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As bad as Ireland have been at the Worlds, in recent years, they’ve been worse at the Olympics, forever.Any Olympic medal would be huge for Dan as Ireland win very few medals but sadly the Irish national team have been pretty inept for quite a while now
I understand small nations being behind in prep and support but it's the crap tactics I don't getAs bad as Ireland have been at the Worlds, in recent years, they’ve been worse at the Olympics, forever.
I really think it depends on the individual. Of course in the cycling world the Tour means (much) more, but in the general public it's a bit different, especially for someone from a country that's not super successful in the Olympics. For someone like Roglic, Carapaz or Bernal for example I assume it would be close if they'd be bigger heroes in their countries for winning the 2020 Tour or the Olympic road race.
For French, British, Spanish guys I suppose the Tour is more a priority.
But anyway, I'm not fully convinced the race will be won by a GC rider, and it would be foolish to go all in for Tokyo if you have a half-realistic chance to win the Tour (or Giro/Vuelta), so mostly I agree.
Simon Yates and Alejandro Valverde have made the Olympics a higher priority than the Tour.
Just like with the hilly/mountainous Worlds a similar Olympics is more likely to be won by a good one day races than a pure GC rider. Yes there is some overlap as Valverde and Nibali are good at both.
My guess is the one he got at Worlds in 2018 but I don't know if that's possible at 40. Certainly not 4th. An Olympic medal is a huge thing so there's a chasm between 3rd and 4th.Which position is Bala targeting for the olympics 2nd ,3rd or 4th ?
Which position is Bala targeting for the olympics 2nd ,3rd or 4th ?
For a guy that targets podium places most of the time, he has incredible number of wins...Which position is Bala targeting for the olympics 2nd ,3rd or 4th ?
He is just unluckyFor a guy that targets podium places most of the time, he has incredible number of wins...
Which position is Bala targeting for the olympics 2nd ,3rd or 4th ?
No, it has to be you, definitely...Well one thing we know for sure is Bala's fans get first place for sense of humour
Tbf, the Vuelta route is a joke.La Vuelta be like
"Am I a joke to you"
So is the Tour'sTbf, the Vuelta route is a joke.
I agree, but at least the Tour route could be fixed pretty easy by adding a flat ITT that is a least mid length around stage 12 or so.So is the Tour's
Let's not pretend the Vuelta route is even close to as important for participation. It probably depends even more on Giro and Vuelta route than it does on the Vuelta route itself. Climbers see their shot at the Tour, Olympics or Worlds this year.
Pacing of the route is an issue too. If you're good in the Alps you're good in the ITT too.Bernal will still need a bonus of a couple minutes going into the PdBF ITT to be safe. I think forumers are too hard on the TDF course as per usual, but we'll see.
Of course, if he's far and away the best climber it's over. But he wasn't last year. Only at high altitude. This time there's only one high altitude finish - although it may be the hardest paved MTF in France, but still, plenty of other low and medium altitude mountain stages where he could potentially lose time to other GC specialists.
Bernal will still need a bonus of a couple minutes going into the PdBF ITT to be safe. I think forumers are too hard on the TDF course as per usual, but we'll see.
Of course, if he's far and away the best climber it's over. But he wasn't last year. Only at high altitude. This time there's only one high altitude finish - although it may be the hardest paved MTF in France, but still, plenty of other low and medium altitude mountain stages where he could potentially lose time to other GC specialists.
it's only a 6km climb. The rest is flat or false flat.As an uphill mountain ITT he should be ok
Why?Bernal will still need a bonus of a couple minutes going into the PdBF ITT to be safe. I think forumers are too hard on the TDF course as per usual, but we'll see.
Of course, if he's far and away the best climber it's over. But he wasn't last year. Only at high altitude. This time there's only one high altitude finish - although it may be the hardest paved MTF in France, but still, plenty of other low and medium altitude mountain stages where he could potentially lose time to other GC specialists.
True, but it's a pretty long effort. I rate the more natural TTers higher, even though it's on day 20. Gaps will be relatively big IMO.Why?
two things are on his favor for that TT. In the third week is almost about recuperation or who has energy left and second it still has a good portion of mountain in it.