The Find of Le Tour

[oncehadhair]

Just as Ryder Hesjedal seemed to be the find of last year's tour, who is the rider who performed above himself in this year's race?

For me it was Pierre Rolland. He dragged a struggling Voeckler up every mountain, matching the best climbers in the world and then had enough left to take a stage win on alp dhuez. He was 4th in stage 10 of last year's race but apart from that there's not much to his palmares.

Who stood out for you?

 

[Kwibus]

Just as Ryder Hesjedal seemed to be the find of last year's tour, who is the rider who performed above himself in this year's race?

For me it was Pierre Rolland. He dragged a struggling Voeckler up every mountain, matching the best climbers in the world and then had enough left to take a stage win on alp dhuez. He was 4th in stage 10 of last year's race but apart from that there's not much to his palmares.

Who stood out for you?

Pierre Rolland indeed, but I wonder if he will perform at the same level next year. We'll see I guess.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Rolland for me as well. He would have won the Tour had he been in the break instead of Voeckler.

 

[uphillstruggle]

Exciting racing.

 

[Jeanne]

Nothing new: Rolland.

 

[ingsve]

It's hard to not choose Pierre Rolland. Jelle Vanendert must also be said to have had a breakthrough. On the sprint side we had the same old people so nothing to say there.

It was also nice to see EBH showing everyone that he still is the awesome rider that emerged a few years ago and that despite a period of injuries he's still got ability and will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Hard not to choose Rolland, but when we look at the GC, there's always a surprise near the top, and this year it's Voeckler.

Rolland was the 'find' of the race, Voeckler was the 'surprise' of it.

 

[Roninho]

Rolland for me as well. He would have won the Tour had he been in the break instead of Voeckler.

Hadn't thought of that, but yeah that might have been a possibility.

 

[L'arriviste]

I'd agree with Rolland, plus EBH as a rediscovery. I'd also add cyclo-crosser Arnold Jeanneson, whose amazing 15th overall has been eclipsed by Rollandmania! That blue FDJ rain cape was up there and visible almost every mountain stage.

All young lads with a bright future.

EDIT: Rob Ruijgh was also impressive.

 

[Frosty]

Rolland for me as well. He would have won the Tour had he been in the break instead of Voeckler.

Rolland lost three minutes in the Wiggins crash so probably wouldnt have taken yellow but it would have been interesting to see how he would have gone if he had ridden for himself in the mountains rather than Voeckler. Interesting that the Wiggins crash stage saw Europcar involved in the chase from the second group. Maybe they knew how well he could go and wanted to keep his time losses to a minimum.

 

[Zoncolan]

Rolland for me too.

 

[maltiv]

Rolland, Voeckler and Vanendert.

 

[Task_Force]

I'd agree with Rolland, plus EBH as a rediscovery. I'd also add cyclo-crosser Arnold Jeanneson, whose amazing 15th overall has been eclipsed by Rollandmania! That blue FDJ rain cape was up there and visible almost every mountain stage.

All young lads with a bright future.

EDIT: Rob Ruijgh was also impressive.

yup those three stood out for me aswell

 

[Swabian Lass]

I agree with that.

 

[Moondance]

Rolland is an obvious pick. I knew he had some talent after he had a very good Dauphine in 2008... And 2 years ago he had a 20th or so (although it was largely invisible) in the Tour as well. It's just finally come out fully.

 

[enrecul]

the fact that rolland and voeckler are on the same team and are both surprises is not really a surprise....same old same old.

...regarding "clean" teams.... Geraint Thomas and EBH

 

[killswitch]

cyclo-crosser Arnold Jeanneson, whose amazing 15th overall has been eclipsed by Rollandmania!

He was already great in Giro 2010 dragging Arroyo up the mountains.

 

[sublimit]

Not a find as such but the way Danny Pate has ridden he can be proud of himself pulling the bunch for K after K. Ditto Lars Bak.
Then the obvious Rolland, Vanendert,also Thomas as such a versatile rider but particulary the last 2K on the flat where he has more power than anybody bar none, dragging Uran over the climbs and getting into breaks and generally just an awesome team player.

 

[The Hitch]

Jelle Vanendert.

btw, for all the hype about new French gc hope, ill say that the next French GT winner may be in the peloton, but he did not finish the Tour.

 

[cineteq]

Rolland, Voeckler and Vanendert.

Thomas de Gendt looked to me like a GC rider in the Alpe + ITT

 

[simoni]

Peraud also. Looks a complete rider.

 

[laziali]

the fact that rolland and voeckler are on the same team and are both surprises is not really a surprise....same old same old.

...regarding "clean" teams.... Geraint Thomas and EBH

Sorry to burst your bubble mate but Sky aint a clean team. Now Leopard ...

 

[Sneekes]

the fact that rolland and voeckler are on the same team and are both surprises is not really a surprise....same old same old.

...regarding "clean" teams.... Geraint Thomas and EBH

Geraint impressed me even more than EBH, I just hope Sky are realistic about the kind of rider he is. Rolland and Vanendert were the finds of the tour though,

 

[oncehadhair]

Geraint impressed me even more than EBH, I just hope Sky are realistic about the kind of rider he is. Rolland and Vanendert were the finds of the tour though,

Vanendert would be my second pick after Rolland. Although he did fade a little towards the end.

Richie Porte also looks like a name for the future. Good in the mountains and great in the tt.

 

[Escarabajo]

the fact that rolland and voeckler are on the same team and are both surprises is not really a surprise....same old same old.

...regarding "clean" teams.... Geraint Thomas and EBH

Why are you so mad about??

If you want to talk doping stuff about your teams, go to the clinic.