Ryder Hesjedal - GC Chances

[carl spackler]

Some discussion in surprise package thread but thought he deserved his own. Could be in yellow after stage 7. Seems Garmin is downplaying his chances.

 

[Anonymous]

Seriously?

 

[WonderLance]

Yes I believe that he has a very good chance especially if garmin continue him on heis special regiem of seal meat, maple syrup and triathelons.

 

[Alex III]

I could see him possibly getting in yellow in the first mountain stages. It wouldn't last, but if he's on form he could find himself in the top 10 by Paris.

The only issue is that the only chance I see him getting any significant time would be in a breakaway (likely on a mountain stage), but I don't see the group letting him get away considering how close he is and that he is a quality climber, so it might be difficult for him to get into a successful break when he's this close to the leaders.

 

[unsheath]

You've got to be kidding.

 

[amp300]

I'd go top 12 if Garmin keeps him protected. The guy is durable, and can climb well. I just don't see him keeping up with the top guys in the TT. I wouldn't be surprised if he drops out of GC on purpose to chase stage wins.

 

[Scirea]

He would be lucky to get into the top20. It's the Tour de France, the race is loaded even without Frank and CVV.

 

[erader]

You've got to be kidding.

every year without fail, during the initial sprint stages of the TDF, we want to believe that a ryder hesjedal, fabian cancellara, michele bartoli or johan museeuw actually have a chance of winning the TDF .

ed rader

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

I'd go top 12 if Garmin keeps him protected. The guy is durable, and can climb well. I just don't see him keeping up with the top guys in the TT.

12th place, 2008 TdF stage 20 final ITT. How much closer to the top guys do you want him to be in the TT? That was after working as a domestique for his team on all prior stages.

 

[mastersracer]

I was just wondering about Ryder - I don't see why not re a potential top 10 GC. He's been building up his palmares steadily and consistently, can climb and TT well, and has putting together nice results this year.

 

[Ryaguas]

mmmm I was thinking the same! after Vande Velde's problems the Garmin is looking for other options and right now the most tentative is this with Ryder but dont forget Zabriskie that is sounding loud inside Garmin... but you never know... I go with Ryder... I think that he will be in the Top 20...

 

[pedaling squares]

...I wouldn't be surprised if he drops out of GC on purpose to chase stage wins.

Me too. I'd rather be the guy who won a stage than the guy who finished 12th on GC, if that is possible for him.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

dont forget Zabriskie that is sounding loud inside Garmin

You really haven't checked the current GC, have you?

 

[Anonymous]

every year without fail, during the initial sprint stages of the TDF, we want to believe that a ryder hesjedal, fabian cancellara, michele bartoli or johan museeuw actually have a chance of winning the TDF .

ed rader

I'd love to see Ryder place high.

He's a local, he's a good kid and works hard.

Love to see it. Don't think I will.

 

[ansimi]

Me too. I'd rather be the guy who won a stage than the guy who finished 12th on GC, if that is possible for him.

I agree. When he initiated such an early break on stage 3, I figured he was working for the team, getting the mountain points, and planning on losing a bunch of time so he'd be allowed in breaks. That 2008 TT performance really limits his chances of being allowed a lot of time in a breakaway.

I suspect he'll try to hold on to GC for as long as possible though. Top-20 seems completely plausible to me and squeaking in to the top-10 wouldn't be a shock but a stage win would be more exciting.

Garmin became a much more interesting team this Tour since losing their leaders. Everybody riding defensively gets so boring.

 

[amp300]

12th place, 2008 TdF stage 20 final ITT. How much closer to the top guys do you want him to be in the TT? That was after working as a domestique for his team on all prior stages.

Closer then 12th, and 2:00 behind. That was without an AC too, and host of other contenders. Listen I'm not dissing the guy, but I just don't see him staying close to the likes of AC and Evan's on that last TT and he knows it when you read stuff like this:

Though he’s a former Canadian national time trial champion and a respectable climber, Hesjedal won’t be looking to maintain a top-10 GC position. Instead, after Tuesday’s solo effort nearly brought him the stage win, the Garmin rider said he’d had a sniff of the Tour podium — now he wants a bite.

source:http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/news/denied-on-stage-3-ryder-hesjedal-will-keep-trying-for-tour-de-france-stage-win_126839

I think he knows getting a stage win would be better for himself and the team than a top 15 finish. No matter what though, I will cheer for the guy. Don't get that confused.

Pedalling Squares Me too. I'd rather be the guy who won a stage than the guy who finished 12th on GC, if that is possible for him.

Agreed

 

[BroDeal]

every year without fail, during the initial sprint stages of the TDF, we want to believe that a ryder hesjedal, fabian cancellara, michele bartoli or johan museeuw actually have a chance of winning the TDF .

Ryder is a member of Garmin, the miracle team. If Wigans and Vande Velde can be turned into GC men then why not Ryder?

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Closer then 12th, and 2:00 behind. That was without an AC too, and host of other contenders. Listen I'm not dissing the guy, but I just don't see him staying close to the likes of AC and Evan's on that last TT

No doubt, but I don't think anyone in this thread is talking about him being in yellow in Paris. If they are then they need to give their head a shake. More just a question of whether can can maintain a top 10-ish GC position. Sounds like Ryder and the team are blowing that off in favour of going for stage wins though. Unless he wants to win a stage head to head against the big boys, he'll have to find a way to lose some time before he gets anywhere near a breakaway again.

 

[Steel4Ever]

Would love to see Ryder in yellow for even one day (he is a hometown boy, after all!). It was a crushing blow to see him ALMOST win on the cobbles -- not so bad being beaten by two world champs...and two national champs... so a stretch in yellow (a la Bauer) would be a great consolation prize of sorts.

BUT...don't think it'll happen.

As for GC hopes...ditto.
Would be cool if he made top 20.

 

[frenchfry]

Don't forget Steve Bauer finished 4th in 1988, despite being known more as a sprinter. Of course he had the advantage of gaining time in an early stage break, but still...

 

[Eyeballs Out]

He'd probably be less of a surprise to do well based on his palmeres than Wiggins and Vandevelde were

 

[theyoungest]

What has he ever done in the mountains to make people think he could do top-10?

 

[Parrot23]

Ryder is a member of Garmin, the miracle team. If Wigans and Vande Velde can be turned into GC men then why not Ryder?

Well, if the team director was the Anointed Political One, "Yes we can", 'cause he disbelieves the big lie of the Dubya.

I think he should join the clean team, Saxo, then like Andy he could blow away Shack on the cobbles AND the mountains.

 

[Ferminal]

Ryder is a member of Garmin, the miracle team. If Wigans and Vande Velde can be turned into GC men then why not Ryder?

If only Tommy D was here I say...

Maybe it's St. David's turn.

 

[Hairy Wheels]

Don't forget Steve Bauer finished 4th in 1988, despite being known more as a sprinter. Of course he had the advantage of gaining time in an early stage break, but still...

You're confusing 1988 and 1990 maybe. He won the first stage in 88 by just a few seconds...He did gain some time in another early stage but he didn't have a huge chunk of time in 88. 1990 he gained 10 minutes on the first stage with Pensec and Chiapucci (one other rider...can't remember who). He wore yellow for 9 or 10 days that year but finished a fair ways down.

He also finished 10th in 86 and 15th in 1989.