renshaw isn't, and has never been, a top-drawer sprinter and the same can be said for Sutton. If it came down to a kick between those named, I couldn't pick a clear favourite.

Whilst the domestic teams are getting stronger, none of them yet have the personnel to really mix it at the sharp end unless OGE and the other WT riders make a complete balls-up. If Rogers rides the RR, then he clearly remains a major factor and Hansen is a hard tough nut with a powerful enough engine to do the business if given an opportunity. We don't know just how hard Evans will push things on his "farewell journey" and Porte was ordinary for most of 2014 after his promising start.

OGE'S hopes in RR ?? Durbridge was actually distinctly less than turbo powered for most of 2014. On form, he can still be dangerous if given leeway to get a gap but if not so, he's possibly not going to be able to compete with the best if the action is decided "uphill". Clarke and Meyer look probably the best equipped for the uphill and both are dangerous if allowed into a break.

 

[Akuryo]

Also, I rewatched Ardennes and World Championships from last year and think that Golas is really underrated domestique. He delivered Kwiatkowski to a perfect place at the finale each time.

He is hugely respected in his team. He and Kwiatkowski (and Wisniowski for that matter) often train together and have a close friendship off the bike, too. He is a good all-rounder just like Kwiatkowski. But I think you are right, that he does not get the credit he deserves for the wortk he does from outsiders.

 

[Christian]

Silvio Herklotz told radsport-news.com that he hopes to do tougher and longer stage races this year. Mainly the Baby Giro, if it is taking place, and the Volta a Portugal, if his team gets invited. It will be exciting to follow his progress this season.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Does anyone know what the Yates brother's schedules could be? Just thinking that with Gerrans now injured Simon would be a great candidate to ride for the TDU's GC.

Simon mentioned in an interview last month that he is targeting stage wins at the Tour next year. I wonder if Adam will be at the Tour too, the amount of climbing and lack of TT will suit him well.

 

[Gloin22]

Stephens said Orica will be going for stage wins at Down Under and attackive, with Impey best GC bet for Top 10 or something.

Obviously, he said too late now and unfair to change rider's plans such as Matthews or Yatsey's and bring them to Down Under.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Vanmarcke schedule: algarve,strade bianche,tirreno adriatico,E3 harebelke,gante wevelgem,ronde van vlaanderen,paris roubaix and perhaps amstel.

No Omloop het Nieuwsblad? That can't be right?

 

[pablohidalgo7]

No Omloop het Nieuwsblad? That can't be right?

Sorry, omloop het nieuwsblad and kuurne are also in his race program,I forget them.

 

[Netserk]

What about msr?

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Gesink will do Ardennes and TDF:

Algarve
Tirreno-Adriatico
Pais Vasco
Amstel Gold Race
Flèche Wallonne
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Suisse
Tour de France

Hopefully he can finally have an entire year at a normal level.

 

[cineteq]

Gesink will do Ardennes and TDF:

Algarve
Tirreno-Adriatico
Pais Vasco
Amstel Gold Race
Flèche Wallonne
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Suisse
Tour de France

Hopefully he can finally have an entire year at a normal level.

Hope so too.

 

[Red Rick]

Is it me or is TA getting way more prestigious than PN these years. I think all of the big 4 are doing TA?

 

[Escarabajo]

Is it me or is TA getting way more prestigious than PN these years. I think all of the big 4 are doing TA?

It is the parcours!

Blame the director of both races.

 

[Akuryo]

Uran gave more details about his schedule for 2015:

Nationals (both, hopes to win time trial)
Boucles du Sud-Ardeche
Strade Bianche
Tirreno - Adriatico
Volta a Catalunya
Tour de Romandie
Giro
Tour

 

[Wallenquist]

Uran gave more details about his schedule for 2015:

Nationals (both, hopes to win time trial)
Boucles du Sud-Ardeche
Strade Bianche
Tirreno - Adriatico
Volta a Catalunya
Tour de Romandie
Giro
Tour

With three big stage races before Giro and the Giro itself he will be almost dead at the start of the Tour.


Benat Intxausti:

Challenge de Mallorca, Clásica Almería, Vuelta a Murcia, Vuelta a Andalucía, Volta a Catalunya, Vuelta al País Vasco, Klasika Primavera, Vuelta a Asturias y Giro de Italia.

Two years ago i expected him to stand up and fight for a podium in Giro. Didn't happen but his Giro was still pretty successful. He will be 29 next year so it's now or never. Possibly last chance for him to ride GT as a leader.