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The importance of Captains on the road 2012 season

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just some guy

just some guy

Apr 9, 2011
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Been meaning to start this one for a while. With the transfer season upon us, got me thinking about a role becoming more important in teams.

ie the DS type who can read a race, not necessarily the leader, the Captain on the road.

Hinchapie and O´Grady spring to mind as does Kurt-asle Arvesen, Kroon to a lesser extent - I´m sure each team has them and next year will have a greater role.

Who are these riders ?
What do you think of there importance next year?

discuss.
 
G

Gloin22

Apr 10, 2011
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Riders with heaps of experience and 'calmness', likes of Flecha and Barry. And the other you mentioned.
 
J

jacko_69

Jul 25, 2011
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With race radios being phased out, the DS will turn to their captains to make key tactical descisions during critical points in the race and help co-oridinate any team strategy, especially in situations of confusion where the race blows apart... you need a cool head. So their role may have greater importance than it does now.
 
ingsve

ingsve

Mar 12, 2009
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Klier is one of the best road captains when it comes to the classics. Flecha is being schooled into the role more and more at Sky and they have also had Michael Barry fill that role other than the previously mentioned Arvesen who is now retiring.
 
hrotha

hrotha

Jun 10, 2010
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ingsve said:
Klier is one of the best road captains when it comes to the classics. Flecha is being schooled into the role more and more at Sky and they have also had Michael Barry fill that role other than the previously mentioned Arvesen who is now retiring.
Click to expand...
Flecha? Don't you need some tactical acumen to be a good road captain?
 
M

MatchstickMan

Jul 21, 2011
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ingsve said:
Klier is one of the best road captains when it comes to the classics. Flecha is being schooled into the role more and more at Sky and they have also had Michael Barry fill that role other than the previously mentioned Arvesen who is now retiring.
Click to expand...

Doesn't Jez Hunt do a bit too?
 
Swabian Lass

Swabian Lass

Jun 7, 2011
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It's a crucial and often underestimated role, especially if we do see race radios phased out. I believe that David Millar does the job for Garmin and it's usually someone experienced, who isn't the team leader (or at least not for that particular race).
 
M

movingtarget

Aug 5, 2009
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I think the Schlecks will definitely miss O'Grady. Look how well Hincapie played his role for Armstrong and Evans. BMC were criticised for riding near the front too often but who did not hit the deck once and who was always well positioned by Hincapie and others : the race winner of course. I think the experience and advice of these types of riders is invaluable. What Contador's team was doing ; I have no idea. They did not seem to have anyone in charge of the team.
 
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analo69

May 11, 2009
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Saxo Bank has both tosatto and Nicki Sørensen in the tour. But both were doing pretty bad. Tosatto did great in the Giro and Sørensen has previously done great in the tour.

It was just a year when everything seemed to go badly for Saxo Bank.
 
nobilis

nobilis

Oct 18, 2009
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Jose Ivan Gutierrez for Movistar. Very good tactical skills.
I still remember the echelon that Caisse d'Epargne did in PN 2010 and it was orchestrated by him. And even when in a breakaway, he's always the leader there and telling the others what to do, how to take turns, re wind direction and stuff.
 
just some guy

just some guy

Apr 9, 2011
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Midnightfright said:
I was always under the impression Jens would be a good road captain. Wouldnt he be able to take over from o'grady ?
Click to expand...

Can you image.

Km 1 of a flat stage - Attack

I really think O´Grady will be missed a lot more than we can even guess.
 
M

movingtarget

Aug 5, 2009
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Midnightfright said:
Andy will be the one who will miss his drinking buddy the most .
Click to expand...

I think they will continue to use Jens as a windbreak and look for someone a bit younger. As for the drinking, if Andy runs second again next year in the TDF, he might be doing the drinking on his own with support from Frank of course.
 
El Pistolero

El Pistolero

Jul 16, 2010
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Unimportant. Phil rides without radio at races like Clasica San Sebastian anyway and most of the time he just rides with a one way radio(so he can't communicate with anyone). Ride with your gut instead of listening to old dudes that should already have retired. If you're a leader, be your own freaking captain. I can understand for GC leaders at the flattish stages though.
 
just some guy

just some guy

Apr 9, 2011
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movingtarget said:
Yes it seems that way but O'Grady seems to get more attention because he is Cancellara's right hand man. But there is no denying Jen's efforts over the years as an attacking rider and a great team rider.
Click to expand...

Does that mean he is the team captain or just a great rider?
 
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