Teams & Riders The official Wilco Kelderman is the new Merckx-thread

[gustienordic]

The thing I worry about is what Boogard said in an interview not long ago... that while at Rabobank, Gesink, Krus, & Mollema will not win a GT. I fear if Wilco stays at Rabobank, he will go the same way as these guys...

I would love to see Kelderman & Slagter be THE leaders on a team

 

[theyoungest]

The thing I worry about is what Boogard said in an interview not long ago... that while at Rabobank, Gesink, Krus, & Mollema will not win a GT. I fear if Wilco stays at Rabobank, he will go the same way as these guys...

I would love to see Kelderman & Slagter be THE leaders on a team

And Boogerd should know, after all he rode for this team for his entire career, and hardly ever won a race

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

problem with rabobank is that the same faces worked for the team for so long

they need some new blood, new ideas especially. Look at Sky bringing in rowing coaches and doctors from other sports and what not.

A fresh view wouldn't hurt Rabobank...

 

[TeoSheva]

any news on the calendar of Wilko?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Dutch champs and in july Tour de Pologne I think

 

[gerundium]

Think i read he wouldn't be doing a GT this year, Rabobank thinks its too soon for him. He would be focussing on national TT championships as well i believe.

 

[theyoungest]

problem with rabobank is that the same faces worked for the team for so long

they need some new blood, new ideas especially. Look at Sky bringing in rowing coaches and doctors from other sports and what not.

A fresh view wouldn't hurt Rabobank...

That's why they now have an "innovation manager"

I wouldn't mind seeing some of the old familiar faces like Erik Dekker or Frans Maassen go. But who to replace them with? Gert Jakobs?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

That's why they now have an "innovation manager"

I wouldn't mind seeing some of the old familiar faces like Erik Dekker or Frans Maassen go. But who to replace them with? Gert Jakobs?

johan derksen, francois boulanger and frits spits?

 

[theyoungest]

BTW, to make this more Wilco-related, I read in a Velonews interview that they've already told Wilco to use a 27 behind "like Robert Gesink", rather than a 23. The destruction has started

 

[Havetts]

Noooooooooooo... **** Rabo's high cadence policy, everyone does it now and starts driving me crazy..

Could this be the secret reason Pieter Weening left? Didnt want to stop turning the 53x12 ?

 

[ak-zaaf]

BTW, to make this more Wilco-related, I read in a Velonews interview that they've already told Wilco to use a 27 behind "like Robert Gesink", rather than a 23. The destruction has started

If he was a serious pro he'd get a foreign trainer and move to Italy. Preferably Lucca

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Giro almost over, and TAWK is now 17th in the GC. About the same as Nibali in his 1st GT (also the Giro, 19th)

Could he follow a similar pattern as Nibali in GT's?

2007 Giro: 19
2008 Giro: 11
2008 Tour: 20
2009 Tour: 6
2010 Giro: 3
2010 Vuelta: 1
2011 Giro: 2
2011 Vuelta: 7
2012 Tour: 3

Ofcourse Majka and Betancur did better in the u23 category, but that doesn't prove much (Gesink in his 1st GT at a younger age as Nibali, 7th in Vuelta.. look what the difference is now)

 

[Der Effe]

Omg did you guys see his win in Denmark? The rainbow jersey will look tremendous on him.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I hear Keldermerckx will win ENECO Tour and World champs next.

 

[Midrider]

Maybe a good time to revive this thread?

Looks like Kelderman has really picked up form lately. He's been good all season so far, and supposedly he's peaking at the giro. Last two days he's shown very positive signs, I think he's in great form. Can't wait to see how he does in the high mountains.

 

[classicomano]

Heres an interview with him in Dutch, very confident about his chances for a Top 10. Headline reads: when im in good shape, the top guys wont be able to go much faster than me.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well that was unexpected. Still wonder how he will do in the really long climbs.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Well that was unexpected. Still wonder how he will do in the really long climbs.

He looked pretty comfortable I thought.

I am most intrigued to see how he goes on the zoncolan

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Looks who's back..it's TLB in da house

 

[SafeBet]

Expectations for the TT?

 

[classicomano]

Expectations for the TT?

His TT's have been a bit overrated since DL 2012 where he was catching other riders for the entire course.

But hes also stronger now and in great shape so id say a Top 15 for sure.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He finished between 10th and 20th for most of his timetrials except the Dauphine one and some shorter ones (like winning Tour of Denmark timetrial)

But yeah, his shape seems to be great. Top 10 should be possible in the time trial

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Last year he was 14th despite a crash. I'm expecting at least a top 10, but to fair his TT's haven't been that impressive, apart from in the Dauphine. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how well he does.

 

[Rollthedice]

Keldermerckx himself:

"There are not many time trial specialists in this field so climbing to a top five position after Thursday should be possible."

 

[SafeBet]

Last year he was 14th despite a crash. I'm expecting at least a top 10, but to fair his TT's haven't been that impressive, apart from in the Dauphine. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how well he does.

17th

......