TdF TTT - GC winners & losers

[The Hitch]

without any 1 individual standing out.

Say what

 

[El Pistolero]

Say what

He said individuals, not teams. Team Gadret doesn't count.

 

[dutchie]

Say what

Giro is one thing--TDF is another,whether Gadret goes in the tour he wont be anywhere near top ten!!

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

How do people think AG2R will do in the TTT,have had a good year to date with a strong team without any 1 individual standing out.

They'll be hoping to limit losses.

Gadret would be a liability in the TTT even if he was in top shape, which is unlikely anyway. Roche and Kadri, their planned leader and one of their most important domestiques, have had their prepations disrupted by injury (is Kadri even going to start now?). Nocentini rode the Giro and hasn't been in great form this season. Peraud is a good time triallist, but for the most part they aren't a crack time trial squad at the best of times.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Giro is one thing--TDF is another,whether Gadret goes in the tour he wont be anywhere near top ten!!

No, he won't be. But it's hardly fair to say that while the team has had a good start to the year, no individual has stood out!

The guy won a stage of the Giro and finished 4th on GC. That's close to a career best first-half of season for anyone on the whole team.

 

[Galic Ho]

The only thing in the TTT I look forward to is the nerves. Racers in 2009 were very, very nervous. Some didn't want to disappoint their leader (OPL) and had some problems. Other teams couldn't even stay upright. Most teams will be sufficiently drilled. 2009 saw a lot of guys randomly flying off the road.

Leopard Trek are meh! Seriously. They were 40 seconds down in 2009 as Saxo. Most of the work was done by Larson and Spartacus. Sorensens and O'Grady did a lot as well. Half those guys are at Leopard. The Schleck's will hold on no problem. They are fine in a group. But the team won't win. They will be easily 20-30 seconds down on the winner. Anyone remember Garmin that year? I'd say this year they have a crack at winning the TTT. On paper, I'd say they are collectively the strongest. I don't know about HTC. At the Giro, no problem, the Tour...I haven't seen them come close to winning a TTT. Garmin for the win IMO by a few seconds, not much more than 10 all up. This one will be close.

Depending on the ITT, all Evans and Samu need to do is mitigate the difference. Harder said than done, considering before it arrives there are mountains where any GC guy ahead of you can sit back and pounce if you try and take back time. I say 30-40 seconds loss on Leopard is a good result for BMC and Euskatel. Contador is another matter and so is Liquigas and Rabo with Gesink and Basso respectively. Why? Samu and Evans possess a better chrono, but climbing wise, it's hard to say. Gesink is a better ITTist than Basso but not Samu. Contador is a whole other kettle of fish. He'll beat arguably beat your ITT and out climb you. He's the double whamy. Basso and Gesink aren't necessarily. Either way your screwed.

What I'm saying is this is about time on the road. If you lose it here in the TTT, you have to make it up elsewhere. Ultimately this is why the TTT blows. It's race over for some guys given the scheduling. If Leopard Trek or Saxo lost time that would make the race interesting because the by far strongest climbing GC men are on those two teams, meaning they lose time in the TTT they have to attack early on to get it back. Pulling a minute back on Contador or Andy Schleck in the hills if you aren't one of these guys is asking far too much, let alone pulling it back on Basso or Gesink (if they are in top notch form). Dream on. It's a mental blow before any real km's have been raced. Your done already barring a miracle or a mishap. You better make it rain out there, cause if you don't, only the weather can really save your GC quest.

 

[movingtarget]

And Alberto Contador. He basically had no team around him when things went uphill this year's Giro. In the flat and medium stages they did well to keep him up front though.

Contador has always had better than most support in the mountains with Discovery, Astana and his current team. When he is head and shoulders better than his team mates, of course they won't be with him near the finish. That is the same with the other elite GC riders as well. Evans often does not even have support on the moderate climbs but if you are good enough in the mountains you should not need team support. What the strongest teams are good at is protecting their best rider on the flat and the lower slopes of the climbs and then it is all up to Contador etc.... to do what they are getting paid to do. Win mountain stages or grand tours. To say that Contador had no support on the Giro climbs this year is an exaggeration. When the attacks start, then he is on his own as normal.

 

[Midnightfright]

The only thing in the TTT I look forward to is the nerves. Racers in 2009 were very, very nervous. Some didn't want to disappoint their leader (OPL) and had some problems. Other teams couldn't even stay upright. Most teams will be sufficiently drilled. 2009 saw a lot of guys randomly flying off the road.

Leopard Trek are meh! Seriously. They were 40 seconds down in 2009 as Saxo. Most of the work was done by Larson and Spartacus. Sorensens and O'Grady did a lot as well. Half those guys are at Leopard. The Schleck's will hold on no problem. They are fine in a group. But the team won't win. They will be easily 20-30 seconds down on the winner. Anyone remember Garmin that year? I'd say this year they have a crack at winning the TTT. On paper, I'd say they are collectively the strongest. I don't know about HTC. At the Giro, no problem, the Tour...I haven't seen them come close to winning a TTT. Garmin for the win IMO by a few seconds, not much more than 10 all up. This one will be close.

Depending on the ITT, all Evans and Samu need to do is mitigate the difference. Harder said than done, considering before it arrives there are mountains where any GC guy ahead of you can sit back and pounce if you try and take back time. I say 30-40 seconds loss on Leopard is a good result for BMC and Euskatel. Contador is another matter and so is Liquigas and Rabo with Gesink and Basso respectively. Why? Samu and Evans possess a better chrono, but climbing wise, it's hard to say. Gesink is a better ITTist than Basso but not Samu. Contador is a whole other kettle of fish. He'll beat arguably beat your ITT and out climb you. He's the double whamy. Basso and Gesink aren't necessarily. Either way your screwed.

What I'm saying is this is about time on the road. If you lose it here in the TTT, you have to make it up elsewhere. Ultimately this is why the TTT blows. It's race over for some guys given the scheduling. If Leopard Trek or Saxo lost time that would make the race interesting because the by far strongest climbing GC men are on those two teams, meaning they lose time in the TTT they have to attack early on to get it back. Pulling a minute back on Contador or Andy Schleck in the hills if you aren't one of these guys is asking far too much, let alone pulling it back on Basso or Gesink (if they are in top notch form). Dream on. It's a mental blow before any real km's have been raced. Your done already barring a miracle or a mishap. You better make it rain out there, cause if you don't, only the weather can really save your GC quest.

Another shot in the arm for the other GC contenders is that Andy and albie will probably have thw best teams for all the realistic contenders as well so the other guys who had it hard enough as it is will have more time to try and take back

 

[El Pistolero]

Contador has always had better than most support in the mountains with Discovery, Astana and his current team. When he is head and shoulders better than his team mates, of course they won't be with him near the finish. That is the same with the other elite GC riders as well. Evans often does not even have support on the moderate climbs but if you are good enough in the mountains you should not need team support. What the strongest teams are good at is protecting their best rider on the flat and the lower slopes of the climbs and then it is all up to Contador etc.... to do what they are getting paid to do. Win mountain stages or grand tours. To say that Contador had no support on the Giro climbs this year is an exaggeration. When the attacks start, then he is on his own as normal.

The first time I saw someone with him up a MTF was stage 19

 

[auscyclefan94]

The only thing in the TTT I look forward to is the nerves. Racers in 2009 were very, very nervous. Some didn't want to disappoint their leader (OPL) and had some problems. Other teams couldn't even stay upright. Most teams will be sufficiently drilled. 2009 saw a lot of guys randomly flying off the road.

Leopard Trek are meh! Seriously. They were 40 seconds down in 2009 as Saxo. Most of the work was done by Larson and Spartacus. Sorensens and O'Grady did a lot as well. Half those guys are at Leopard. The Schleck's will hold on no problem. They are fine in a group. But the team won't win. They will be easily 20-30 seconds down on the winner. Anyone remember Garmin that year? I'd say this year they have a crack at winning the TTT. On paper, I'd say they are collectively the strongest. I don't know about HTC. At the Giro, no problem, the Tour...I haven't seen them come close to winning a TTT. Garmin for the win IMO by a few seconds, not much more than 10 all up. This one will be close.

Depending on the ITT, all Evans and Samu need to do is mitigate the difference. Harder said than done, considering before it arrives there are mountains where any GC guy ahead of you can sit back and pounce if you try and take back time. I say 30-40 seconds loss on Leopard is a good result for BMC and Euskatel. Contador is another matter and so is Liquigas and Rabo with Gesink and Basso respectively. Why? Samu and Evans possess a better chrono, but climbing wise, it's hard to say. Gesink is a better ITTist than Basso but not Samu. Contador is a whole other kettle of fish. He'll beat arguably beat your ITT and out climb you. He's the double whamy. Basso and Gesink aren't necessarily. Either way your screwed.

What I'm saying is this is about time on the road. If you lose it here in the TTT, you have to make it up elsewhere. Ultimately this is why the TTT blows. It's race over for some guys given the scheduling. If Leopard Trek or Saxo lost time that would make the race interesting because the by far strongest climbing GC men are on those two teams, meaning they lose time in the TTT they have to attack early on to get it back. Pulling a minute back on Contador or Andy Schleck in the hills if you aren't one of these guys is asking far too much, let alone pulling it back on Basso or Gesink (if they are in top notch form). Dream on. It's a mental blow before any real km's have been raced. Your done already barring a miracle or a mishap. You better make it rain out there, cause if you don't, only the weather can really save your GC quest.

Liquigas are a strong squad overall but I don't see an overly strong squad for the TTT. Of the GC teams this is hwo I see it wll turn out.

Radioshack
Leopard
Rabobank
Saxo
Garmin
BMC
Lotto
Liquigas
Euskaltel

 

[just some guy]

Radioshack
Garmin
Leopard
Rabobank
BMC
Liquigas
Saxo
Lotto
Euskaltel

Here my list Garmin will do very well you just have to look at there past performances in TTT.

Saxo team is not built for a TTT

Saxo Team:

- Alberto Contador (Spain)
- Jesus Hernandez (Spain)
- Dani Navarro (Spain)
- Benjamin Noval (Spain)
- Richie Porte (Australia)
- Chris Anker Sørensen (Denmark)
- Nicki Sørensen (Denmark)
- Matteo Tosatto (Italy)
- Brian Vandborg (Denmark)

 

[DenisMenchov]

Radioshack
Garmin
Leopard
Rabobank
BMC
Liquigas
Saxo
Lotto
Euskaltel

Here my list Garmin will do very well you just have to look at there past performances in TTT.

Saxo team is not built for a TTT

Saxo Team:

- Alberto Contador (Spain)
- Jesus Hernandez (Spain)
- Dani Navarro (Spain)
- Benjamin Noval (Spain)
- Richie Porte (Australia)
- Chris Anker Sørensen (Denmark)
- Nicki Sørensen (Denmark)
- Matteo Tosatto (Italy)
- Brian Vandborg (Denmark)

What about HTC???

 

[theyoungest]

What about HTC???

Everyone knows HTC suck at TTTs.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Everyone knows HTC suck at TTTs.

Oh yes, and they are going to be beaten by non other than Euskaltel.

 

[El Pistolero]

How does BMC score so high on your list? One of the worst teams. Cadel Evans has sucked at time trials for a long time now.

 

[just some guy]

What about HTC???

GC contenders Tony MARTIN is not one of those.

I think HTC will win the TTT but I was replying to ACF he said GC contenders TTT .

 

[just some guy]

How does BMC score so high on your list? One of the worst teams. Cadel Evans has sucked at time trials for a long time now.

Worst team in the mountains for a GC guy sure.

Flat and TTT middle of the road 6 -8 on the stage 4-5 out of teams with a GC guy.

Guys this thread is titled - TdF TTT - GC winners & losers

Not the best TTT - who as I said HTC for the win, but Tony MARTIN is not a GC guy.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Not the best TTT - who as I said HTC for the win, but Tony MARTIN is not a GC guy.

Velits is their GC guy.

 

[dlwssonic]

How does BMC score so high on your list? One of the worst teams. Cadel Evans has sucked at time trials for a long time now.

BMC are one of the better teams in the TTT, they will beat saxo for sure.

 

[Midnightfright]

Worst team in the mountains for a GC guy sure.

Flat and TTT middle of the road 6 -8 on the stage 4-5 out of teams with a GC guy.

Guys this thread is titled - TdF TTT - GC winners & losers

Not the best TTT - who as I said HTC for the win, but Tony MARTIN is not a GC guy.

Tony martin not a GC guy! I think we need to leave u locked in a thread with bavarianrider until u change your mind.

 

[Midnightfright]

BMC are one of the better teams in the TTT, they will beat saxo for sure.

I actually don't think so. Not to say I'm putting down BMC I think they will do pretty decent I.just expect saxo to outperform most peoples expectations of them.

 

[just some guy]

Tony martin not a GC guy! I think we need to leave u locked in a thread with bavarianrider until u change your mind.

But I like Tony Martin as a TT and week long stage race with TT Just not a 3 week GT guy imo

 

[Midnightfright]

But I like Tony Martin as a TT and week long stage race with TT Just not a 3 week GT guy imo

Yeah same here

 

[movingtarget]

How does BMC score so high on your list? One of the worst teams. Cadel Evans has sucked at time trials for a long time now.

If Evan's results in TT's this year "sucked" how would you describe Cunego's results in TT's ? I think BMC have a solid team for the team time trial. I don't expect BMC to lose too much time and the team time trial is not about having a great individual time triallist as most people know. According to some Evan's sucks at everything. His time trialling in all of his stage races this year has been solid.

 

[BillytheKid]

Gesink and Schleck will have a huge head start. I can see people already euphemising about how 1 minute is nothing, but that will take a huge effort from the likes of Evans and Sanchez on a mountain to make up and thats assuming it works the first time.

Also consider that Samu an Cadel will have to kill themselves in that ttt to limit time, while the younger ones will get towed to the line, saving energy.

I hope those that get the head starts get mechanicals along the way to take that time back.

The real goal is not to loose too much time in TTT, but not win the stage and take yellow as might be the case. BMC and Cadel will be the win the TTT and take yellow which will be a massive tatical mistake.