Tour Match Up: Gesink v Van Den Broeck

[Walkman]

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.

Ok, has he complained about it when racing?

As for the topic, I think Gesink will come out on top thought last year I was backing JVDB and I expect him to do well this year. Think both could end up top-5.

My only concern is for Gesink, as if he went to deep in Cali (peaking) and now is trying to "re-peak" Levi style...

If not, Gesink in top form is going to be a treat watching!!

 

[El Pistolero]

Which is true.

So you're saying Lotto can win races with non-winners, but Rabobank can't win races with winners?

 

[The Hitch]

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.

did he try in catalunya? All i remember was him finishing in groups of 40 on every stage and only beating the 10 other people who had the same time as him on gc, on the basis that he finished marginally higher in he mid pack on the sprints.

 

[theyoungest]

Ok, has he complained about it when racing?

As for the topic, I think Gesink will come out on top thought last year I was backing JVDB and I expect him to do well this year. Think both could end up top-5.

My only concern is for Gesink, as if he went to deep in Cali (peaking) and now is trying to "re-peak" Levi style...

If not, Gesink in top form is going to be a treat watching!!

He did a hard training block before California, and then an endurance training block before Suisse. So his form should be on the up again (that's the plan, at least).

He says he feels the pin when it's cold, or when a stage starts uphill. A tinge of pain in his leg, and a little stiff. He also has no idea how it will be over three weeks racing.

did he try in catalunya? All i remember was him finishing in groups of 40 on every stage and only beating the 10 other people who had the same time as him on gc, on the basis that he finished marginally higher in he mid pack on the sprints.

I remember him being in some sort of attack with Quintana. And being brought back by Gesink, as it happens.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He attacked a couple of times in the 'hardest' stages

 

[boomcie]

I didn't necessarily refer to Crash's ability to crash everywhere. Just his bewildering array of iffy performances (due to whatever) and terrible peaking.

JVDB is less gifted and pretty much terrible all year, but knows how to peak for the Tour. He will be up there.

 

[Frosty]

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.

Hm, i'm imagining lots of Dutch fans at the top of climbs with very strong magnets

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

There already is a recent topic about Gesink, Van Den Broeck and Nibali. Why open up this cesspool of a topic again?

Still find it funny how perception works. JvdB is less talented. In climbing like a hunchback?

 

[The Hitch]

Hm, i'm imagining lots of Dutch fans at the top of climbs with very strong magnets

nice one

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

There already is a recent topic about Gesink, Van Den Broeck and Nibali. Why open up this cesspool of a topic again?

Still find it funny how perception works. JvdB is less talented. In climbing like a hunchback?

No. JvdB is simply less talented. Compare their achievements. It's pretty big. Only thing JvdB has up on Gesink is he finished 1 spot higher in the Tour. In everything else he has done worse. Pro victories, placings in other stage-races, classics, everything. And then Gesink is 3 years younger as well.

You might say however JvdB has a better focus on the Tour.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

No. JvdB is simply less talented. Compare their achievements. It's pretty big. Only thing JvdB has up on Gesink is he finished 1 spot higher in the Tour. In everything else he has done worse. Pro victories, placings in other stage-races, classics, everything. And then Gesink is 3 years younger as well.

You might say however JvdB has a better focus on the Tour.

What stage races would that be? JvdB was 6th when he was 25 in the Giro. He placed 8th in the Vuelta last year with hardly an optimal preparation. So i think their GT GC results are in balance. Yeah, you mean one week stage races etc, sure. Can't perform when you're not competing or don't care, that's for sure. So like i said, it comes down to perception. The age difference doesn't count (yet) in my book, because Gesink was brought much sooner and schooled better and earlier on towards GC. The only way to assess that is after both their careers have ended. And for now, they are facing each other as is. Age difference included. Is Gesink a better climber or a better TT'er? I don't think so, i'd rate them about the same. All the time there are Dutch people complaining on the forum "Gesink can't handle a bike" or "Gesink isn't good in TT that start off with a climb" etc... do these things not count towards talent? Van Den Broeck is always crap after a rest day, how many times have you heard that being used as an excuse why he could not be better in a GC without it being seen as a lack of talent? But sure, Gesink wins more easily. He also rides more races. I for one hope JVDB keeps his word and rides the Vuelta this year. Not for GC but for stage wins. It might do him a world of good. Also, perception, you know.

And this is exactly why these topics stink. You always get these comparisons of things that can't be compared (age, choice of schedule etc)... and while head-to-heads don't give a clear victor, one will be argued to be more talented and the other having a better work ethos. BS.

 

[The Hitch]

There already is a recent topic about Gesink, Van Den Broeck and Nibali. Why open up this cesspool of a topic again?

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Has nothing to do with heat. But with smell. Read last years posts and you'll know what i mean. And again, why not just pose the question in the Gesink/JVDB/Nibali topic? Same discussion going on in there. Or does the inclusion of Nibali trouble your mind?

 

[The Hitch]

how does metaphorical heat differ from metaphorical smell?

the truman quote just means that if you dont like the thread your best of not reading it, dont take it literrally.

You seem to think though that this thread is haunted or something. What difference does it make if i ask the question here or in another thread, its just a question jeez.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I read somewhere if you say "tour match up: gesink v van den broeck" in a mirror three times they both crash in the following race.

 

[blaxland]

This is one match up in the tour ive been waiting for.(Gesink v VDB)Gesink has been progressing quite nicely this season and me thinks this tour is where he will show non believers what he is all about.Like so many others luck will play its part and my fingers are crossed for both of these riders.2012 should be their years to shine,my money is on Robert"but Jurgen has also been building towards july,and so far things have gone well.

 

[theyoungest]

I read somewhere if you say "tour match up: gesink v van den broeck" in a mirror three times they both crash in the following race.

I read somewhere that if you say "Gesink beat VDB in a pi$$ing contest once", Logic-is-your-friend will explode.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I read somewhere that if you say "Gesink beat VDB in a pi$$ing contest once", Logic-is-your-friend will explode.

Right. I just don't like this topic for reasons explained (last year it was filled with flamebait and turned into a cesspool). And i think it's BS to speak in terms of talent. I'm actually wondering how much of the conception originates from JVDB talking like a hick.

 

[Azabael]

Right. I just don't like this topic for reasons explained (last year it was filled with flamebait and turned into a cesspool). And i think it's BS to speak in terms of talent. I'm actually wondering how much of the conception originates from JVDB talking like a hick.

Well right now you are the only one setting a bad atmosphere. Ironical.

Hm, i'm imagining lots of Dutch fans at the top of climbs with very strong magnets

Haha. Maybe it can be less obvious than the French or Spaniards simply pushing.

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.

Honestly, I had to figure out to what extent you weren't trolling. But then it hit me. You played the intro of a very bad movie there. The kind of bad that makes you laugh and thus make it worth watching. I imagine you pressing 'Submit Reply', rubbing your hands against each other in excitement, grabbing your can of popcorn, gently putting your legs on your table while leaning back in your chair to repeatively hit F5 like a boss.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The Hitch, ready for the Tour

 

[Azabael]

The Hitch, ready for the Tour

Haha

A knife. For people who've played so much WoW, their fingers are too fat to open an energy drink with their bare hands.

 

[The Hitch]

The Hitch, ready for the Tour

Just so happens im going on away for a month tomorrow so i will miss all.of it

 

[Azabael]

Just so happens im going on away for a month tomorrow so i will miss all.of it

I bet you weren't the one suggesting the date of that trip.

 

[The Hitch]

I bet you weren't the one suggesting the date of that trip.

I was either going to miss the tour.or the Olympics or not go at all. Gts come thrice a year olympics once every 4. It was not a hard choice. July has greater appeal than just the tdf.

 

[Azabael]

I was either going to miss the tour.or the Olympics or not go at all. Gts come thrice a year olympics once every 4. It was not a hard choice. July has greater appeal than just the tdf.

Especially olympics in your own country, let alone city.
But definitely. For instance, I'd never pick cycling over a girl I adore. That's insanity. Have fun anyway.