Romain Bardet Discussion Thread

[Red Rick]

Re:

Great performance. In hindsight France should have played it a bit differently, considering both Bardet and Pinot looked very strong. But it made sense to ride for Alaphilippe.

Except for that it didn't

 

[toolittle]

Re: Re:

Great performance. In hindsight France should have played it a bit differently, considering both Bardet and Pinot looked very strong. But it made sense to ride for Alaphilippe.

Except for that it didn't

Last climb is too difficult for Alaphilippe.
What if they had sent Pinot and Alaphilippe to attack when just arrived to last climb?

 

[Velolover2]

Looks like he is in great shape.

I'd like to see him do well in Il Lombardia. The ascend+descend of the Civiglio climb is almost tailor-made for him. I could see him doing "a Nibali".

The other in-shape riders can be dropped uphill (Moscon) and downhill (Woods). Dumoulin and Valverde must be so tired that he is almost the favorite.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

Another podium in a prestigious one-day race. Story of his year.

He looks good for Lombardia.

Yes. Great job by him. I'd like to see him get a really big win at some point

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

Great performance. In hindsight France should have played it a bit differently, considering both Bardet and Pinot looked very strong. But it made sense to ride for Alaphilippe.

Except for that it didn't

True.

In the end, Romain earned himself a well-deserved medal. His best sprint ever. Chapeau.

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

had him e/w at 36-1. I was just waiting for him to take eveyone by surprise in the last km.

 

[Rollthedice]

Romain warmed my heart a bit today. The big win will come, don't worry.

 

[movingtarget]

How long before Bardet knocks off that big win ? He is racking up some podiums.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

How long before Bardet knocks off that big win ? He is racking up some podiums.

Only 7 pro wins, 4 at WT level (3 TdF stages one Dauphine stage), that's light. But many times in the mix, and some big results like Strade and today in '18. Can he break the ceiling and turn these 2 or 3 into wins? I think so.

 

[Angliru]

Re:

How long before Bardet knocks off that big win ? He is racking up some podiums.

I think 2019 will be his breakthrough season. He stated he actually prefers the tactics of one day racing over the long term strategy of the grand tours. This in itself tells me that he is a well rounded racer with a strong tactical sense, able to make decisions on the fly. His big win is coming.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Romain will race Paris-Nice next year and wants to do the Giro. (L’Équipe)

 

[dastott]

I too wonder which Frenchman will deliver more. Both exciting riders but have always been lacking that something:

Pinot = has the explosivity to drop people on climbs and win reduced sprints but always has a jour sans over 3 weeks.

Bardet = very consistent over 3 weeks but doesn't have the explosivity to drop people on climbs

A mix of both riders' talents with Pinot's TT form of 2016 would be a real threat.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Romain will race Paris-Nice next year and wants to do the Giro. (L’Équipe)

Damn.

Couldn't we have gotten Pinot and Bardet to the Giro in the same year, and then I would've wanted a reaction video of Prudhomme

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

Romain will race Paris-Nice next year and wants to do the Giro. (L’Équipe)

Not just Giro, Giro Tour which is a big mistake IMO. He is very consistent in one GT/yr namely the TDF. But if he tries to save himself for the tour in the giro as its his prime target, he will reach the TDF third week empty and will not achieve anything in either GTs. More suited to him would be Classics, Tour, Lombardia. He has the ability to win a monument as long he does not try to sprint with the like of Valverde, Alaphilippe.

 

[Red Rick]

I wish Bardet would do Giro/Vuelta/fall classics as main targets. He's not great in the spring stage races, and his prospects for LBL aren't enough to warrant a peak IMO. Could still ride it before the Giro.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

I wish Bardet would do Giro/Vuelta/fall classics as main targets. He's not great in the spring stage races, and his prospects for LBL aren't enough to warrant a peak IMO. Could still ride it before the Giro.

Podium in Strade and Liege this year = not warranting a peak?

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I wish Bardet would do Giro/Vuelta/fall classics as main targets. He's not great in the spring stage races, and his prospects for LBL aren't enough to warrant a peak IMO. Could still ride it before the Giro.

Podium in Strade and Liege this year = not warranting a peak?

Didn't come close to winning LBL. Can still easily ride Strade at a decent level, nobody truly peaks for that race.

 

[yaco]

Bardet has never shown he can back up the TDF/Vuelta while the Giro/TDF is even more challenging - Anyway the 2019 Giro route is unsuitable for Bardet.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Don't think any GT is any good for Bardet, unless the TT distance is under 2km.

 

[Tonton]

I don't think that the '19 Giro suits him well, but the TdF does if AG2R can produce a solid TTT. Doing both is stupidity, but I can imagine that Bardet skips Le Tour due to not having recovered...and then goes for a Vuelta that should be more catering to his skills. Now that Pinot has committed for the TdF, Romain can play that game and not face a PR issue. The French will still have a GC iron in the fire.

Romain Bardet saw Thibaut Pinot very close to basically getting two GT podiums in'18, it opened new horizons, and I would guess created or reinforced the desire to explore, ride free...ASO recognizes that, they're scared to death that none of the two will show up in July. So put a stage in Brioude on THE holiday and a PDBF on steroids that Pinot will have scouted more than anybody else. For good measure.

Both Pinot and Bardet are being tricked, taken hostages by ASO. Like the design or not, but this '19 Tour was also made to corner them by appealing to their local fan bases, add pressure to participate. ASO is afraid, but also ruthless; put their fan base between Bardet, Pinot, and what they see as their best interest. The sponsors will do the rest.

Not personal...business.

 

[Tim Booth]

no Giro, just the Tour

 

[Koronin]

Not surprised.

 

[del1962]

Pinot will join him

 

[SHAD0W93]

Hopefully they have their A game to give Sky a run for their money.

 

[Robert5091]

Not surprised either, but I think it's a mistake. Should have done Giro.