Point being, take CX away and perception would shift completely. Suddenly it's about whether a rider cares enough about something he's not as good at as a different rider. Van Aert caring about CX now turns into a weakness, instead of a strength.Makes little sense to bother with it anyway if you aren't good enough. He could try in a mountain stage and end, idk, top 40 on a good day. And bother with a TT and end, idk, top 20. And he'd still be soundly beaten by Van Aert (and everyone else who's good at it).
This is exactly what i was trying to address in my previous post. In any case, i like to support riders more than i like to tear down others. I also get a little nauseous reading the clinic forum. Even if 90% of riders that are being "discussed" there, are actually dirty, that still leaves 10% of riders who are clean that get dragged through the mud unjustly, based on nothing but speculation.Yeah, but it’s the same rhetoric the other way around as well. People find excuses for their favorite rider(s) all the time. Not exclusively on this forum.
In that case two can play that game. If x reason is true that Mathiue won x race than x reason is also true if he lost it. Same can be said for Wout or other racers.
Which is why I try to stay away from saying those types of things even if there are elements of truths in it for both sides.
Give credit and respect where credit and respect are due and you will get it back. All of the rest who do not do so, are just fanboys and “haters” whose opinion don’t mater anyway. Full stop.