The most hyped rider in the off season only to not perform for season 2012 is ?

[maltiv]

He took that win by not working in the break, a break that was simply allowed up the road in the first place, and outsprinting his breakaway companions, the Ardennes cracks Fedrigo and Denifl, ahead of a group of about 50 riders, in a 200 km race. How that should translate to an immediate good performance in the Ardennes is beyond me. Just ask the great Ardennes rider Gesink.

True that, but the guy seems to be able to read races extremely well and can pull out a victory without being the strongest or even close. Personally I think his chances are greatest in LBL where the finish suits him quite well and it's possible that a "random" breakaway holds on if everyone is watching Gilbert behind (if his ridiculously strong teammates have been kidnapped by aliens).

 

[El Pistolero]

True that, but the guy seems to be able to read races extremely well and can pull out a victory without being the strongest or even close. Personally I think his chances are greatest in LBL where the finish suits him quite well and it's possible that a "random" breakaway holds on if everyone is watching Gilbert behind (if his ridiculously strong teammates have been kidnapped by aliens).

How many times have breakaways succeeded in LBL? I only remember Vino/Jens Voigt back in 2005.

 

[will10]

How many times have breakaways succeeded in LBL? I only remember Vino/Jens Voigt back in 2005.

Vino/Kolobnev 2010.

 

[El Pistolero]

Vino/Kolobnev 2010.

That was not a breakaway. Otherwise Andy's solo effort was also a breakaway. The race starts at La Roche aux Faucons.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I doubt anyone was peaking for the Tour of Turkey though. Van Hummel getting second says it all.

another prove you've never rode a bike. a sprinter doesn't have to be in shape to win a sprint

 

[El Pistolero]

another prove you've never rode a bike. a sprinter doesn't have to be in shape to win a sprint

Lol if you think Greipel wasn't sprinting faster at the Tour then he was at the Tour of Turkey.

A climber doesn't have to be in top shape as well to win a MTF.

 

[maltiv]

Lol if you think Greipel wasn't sprinting faster at the Tour then he was at the Tour of Turkey.

A climber doesn't have to be in top shape as well to win a MTF.

Of course, but max watt output is way more constant than one's form in general.

 

[El Pistolero]

Of course, but max watt output is way more constant than one's form in general.

It's a professional sport, all the small % matter. Guardini was probably at his best shape right there and Greipel not. He was second best sprinter at the Tour and not even third best at Turkey with crappy competition. No way would someone like Van Hummel ever beat Greipel in a sprint for victory at the Tour.

Cavendish at the Tour was also sprinting faster than Cav at the Giro. And the other way around for Petacchi. If form was completely irrelevant, Petacchi wouldn't have sucked so much at the Tour.

 

[maltiv]

It's a professional sport, all the small % matter. Guardini was probably at his best shape right there and Greipel not. He was second best sprinter at the Tour and not even third best at Turkey with crappy competition. No way would someone like Van Hummel ever beat Greipel in a sprint for victory at the Tour.

Cavendish at the Tour was also sprinting faster than Cav at the Giro. And the other way around for Petacchi. If form was completely irrelevant, Petacchi wouldn't have sucked so much at the Tour.

Of course someone like Van Hummel could beat Greipel, given that Greipel positions himself like he usually does

I didn't say it was completely irrelevant, just that your "sprinting form" is more consistent than anything else. I'm a bit of a sprinter myself (at a very low level! ) and find that my sprint is always on around the same level whilst my climbing can go from utterly horrible to, well, half-decent.

Cavendish for example can win any sprint with quite bad form but he can't get over a small hill unless he's in top shape.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

How many times have breakaways succeeded in LBL? I only remember Vino/Jens Voigt back in 2005.

breakaway? no no, my good man, it wass a well tought out attack by the strongest of the day

 

[Swede1]

Of course someone like Van Hummel could beat Greipel, given that Greipel positions himself like he usually does

I didn't say it was completely irrelevant, just that your "sprinting form" is more consistent than anything else. I'm a bit of a sprinter myself (at a very low level! ) and find that my sprint is always on around the same level whilst my climbing can go from utterly horrible to, well, half-decent.

Cavendish for example can win any sprint with quite bad form but he can't get over a small hill unless he's in top shape.

I agree with this. Even when Cav is in bad shape and gets dropped on every speed bump, he still ends up winning sprints simply because of his finishing quickness. HOwever with climbing, you actually still have to be in shape to win. The TDU this year will show that the best climber won't win on Willunga. Because the best climbers are not in shape yet. While the best sprinters will win, because they are simply the fastest.

 

[El Pistolero]

I agree with this. Even when Cav is in bad shape and gets dropped on every speed bump, he still ends up winning sprints simply because of his finishing quickness. HOwever with climbing, you actually still have to be in shape to win. The TDU this year will show that the best climber won't win on Willunga. Because the best climbers are not in shape yet. While the best sprinters will win, because they are simply the fastest.

Then why didn't Cav win everything in TDU this year?

I never compared sprinter's form with climber's form by the way. I do know what you say is completely false as Cav isn't nearly as dominant in sprints outside the Tour.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Vino/Kolobnev 2010.

no.

regarding sprinters and form, they need the form more to not be dropped on climbs, but tehy should still be able to sprint well. Guardini winning suggests no climbs were apparent

also if you look at how he won, he was very quick. amazing turn of speed. He'll be big.

 

[Swede1]

no.

regarding sprinters and form, they need the form more to not be dropped on climbs, but they should still be able to sprint well. Guardini winning suggests no climbs were apparent

also if you look at how he won, he was very quick. amazing turn of speed. He'll be big.

Yes this is what I mean't.

 

[Mitcholo]

Simon Gerrans. Every year people talk him up. Every year I see nothing.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Simon Gerrans. Every year people talk him up. Every year I see nothing.

I agree, so very overrated.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Simon Gerrans. Every year people talk him up. Every year I see nothing.

Not a bad call. Other than his breakaway wins I don't see why receives so much hype. Simon Clarke will be a good ardennes rider in a few years time.

 

[Nick C.]

Simon Gerrans. Every year people talk him up. Every year I see nothing.

Wasn't it just a few years ago that there was some "controversy" over who the Aussies should be backing at the Worlds?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Lol if you think Greipel wasn't sprinting faster at the Tour then he was at the Tour of Turkey.

A climber doesn't have to be in top shape as well to win a MTF.

petacchi says you are full of **** look at his tour 2004 sprints and what petacchi said about that. he was totally out of shape but won all sprints and dropped at the first mountain. but of course you know better

 

[hatcher]

Simon Gerrans 2011:

3rd Amstel Gold
2nd Plouay
5th Coppa Sabatini
Overall winner Tour of Denmark

Also 11th San Sebastian, and 12 LBL.

Saying he did "nothing" is untrue.

 

[El Pistolero]

petacchi says you are full of **** look at his tour 2004 sprints and what petacchi said about that. he was totally out of shape but won all sprints and dropped at the first mountain. but of course you know better

Look at Cavendish at the Tour and look at Cavendish outside the Tour

Saying form is totally irrelevant for a sprinter is the biggest load of bull I ever heard. I never said form affected their sprint as much as it affects a climber's climbing ability(don't even know why that came up as it has nothing to do with what I said). All I said was just because Guardini beat big names in a crappy little race doesn't mean he can do the same in the Tour(where there are enough totally flat stages). So I guess Ben Swift is a better sprinter than Cavendish and Greipel because he constantly beat them at the Tour Down Under

And Theo Bos is better than Cavendish of course, just look at the Tour of Oman. Owh, and Tom Boonen is faster than Cavendish as well if we're just going to look at the Tour of Qatar 2008-2011.

I'm ready to wager a bet that Cavendish will win more races outside the Tour next year, barring crashes, because he's more motivated now to perform well in his rainbow jersey(= his form will be better at the start of the season compared to this year).

 

[Panda Claws]

Guardini and co will not win in the tour because the pace is to high and exhausting.

Also, GVA will not perform.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I doubt anyone was peaking for the Tour of Turkey though. Van Hummel getting second says it all.

who brought it up?? well read again here it where you bring up that sprint is affected by form, which any sprinter disagrees with you. but you knoiw better of course

 

[El Pistolero]

who brought it up?? well read again here it where you bring up that sprint is affected by form, which any sprinter disagrees with you. but you knoiw better of course

Of course it affects you, I never said it affected as much as someone's climbing ability or time trial ability. If form had absolutely no effect on your sprint then Cavendish would also dominate outside Grand Tours. And he doesn't

You're not sprinting faster with an extra kilo

 

[will10]

Guardini and co will not win in the tour because the pace is to high and exhausting.

Also, GVA will not perform.

Farnese Vini won't be at the Tour, they might not even be at the Giro.