TDF 2012: Titans Collide. Dennis Menchov Versus Cadel Evans...possible rivalry.

[SilentAssassin]

Both strong veteran riders, with Menchov probably the greatest all around cyclist to ever live has his best chance for a Tour win. If he is ever going to win the tour, it will be this year, and it will complete his rider portfolio, winning all Grand Tours.

Only one man truly stands in Menchov's way, and that's Cadel Evans.

These two titans are ambassadors to the sport. Living legends in their own right on the pedals.

I would favor Menchov however overall. If he can finally be free of bad luck in this tour, I think he can climb better than Cadel, and he can beat Cadel in the time trial. But Menchov being free from bad luck is like a rattle snake without his rattle...probably not likely.

I think we might see a rivalry between these two. I think Cadel and Menchov are head and shoulders above everyone else barring Andy some how musters up great time trials, or has a legendary showing in the mountains.

 

[Arnout]

Both strong veteran riders, with Menchov probably the greatest all around cyclist to ever live has his best chance for a Tour win. If he is ever going to win the tour, it will be this year, and it will complete his rider portfolio, winning all Grand Tours.

Only one man truly stands in Menchov's way, and that's Cadel Evans.

These two titans are ambassadors to the sport. Living legends in their own right on the pedals.

I would favor Menchov however overall. If he can finally be free of bad luck in this tour, I think he can climb better than Cadel, and he can beat Cadel in the time trial. But Menchov being free from bad luck is like a rattle snake without his rattle...probably not likely.

I think we might see a rivalry between these two. I think Cadel and Menchov are head and shoulders above everyone else barring Andy some how musters up great time trials, or has a legendary showing in the mountains.

Don't give El Pistolero and other Contador fantrolls food, they react on everything.

 

[El Pistolero]

Kinda like Arnout who whines about everything Belgian related.

Silentassasin is a notorious troll on here, so I wouldn't even have bothered reacting if it wasn't for your post.

I let the results speak for them self, not someone's opinion.

Look in the mirror before you call other people trolls by the way.

 

[jsem94]

I think Menchov's best days are behind him. He's not going to win.

 

[dlwssonic]

I thinks Evans is the favourite here. He is riding much better. The way Evans climbed and timetrialed in last years tdf was amazing I don't think Menchov could have beaten him. Wiggins and Andy are two other contenders.

 

[Magnus]

I think Menchov's best days are behind him. He's not going to win.

Just like Evans best days was behind him after the 2010 TdF and Boonen's best years was behind him in 2011

 

[Arnout]

Kinda like Arnout who whines about everything Belgian related.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

so two legends going head to head on the biggest stage? Anyway, I think Menchov's task is somewhat difficult. He needs to take time on the grinder group (Evans/Wiggins) in the mountains because he will drop time in the TT's (perhaps not much). The solution is to stay with A Schleck when he attacks, but that will likely leave Menchov very exposed. If the Russian can take time on the hills, it will certainly be better for the race overall.

 

[dlwssonic]

so two legends going head to head on the biggest stage? Anyway, I think Menchov's task is somewhat difficult. He needs to take time on the grinder group (Evans/Wiggins) in the mountains because he will drop time in the TT's (perhaps not much). The solution is to stay with A Schleck when he attacks, but that will likely leave Menchov very exposed. If the Russian can take time on the hills, it will certainly be better for the race overall.

I think now Evans is a better climber than Menchov in the mountains. Their TT might be somewhat similiar. But I think evans can produce better timetrials, including prologues. For the hills Evans is way better than menchov.

 

[airstream]

i hardly can imagine menchov victorious screenplay. it's somthing surrealistic, say, Menchov is the strongest after Schleck climber, able to keep up with him longer evans and wiggins and extract time out of it. in addition, he'll have to do both tt's better those 2. utterly complicated task.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I think now Evans is a better climber than Menchov in the mountains. Their TT might be somewhat similiar. But I think evans can produce better timetrials, including prologues. For the hills Evans is way better than menchov.

You could be right (Evans better in both areas), but I would entertain the idea that Menchov could play with the attack group (A Schleck) in some areas to give us neutral fans something to look forward to.

 

[movingtarget]

I don't think Evans and Menchov are head and shoulders above the other GC riders. Evans struggled to win last year even though he rode a sensational TT. But Evans can do that for three weeks while others can't. I think the race will be similar to last year without Contador to blow the field apart in the mountains and the final TT will decide it. I have more doubts about Menchov than I do about Evans. Wiggins climbing will probably decide the race. He will have to be consistent on all of the mountain stages. To me Schleck can't win, I have thought that since the route was announced and see no reason to change my mind now.

 

[SilentAssassin]

I think now Evans is a better climber than Menchov in the mountains. Their TT might be somewhat similiar. But I think evans can produce better timetrials, including prologues. For the hills Evans is way better than menchov.

Fair enough. Evans had a legendary showing last TDF. But I some how doubt he can repeat that kind of a performance. And I just don't see Cadel getting time on Menchov in the mountains. I think Menchov can be superior in the time trial. And with over 100km of time trial, this course suits Menchov more than any other rider if he still has the legs.

 

[El Pistolero]

Menchov was the third/fourth best climber in the Tour of 2010 and the best time trial specialist. It's definitely possible for him to win the Tour if he can reach that level again. Evans reached his old level again last year after a few bad years in the Tour, so why would it be impossible for Menchov?

IF he reaches his level of 2010 Menchov is a big favorite for the yellow jersey in Paris.

***** Denis Menchov, Cadel Evans
**** Samuel Sanchez, Bradley Wiggins

That's your top 4 of the Tour if nothing bad happens to them.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Both strong veteran riders, with Menchov probably the greatest [deleted] cyclist to ever live has his best chance for a Tour win.

Fixed that for ya.

 

[SilentAssassin]

Sanchez is the X factor I think. Very dangerous in the mountains and he has had some good time trials. Certainly he is the dark horse. To me Wiggins is of no concern. He'll fade with the Autobus eventually.

If Cadel and Menchov get blown up in the mountains, it could very well be due to the damage of Schleck and Sanchez. I'd look to Schleck and Sanchez to work together if they are smart in the mountains to try to get time on Cadel and Menchov.

 

[Lexman]

Menchov might not win the TDF but might make someone lose it and might climb himself on the podium.

On the other hand from who will he have support in his team in the mountains? Moreno?

 

[The Hitch]

How so?

You are the one who called him out, labeling him a "fan troll" even though he had not made a post in this thread. So you hijacked the thread, baited him and insulted him, despite the fact that he was not in the thread.
Then when he did respond to your post, which he has a right to because you called him out, you call him a troll.

Don't quite get it.

 

[El Pistolero]

Sanchez is the X factor I think. Very dangerous in the mountains and he has had some good time trials. Certainly he is the dark horse. To me Wiggins is of no concern. He'll fade with the Autobus eventually.

If Cadel and Menchov get blown up in the mountains, it could very well be due to the damage of Schleck and Sanchez. I'd look to Schleck and Sanchez to work together if they are smart in the mountains to try to get time on Cadel and Menchov.

Also don't forget the 2 descent finishes the Tour has this year. I hope Samu can rediscover his descending legs!

 

[Panda Claws]

Also don't forget the 2 descent finishes the Tour has this year. I hope Samu can rediscover his descending legs!

He seemed to descend pretty well in Pais Vasco this year.

 

[Red Rick]

I hate Evans so much that i'd rather see Schleck winning the 2012 Tour than to see Evans winning again.

 

[El Pistolero]

Very classy

 

[Christian]

There will be a rivalry Menchov/Evans but it will be for second place. As much as it pains me to say, Wiggins has this one in the bag, UK Postal will deliver him to every MTF. It's going to be boring as hell but that's what the forum wants so who am I to judge. BTW did you notice no one calls him Wigans anymore. Teams and riders who make GT's exciting are frowned upon in this place.

It'll be an epic battle of the oldies, all three combined will probably make for the oldest TdF podium of all times.

 

[uphillstruggle]

***** Denis Menchov, Cadel Evans
**** Samuel Sanchez, Bradley Wiggins

That's your top 4 of the Tour if nothing bad happens to them.

Barring crashes there is no way AS doesn't make the tour top 4. He has regularly dropped all the riders mentioned above since coming on the scene. If you are considering that Menchov and Evans can recall their form of previous years why can't Schleck find the climbing legs from 08, 09 or 10?

My god, Wiggins despite being in absolutely great form got dropped by Westra in Paris-Nice.

 

[El Pistolero]

He won't. He's not that good of a climber without Contador to drag him along. His climbing legs are only as good as his brother's anyway.

Andy got dropped by Philippe Gilbert on a cat2 climb for crying out loud.

It's my opinion, you don't need to agree with me.