Transfers and Rumours 2011 > 2012

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Cobo's actually a pretty good time triallist compared to many climbers and represented Spain in the Worlds ITT in 2009 (albeit after Héctor Guerra tested positive and was removed).

Still doesn't make any sense for him to ride there. TTs should be a positive strength for anyone intending to win the TDF next year.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Cobo is wasted at the TdF, no really steep climbs where he seems to excel, and loads of TT kms for him to hemorrhage time to the favourites.

He got second at Hautacam, remember? That's not a really steep climb. Difficult by Tour de France standards, maybe, but only just. Many seemed to think he was doping more than average, but most still think that, from the looks of it. So?

The only question is if he is consistent enough for the Tour, but there is only one way to find out. To write him off beforehand is jumping to conclusions, IMO.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Still doesn't make any sense for him to ride there. TTs should be a positive strength for anyone intending to win the TDF next year.

Conceded. But Cobo won't hæmorrhage time like he's Joaquím Rodríguez or Igor Antón or something. He lost less than 2 minutes to Wiggins in Salamanca, and only just more than that to Froome.

 

[Ferminal]

Conceded. But Cobo won't hæmorrhage time like he's Joaquím Rodríguez or Igor Antón or something. He lost less than 2 minutes to Wiggins in Salamanca, and only just more than that to Froome.

Still, the time gaps will not be there unless the Alps become a war zone on the way to La Toussuire. It's hard to see anyone who is a "good but not great" time trialist cracking the top5 apart from Andy.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Still, the time gaps will not be there unless the Alps become a war zone on the way to La Toussuire. It's hard to see anyone who is a "good but not great" time trialist cracking the top5 apart from Andy.

A war zone is almost guaranteed if Schleck wants to win. There is no other way. He has to attack on the Glandon, head wind or not. Either that, or attack the day before on the Grand Colombier.

The final mountain stage could also prove selective, if they attack as soon as they hit the first steep slopes of the Bales. There are no flat sections after that.

If they race hard I can see another good, but not great time trialist make the top-5. After all, guys like Menchov and Wiggins are no certainties.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

A war zone is almost guaranteed if Schleck wants to win. There is no other way. He has to attack on the Glandon, head wind or not. Either that, or attack the day before on the Grand Colombier.

The final mountain stage could also prove selective, if they attack as soon as they hit the first steep slopes of the Bales. There are no flat sections after that.

If they race hard I can see another good, but not great time trialist make the top-5. After all, guys like Menchov and Wiggins are no certainties.

i have seen no indication on that what so ever the last years

 

[Libertine Seguros]

i have seen no indication on that what so ever the last years

Ah, but Schleck hasn't wanted to win the last few years. He's just wanted not to lose. Two different mentalities.

 

[theyoungest]

Ah, but Schleck hasn't wanted to win the last few years. He's just wanted not to lose. Two different mentalities.

Then what did we see in the Galibier stage?

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Then what did we see in the Galibier stage?

Desperation.

 

[roundabout]

He got second at Hautacam, remember? That's not a really steep climb. Difficult by Tour de France standards, maybe, but only just. Many seemed to think he was doping more than average, but most still think that, from the looks of it. So?

The only question is if he is consistent enough for the Tour, but there is only one way to find out. To write him off beforehand is jumping to conclusions, IMO.

Cobo is free to come. Just because he barely beat Froome and Wiggins doesn't mean that he is suddenly a threat.

Wanna take an avatar bet? Cobo won't finish top-5 if he races.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Then what did we see in the Galibier stage?

Awesomeness

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Cobo is free to come. Just because he barely beat Froome and Wiggins doesn't mean that he is suddenly a threat.

Wanna take an avatar bet? Cobo won't finish top-5 if he races.

Can I take a bet on Gesink instead?

 

[roundabout]

No, you were the one talking up Cobo so no point in backing out.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

No, you were the one talking up Cobo so no point in backing out.

I didn't say he would top-5:

The only question is if he is consistent enough for the Tour, but there is only one way to find out. To write him off beforehand is jumping to conclusions, IMO.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Cobo is wasted at the TdF, no really steep climbs where he seems to excel, and loads of TT kms for him to hemorrhage time to the favourites.

cobo is actually a timetrialist and he doesn't need steep climbs. the guy is 176 and 71 kg for christ sake he's better on more rolling climbs

 

[will10]

cobo is actually a timetrialist and he doesn't need steep climbs. the guy is 176 and 71 kg for christ sake he's better on more rolling climbs

The only time I can remember Cobo doing a decent TT was when he won Basque Country. I certainly wouldn't describe him as a timetriallist.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

he's always been a specialist from his junior days and he still is the reason you don't remember many good timetrials from him is because he hasn't been racing well 90% of the time. I remember wya more mountainstages he sucked in then he was good in so he's no climber either?


also interesting news: kobzarenko, zagorodny and starchyk to iranian suren cycling team. seme more ianian teams getting foreigner and spending extra money

 

[jens_attacks]

also interesting news: kobzarenko, zagorodny and starchyk to iranian suren cycling team. seme more ianian teams getting foreigner and spending extra money

now who cares really?iran won't exist in two years

i'm curious what sponsor gianetti found,chavez is out of business

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I don;t think he found anything. it's over

 

[jens_attacks]

what worries me is that there is a possibility cobo can't do it without matxin and he will choose just not to ride next year...that will be horrible.
also david blanco probably will be back at tavira

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I also fear for cobo's carere but hope his vuelta win can give him so mental strenght even without matxina lthough I have hope that whatever team cobo wants will also get matxin. I know matxin has been talking about joining another team and I don't think cobo wants to join any team without his mentor knowing what happened at caisse depargne

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

I also fear for cobo's carere but hope his vuelta win can give him so mental strenght even without matxina lthough I have hope that whatever team cobo wants will also get matxin. I know matxin has been talking about joining another team and I don't think cobo wants to join any team without his mentor knowing what happened at caisse depargne

according my pcm, cobo will retire at an age of 31

 

[Libertine Seguros]

what worries me is that there is a possibility cobo can't do it without matxin and he will choose just not to ride next year...that will be horrible.
also david blanco probably will be back at tavira

I can't decide if that's good or bad for Portuguese cycling. It needs recognisable names now Broco, Cardoso and Mestre are gone, but not the same old ones that caused the lack of opportunities for Portuguese riders coming through in the first place.

I also don't want him to outdo Chagas.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

according to 2cycle.be ricardo mestre stays with tavira. he's in their lineup

 

[Parrulo]

according to 2cycle.be ricardo mestre stays with tavira. he's in their lineup

ya ricardo mestre is staying with tavira