Romain Bardet Discussion Thread

[armchairclimber]

Bardet got it because he was the most combative rider. He went "man against the field" several times....uphill/downhill/succesfully/unsuccessfully. He attacked with a real purpose (as opposed to getting TV time). Sagan is the only other rider that could claim the rights.

 

[SafeBet]

Been a fan of his for a long time now. Reminds me of a younger Nibbles.
I'm not sure he's got the engine to win a GT in the future, but surely he can light up many races, including Classics!

 

[armchairclimber]

Anyone know if he is down to ride La Vuelta? I doubt he would fully recover in time but (according to SKY) it's a good prep race for next year's tour (not convinced myself).

 

[SafeBet]

Re:

Anyone know if he is down to ride La Vuelta? I doubt he would fully recover in time but (according to SKY) it's a good prep race for next year's tour (not convinced myself).

Sky the team or the broadcaster?

 

[armchairclimber]

The team. I won't have the broadcaster anywhere near my hoose.

 

[armchairclimber]

Shame Bardet isn't at the Vuelta. He could have gone stage hunting whilst supporting Pozzovivo. I know he has just been racing the Olympic route in Brazil but still.

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

Re:

Shame Bardet isn't at the Vuelta. He could have gone stage hunting whilst supporting Pozzovivo. I know he has just been racing the Olympic route in Brazil but still.

Yeah -- the best French riders all seem to be opting out (apart from Bouhanni). I was expecting to see Alaphillippe there too, but no dice.

 

[armchairclimber]

Be good to see the lad at the sharp end on Sunday... been on a recce today.

 

[armchairclimber]

Bardet has been my favourite rider of 2015, as he was last year. Despite his off day and a lower finish at the TDF, I think he actually enhanced his reputation as a racer this year, not only for his two nutty descent attacks for stage wins in the Tour and the Dauphine but for his willingness to attack in general. Now he is sole AG2R leader for the 2016 Tour, anyone fancy him for the podium?

 

[staubsauger]

Puh. It depends on whether he's fully going for a top 5 classification spot or more for stage wins and the polka dot jersey. I guess the last option provides a higher chance to reach a podium spot.

Bardet could produce a nice joint venture with Aru in order to crack one of Froome, Contador, Quintana in a baf moment with some fearless attacks. That way Aru actually could sneak a Tour podium and Bardet the polka dot jersey AND a top 5 classification spot.

It's purely theoretical of course. But I really hope he and Aru realize that attacking never mind should be their best tactic to reach their goals.

 

[Jspear]

No way he'll get a podium if Froome, AC, Quintana, Aru all make it to Paris without incident. There are others that could beat him as well if things go right. I like his style of racing, but imo he can only keep that style up if he rides for stage wins and the KOM jersey. If he rides for a top 5, he'll have to be more conservative for most of the Tour.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I like Bardet super much as well. Felt like you had to take side last year between Pinot and Bardet and I like him a lot better for some reason. That said, I think the ceiling is top-5 this year barring 2 or more crashes. Im hoping to see him race aggressively right from the Pyrenees since he honestly is pretty horrible at TT'ing, but I could see a more defensive approach in order to be at 100% for the Alps without losing too much time.

 

[staubsauger]

Winning the polka dot jersey provides a spot on the podium for me. I should've added that little information to my argumentation.

 

[armchairclimber]

I'm inclined to agree that KOM is a more realistic target, along with stage wins. I just hope that he gets stronger/more robust as he ages. His main hope for podium is to make a lot of time on a mountain breakaway stage (ie if there's a crash or something behind him amongst the chasing group). Then he might just be able to defend.

 

[yaco]

Time trialling is far below standard - You put together the best characteristics of Pinot and Bardet and then you have a Podium GT rider.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Romain Bardet

I really like bardet too but Im not sure if he Is really strong enough for a podium. I think he should rather concentrate on stages especially because there are so many Mountain stages

 

[Brullnux]

Bardet could just try to become the next Richard Virenque

 

[motty89]

Re:

Time trialling is far below standard - You put together the best characteristics of Pinot and Bardet and then you have a Podium GT rider.

errr... Surely Pinot is a podium GT rider by definition

I like the way Bardet races but I don't think he has as much GC potential as Pinot

 

[staubsauger]

Re: Re:

Time trialling is far below standard - You put together the best characteristics of Pinot and Bardet and then you have a Podium GT rider.

errr... Surely Pinot is a podium GT rider by definition

I like the way Bardet races but I don't think he has as much GC potential as Pinot

Regarding the mainly steady Tour de France cols, yes.

If one of them would once (again) ride the Giro or Vuelta: I tend to believe Bardet got his uphill kick in favor of Pinot on those irregular, steep ramps.

Although of course, Pinot did well at Lombardia recently and the Giro suits diesel climbers like Basso, Kruisjwijk, Breukink, as well.

 

[armchairclimber]

First race on Sunday. Looks to have quite a sparce programme this year.

 

[Alexandre B.]

He was disappointed by his pre-LBL campaign (not good in Paris-Nice and Catalunya, had to do Giro del Trentino to rise in form), so he won't try to perform very well in February, as he did last year in Andalucia.

 

[armchairclimber]

Not a bad start in Oman, surely chance of a podium place.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

He was disappointed by his pre-LBL campaign (not good in Paris-Nice and Catalunya, had to do Giro del Trentino to rise in form), so he won't try to perform very well in February, as he did last year in Andalucia.

Damn, he will be *** at P-N again.

 

[armchairclimber]

Haha, maybe. Good to see him riding with the cavalier style that has made him my favourite rider today. I think he's getting better. And again, he has the good grace to look knackered at the end of a hard climb.

 

[Tonton]

No win, but still a very good perf' for Romain today. He took his responsibilities, fell a little short, but he's building up and this early in the season, that's very encouraging.