Under the radar uphill sprinters

[HemmoBosscher]

With our collective eyes on the upcoming Tour de France, who do you feel could surprise in the "Gilbert"-stages?

I'm thinking guys in the mould of Rojas could really make a good run at a high ranking in the green jersey classification and stage wins..

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=14151

basically discussed in full

 

[HemmoBosscher]

Ah, thanks! My apologies.

 

[delbified]

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=14151

basically discussed in full

no, i think it's a different topic. sprinters win in stages with a reduced degree of difficulty, where they are able to take shelter in the bunch. on harder stages, but not the full-on mountain ones, the sprinters generally don't have the legs at the finish. eddy merckx once said, in a breakaway (and that's not what this topic is about, but the point is relevant) between two riders - one a sprinter and one a non-sprinter, the rider with the strongest legs at the end of the stage will win the sprint.

 

[Kazistuta]

I'm really looking forward to seing Gianni Meersman compete with Gilbert at those stages. He seems to be in good form and has refound his puncheur legs from some years ago, when he was touted as the next big thing from Belgium. He will not be able to defeat Gilbert though, but a couple of high placings would be nice.

Also riders like Kolobnev, Iglinskiy, Cunego, Leukemans & EBH should be in the mix at those stages, but they are hardly "under the radar" riders. Guys flying a bit "under" with a long shot could be Bole, Bertagnolli, Rui Costa, Barredo (Oh, these two again!), Devenyns and Marcato.

And I'm curious to see Egor Silins form as well.

 

[search]

he is neither completely under the radar nor will he be able to challange Gilbert under normal circumstances, but Bole could do well on finishes like that