Thomas de Gendt Discussion Thread

[Buffalo Soldier]

Is it true he's a better rider because he stopped eating sausages?

It's amazing how much 'urban legends' exist about the guy.
"He never warms up before a TT"
"He doesn't want massage after a race"
"He rides better because he stopped eating sausages"
"He wins because he drinks horse milk"

 

[Kwibus]

Awesome.

Now I hope Vacansoleil will be able to sign him for a few more years.

 

[Michele]

6th on Alpe Dhuez(where he didn't even know he was at the front of the race and thought all the big names around him were having bad days. ) and fourth on the final time trial not good enough for you?

Forgot about that.
Cheers.

 

[maxmartin]

Job well done, see you in the vuelta

 

[roundabout]

Congratulations.

With a better team (or without the TTT) and no arbitrary time bonuses he would have beaten the much lauded "Purito".

 

[maxmartin]

But without 1min loss in TTT, I don't think he can get away that easily in the valley when all the others stop pedalling and expect Ryder to do the chase. The biggest loser in that stage is scarponi, if he work with Ryder to start the chase, he might still able to keep his third position. In the end, in the bike race if you want it ride to get it!!

Congratulations.

With a better team (or without the TTT) and no arbitrary time bonuses he would have beaten the much lauded "Purito".

 

[Bobby G]

After last years 3rd week showing, I saw what I thought was pretty long odds on De Gendt to win the Giro. Thought worth a bet, pound each way.... mistakenly placed on £10. Best mistake ever...... except my first born.

 

[roundabout]

But without 1min loss in TTT, I don't think he can get away that easily in the valley when all the others stop pedalling and expect Ryder to do the chase. The biggest loser in that stage is scarponi, if he work with Ryder to start the chase, he might still able to keep his third position. In the end, in the bike race if you want it ride to get it!!

I disagree, even with a minute less Garmin would have probably done the same as they would still need to get Hesjedal as far up the Stelvio as possible.

But it's funny what if nonetheless.

 

[The Hitch]

After last years 3rd week showing, I saw what I thought was pretty long odds on De Gendt to win the Giro. Thought worth a bet, pound each way.... mistakenly placed on £10. Best mistake ever...... except my first born.

lol i went for the same bet only didnt make no mistake

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Well... the Vuelta will be more difficult because they'll be having an eye on him and he won't get to sucker the competition into giving him a headstart again. Then again, he'll have a better preparation. What should his goal be? Top 10 and take it from there?

 

[maxmartin]

well, you always aim high. With already Giro podium position, i doubt he will aim top ten in his mind. Although don't think the Vuelta parcours fits him well.

Well... the Vuelta will be more difficult because they'll be having an eye on him and he won't get to sucker the competition into giving him a headstart again. Then again, he'll have a better preparation. What should his goal be? Top 10 and take it from there?

 

[SafeBet]

Really depends on the competition he'll get there.
If the field is as weak as the one in this Giro a podium shouldn't be out of the discussion.

Of course apart from Conti.

 

[The Hitch]

This has already been discussed and he should go for a stage win and podium and be content if it only goes top 5

 

[Andre.J]

Could De Gendt have won The Giro if the last stage been 10 or 20 kilometers longer?

 

[Bobby G]

I tend to see a lot of riders looking to 'save their season' at the Vuelta, which usually doesn't end to well (exception of Wiggins last year), with either injured riders or riders who were poor in the Tour looking to right a wrong. Obviously there's still a lot of talent there, but should he produce a solid ride, I can see him finishing top 5. Just stick at it, performing constantly like at this Giro. The course should suit Purito more than the Giro, and with Contador riding I can't see him seriously threatening the podium without an improvement. But a top 5 is possible.

I'm a big fan of hid and would love to see him do well, but without the incredible ride up the Stelvio, which was incredible, he wouldn't of podiumed. The riders behind were ignorant of De Gendt and didn't react when they should've in the valley. If they had at least kept a steady pace, I think he may still have won the stage, but he wouldn't been able to make such a huge leap up the GC.

 

[Frosty]

Could De Gendt have won The Giro if the last stage been 10 or 20 kilometers longer?

In the last stage (the TT), de Gendt finished 8 seconds ahead after 31.5km. He needed an extra 1 minute 39 seconds.

 

[Bobby G]

In the last stage (the TT), de Gendt finished 8 seconds ahead after 31.5km. He needed an extra 1 minute 39 seconds.

True, but I think De Gendt is much better suited to the longer course. Once he gets his big gear going he can really keep motoring. Rodriguez just gave it his all for 30k and could never have performed like that over 50k and Hesjedal seems to fair better over the shorter distances (from my observations and feelings, have not looked at any historical results).

 

[palmerq]

After last years 3rd week showing, I saw what I thought was pretty long odds on De Gendt to win the Giro. Thought worth a bet, pound each way.... mistakenly placed on £10. Best mistake ever...... except my first born.

wow great bet even if an extra 0 was added by accident

 

[Frosty]

True, but I think De Gendt is much better suited to the longer course. Once he gets his big gear going he can really keep motoring. Rodriguez just gave it his all for 30k and could never have performed like that over 50k and Hesjedal seems to fair better over the shorter distances (from my observations and feelings, have not looked at any historical results).

True perhaps but i think we can say based on today's performances that an extra 20km wouldnt have resulted in de Gendt winning the Giro.

 

[Bobby G]

True perhaps but i think we can say based on today's performances that an extra 20km wouldnt have resulted in de Gendt winning the Giro.

Agree with you entirely. I think he'd have caught Purito, but still been 45 secs at least down on Hesjedal. If, buts and maybes though.

 

[BillytheKid]

True perhaps but i think we can say based on today's performances that an extra 20km wouldnt have resulted in de Gendt winning the Giro.

After the Stelvio, 50Ks? De Gendt would have been hard pressed and likely would have faded after the huge effort the day before.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

In the last stage (the TT), de Gendt finished 8 seconds ahead after 31.5km. He needed an extra 1 minute 39 seconds.

Sure, but it doesn't always work that way. Once decay sets in, it increases exponentially. Good TT riders are much better at spreading their effort over the entire course, where as lesser TTists run out of juice too soon and blow themselves up, or don't go deep enough out of fear of blowing up too soon. The longer the TT, the more in favor of the better TT. It's not just deviding and multiplying. If De Gendt took 8 seconds on Hesjedal in 30k (all of which he took in the last kilometres), that doesn't mean he would only take 16 seconds in 60k. He wouldn't have taken enough time had it been a 40k TT, but 50k... might well have been enough. But we'll never really know, will we.

PS: the distance was 28.2 kilometres, not 31.5.

After the Stelvio, 50Ks? De Gendt would have been hard pressed and likely would have faded after the huge effort the day before.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. He basically solo'd his way up Alpe d'Huez too and finished 4th/3rd in the ITT the next day in the TDF. The 8 seconds he took on Hesjedal today (/yesterday), he took in the last part of the ITT.

 

[BillytheKid]

Sure, but it doesn't always work that way. Once decay sets in, it increases exponentially. Good TT riders are much better at spreading their effort over the entire course, where as lesser TTists run out of juice too soon and blow themselves up, or don't go deep enough out of fear of blowing up too soon. The longer the TT, the more in favor of the better TT. It's not just deviding and multiplying. If De Gendt took 8 seconds on Hesjedal in 30k (all of which he took in the last kilometres), that doesn't mean he would only take 16 seconds in 60k. He wouldn't have taken enough time had it been a 40k TT, but 50k... might well have been enough.

PS: the distance was 28.2 kilometres, not 31.5.

Your not allowing for the variables. De Gendt did ride the long ITT on the Stelvio the day before basically. You can usally have only one long and great effort like that. Your logic is not impossible, but unlikely. A longer TT today would have produced much the same result as the 30k.

 

[El Pistolero]

No, De Gendt was gaining on Hesjedal in the second part of the time trial. He has great recuperation. Hesjedal was just as tired from his effort yesterday than De Gendt.

 

[BillytheKid]

Sure, but it doesn't always work that way. Once decay sets in, it increases exponentially. Good TT riders are much better at spreading their effort over the entire course, where as lesser TTists run out of juice too soon and blow themselves up, or don't go deep enough out of fear of blowing up too soon. The longer the TT, the more in favor of the better TT. It's not just deviding and multiplying. If De Gendt took 8 seconds on Hesjedal in 30k (all of which he took in the last kilometres), that doesn't mean he would only take 16 seconds in 60k. He wouldn't have taken enough time had it been a 40k TT, but 50k... might well have been enough. But we'll never really know, will we.

PS: the distance was 28.2 kilometres, not 31.5.



I wouldn't be too sure about that. He basically solo'd his way up Alpe d'Huez too and finished 4th/3rd in the ITT the next day in the TDF. The 8 seconds he took on Hesjedal today (/yesterday), he took in the last part of the ITT.

That was last year. Still not a typical result. Solo efforts are ITT's and something like that will take it out at some point. Like I said not impossible, just unlikely.