Tour Match Up: Gesink v Van Den Broeck

[Logic-is-your-friend]

great news VdB for the Vuelta GC

I see him do top 10. But how much further he'll get i have no idea. Top 5? Podium? Win? Win by 25 minutes?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

In his latest telegraaf column Gesink says Evans is an example for him. He can relate to the bad luck Evans had in previous years and people saying Evans couldn't handle stress or always had a bad day, but in the end he proved he can do it.
Gesink recognizes himself in early Evans.

Kinda have to say, I did as well in this Tour. Even the reaction in interviews was sometimes as stressed in Cadels 'bad years'

 

[theyoungest]

He has said before that Evans is his favourite rider in the current peloton, because he's good all year long.

Apparently he's forgotten about Mont Ventoux, and the Vuelta headbutt

 

[Spine Concept]

In his latest telegraaf column Gesink says Evans is an example for him. He can relate to the bad luck Evans had in previous years and people saying Evans couldn't handle stress or always had a bad day, but in the end he proved he can do it.
Gesink recognizes himself in early Evans.

Kinda have to say, I did as well in this Tour. Even the reaction in interviews was sometimes as stressed in Cadels 'bad years'

I'm not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing. If only he had half the punch Evans has... Oh well, it is what it is. I just hope he gets through this rough patch as soon as possible, this could be a make or break year for him, at least mentally. I hope he shows signs of his form of last year before he had to forgo the Giro di Lombardia - where he was considered one of the favorites after his Emillia victory.

 

[K-0tic]

I'm not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing. If only he had half the punch Evans has... Oh well, it is what it is. I just hope he gets through this rough patch as soon as possible, this could be a make or break year for him, at least mentally. I hope he shows signs of his form of last year before he had to forgo the Giro di Lombardia - where he was considered one of the favorites after his Emillia victory.

Well let's just hope he can learn the same lessons as Cadel did and improve from their on because he really has too. It's not only bad luck why Cadel lost it in previous years.

 

[Franklin]

I see him do top 10. But how much further he'll get i have no idea. Top 5? Podium? Win? Win by 25 minutes?

You expect all that after his crash?

I would be utterly amazed... and actually dismayed tbh.

 

[theyoungest]

I'm not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing. If only he had half the punch Evans has...

What are you talking about? Even Gesink is punchier than Evans (on a real climb I mean, not on a hill).

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

You expect all that after his crash?

I would be utterly amazed... and actually dismayed tbh.

Wow, reading comprehension ftw. I said i can see him finish top 10.

 

[Spine Concept]

What are you talking about? Even Gesink is punchier than Evans (on a real climb I mean, not on a hill).

I was talking about a hill, obviously. To be more specific I was working the (semi-) classics angle. It could be of great use on a real climb as well, since the way he handles a change of tempo isn't exactly ideal either. He tends to stay with his own pace and eventually catch up, however, he could easily lose time depending where the attack is placed and the magnitude of it.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

You expect all that after his crash?

I would be utterly amazed... and actually dismayed tbh.

His crash was bad. But he's already training again. If he wants to be good in September, when already in top form in July, i guess it's better to have rested for two weeks than to have ridden a full tour the France...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

i would be amazed if Vandenbroeck has any kind of form at the beginning of the Vuelta. But at the end he might be good enough to get a stagewin in the mountains

 

[Michielveedeebee]

i would be amazed if Vandenbroeck has any kind of form at the beginning of the Vuelta. But at the end he might be good enough to get a stagewin in the mountains

why ? he stopped training for maybe a week. he's been on the rollers since the 2nd week of the Tour... I don't think he'll be bad... at least I hope so

 

[The Hitch]

So who is going to perform better this year, i am interested.

Gesink is obviously a superior rider but he has an injury which we dont know how badly it will effect him, and he has a tendency to get injured as well.

 

[Walkman]

So who is going to perform better this year, i am interested.

Gesink is obviously a superior rider but he has an injury which we dont know how badly it will effect him, and he has a tendency to get injured as well.

Gesink is injured? Or are you talking about his broken leg?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Í think he is talking about the iron pin Gesink still has in his leg. He's fine ofcourse. But it could have some effect.

 

[taiwan]

Gesink has by far and away the stronger team. Should be worth something unless it's every man for himself at Rabosoleil.

 

[El Pistolero]

Gesink has by far and away the stronger team. Should be worth something unless it's every man for himself at Rabosoleil.

That's the first time this season I've seen someone state Rabobank has by far a stronger team.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

That's the first time this season I've seen someone state Rabobank has by far a stronger team.

Well duh. That was logical the entire season, that they were gearing for the Tour and that with 4 riders who did a top 10 in a GC before (Gesink, Mollema, Kruijswijk + LLS).

On paper they have one of the strongest teams. Too bad paper isn't worth much

 

[theyoungest]

That's the first time this season I've seen someone state Rabobank has by far a stronger team.

It's not hard though, when you're up against Lotto.

 

[The Hitch]

I think Rabo do have the strongest team. strongest riders anyway, though sky with this revolutionary idea of using a swimming coach rather than a cycling one, will maybe be able to morph more riders into heads of state.

Movistar comes close, but wont match 2/3 top 5 contenders.

 

[El Pistolero]

It's not hard though, when you're up against Lotto.

Yeah, but sadly I also remember arguments that Lotto didn't have enough people to win races and that Rabo was much stronger in depth.

 

[boomcie]

Intrinsically, Crash is obviously the strongest rider, but JVDB is the safer bet.

 

[theyoungest]

Yeah, but sadly I also remember arguments that Lotto didn't have enough people to win races and that Rabo was much stronger in depth.

Which is true.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yup we saw how safe JvdB was last year

Just saying. It can happen to everyone. That's why I'm glad at least Gesink tries to win something of note during the season. And even a guy like Wiggins does the same. JvdB if he crashes out is left with so little. I do wish he tried more like in Catalunya.

 

[theyoungest]

Yup we saw how safe JvdB was last year

Just saying. It can happen to everyone.

And that other year, when he crashed in the team time trial.