- Aug 12, 2009
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Polyarmour said:
I apologise for calling you a tool.
Yes a plan A is needed. Evans is probably it. The team management and him may well have been bluffing.
But I doubt that. However publically saying Davis and Goss are the backups is not bright at all. Cyclists are not collectively as a group a bright bunch, but some guys and DS's are very astute. Give them a pre-race warning that you have contingency plans and the whole world knows. They thus know what to look for and can have a pre-planned response.Cancellara was the best rider in Mendrisio. Evans is in the same boat this year. Home soil and he will be marked like crazy just as Spartacus was last year. Yes having alternatives makes sense but publically declaring them is not bright by any means unless it is a bluff. Even worse is when your backups border on the absurd. It reeks of desperation or poor planning. Does this build confidence in fans and the team? I'd argue no. It adds pressure to riders or worse makes them lazy because they know they're supported regardless. Riders know how good they are. Competing in the Eneco Tour or Poland may be sweet but when you look to your right and see Cav or Freire ready to pounce what does experience and your brain tell you if you're Goss or Davis? I'd say it would be of a negative tone. The lowest denominator is saying guys who have good results for their pedigree, but are lacking the big guns, are your main artilery. I'd personally shut my pie hole than broadcast it to the world. Leave them guessing and take the pressure off the team. Justifying selection is what I called earlier. Tokenism and pointless gesturing. It isn't necessary. Make your decision and stick with it. Don't fluff it.
Rogers has had a very strong season. I like his riding, but in terms of one day races he just doesn't have it. Good week long stage racer. What HTC did to him in Romandie was disgusting. His team lost him the race and a podium spot. He should be a nice bluff this year.
I've always thought that if you cannot win, you try and develop riders (let them learn) and look for creative opportunities during the event. Yes, a backup plan and covering moves during the race is needed, but broadcasting them a month before is daft. Let a breakaway form early on, put someone in it. Pull breakaway back near end of race and have workers set such a ferverous pace that only the strongest riders can go on. Deliver your no.1 guy there and hope for the best. If they do that, one cannot ask for much more. I certainly don't think it is wise nor smart to advertise particular riders as playing key roles strategically when their skills/form are not in proper context. Aka, selectors needn't waste my or anyone who follows cycling's time, telling us Davis and Goss are there because they can sprint. They're good, talented guys who deserve applause, but context wise, given the race, course and opposition, their skills only do so much in a sprint in the event one occurs. If I met the selectors in person I'd ask them to pull the other one.
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