Romain Bardet Discussion Thread

[Alexandre B.]

Re: Re:

Ronde van Vlaanderen may be good for him also.
He could drop big classics riders on steepest hill and left Naesen to match big guns.

He says so.

"I've always loved the Classics and I think the Flemish races are the greatest ones but I don't have the physique for them. But I've always thought I could do well in this race and perhaps even in the Tour of Flanders"

Keep in mind that Strade Bianche is more suited to climbers and good drivers than RvV, though.

 

[MightyWheelSucker]

Great ride by Bardet. I think this year he will easily win Tour, if nothing unexpected happens.
I also expect him to win a few other races, aybe even classics.
And generally, big improvement from French riders this year.

 

[toolittle]

Re:

Great ride by Bardet. I think this year he will easily win Tour, if nothing unexpected happens.
I also expect him to win a few other races, aybe even classics.
And generally, big improvement from French riders this year.

Which tour?
Asian Tour?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I'm not surprised by Bardet in Strade.

I remember in his first (or second? not sure) year as professional he did a huge long break in the Amstel Gold Race. He survived up until the Keuteberg (which was still close to the finish than) and still finished pretty well (25th or something). Hugely impressive. He is a rider of almost all terrain except dead flat and hard cobbles

 

[Alexandre B.]

I guess he achieved the best result he could have done today.

Nice timing for his (sole) attempt, and a well-deserved podium.

 

[toolittle]

Re:

I guess he achieved the best result he could have done today.

Nice timing for his (sole) attempt, and a well-deserved podium.

Bardet needs more power and weight... Otherwise, with podiums but hard to win.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

So good in anything that goes uphill. Too bad he can't timetrial to save his life. So winning a classic is also going to be hard. Must go solo on Saint Nicoals or Ans to do that.

 

[drebelo]

Re:

So good in anything that goes uphill. Too bad he can't timetrial to save his life. So winning a classic is also going to be hard. Must go solo on Saint Nicoals or Ans to do that.

I think Lombarida suits him way more than Liege, and with the stars aligned who knows what he can do there

 

[Bardamu]

Re:

So good in anything that goes uphill. Too bad he can't timetrial to save his life. So winning a classic is also going to be hard. Must go solo on Saint Nicoals or Ans to do that.

I think he'll be one of the favs for Innsbruck, but there always seems to be someone stronger than Bardet in one-day races. French team should support him and Alaphilippe.

 

[difdauf]

Re: Re:

I think he'll be one of the favs for Innsbruck, but there always seems to be someone stronger than Bardet in one-day races. French team should support him and Alaphilippe.

I doubt French team will support Alaphilippe. Barguil, Bardet or Pinot will be more hyped after July.

 

[Alexandre B.]

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

 

[Bolder]

Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

That is interesting, but looking at the UCI calendar it's the best multiday race in May. It would be a fairly non-demanding way to get km in his legs while others wear them themselves out on the Zoncolan and Sestriere etc in the Giro...

 

[Tonton]

Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

After an initial wtf moment, why not? A good way to win a stage race, which he hasn't done in years, build up the confidence that comes with it. All that matters is July.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

After an initial wtf moment, why not? A good way to win a stage race, which he hasn't done in years, build up the confidence that comes with it. All that matters is July.

There's 2 reasons by Bardet won't win California

Their names are Egan Bernal and Individual Time Trial.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

After an initial wtf moment, why not? A good way to win a stage race, which he hasn't done in years, build up the confidence that comes with it. All that matters is July.

There's 2 reasons by Bardet won't win California

Their names are Egan Bernal and Individual Time Trial.

But he has to overcome these things. How can you really expect to win Le Tour if you can't win any stage race? It's good for morale to win, say Monte-Carlo or Rome heading to Rolland Garros. I hope that he can do it.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

After an initial wtf moment, why not? A good way to win a stage race, which he hasn't done in years, build up the confidence that comes with it. All that matters is July.

There's 2 reasons by Bardet won't win California

Their names are Egan Bernal and Individual Time Trial.

But he has to overcome these things. How can you really expect to win Le Tour if you can't win any stage race? It's good for morale to win, say Monte-Carlo or Rome heading to Rolland Garros. I hope that he can do it.

Schleck did it.

But I honestly don't believe Bardet has the talent to win the Tour.

 

[Tonton]

I will let Alexandre disagree on that one. Unless you eliminate ITT, he doesn't stand a chance.

Since so many argue otherwise, I'll watch the Giro, hope that the best French one gets something. What? I don't know.

 

[Koronin]

Bardet does have two Tour podiums (a 3rd and a 2nd) without being able to put together an ITT. Can he actually win it. Who knows.
I wouldn't mind going to California this year to see him race, but that isn't going to happen. Can't afford the time off and since I don't have one of these new "real ID" driver's licenses I'd need a passport to fly domestically which I also don't currently own.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Bardet is basically just a worse version than Andy Schleck with a better descent. Something pretty insane needs to happen if he should win, but it could be this year - Dumo and Froome doing the Giro, a bit old Nibali, Movistar with 3 captains on the cobbles.... who knows, but he needs God.

 

[liamito]

Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

Are you sure?

He is still in France (https://www.strava.com/activities/1562166968#39034562535). Guys like Dillier and Naesen already had their flight a few days ago.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

Are you sure?

He is still in France (https://www.strava.com/activities/1562166968#39034562535). Guys like Dillier and Naesen already had their flight a few days ago.

Yeah, he will not race it. It was just a way to announce AG2R's return to the race.

Weird communication.

 

[toolittle]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

Are you sure?

He is still in France (https://www.strava.com/activities/1562166968#39034562535). Guys like Dillier and Naesen already had their flight a few days ago.

Bardet and Ag2r prepares TDF by the best possible manner. It is impossible to send him to TOC.
See this Giro, they sent a weakest possible team. They saved everything for TDF.

With this kind of mentality, I think Bardet's TDF hope is more achievable. However, the possiblity is still very low.
He needs all good things happened together...

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

Are you sure?

He is still in France (https://www.strava.com/activities/1562166968#39034562535). Guys like Dillier and Naesen already had their flight a few days ago.

Yeah, he will not race it. It was just a way to announce AG2R's return to the race.

Weird communication.

Strange way to announce their return to Tour of California.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

He will ride Tour of California.

I totally didn’t expect that.

Are you sure?

He is still in France (https://www.strava.com/activities/1562166968#39034562535). Guys like Dillier and Naesen already had their flight a few days ago.

Bardet and Ag2r prepares TDF by the best possible manner. It is impossible to send him to TOC.
See this Giro, they sent a weakest possible team. They saved everything for TDF.

With this kind of mentality, I think Bardet's TDF hope is more achievable. However, the possiblity is still very low.
He needs all good things happened together...

Best possible preparation for TdF would include this thing called ITT training.

 

[Tonton]

Yes .

But the trend is less ITT, and that makes him relevant. Otherwise, he'd be the new Virenque (post-ban), killing it for the polka-dot year after year, big stage wins, which in itself is a huge accomplishment.

Improvement in ITT is a must for Romain, but it comes at a cost, which I won't discuss here, because you can't get as we say in French, you can't get the milk, the money to buy the milk, and have your ways with the cremiere, all at once. If you do, we have a major Clinic issue.

I won't get out of bounds. Stop Tonton. You're a mod.