The Matthew Brennan Threat

[RedheadDane]

If they were to send him to Paris Roubaix Espoirs that could be good. Albert Withen Philipsen is scheduled to ride there for Lidl Trek.

I'm so confused about how the "WT riders can't ride U23 races" rule works...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Er?

Oh sorry, I should have specified that I meant outside of this forum, like in commentators never making that comparison. I can see how that's totally unclear from my post though 😅

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I'm so confused about how the "WT riders can't ride U23 races" rule works...

It only applies to the European and World Championships. Or maybe it's only the WC, but it doesn't affect any of the NC races.

 

[RedheadDane]

It only applies to the European and World Championships. Or maybe it's only the WC, but it doesn't affect any of the NC races.

I'm assuming it also applies to the other continental championships.

 

[proffate]

I'm assuming it also applies to the other continental championships.

There are other continents?

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Confirmed for Roubaix! Should get some good support from WVA and Van Baarle.

 

[theyoungest]

I don't know if Roubaix really suits him, but yeah, if Philipsen can get a podium there, who knows. I think maybe Amstel Gold would be more within his abilities.

 

[Unchained]

I'm so confused about how the "WT riders can't ride U23 races" rule works...

Isaac Del Toro could win the U23 version of Paris Roubaix on a good day.

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

wait, so we're not changing the thread to Matty Brennan kicks everyone up the ass thread?

 

[Unchained]

I don't know if Roubaix really suits him, but yeah, if Philipsen can get a podium there, who knows. I think maybe Amstel Gold would be more within his abilities.

No matter what is on Brennan's resume, until Jonas crashed out he was not in the pecking order. As soon as he was given the opportunity, Brennan immediately capitalized. Guy is\ was flying and Visma should have him in as many races as possible, and just expect the unexpected. Guy is a ray of light on a team that needs it.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

wait, so we're not changing the thread to Matty Brennan kicks everyone up the ass thread?

It does roll off the tougue.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

No matter what is on Brennan's resume, until Jonas crashed out he was not in the pecking order. As soon as he was given the opportunity, Brennan immediately capitalized. Guy is\ was flying and Visma should have him in as many races as possible, and just expect the unexpected. Guy is a ray of light on a team that needs it.

100%

 

[theyoungest]

No matter what is on Brennan's resume, until Jonas crashed out he was not in the pecking order. As soon as he was given the opportunity, Brennan immediately capitalized. Guy is\ was flying and Visma should have him in as many races as possible, and just expect the unexpected. Guy is a ray of light on a team that needs it.

They did just fine in the Ronde without him. And of course they weren't exactly bad in Dwars door Vlaanderen either... in fact based on these races it's rather odd to suggest they need him there.

 

[Unchained]

They did just fine in the Ronde without him. And of course they weren't exactly bad in Dwars door Vlaanderen either... in fact based on these races it's rather odd to suggest they need him there.

Good point until @72 hours before Volta they didn't need him there either.

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[Tim Cahill]

History isn't in his favour for young debutants, it's a race for the experienced.

Tarling OTL (19)
Sagan DNF (20)

Etc etc

Having him 10th betting favourite is absurd. I feel the same way about the Pogacar odds for the same reason, it might take him a few tries before getting a proper handle on the race. Not that I'm not looking forward to seeing how they do.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

wait, so we're not changing the thread to Matty Brennan kicks everyone up the ass thread?

My thread, my title. I'll change it to fit his palmares, as we go along.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

History isn't in his favour for young debutants, it's a race for the experienced.

Tarling OTL (19)
Sagan DNF (20)

Etc etc

Having him 10th betting favourite is absurd. I feel the same way about the Pogacar odds for the same reason, it might take him a few tries before getting a proper handle on the race. Not that I'm not looking forward to seeing how they do.

Mate, get on Betfair Exchange. You can lay Pogacar at around 5s, if you've got the balls for it.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

They did just fine in the Ronde without him. And of course they weren't exactly bad in Dwars door Vlaanderen either... in fact based on these races it's rather odd to suggest they need him there.

It's not the really think they *need* him there for this year. But he may be able to help Wout and pick up some experience for future years, which they recognise will stand them in good stead, given his talent. It's a judgment call and balance between trying to win this year and investing in the future.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Mate, get on Betfair Exchange. You can lay Pogacar at around 5s, if you've got the balls for it.

I don't have the money for that kind of degeneracy, I also don't have the balls either to be fair. I know in my heart of hearts he's just a fish on a heater, Jamie Gold at the 2006 world series of poker just hitting hand after hand, a freak run of results that occurs once every trillion years. I also know the second I lay the money down he will pull some absurd rabbit out of the hat, half the bunch hit by a train, the rest scratching their arse as he goes up the road.

Besides I've already got my allocation on Tarkington at 100/1 and a bit on Kung. I think he's not that ill and just couldn't be arsed with Flanders, Remco at Belgian nationals job, Ganna should've done the same, he's probably knackered. When he wins I'll stick a couple hundred on Vingegaard to win the tour, in Josh's honour.

 

[theyoungest]

It's not the really think they *need* him there for this year. But he may be able to help Wout and pick up some experience for future years, which they recognise will stand them in good stead, given his talent. It's a judgment call and balance between trying to win this year and investing in the future.

I wasn't suggesting Visma think they need him there, but rather the poster I was reacting to. For me it's fine that they give him a start in probably the biggest race on the calendar outside of the Tour, he deserves it and it will surely help him in the long run. As for immediate results I would have picked another race, like Amstel Gold, which in my opinion he could already win (were it not for Tadej Pogacar of course).

 

[wirral]

I don't really understand Visma's thinking. Pulling him from Catalunya. Putting him in Paris-Roubaix Elite (rather than the Espoirs) and then entering him in another (probably more) demanding week-long stage race.

 

[Netserk]

I don't really understand Visma's thinking. Pulling him from Catalunya. Putting him in Paris-Roubaix Elite (rather than the Espoirs) and then entering him in another (probably more) demanding week-long stage race.

Romandie is 6 stages, two ITTs and only one mountain stage. It doesn't get easier on the WT (in the spring). Catatalunya, Romandie and Norway are a month apart. After nationals, I think his next stage race will be in August. I think that is entirely appropriate given his level, as he is strong enough to stay in the peloton over the highest climb in Catalunya, win the fifth stage after two mountain stages and won a semi-classic beforehand.

The real Roubaix is much more valuable experience, even if he only makes it to Arenberg. I doubt he will complete the race, and it's no shame to jump off the bike after he is dropped and no longer in service of Van Aert. If he feels good and makes it to the velodrome, I can only imagine that it will be greatly encouraging for him.

It's all very similar to Sagan's first year in the WT.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

I think it's fair to say this has been a pretty impressive P-R debut.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

44th, didn't quite break the record but a very fine debut indeed.

 

[ingsve]

44th, didn't quite break the record but a very fine debut indeed.

Must have gone completely empty when he had to let the group go, unless he had other issues later on.