Tour of Oman

[Andre.J]

So who are the favourites for this one?

 

[taiwan]

Rodriguez-Menchov-Vino-Gesink-Fuglsang?

 

[Jamsque]

It's a bit of a crapshoot, there are plenty of talented climbers and time trialists in the field, it's going to come down to who has the best form this early in the season and how hard the mountain-top finish is raced.

 

[Christian]

Rodriguez-Menchov-Vino-Gesink-Fuglsang?

I'd say Monfort rather than Fuglsang

 

[theyoungest]

I'd say Monfort rather than Fuglsang

That climb is too hard for Monfort.

 

[maltiv]

Merckx predicts the green mountain stage will decide the winner, then goes on to list Gesink, Rodriguez, EBH (?) and Phinney (????) as favourites.

 

[Jamsque]

Merckx predicts the green mountain stage will decide the winner, then goes on to list Gesink, Rodriguez, EBH (?) and Phinney (????) as favourites.

He also predicted that Cancellara would win the Tour de France.

 

[hrotha]

Either Merckx is completely senile, or he's trying to see how much bull**** he can get away with saying before the media decides they shouldn't listen to him as an expert.

 

[MD FACG FACP]

Ya Phinney looks good except for that 10 minutes he'll lose on the green mountain stage.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Phinney this, Phinney that.
He's just 20 and in his first full racing season.
Mid GC will be a good start.
Give him a chance, Ed.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Merckx is a legend, but this is not the first time he said some weird things.

Kind of like Cruyff in football, nobody can follow the unlogic.

 

[Sasquatch]

Pinotti, Siutsou or Rodriguez

17 and 18% parts of that climb - that suits Rodriguez. But will his focus on the TDF mean he's not in form?

Pinotti is someone who doesn't need to focus on races. He's a good chance.

 

[taiwan]

Pinotti, Siutsou or Rodriguez

17 and 18% parts of that climb - that suits Rodriguez. But will his focus on the TDF mean he's not in form?

Pinotti is someone who doesn't need to focus on races. He's a good chance.

Rodriguez will need to be in form for the Ardennes first...

[edit] BTW is Menchov not riding Oman? he was at the team presentation in Italy, and it's reported he won't ride on sports.fr (they're also saying he may still go to Astana or Saxo Bank, but I don't see that that's credible news).

 

[Ferminal]

He's doing the Giro not TdF!

Against Vino he will lose a minute or so on the TT, I'm not sure he will be able to get that on the climb.

 

[Sasquatch]

He's doing the Giro not TdF!

Against Vino he will lose a minute or so on the TT, I'm not sure he will be able to get that on the climb.

Isn't the time trial being raced on road bikes and isn't half of it climbing? Rodriguez shouldn't lose too much time if that's the case.

 

[royalpig180]

Isn't the time trial being raced on road bikes and isn't half of it climbing? Rodriguez shouldn't lose too much time if that's the case.

Yes, Yes, and no. Rodriguez will always find a way to blow up in an ITT. With that said, he may pick up enough time on the Green Mountain stage (if he's in good form) to hold off the time trialists, but I think someone like pinotti is a safer bet for the overall (not necessarily Pinotti, but more that type of rider).

 

[theyoungest]

Yes, Yes, and no. Rodriguez will always find a way to blow up in an ITT. With that said, he may pick up enough time on the Green Mountain stage (if he's in good form) to hold off the time trialists, but I think someone like pinotti is a safer bet for the overall (not necessarily Pinotti, but more that type of rider).

This TT looks quite good for him, a bit like the one in Pais Vasco where he got 7th last year. So no, he doesn't always blow up in an ITT.

 

[craig1985]

Grega Bole and Lampre out training:

And the hotel swimming pool:

 

[Moondance]

While I'm happy that Merckx recognizes the greatness that is Bobby Gesink, he's clearly drunk if he thinks Phinney will be competitive.... Maybe he's still drinking the Kool-Aid from a year back, when Phinney was still 'the next Lance Armstrong' before he became 'the next Fabian Cancellara.'

 

[Moondance]

He also predicted that Cancellara would win the Tour de France.

Gilbert too...

 

[auscyclefan94]

Eurosport is showing Oman live according to two people on twitter?

 

[hatcher]

Not live on British Eurosport. A 30 mins highlights package each and every night.

 

[DAOTEC]

Geox isn't making friends

Eddy Merckx is the organizer of the Tour of Qatar and Oman and is very angry with the formation of Mauro Gianetti. The team would sent a candidate winner Denis Menchov to Oman, but the Russian didn't come forward and staid away without proper notice. Much to the dismay of Merckx he told Het Nieuwsblad.

(http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail-no-menchov-in-oman.php)

.

 

[Jamsque]

Geox is a ****ing shambles right now. You'd think with race invites being scarce they'd be trying to make the most of every opportunity, but apparently not. I hope they get it together fast.

 

[theyoungest]

Geox is a ****ing shambles right now. You'd think with race invites being scarce they'd be trying to make the most of every opportunity, but apparently not. I hope they get it together fast.

They still have David Blanco in the race, definitely an outsider for the win.