Teams & Riders Sergio Higuita discussion thread

[tobydawq]

EF likely will back VanGarderen first if Uran isn't back.

Lol, no. Are you living in 2015?

 

[Joelsim]

I'm not sure they will but I'm also not sure they'll not.

I do think it's far more likely one of them will be the leader than Van Garderen. As I said, all will depend on their results this spring. Whoever between Woods, Uran, Higuita and Martinez will seem the strongest will most likely lead during the TdF, maybe there will be 2 co-leaders.

Vaughters has said on quite a few occasions that the future of the team from a GC standpoint is Higuita and Martinez. That's why they are going to the Tour, with Tejay going to the Giro as it suits his ITT skills more.

I fully expect EF to go to the Tour with an open mind on who will be leader, they'll be taking all of their leading riders.

 

[slosada]

Funny how there are people mentioning Nairo, López and Sosa for the Olympic RR. This race doesn't finish uphill like Emilia or Milano-Torino. They don't stand any chance for a medal. Nairo and Lopez would never bother working for someone else.
Yes, Jaramillo is the most stupid DS the world has seen... but that doesn't make them viable options.
Colombia doesn't have rouleurs, so the only chance are long lasting climbers with some speed and tactical sense. Urán, Henao, Betancur, Chaves, Bernal and Higuita fit that bill.
Henao seems past his prime, Betancur is unreliable, and Chaves and Urán, both have health issues.
If I were to call the domestiques, Martinez and Anacona come first.

 

[yaco]

Funny how there are people mentioning Nairo, López and Sosa for the Olympic RR. This race doesn't finish uphill like Emilia or Milano-Torino. They don't stand any chance for a medal. Nairo and Lopez would never bother working for someone else.
Yes, Jaramillo is the most stupid DS the world has seen... but that doesn't make them viable options.
Colombia doesn't have rouleurs, so the only chance are long lasting climbers with some speed and tactical sense. Urán, Henao, Betancur, Chaves, Bernal and Higuita fit that bill.
Henao seems past his prime, Betancur is unreliable, and Chaves and Urán, both have health issues.
If I were to call the domestiques, Martinez and Anacona come first.

You absolutely select one of Martinez and Anacona - It's a no brainer.

 

[tobydawq]

This guy is crazy! Bossing the cross-winds in Paris-Nice now!

 

[Anderis]

Yeah, weighing 57kg.

I wonder how he is going to do in the TT.

 

[Joelsim]

Yeah, weighing 57kg.

I wonder how he is going to do in the TT.

Better than people think I would imagine.

 

[Koronin]

Higuita isn't horrible at TTs. Plus he's with a team that does train for TTs.

 

[Bolder]

I'm sure I'm wrong about this but being small might not hurt in x winds -- it depends on the aerodynamic profile you present. A big solid guy is still going to have to push the same relative w/kg. Also positioning seems to be key. Higuita seemed to be careful to tucked very closely behind a bigger rider in the double paceline.

Nonetheless it was a big, impressive effort.

 

[tobydawq]

I'm sure I'm wrong about this but being small might not hurt in x winds -- it depends on the aerodynamic profile you present. A big solid guy is still going to have to push the same relative w/kg. Also positioning seems to be key. Higuita seemed to be careful to tucked very closely behind a bigger rider in the double paceline.

Nonetheless it was a big, impressive effort.

I think echelon riding contains a lot of very physical battle for position where smaller riders are less likely to be able to compete with the big boys.

 

[SafeBet]

I think echelon riding contains a lot of very physical battle for position where smaller riders are less likely to be able to compete with the big boys.

This is true but you can compensate with smarts and bike handling. Having Sep by your side does probably help too.
Higuita looks to be a truly special talent. I hope the MTF is not cancelled, it would be interesting to see how he measures with Quintana.

 

[Joelsim]

I'm sure I'm wrong about this but being small might not hurt in x winds -- it depends on the aerodynamic profile you present. A big solid guy is still going to have to push the same relative w/kg. Also positioning seems to be key. Higuita seemed to be careful to tucked very closely behind a bigger rider in the double paceline.

Nonetheless it was a big, impressive effort.

I suspect it helps when you can ride underneath the wind.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Higuita is small and obviously lightweight, but he doesn't seem "lanky". He seems to have more power than the traditional small skinny climbers, which also shows in his sprints. He looks to be able to sit compactly on his bike, not unlike Evenepoel who is 3 kgs heavier and 5 cm taller, for reference. Obviously it helps battling the wind. Higuita has also done some rather decent ITT's in the past. So it's not surprising he does better than most would expect. On the other hand, he still impresses not just being able to hang on in crosswinds, being able to keep his position in a group of much taller and heavier riders, but also having the wits to be there where he needed to be when he needed to be. The comical effect of looking at what would appear to be a 14 year old riding among vikings, is icing on the cake.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Was mightily impressed with him yesterday - the head on shots were striking; he really didn't belong with the rest of them, yet was even up there in the sprint.

 

[RedheadDane]

This is true but you can compensate with smarts and bike handling. Having Sep by your side does probably help too.

Then, if all else fails, he can just jump into Sep's pocket and be nice and snug!

I suspect it helps when you can ride underneath the wind.

That's what I always say as well! The smaller you are, the less surface area for the wind to catch.

 

[Tonton]

Impressive PN so far, and no reason to think that he will fade. Higuita can win this bike race.

 

[Potomac]

Are these mountains big enough for him to gain over a minute back?

 

[Laplaz]

Are these mountains big enough for him to gain over a minute back?

Will be difficult.

 

[Anderis]

Higuita can win this bike race.

Van Garderen, Craddock and Woods are all no longer in the race after today.

Let's hope the lack of support won't hurt Higuita too much.

 

[Fivezzz]

What do we expect from Higuita this upcoming TdF?

Stages? GC?

If he goes for GC, how high do you think he can finish?

 

[Escarabajo]

I have the feeling that he will be a protected rider for GC. At least until he losses time and turn to stage hunting.
I am sure EF wants to know the potential for Higuita now.

 

[Anderis]

Lombardia or Dauphine this year for him? He's on both startlists on PCS.

 

[Escarabajo]

Dauphine. Preparation for the Tour. Especially for EF team who had not done a lot of races like the other teams.

 

[Anderis]

Interesting how he always does well in the echelons.

 

[perico]

Interesting how he always does well in the echelons.

It is interesting. He’s looked pretty underwhelming on what climbs we’ve seen this far but very impressive in the wind.