Strongest Pro Team 2012?

[Zam_Olyas]

Gotta say Liquigas

 

[theyoungest]

Team Sky. They have viable podium candidates for GTs, Monuments, smaller tours, and the best sprinter in the world.

RadioSchleck and BMC are 2nd and 3d, they lack a great sprinter to bring in the wins, but are very strong otherwise. BMC still lacks a bit of depth. Obviously they have the most winning rider of last season, but he won't repeat that.

 

[Altitude]

BMC is overly strong. Gilbert and Hushovd are both selfish riders - plus they have Ballan and Van Avermaet, both top classics stars. There will be a lot of turmoil within the team, especially at the Tour, where Cadel won't get the help he needs. Gilbert and Hushovd will ride for themselves in France.

 

[El Pistolero]

BMC is overly strong. Gilbert and Hushovd are both selfish riders - plus they have Ballan and Van Avermaet, both top classics stars. There will be a lot of turmoil within the team, especially at the Tour, where Cadel won't get the help he needs. Gilbert and Hushovd will ride for themselves.

Says who?

I'm using Phil's words here:

"Another big goal of mine is to help Cadel Evans win the Tour. I want to be part of a Tour winning team."

 

[Mellow Velo]

Team Sky. They have viable podium candidates for GTs, Monuments, smaller tours, and the best sprinter in the world.

RadioSchleck and BMC are 2nd and 3d, they lack a great sprinter to bring in the wins, but are very strong otherwise. BMC still lacks a bit of depth. Obviously they have the most winning rider of last season, but he won't repeat that.

This.

Skim the top off BMC's stage racer fraternity and there is no comparison to their one-day strength.
Who will be their viable podium candidate at the Giro and Vuelta?

 

[Lexman]

voted Radio/Leo because of Cancellara who wil be motivated by De Mol to win again a classic and become the best TT, given the names of the CG contenders it's difficult not to bypass them

BMC only has Evans a CG contender, Sky : Froome has to confirm which is always difficult, Wiggings and EBH always have crashes so that leaves Cavendish who won't be able to sleep much because his baby will wake him up all night LOL

 

[Altitude]

Says who?

I'm using Phil's words here:

"Another big goal of mine is to help Cadel Evans win the Tour. I want to be part of a Tour winning team."

It's easy to say that now. He'll certainly have personal ambitions once he gets there. But really, how much help could he be to Cadel anyways? Cadel needs support in the mountains.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

it should be radioshack. on paper they have a team that can barely be described. but they will probably fail

 

[Panda Claws]

It's easy to say that now. He'll certainly have personal ambitions once he gets there. But really, how much help could he be to Cadel anyways? Cadel needs support in the mountains.

Bah support in the mountains is overrated. At least he might get some support in the hills. If Phil really tries he could be one of the greatest hill domestiques in a long time.

 

[Altitude]

Bah support in the mountains is overrated. At least he might get some support in the hills. If Phil really tries he could be one of the greatest hill domestiques in a long time.

What do you mean "hill domestique"? Climbs of like 2k? Why would Cadel need support on those? Next to Gilbert he's probably the best in the world on hills like that.

Cadel is always isolated in the mountians and it usually costs him - last year it didn't beacause he only had to respond to one attack the entire race.

 

[Ryaguas]

BMC is overly strong. plus they have Ballan and Van Avermaet, both top classics stars.

I like Greg but He is not an star yet... He has to win something big first... = /

AND... well... back to the question...

It has to be Sky... why? They have Henao

 

[Swabian Lass]

BMC just edged it for me. Partly because I think that Sky have the potential for big internal rows (although so do BMC) and partly because I'm still to be convinced by Wiggins and Froome as G C contenders.

 

[Richeypen]

BMC just edged it for me. Partly because I think that Sky have the potential for big internal rows (although so do BMC) and partly because I'm still to be convinced by Wiggins and Froome as G C contenders.

Between them they have finished 2nd, 3rd & 4th in GTs, won the Dauphine and twice finished 3rd in week long World Tour Events last year. Bit harsh to not think that they are GC contenders.

 

[cineteq]

What? OPQS better than Movistar? Doesn't make sense, just look at the roster!

 

[rgmerk]

Gilbert and Evans get on OK...

As I understand it, Gilbert and Evans had a reasonable working relationship at Silence-Lotto.

Didn't Evans help to set up Gilbert's 2009 Lombardia win on one of the last climbs?