Soudal - Quick Step Thread

[limak_]

QS went in thinking that this preparation would be enough and Evenepoel's abilities will take care of the rest

Then someone like Bernal must be a complete nutcase to ride his bike 150-200km, 5 times in a week, from December to April. He could've just done some easy rides in February, then maybe some basic workouts for another two months and that would be it, ready steady for the Giro.

I just don't belive they've been that naive to think this is enough and his magical abilities will do the rest. Imho they were totally aware that he will crack badly at one point (sooner or later) but just didn't care about that and about Almeida at all.

 

[groogster]

I heard on this forum that Masnada is the next big GC prospect. Seems disrespectful to give him domestique duties.

He surely deserves a chance for GC

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I heard on this forum that Masnada is the next big GC prospect. Seems disrespectful to give him domestique duties.

Yes, perhaps he can make a deal with Almeida, that whoever cracks first, works for the other. They seem to get along very well, Masnada and Almeida.

 

[roundabout]

Then someone like Bernal must be a complete nutcase to ride his bike 150-200km, 5x times in a week, from December to April. He could've just done some easy rides in February, then maybe some basic workouts for another two months and that would be it, ready steady for the Giro.

I just don't belive they've been that naive to think this is enough and his magical abilities will do the rest. Imho they were totally aware that he will crack badly at one point (sooner or later) but just didn't care about that and about Almeida at all.

I am just remembering an interview from Masnada from April where he said that Evenepoel comes to the Giro to win it and the goal is to fight for pink. I think at least some part of that was team internal feelings.

But your point is very true which makes everything all the more puzzling.

 

[carolina]

Yes, perhaps he can make a deal with Almeida, that whoever cracks first, works for the other. They seem to get along very well, Masnada and Almeida.

You should try and write that on DQS facebook

I wouldn't take Remco to the Vuelta. 2 GT's seems to much for him this year. He's so young, no need to rush the process.

 

[Skalman]

Who do you think takes up the last 3 spots for Quickstep in the TdF?
Anybody know or have a guess? maybe Cavagna and Masnada if his knee is ok until then for 2 of the spots?

 

[BlueRoads]

Who do you think takes up the last 3 spots for Quickstep in the TdF?
Anybody know or have a guess? maybe Cavagna and Masnada if his knee is ok until then for 2 of the spots?

Devenyns, Morkov, and for the last spot Cattaneo, Stybar or Cerny I would think. Not Masnada, he's supposed to do the Vuelta and I don't think he'll do all three GTs.

 

[Skalman]

Devenyns, Morkov, and for the last spot Cattaneo, Stybar or Cerny I would think. Not Masnada, he's supposed to do the Vuelta and I don't think he'll do all three GTs.

Ok so not so much climbing ability on the Tdf squad then, pity but understandable i guess.

 

[BlueRoads]

Ok so not so much climbing ability on the Tdf squad then, pity but understandable i guess.

Ah no, sorry, I don't have any infos, that was just my assumption. I'm sure they are going to bring a lead-out guy for Bennett and that should be Morkov. Then Alaphilippe should probably get one guy to help him and that would be Devenyns. Pure speculation on my part

 

[BlueRoads]

My dear people at DQS, why does Álvaro have no races on his program? How is he supposed to win, hm?

 

[Bonimenier]

My dear people at DQS, why does Álvaro have no races on his program? How is he supposed to win, hm?

He already won the highly regarded GP Vermarc this year. Don't you think that's enough?

 

[BlueRoads]

He already won the highly regarded GP Vermarc this year. Don't you think that's enough?

I might. The people who are supposed to give him a contract might not.

 

[groogster]

There are 2 spots to be taken for TDF, I trully hope they chose 2 climbers, but I wonder who could it be... without Masnada, Almeida, Knox.

Maybe Cattaneo?

 

[Bonimenier]

There are 2 spots to be taken for TDF, I trully hope they chose 2 climbers, but I wonder who could it be... without Masnada, Almeida, Knox.

Maybe Cattaneo?

Why do you hope it will be climbers? DQS probably just there to fully stage hunt.

 

[groogster]

Why do you hope it will be climbers? DQS probably just there to fully stage hunt.

I know that but I wanted to see if they could try to win some High Mountain Stages also

 

[Bonimenier]

I know that but I wanted to see if they could try to win some High Mountain Stages also

If I had to guess I'd say that one of those 2 spots will go to Devenyns. He'll pretty much solely be there to help JA so don't expect anything from him in the mountains. Last spot could go to Sénéchal to be the penultimate guy in the lead out train for Bennett. So basically you're probably not going to get what you want.

 

[BlueRoads]

No races on Hodeg's program.

 

[Anderis]

I know that but I wanted to see if they could try to win some High Mountain Stages also

They sent all their best climbers to the Giro, it's really unlikely that they would win any high mountain stages in the Tour in this situation (unless Alaphilippe can do it from a right break). Someone like Cattaneo is not a realistic prospect for a TdF stage win. In their position It's better to ensure optimal support for Bennett than to take a relatively average climber IMO.

 

[RedheadDane]

No races on Hodeg's program.

I don't think he'll be the one to win a high mountain stage at the Tour.

 

[groogster]

So JA to win a hilly mountain stage, stage winning through breakaways and sprint stage wins. Let's see if DQ win some stages

 

[Leinster]

So JA to win a hilly mountain stage, stage winning through breakaways and sprint stage wins. Let's see if DQ win some stages

Between JA and their sprint train, it’s what they’ve done for the past 3 Tours in a row, so...

 

[BlueRoads]

Green certainly. Maybe yellow in the first week. And Asgreen has made a jump.

 

[BlueRoads]

I don't think he'll be the one to win a high mountain stage at the Tour.

People are always underestimating him!

 

[BlueRoads]

I don't know why exactly but they seem to be hesitating to put Devenyns in the team. He's not yet on the Suisse startlist either. Maybe he has some issues, or they have other plans after all.
I think Vansevenant will do the Vuelta for sure and Tour and Vuelta should be too much for him.
Cavagna will surely want to do well in the Olympics TT and focus on that.
Hm, are they waiting whether the Olympics get cancelled after all?

 

[groogster]

I don't know why exactly but they seem to be hesitating to put Devenyns in the team. He's not yet on the Suisse startlist either. Maybe he has some issues, or they have other plans after all.
I think Vansevenant will do the Vuelta for sure and Tour and Vuelta should be too much for him.
Cavagna will surely want to do well in the Olympics TT and focus on that.
Hm, are they waiting whether the Olympics get cancelled after all?

pretty sure that they are waiting for national call choices for the Olympics. For instance João Almeida already said to Portuguese media that he would love to be in the Olympics and if so it would probably change with La Vuelta participation options.