Nah, no way lowball Lefevre would have offered van Baarle that much money.That is not so easy. Dylan van Baarle was available, maybe they could have offered him a better contract? They also still have Asgreen.
Nah, no way lowball Lefevre would have offered van Baarle that much money.That is not so easy. Dylan van Baarle was available, maybe they could have offered him a better contract? They also still have Asgreen.
Boonen stopped cycling in 2017. Quickstep have been starting getting issues the past 2 years. I do agree that it might come down to their state of mind or tactics. Like Lefevere said, when Vanhooydonck is able to ride away, why shouldn’t one of his riders be there too.I don't think the riders are the problem right now. Sure, there's no Boonen anymore who always was one of the 3 strongest riders anyway. But they have guys like Asgreen, Lampaert, Senechal, Ballerini, ...
The main thing in my opinion is coming down to tactics. They're so used to have a guy like Boonen where you don't need tactics. Just get your superstar into a decent position inside the final 60 kilometers and you're good. Now with their good but not insanely crazy riders they would have to ride smart. And apart from the races with Bramati in the car I don't see any coherent tactical plan at Quickstep in recent years. Peeters, Steels and Van Bondt are atrocious to watch in that aspect.
But you can be sure Lefevere won't fire his buddies Steels and Peeters who have been with him for decades (since 1995 and 96 when they were still riders for Mapei). So nothing will change...
Likely for the last year riding for Quickstep?Let's not forget that Alaphilippe also exists.
Depends on if he rides results this year or notLikely for the last year riding for Quickstep?
If Evenepoel didn't exist who do you recon Soudal - Quick Step would have gotten to keep their classics squad as Nr. 1
Omloop was comical. They used their strongest rider on the day (Casper Pedersen) to chase the Jumbo group, and he was also pulling on the Muur instead of Lampaert, who was crap. You’d think that they would have an idea of how strong their riders were on the day, or that they would tell the DS after Molenberg if they didn’t have it.I don't think the riders are the problem right now. Sure, there's no Boonen anymore who always was one of the 3 strongest riders anyway. But they have guys like Asgreen, Lampaert, Senechal, Ballerini, ...
The main thing in my opinion is coming down to tactics. They're so used to have a guy like Boonen where you don't need tactics. Just get your superstar into a decent position inside the final 60 kilometers and you're good. Now with their good but not insanely crazy riders they would have to ride smart. And apart from the races with Bramati in the car I don't see any coherent tactical plan at Quickstep in recent years. Peeters, Steels and Van Bondt are atrocious to watch in that aspect.
But you can be sure Lefevere won't fire his buddies Steels and Peeters who have been with him for decades (since 1995 and 96 when they were still riders for Mapei). So nothing will change...
I think Pedersen would indeed have been the best addition since he is the type that has a fast finish and thus you can play around tactically.
I think Lefevere should ask himself the question why Van Hooydonck isn't on his team. Jumbo picked him up after CCC folded, he could have done the same. I'm sure Nathan would have loved to come.Boonen stopped cycling in 2017. Quickstep have been starting getting issues the past 2 years. I do agree that it might come down to their state of mind or tactics. Like Lefevere said, when Vanhooydonck is able to ride away, why shouldn’t one of his riders be there too.
They did sign Pedersen. He already won a race for them.![]()
Mads Pedersen's full name was even mentioned in the post this referred to, leaving no room for ambiguity...
If Evenepoel didn't exist who do you recon Soudal - Quick Step would have gotten to keep their classics squad as Nr. 1
No. The "quote-chain" started with this post.
And is there a reason to indulge in such discussions with our favorite redhead on the forum?Yes, and one of the replies to that was "Mads Pedersen", and the post you quoted said "I think Pedersen would indeed have been the best addition", making an obvious oblique reference to the poster who replied Mads Pedersen. There's really no reason to always correct people for being unspecific when there is no reason for them to be more specific (or when they in fact are not).
We should instead call her names and cut the discussion short.And is there a reason to indulge in such discussions with our favorite redhead on the forum?![]()
I think it's kinda that the classics landscape has evolved and they basically used to be the only team with a legit team specifically designed for the cobbled classics. Like remember the teams Cancellara and Sagan would ride around with?Their problem is not tactics. Their tactics since Boonen left was always to destroy the race from afar with 3-4 riders and then use their numbers to win. Now they simply don't have the legs to do that because other teams are way stronger.
Yes, and one of the replies to that was "Mads Pedersen", and the post you quoted said "I think Pedersen would indeed have been the best addition", making an obvious oblique reference to the poster who replied Mads Pedersen. There's really no reason to always correct people for being unspecific when there is no reason for them to be more specific (or when they in fact are not).
Their problem is not tactics. Their tactics since Boonen left was always to destroy the race from afar with 3-4 riders and then use their numbers to win. Now they simply don't have the legs to do that because other teams are way stronger.
Quite the statement about Boonen.I think it's kinda that the classics landscape has evolved and they basically used to be the only team with a legit team specifically designed for the cobbled classics. Like remember the teams Cancellara and Sagan would ride around with?
Their replacements for guys like Niki Terpstra just haven't been the same level, and I think de Ronde especially leans more towards a hilly classic these days where having depth in 2nd tier Roubaix contenders is pretty overrated anyway.
I don't think peak Boonen would be close in Vlaanderen in the current meta.
Oh la la, Soudal QS‘s performance today at GP Samyn was unbelieveably bad - I think there is no other word than „horrible“… I at first couldn‘t believe it…