Samuel Samu Sanchez official awesomness thread.

[Duartista]

Unless you're a fan of sprints, cobbles, time trials, or bike handling, I cannot see any reason why anybody wouldn't love Euskaltel. Always willing to add a bit of colour to the péloton, whether it be through the bright optimism of their endless attacks, the bright orange of their jersey, or the bright red of the road rash they inevitably acquire.

They should also be admired for surviving the Protour system, which really doesn't favour them or teams like them.

 

[Winterfold]

Unless you're a fan of sprints, cobbles, time trials, or bike handling, I cannot see any reason why anybody wouldn't love Euskaltel. Always willing to add a bit of colour to the péloton, whether it be through the bright optimism of their endless attacks, the bright orange of their jersey, or the bright red of the road rash they inevitably acquire.

Highly amusing

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Put into context, I do find it difficult to understand how somebody could dislike Euskaltel. Pity, perhaps. Dislike? No.

 

[El Pistolero]

Put into context, I do find it difficult to understand how somebody could dislike Euskaltel. Pity, perhaps. Dislike? No.

They're very one sided and lack a lot of skills. Luckily I'm not a fan of teams, but a fan of riders. But I don't have an all that high opinion of Euskaltel even though I like Samu and Igor Anton.

 

[Duartista]

They're very one sided and lack a lot of skills

This is basically why I like them. Vive la difference etc.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

In your opinion he will be easily able to do that. Hypothetically lets say he does then he still has Gesink, Schleck and Contador to bring back time to so I still don't see a podium for him let alone a top 5.

that isn't out of the question.
Taking podium was never going to be easy.
There are some stages that suit him a lot.

 

[craig1985]

Not really having a good season so far...

Did better at the Giro than Katusha iirc.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Did better at the Giro than Katusha iirc.

To be fair Katusha did get 5th overall.
I guess the stage wins were big ones tho.

Katusha are a most dissapointing team considering thier budget.

Euskatel are never setting the world on fire with thier results. This year is no different.

 

[craig1985]

I'd take two stages over a 5th place.

 

[theyoungest]

Put into context, I do find it difficult to understand how somebody could dislike Euskaltel. Pity, perhaps. Dislike? No.

I dislike the fact that they're a WT team, they don't belong there IMO. Now they have to show up in races where they bring absolutely nothing to the table. And they do have some very mediocre riders indeed, mostly because of the small talent pool they restrict themselves to, of course.

If we're constantly complaining about BMC being Evans and not much more, what about Euskaltel?

 

[El Pistolero]

To be fair Katusha did get 5th overall.
I guess the stage wins were big ones tho.

Katusha are a most dissapointing team considering thier budget.

Euskatel are never setting the world on fire with thier results. This year is no different.

Well, I never said Katusha had a good season so far... Perhaps if Gilbert didn't exist it would have been pretty good, but know they're as you said the most disappointing team considering their budget.

 

[Angliru]

Not really having a good season so far...

Didn't they get 2 consecutive stage wins (both mtf's) in the Giro including the queenstage and Castroviejo win a prologue in a major week long stage race?
That sounds fairly decent to me, especially at the Giro where a stage win was their goal.

 

[The Hitch]

I dislike the fact that they're a WT team, they don't belong there IMO. Now they have to show up in races where they bring absolutely nothing to the table. And they do have some very mediocre riders indeed, mostly because of the small talent pool they restrict themselves to, of course.

If we're constantly complaining about BMC being Evans and not much more, what about Euskaltel?

My complaint about BMC is that they bring nothing to the table at the Giro this year hence shouldnt be in. If Euskaltel offer Anton and Nieve for the Giro, Samu for the Tour and Anton Nieve for the Vuelta, they deserve a place in all 3.

When Euskaultels leader for the Giro is Johann Tschopp, ill start complaining that it is a injustice that better riders are not invited.

I would like to see other teams get a chance at PR or RVV though, though Euskaultel do always offer the comic factor in those races.

 

[roundabout]

I like Tschopp. Don't get why people look down on him.

 

[theyoungest]

My complaint about BMC is that they bring nothing to the table at the Giro this year hence shouldnt be in. If Euskaltel offer Anton and Nieve for the Giro, Samu for the Tour and Anton Nieve for the Vuelta, they deserve a place in all 3.

When Euskaultels leader for the Giro is Johann Tschopp, ill start complaining that it is a injustice that better riders are not invited.

I would like to see other teams get a chance at PR or RVV though, though Euskaultel do always offer the comic factor in those races.

At least Tschopp can climb the odd mountain. And win the odd stage.

Without looking it up: who was Euskaltel's highest finisher in the RVV?

 

[nvpacchi]

Gorka Izagirre in 3 years time will Top10 in RvV, I'm calling it now!

He has been quoted on saying how enchanted he is by the cobbled classics and hopes to win one someday. He was 62nd in RvV this year in his debut attempt at the race. He will only improve on this result.

 

[El Pistolero]

Didn't they get 2 consecutive stage wins (both mtf's) in the Giro including the queenstage and Castroviejo win a prologue in a major week long stage race?
That sounds fairly decent to me, especially at the Giro where a stage win was their goal.

Yeah, but if it's all you did over the season... For example if QS would win 3 tour stages, it still wouldn't make up for their crappy season. They'd have a good Tour though which is also very important.

 

[Spine Concept]

Yeah, but if it's all you did over the season... For example if QS would win 3 tour stages, it still wouldn't make up for their crappy season. They'd have a good Tour though which is also very important.

I think it depends on your definition of a successful season. If they had predetermined targets which they achieved - or were close to - by the end of the season than that would be considered a successful season, no? I do not know what their ambitions are for the classics and other stage races though. However, the season isn't over yet. I don't particularly rate the team though, I just like Samu as a rider.

 

[El Pistolero]

I think it depends on your definition of a successful season. If they had predetermined targets which they achieved - or were close to - by the end of the season than that would be considered a successful season, no? I do not know what their ambitions are for the classics and other stage races though.

If they win the Vuelta I'd consider their season a success yeah, but to call them one of genuine World Tour teams... Nah.

 

[Spine Concept]

If they win the Vuelta I'd consider their season a success yeah, but to call them one of the better World Tour teams... Nah.

I never called them one of the better World Tour teams. I edited my post too late I guess.
As I said post editing; I do not particularly rate them as a team, I just like Samu. That doesn't mean they're not successful though as the Giro will attest to.

 

[jens_attacks]

definitely sammy is a nice guy and a big champion of this sport.i'll never dare to boo him or something like that but i have other favourites in this tour.

i also very much appreciate that he defended his friend,alberto and his sport many times.

CHAPEAU!

 

[The Hitch]

At least Tschopp can climb the odd mountain. And win the odd stage.

Without looking it up: who was Euskaltel's highest finisher in the RVV?

Yeah thats why I said Euskaltel shouldnt be invited to RVV.

Though it is more a case of "who missed out" rather than who made it. For instance i complain when footon serveto miss the Vuelta because Vacansaleil miss out. Because Vacan arent given a gt and have some top riders ready while footon have no one.

However, if there are no great teams or riders that deserve a chance that are missing out, then why not have Euskaltel or Aqua Sapone or whoever at RVV?

I cant remember if any major cobbled teams missed out on these races though i do suppose some local or even youth teams could make a better showing of it than EE.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yeah thats why I said Euskaltel shouldnt be invited to RVV.

Though it is more a case of "who missed out" rather than who made it. For instance i complain when footon serveto miss the Vuelta because Vacansaleil miss out. Because Vacan arent given a gt and have some top riders ready while footon have no one.

However, if there are no great teams or riders that deserve a chance that are missing out, then why not have Euskaltel or Aqua Sapone or whoever at RVV?

I cant remember if any major cobbled teams missed out on these races though i do suppose some local or even youth teams could make a better showing of it than EE.

The brothers Scheirlinck missed out on Paris-Roubaix.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

The brothers Scheirlinck missed out on Paris-Roubaix.

That was ridiculous given how strong Staf was in RvV!

 

[theyoungest]

That was ridiculous given how strong Staf was in RvV!

Isn't he more of a hills rider than a cobbles specialist? (i.e. better for Flanders than Roubaix)