Simon Gerrans discussion thread

[The Eggman]

Thought it was about time we had a Gerro thread.

Hes putting together a pretty good career - MSR, stages in Tour, Vuelta & Giro - and he's seemingly very versatile (climbs Ok and held off Sagan in a sprint) and can be considered a genuine puncheur. Seems a good guy as well. Very Australian personality.

Is he widely popular with fans and peleton?

 

[auscyclefan94]

I wouldn't say he is the most naturally talented bike rider in the pro peloton but a very hard worker and a tactically savvy rider.

Other than the blip on what he and others did in 2009 WC, I am a big fan of his.

Australian cycling press love him, even last night his victory and the TTT victory were equated to Cadel's overall victory in the TDF in 2011.

 

[The Eggman]

Other than the blip on what he and others did in 2009 WC, I am a big fan of his.

Australian cycling press love him, even last night his victory and the TTT victory were equated to Cadel's overall victory in the TDF in 2011.

I'm newish to the sport. What was the 2009 thing? IIRC it was him and Cadel arguing about team leadership

Bit OTT by SBS claiming this was on par with the overall win

 

[auscyclefan94]

I'm newish to the sport. What was the 2009 thing?

Bit OTT by SBS claiming this was on par with the overall win

Basically at the 2009 World Championships, the team including Gerrans voted on who should be leader of the Australian team. Everyone but Evans voted for Gerrans to be leader, even though Evans was clearly the better rider. Such a team vote is unprecedented in cycling and was quite childish due to it being based on personality. Publicly both deny it happened, but many people know it did. Evans won the World Championships that year and Gerrans faded in the final lap.

 

[ElChingon]

Funny he's taken big wins from Cancellara and Sagan then those two battle each other verbally and Gerrans takes the wins and moves on. Sure Cancellara and Sagan have more wins but Gerrans still takes key wins every year, a few but still key wins.

 

[eljimberino]

Not sure that the situation you describe is/was Gerrans fault. As a racer you train to win. If you want to win the world championship and the team want to support in doing so what are you going to say, no? Also, before then Evans was a big girls blouse who hardly ever payed any attention to Australia and Australian racing. He lived overseas and trained overseas. I can see why the team wanted to work for Gerro.

The team didn't have to choose one rider or another. The Aussie's pulled the race back to together for both Gerro and Evans.

If Gerro won the world championship that day what would you say then?

In conclusion, Evan's win that day was awesome.

 

[Lanark]

Not sure that the situation you describe is/was Gerrans fault. As a racer you train to win. If you want to win the world championship and the team want to support in doing so what are you going to say, no? Also, before then Evans was a big girls blouse who hardly ever payed any attention to Australia and Australian racing. He lived overseas and trained overseas. I can see why the team wanted to work for Gerro.

The team didn't have to choose one rider or another. The Aussie's pulled the race back to together for both Gerro and Evans.

If Gerro won the world championship that day what would you say then?

In conclusion, Evan's win that day was awesome.

Besides, Gerrans won a stage in the Giro and Vuelta that year, had done a good classic campaign, and was fresh off a win in Plouay. I don't know why they thought they had to choose one leader, but Gerrans was a defendable choice.

 

[airstream]

Great rider with great palmares. Like and respect him a lot.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Not sure that the situation you describe is/was Gerrans fault. As a racer you train to win. If you want to win the world championship and the team want to support in doing so what are you going to say, no? Also, before then Evans was a big girls blouse who hardly ever payed any attention to Australia and Australian racing. He lived overseas and trained overseas. I can see why the team wanted to work for Gerro.

The team didn't have to choose one rider or another. The Aussie's pulled the race back to together for both Gerro and Evans.

If Gerro won the world championship that day what would you say then?

In conclusion, Evan's win that day was awesome.

I am not putting all the blame on him. The team director has a lot to say for that but the whole exercise was rather childish, which the riders must take responsibility for as well. Just because Evans didn't race the Australian national championships, that is a rationale for them not riding for Evans? Right.

You are correct that they did not have to choose one rider over the other, which makes the team vote all the more ridiculous. Gerrans was not going to win that year, so I have never contemplated my response to that. Evans was an outside favourite, but Australia's best chance. No rational thinking person could say that Gerrans was a stronger rider on a hilly course than Evans.

Gerrans came off a win in a breakaway from a sprint victory. Evans came off a good classics campaign, a very strong Vuelta and on pure ability, Evans was far more suited for the course.

 

[greenedge]

Australian cycling press love him, even last night his victory and the TTT victory were equated to Cadel's overall victory in the TDF in 2011.

The SMH did not have him on the cover though, even of the sport section.

Might be different in Melbourne/ i am overseas, so have no idea what is happening.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I think his monument wins is more than that of Cadels?

 

[eljimberino]

I am not putting all the blame on him. The team director has a lot to say for that but the whole exercise was rather childish, which the riders must take responsibility for as well. Just because Evans didn't race the Australian national championships, that is a rationale for them not riding for Evans? Right.

You are correct that they did not have to choose one rider over the other, which makes the team vote all the more ridiculous. Gerrans was not going to win that year, so I have never contemplated my response to that. Evans was an outside favourite, but Australia's best chance. No rational thinking person could say that Gerrans was a stronger rider on a hilly course than Evans.

Gerrans came off a win in a breakaway from a sprint victory. Evans came off a good classics campaign, a very strong Vuelta and on pure ability, Evans was far more suited for the course.

You will never know the full story until you get all the dudes together in the same room again. Half the time most of these stories are made up to throw a red herring to the opposition.

I still think Gerrans first tour stage win was his best. Mainly because he nearly popped and gave up, but hung in there and took the win.

 

[mickkk]

It was a magnificent win, I have him in both my fantasy teams, been on the bandwagon since day 1 when I saw him in the flesh. Shame though that everyone is saying white was the difference.

 

[movingtarget]

Funny he's taken big wins from Cancellara and Sagan then those two battle each other verbally and Gerrans takes the wins and moves on. Sure Cancellara and Sagan have more wins but Gerrans still takes key wins every year, a few but still key wins.

Yes, every year he wins something decent. A very underrated sprinter, a good climber except on the hardest climbs and a good tactician. Most teams would be happy to have him.

 

[The Eggman]

It was a magnificent win, I have him in both my fantasy teams, been on the bandwagon since day 1 when I saw him in the flesh. Shame though that everyone is saying white was the difference.

I think OGE + White >> OGE - White but it's still Gerro's win and yellow jersey

 

[Galic Ho]

Thought it was about time we had a Gerro thread.

Hes putting together a pretty good career - MSR, stages in Tour, Vuelta & Giro - and he's seemingly very versatile (climbs Ok and held off Sagan in a sprint) and can be considered a genuine puncheur. Seems a good guy as well. Very Australian personality.

Is he widely popular with fans and peleton?

I ALWAYS cheer when Valverde beats him. ALWAYS.

 

[Galic Ho]

Not sure that the situation you describe is/was Gerrans fault. As a racer you train to win. If you want to win the world championship and the team want to support in doing so what are you going to say, no? Also, before then Evans was a big girls blouse who hardly ever payed any attention to Australia and Australian racing. He lived overseas and trained overseas. I can see why the team wanted to work for Gerro.

The team didn't have to choose one rider or another. The Aussie's pulled the race back to together for both Gerro and Evans.

If Gerro won the world championship that day what would you say then?

In conclusion, Evan's win that day was awesome.

You had a point till your second last sentence.

There was one rider who helped Cadel that day. The rest were working for the teams leader and that was Gerrans. Evans actually waited on the first climb for Gerrans on the final lap. That was when Cancellara blew everyone apart. Cadel almost looked like he wouldn't make it to the front elect group.

Gerrans never had a chance. Did you see who was in that front group? Cancellara (strongest rider that day), Purito, Samu, Valverde and Evans along with Kolobnev (might be wrong here) and one Italian (Cunego? or was he popped before). Maybe Gilbert was there too...I don't remember the minor players. Though I do remember Gerrans absolutely cracking and the Australian media raving non stop about Gerrans.

ACF94 described Gerrans nicely. Sure okay guy and a hard worker, but talked up a hell of a lot. Worse, it's been at times where he shouldn't have been. Evans won that WC jersey practically on his own. Gerrans was never a chance. You watch this year...if they pick Gerrans in Florence...yeah! They should pick Porte based on form. Should have done the same last year as well.

 

[eljimberino]

In my opinion Gilbert worked for Evans that day, cross national team mates. Remember the spring of heaven for Gilbert? Evans worked for him then. What I mean is Gilbert worked for Evans by doing nothing.

Spartacus was not the strongest rider that day, he cracked like a fake leather seat in the desert sun.

Don't recall Evans waiting for Gerrans, hard to believe that.

 

[Galic Ho]

In my opinion Gilbert worked for Evans that day, cross national team mates. Remember the spring of heaven for Gilbert? Evans worked for him then. What I mean is Gilbert worked for Evans by doing nothing.

Spartacus was not the strongest rider that day, he cracked like a fake leather seat in the desert sun.

Don't recall Evans waiting for Gerrans, hard to believe that.

Arrrggghhh. So Gilbert was there. Thought so.

Cancellara didn't crack. He had three Spaniards marking him. After he didn't drop them all on the big descent. He wasn't going to pull Valverde and Gilbert to a sprint finish. Hands down in that scenario Valverde would have won.

Evans did wait. He was about the last guy to latch onto the Cancellara attack. He was off the back a considerable way. Why? He waited for Gerrans and went when he had to. That and Cancellara's inaction combined with the Spanish sending Purito ahead won him the race.

But yes, Gilbert was helped quite a bit by Cadel in the last few classics. They had some amazing descending.

It's not important. Both Gerrans and Evans are on different teams and are different more complete riders now. But I still want Valverde to beat them both!

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think his monument wins is more than that of Cadels?

Milan San Remo is a great victory no doubt, but he did just sit on Cancellara's wheel over the top of the Poggio. I would take Evans' palmares every day of the week.

Podiums in all three GT's, stage wins, jerseys, World Champion, big stage race victories, etc.

You will never know the full story until you get all the dudes together in the same room again. Half the time most of these stories are made up to throw a red herring to the opposition.

I still think Gerrans first tour stage win was his best. Mainly because he nearly popped and gave up, but hung in there and took the win.

Full story? Evans chose not to disclose it publicly, but I know for a fact it happened. Certainly not a red herring.

In my opinion Gilbert worked for Evans that day, cross national team mates. Remember the spring of heaven for Gilbert? Evans worked for him then. What I mean is Gilbert worked for Evans by doing nothing.

Spartacus was not the strongest rider that day, he cracked like a fake leather seat in the desert sun.

Don't recall Evans waiting for Gerrans, hard to believe that.

Not really. Gilbert tried to bridge across to Evans at one point until he realised that it was futile. He did nothing like everyone else because they knew it was all over. Rodriguez and Kolobnev with Evans on his own were up ahead and nobody wanted to put in the effort with Cancellara there. The delay in chasing was due to Cancellara.

Evans actually said himself that he let Gerrans follow the move. Evans had to bridge across once Gerrans cracked on the final climb on the final lap where he had to put a big effort to bridge across when Cancellara was going ape****.

 

[The Eggman]

Milan San Remo is a great victory no doubt, but he did just sit on Cancellara's wheel over the top of the Poggio. I would take Evans' palmares every day of the week.

Not entirely sure why you feel so compelled to compare him to Cadel. It's not an either or. You're allowed to like both

Yes, I'd take Cadel's palmares, but that doesn't mean Gerro isn't bloody good or doesn't have an excellent palmares

 

[TheBean]

It was great to see the Aussies seem so genuinely happy after the their two fantastic days at the Tour.

Gerrans wins Stage 3, then his whole squad steps up big for a great TTT!

The whole incident with their grotesquely enormous team bus - and the poor dude who is driving it - is already a fading memory. It's easy to laugh about stuff like that when there is a yellow jersey on board and the whole team collectively shares a stage victory.

 

[movingtarget]

Gerrans rode the perfect race at Milan San Remo. Cancellara is often the strongest and often gets beaten. Tough. That's the sport. No worse than Rodriguez often winning MTFs when he is not the strongest climber. When Cancellara is riding like that it is almost impossible to do turns with him unless the idea is to lose races not win them. Gerrans took one turn while Nibali did nothing. Gerran's palmares can't be compared to Evans' but he is a very versatile rider and could win another classic and good stages in the future.

 

[oncehadhair]

I wouldn't say he is the most naturally talented bike rider in the pro peloton but a very hard worker and a tactically savvy rider.

Other than the blip on what he and others did in 2009 WC, I am a big fan of his.

Australian cycling press love him, even last night his victory and the TTT victory were equated to Cadel's overall victory in the TDF in 2011.

Gerran's wins have been against the best riders in the world in the biggest races. Not to mention seconds and thirds in the best one day races.

Your claim that a team will support one rider in a world championship race doesn't make sense given the nature of a long one day race. And even if they voted for just one why shouldn't Gerrans vote for himself (its not like he didn't have some form). MOst athletes at that level have confidence in their ability.

Your estimate of Gerran's levels of natural talent are a little miserly IMO.

He is a talented rider who has produced outstanding performances over consistently.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Not entirely sure why you feel so compelled to compare him to Cadel. It's not an either or. You're allowed to like both

Yes, I'd take Cadel's palmares, but that doesn't mean Gerro isn't bloody good or doesn't have an excellent palmares

It was Zam that made the comparison.

Gerran's wins have been against the best riders in the world in the biggest races. Not to mention seconds and thirds in the best one day races.

Your claim that a team will support one rider in a world championship race doesn't make sense given the nature of a long one day race. And even if they voted for just one why shouldn't Gerrans vote for himself (its not like he didn't have some form). MOst athletes at that level have confidence in their ability.

Your estimate of Gerran's levels of natural talent are a little miserly IMO.

He is a talented rider who has produced outstanding performances over consistently.

No, you are making things up. I never made such a claims on pretty much you allege that I said. I advise you to edit or delete your factually incorrect post.