Sat 5th of March: Montepaschi Strade Bianche (was Monte Paschi Eroica) 1.1

[Buffalo Soldier]

competitive only in classics. look at bonnen (sprints) or cancellara (stage races and TTs) or valverde (classics and gts sprints tts breakways etc.)

Gilbert has won 2 Vealta stages last year, a Giro stage the year before that. & some small stage races.


I'm not that sure Valverdo would outsprint him these days btw

 

[il_fiammingo]

wait............... its like saying that contador only races 50 so he is a pussy. when the others were racing, they werent only targetting one little stage. you are very wrong!

still, even if you were right, its just like i said. he as an amazing aceleration and ability to be in shape all year. maybe because, unlike others, he just focus in classics and one stage or two (max) in a GT. totally different.

congrats.. only samu scarponi and nibali. both were riding to win a GT and obviously were much more tired.

Yes and Gilbert came back from holiday in Australia.

 

[c&cfan]

Vino never did the Ronde or Paris-Roubaix. Quite remarkable for a Pure Great Classics Champ, but that does not matter, as he did obtain a great 7th place in Lombardia (2007), an astonishing 31st place in Milano-San Remo (2001), and a fantastic 21st place at the World Championships (2005).

Compare that to Gilbert's lousy 3rd place in San Remo, his 3rd in a very weak Ronde (average speed: 21 km/h, I guess), his 3rd place in LBL (you remember? only 4 riders finished that race) and his 6th at the Worlds (Gilbert 6th at the Worlds? Impossible! I guess I'm quoting the results of the Cow Racing World Championship for C-countries!).

Jesus! What a difference in class!

after the moment that vino won the race that gilbert dreams of wining (he did 2times), i believe that he is better. (and if you look about the other part that vino has in that palmares.. jesus!what a difference in class!

flaminio

yes gilbert is really exciting to watch. and i like him. still, compare that palmares to cancellara for example (even only in classics, the ones that matter). and think about gilbert's competition in lombardia. then, say something.

 

[canyonball]

This whole discussion just makes me more of an admiror of Gilbert.

When you're compared to Valverde, Boonen and Cancellara-three riders so different from each other in the first place-you must be pretty much awesome.

Was cheering for Ballan though...wanna see him get up there finally!

 

[c&cfan]

Gilbert has won 2 Vealta stages last year, a Giro stage the year before that. & some small stage races.


I'm not that sure Valverdo would outsprint him these days btw

sorry? this year (2010 lol) valverde won bunch sprints!!!
and whats you point about gt stages? gt stages á la classic race. so? are you saying that is more difficult than finishing in a top ten GC?

 

[c&cfan]

This whole discussion just makes me more of an admiror of Gilbert.

When you're compared to Valverde, Boonen and Cancellara-three riders so different from each other in the first place-you must be pretty much awesome.

Was cheering for Ballan though...wanna see him get up there finally!

only in classics. and only to show that even in that he is still "smaller". yes.. it does make him great. lol

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

after the moment that vino won the race that gilbert dreams of wining (he did 2times), i believe that he is better. (and if you look about the other part that vino has in that palmares.. jesus!what a difference in class!

flaminio

yes gilbert is really exciting to watch. and i like him. still, compare that palmares to cancellara for example (even only in classics, the ones that matter). and think about gilbert's competition in lombardia. then, say something.

just to put this in perspective at Gilbert's age, Vino had won no classics, nor semi classics.

Vino was 32 when he won L-B-L ? (I think 30 when he got AGR). I think Gilbert is doing ok

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Lol c&c, You'll shut up soon enough. Presumably after LBL 2011 is done. I made the mistake of underrating Gilbert a few years ago, I thought he would never achieve anything in real hard 250km+ classics....

Don't make the same mistake. He WILL prove you wrong

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Gilbert is currently one of the 2 best one-day racers in the peloton.
Who would deny that?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Gilbert is currently one of the 2 best one-day racers in the peloton.
Who would deny that?

best all-round classic rider as far as i'm concerned.
I'd love to see him take Ronde.

 

[c&cfan]

Lol c&c, You'll shut up soon enough. Presumably after LBL 2011 is done. I made the mistake of underrating Gilbert a few years ago, I thought he would never achieve anything in real hard 250km+ classics....

Don't make the same mistake. He WILL prove you wrong

maybe.. and if he wins, based on his style, it is going to be an amzing win.no doubt.

vino isnt just a classics specialist and started as a pro when he was 25\26.

but even if he does that.. he will never get half of palmares that guys like canc, valverde, bonnen have.

i really like him. he is amazing. but he isnt at the same "champion" level as bonnen and canc for example. he isnt even close if you count something more than classics.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

just to put this in perspective at Gilbert's age, Vino had won no classics, nor semi classics.

Vino was 32 when he won L-B-L ? (I think 30 when he got AGR). I think Gilbert is doing ok

vino also just became pro when he was 25 and everyone was doped till the high mountains. can't be compared.

gilbert is a machine but the threat comes from younger guys as always. maybe now there's a guy 18 years old that within 4 years will win everything. they keep coming younger

 

[c&cfan]

best all-round classic rider as far as i'm concerned.
I'd love to see him take Ronde.

he is the best all-round classic rider. obviously. so? based on monument wins, thats what? lombardia without competition.

 

[Parrulo]

he is the best all-round classic rider. obviously. so? based on monument wins, thats what? lombardia without competition.

gilbert is the best all-rounder classic specialist atm imo.

besides we are talking about classic specialists so why are you saying others are better using arguments like "they can TT" or "they can place top 10 in a GT"

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

he is the best all-round classic rider. obviously. so? based on monument wins, thats what? lombardia without competition.

creaming the field = no competition.
Must be nice to be so short sighted.

 

[Ryaguas]

Are you really charging against Gilbert??? REALLY??? but seriously???

WTF???

 

[Grzdylu]

OMG!:

28. Mark Cavendish
...
30. Cadel Evans
31 Andy Schleck

 

[Parrulo]

OMG!:

28. Mark Cavendish
...
30. Cadel Evans
31 Andy Schleck

now that is hilarious

 

[roundabout]

Why? They all finished in the last group.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Whoohooo! Gilbert!!!
Classy finish....great

I like the comment on one of the gallery photos..."Andy Schleck was present in Tuscany"
oh, well,
not everyone peaks at this time...

Nice Race!

 

[mewmewmew13]

Cancellara 5th. Not bad.

...and Fabu is ready to win in the next couple of weeks!!
Excellent classics season this year!

 

[jaylew]

Gilbert has won 2 Vealta stages last year, a Giro stage the year before that. & some small stage races.


I'm not that sure Valverdo would outsprint him these days btw

Gilbert is really way better in the classics than Valverde right now. I don't think Valverde can follow him anymore in an uphill sprint.

Possible, but I'll believe it when I see it. No way of knowing how he'll be when he comes back. I wouldn't be shocked if he loses some of his explosiveness during his time away.

I would say he's pretty much on schedule of becoming the best one day rider of his generation.

If Cancellara wasn't part of his generation. That said, I do like the guy and he seems to be improving, so you never know. It's time for him to win a spring monument, though.

 

[jaylew]

Hincapie finishing in the first group in his 1st race of the year is a bit of a surprise.

 

[Anonymous]

after the moment that vino won the race that gilbert dreams of wining (he did 2times), i believe that he is better. (and if you look about the other part that vino has in that palmares.. jesus!what a difference in class!

flaminio

yes gilbert is really exciting to watch. and i like him. still, compare that palmares to cancellara for example (even only in classics, the ones that matter). and think about gilbert's competition in lombardia. then, say something.

Stand back everyone, the hate is strong with this one.

 

[c&cfan]

i have nothing against gilbert. he is very exciting to watch and he has an amazing aceleration.

but to be the best or to dominate, you have to win. he didnt won any big classic so far besides lombardia against a sh*tty field both in riders' name and shape. still, i give credits to him to be in discussion in all momunents. but that doesnt matter. to a champion, you win or lose. he loses (besides lombardia).

what i dont like, is this hype.

and

"he is much younger than the others"-look at cancelara's age for example.
"he is so dominating"- i have this stupid theory: to dominate, you have to win. lol

etc etc..

amd parrulo, the reason that made me say that about TTs stage races etc is:

-not only bonnen cancellara and valverde etc are better at classics, they are much more better as cyclist if you look to the other side of their palmares. does gilbert even as another side? no.

even if he wins LBL ronde and PR next year, he will have to do it again to compete against other palmares (just counting classics).

there is an huge difference in class when you think about gilbert and valverde for example. maybe this just shows how we need new classics riders. there was an huge gap between bartoli mussew rebellin di luca bettini van petegem etc. now we only have gilbert just looking for classics.. and he isnt at the same level as others -not just classics- riders.

maybe now with EBH sagan mathews etc etc..