Tour de Romandie 2022 (April 26 - May 1)

[Bolder]

I'm really happy for Geschke. Often when he had the legs of his life he contributed them to help his captain like in the Tour (I think in 2018?) for Dumoulin. It's great to see someone this dedicated to his team getting a result for himself.

Of course the field was not that good in Romandie but Vlasov seems to be someone who could make the Tour interesting. Of course the Slovenians are the favourites but it would be great if someone else could but in a fight. With Martinez relying on Martinez and Mas always missing the last step of getting close he could be the best bet.

But Bora have to learn to ride as a team. They were badly out of place in the crash on Stage 1, Großschartner was blocking Vlasov's sprint in Stage 3 and Higuita/Vlasov not really riding like a team on stage 4. Also the team not able to impose themselves as a presence in stage 4 despite having the best climber in the field and a strong support cast (even if hampered by injuries and sickness). I don't know if the get it sorted out in the next months. There season is saved right now by the individual performance by Higuita and Vlasov, but the team performance, communication and tactics look quite bad since the new leadership is on board.

Today was a good day for Bora.

 

[AlfaLum]

I'm really happy for Geschke. Often when he had the legs of his life he contributed them to help his captain like in the Tour (I think in 2018?) for Dumoulin. It's great to see someone this dedicated to his team getting a result for himself.

Of course the field was not that good in Romandie but Vlasov seems to be someone who could make the Tour interesting. Of course the Slovenians are the favourites but it would be great if someone else could but in a fight. With Martinez relying on Martinez and Mas always missing the last step of getting close he could be the best bet.

But Bora have to learn to ride as a team. They were badly out of place in the crash on Stage 1, Großschartner was blocking Vlasov's sprint in Stage 3 and Higuita/Vlasov not really riding like a team on stage 4. Also the team not able to impose themselves as a presence in stage 4 despite having the best climber in the field and a strong support cast (even if hampered by injuries and sickness). I don't know if the get it sorted out in the next months. There season is saved right now by the individual performance by Higuita and Vlasov, but the team performance, communication and tactics look quite bad since the new leadership is on board.

Agreed. The team suffers a bit from a lack of hierarchy for the moment, although Schachmann and Grossschartner were riding for Vlasov yesterday. I guess it makes sense that this would happen with Vlasov, Higuita and Hindley infiltrating in a team that had quite a few riders already not used to being domestiques. However for the time being I guess the leadership role for Vlasov (Dauphine/Tour) and Higuita (Vuelta) is easily secured.

 

[Bolder]

JV working for the wrong rider! LOL

I know Kuss is not the most ambitious rider but he is capable of fighting for a podium in races like this. I was surprised that Dennis didn’t do better but yesterday must’ve taken a lot out of him.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Dutch Eurosport baffled at the finish that Vlasov had not caught Ayuso during the MTT. Especially remarkable considering Ayuso started after Vlasov.

 

[KZD]

Yeah, I'm a bit worried about Bora potentially overracing him during the spring.

No worries, Russians are used to it

 

[Filippo_3467]

Agreed. The team suffers a bit from a lack of hierarchy for the moment, although Schachmann and Grossschartner were riding for Vlasov yesterday. I guess it makes sense that this would happen with Vlasov, Higuita and Hindley infiltrating in a team that had quite a few riders already not used to being domestiques. However for the time being I guess the leadership role for Vlasov (Dauphine/Tour) and Higuita (Vuelta) is easily secured.

If they get their priorities straight for the tour that could be a really great team that could achieve results near their 2019 Tour. Guys like van Poppel, Politt or Mullen can be of great help in the cobble stage, crosswinds and an odd hectic opening week. Großschartner and Konrad should be at least decent climbing domestiques to help Vlasov out with positioning and water bottles in the high mountains. If Bennett really gets into form, they should also have a good leadout. Maybe not Quickstep level, but a stage win could be possible. Also a few chances for Schachmann, Konrad or Politt from the break. So it's a lot of objectives and individual goals but they could manage it in the past so a Top 5 GC and stage win should be possible. Green for Bennett is a big stretch.

The Vuelta will be the more interesting approach. they used it in the last few years as a development race and didn't field a stron squad. It seems that is happening again. I think this will totally destroy any hopes for Higuita of a Top 3 maybe Top 5 because the TTT will be brutal and there are more TT kms. It'Äs a discussion for another thread but I really like Evenepoel for it.

I'm also keen on seeing Ayuso race the vuelta. I think he's not scheduled to do so, but I think they should rethink it. He looked good this week. He's also really consistent what is even more suprising to me at his age. Thoase mountains TT are tricky as we saw with Plapp and Dennis so I think he did quite well today.

 

[Lequack]

Dutch Eurosport baffled at the finish that Vlasov had not caught Ayuso during the MTT. Especially remarkable considering Ayuso started after Vlasov.

English comemntators had the same problem. Matt Stephens was saying Vlasov will catch Ayuso any time now haha.

 

[Red Rick]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1520792513702998017

View: https://twitter.com/NaichacaCycling/status/1520792513702998017

 

[Netserk]

I think that's including the bike changes, for the record. (And obviously the ~7'30'' in the legs before that)

 

[Samu Cuenca]

English comemntators had the same problem. Matt Stephens was saying Vlasov will catch Ayuso any time now haha.

Thomas Bay on Danish ES made the same mistake. Maybe they all share one set of eyes.

 

[Sciatic]

Interesting feature of today’s top ten: 10 riders from 10 different countries. Or 9 different countries and one non-country if you go by the flags.

 

[gunara]

I've always liked Geschke, he's tough. But honestly I didn't even really remember which team he rode for these days before today.

 

[jmdirt]

Vlasov huh?! Nice suffering!

 

[Red Rick]

I think that's including the bike changes, for the record. (And obviously the ~7'30'' in the legs before that)

Pog just called, bike change and 40 minutes no excuse for not breaking record

 

[HelloDolly]

I said it last week , I said it this week and I will say it next week Vlasov should be going to the Giro
His form is terrific and could be gone in July
Also he can do it all and hard to beat Pogacar, Roglic and co who are seasoned at the Tour

I guess Kilderman and Hindly had bagged the Giro

 

[Tonton]

F***ing yes Thibaut

Top step in July guaranteed.

In the bag!

Good day on the bike for Tibopino, but the story is that well deserved win for Vlasov. He was the best rider this week. I expected better from Dennis today. Geschke...how did he do it? Was he in the breakaway? Jokes aside, great ride Simon.

 

[Danskebjerge]

Putin is happy now - some Russian success in international sports. Sad that cycling once again represents lack of moral standards.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Rohan looked super good uphill, on the climb to Stelvio in 2022. Powerful and elegant and fast.

Yesterday, uphill, he looked slow, his position was tense, and he lost surprisingly much time. But probably Romandie wasn‘t a really big goal for him, anyways. His week was quite good, in general. A completely flat TT on the final stage would have suited him more.

 

[gunara]

Rohan looked super good uphill, on the climb to Stelvio in 2022. Powerful and elegant and fast.

Yesterday, uphill, he looked slow, his position was tense, and he lost surprisingly much time. But probably Romandie wasn‘t a really big goal for him, anyways. His week was quite good, in general. A completely flat TT on the final stage would have suited him more.

But Romandie - despite having relatively high TT length ratio - still see itself as a climbing heavy stage races, a final flat TT - with such mild mountain stages preceding it - won't produce a desired type of winner.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

But Romandie - despite having relatively high TT length ratio - still see itself as a climbing heavy stage races, a final flat TT - with such mild mountain stages preceding it - won't produce a desired type of winner.

Exactly… And MTTs are great, in general…

In all, Romandie again was a great race. Best time of the year, nice landscape, nice images… Pleasure to watch…

 

[tobydawq]

Rohan looked super good uphill, on the climb to Stelvio in 2022. Powerful and elegant and fast.

Yesterday, uphill, he looked slow, his position was tense, and he lost surprisingly much time. But probably Romandie wasn‘t a really big goal for him, anyways. His week was quite good, in general. A completely flat TT on the final stage would have suited him more.

I think it was not in 2022 that he looked good on the Stelvio.

 

[RedheadDane]

Rohan looked super good uphill, on the climb to Stelvio in 2022. Powerful and elegant and fast.

Are you a timetraveller?

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I think it was not in 2022 that he looked good on the Stelvio.

Sorry, I meant 2020…