What is wrong with Gesink?

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Inconsistency remains his largest weakness, which is not all that unusual for a rider of his age. He's shown flashes of being a world-class climber, and this year even flashes of being a world class ITT rider, but he seldom seems to perform to his full potential.

err... gesink's consistency has often been his strength.
I mean he hasn't looked great this year but still managed some good results; oman, t-a and basque.

I think there has been motivation issues this season.

 

[Bavarianrider]

A stunning blonde, a nun, a Dutchman and a German are sitting in a train compartment .
The train enters a tunnel and you can suddenly hear a slap.
You can see the Dutch with a red cheek when the train moves out of the tunnel.

The blonde thinks: Well, he probably wanted to grab me, but has touched the nun and she slapped him.

The nun thinks: He probably grabbed the blonde's laundry and she slapped him.

Dutch thinks: How rude...the German grabs the blonde and I'm getting slapped.

The German smiles and thinks: Hopefully the next tunnel will come soon - then I will slap the Dutchman again.

Hahah

 

[movingtarget]

I don't see a problem. If he does not get at least a top five finish in the TDF then there could be disappointment but I still think he has a good shot at making the podium this year.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

So we can speculate all we want. But now it turns out he trained 8 days since the Tirreno....

in that light it's freaking amazing he can ride top 3 in Pais Vasco, and 9th in AGR and 14th in FW, purely on his base fitness level

 

[boomcie]

So we can speculate all we want. But now it turns out he trained 8 days since the Tirreno....

in that light it's freaking amazing he can ride top 3 in Pais Vasco, and 9th in AGR and 14th in FW, purely on his base fitness level

Damn it, I'm not amazed. I need to see a doctor.

 

[hrotha]

So we can speculate all we want. But now it turns out he trained 8 days since the Tirreno....

in that light it's freaking amazing he can ride top 3 in Pais Vasco, and 9th in AGR and 14th in FW, purely on his base fitness level

But why? Did he fear he was too fit too soon? But didn't he have plenty of time after the Ardennes to relax until June?

 

[boomcie]

But why? Did he fear he was too fit too soon? But didn't he have plenty of time after the Ardennes to relax until June?

I also read the article, if I recall correctly it had to do something with the death of his father and him being affected by it, which is understandable.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

But why? Did he fear he was too fit too soon? But didn't he have plenty of time after the Ardennes to relax until June?

had to do with some mental issues with his fathers passing... he had problems with that in the Tirreno and the team advised him to take some time off and get his head straight on

 

[The Hitch]

Ruben. Do you stick by your promise that if Gesink doesnt beat Cadel by at least 3 minutes or doesnt get a podium, you will have a Cadel avatar for a year?

 

[theyoungest]

So we can speculate all we want. But now it turns out he trained 8 days since the Tirreno....

in that light it's freaking amazing he can ride top 3 in Pais Vasco, and 9th in AGR and 14th in FW, purely on his base fitness level

Come on, this isn't his base level... Gesink is now a columnist for the Telegraaf, so from now on every little thing he does is magic, in their eyes.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Ruben. Do you stick by your promise that if Gesink doesnt beat Cadel by at least 3 minutes or doesnt get a podium, you will have a Cadel avatar for a year?

Oh absolutely. No doubt in my mind about that.

Only exception in that bet is falls or illness for either one of them ofcourse

 

[auscyclefan94]

Oh absolutely. No doubt in my mind about that.

Only exception in that bet is falls or illness for either one of them ofcourse

That is an easy get out card

 

[Havetts]

Why? Has Cadel told you he likes to touch the road and break his elbows ?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

That is an easy get out card

Why? You of all people should be happy with that one. Seeing as how often Cadel blows a race with an 'unfortunate injury' or flat tire or peaking completely wrong.

 

[theyoungest]

Oh absolutely. No doubt in my mind about that.

Only exception in that bet is falls or illness for either one of them ofcourse

I wouldn't be too sure about that. I doubt he'll make the top-5.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

lol, you're overcompensating and over dramatically..

I did that in the past, when a rider I like did a less then awesome result, I immediately went into depressed state and started writing him off everywhere.

You'll learn, it won't happen. Don't get depressed

 

[hrotha]

I also read the article, if I recall correctly it had to do something with the death of his father and him being affected by it, which is understandable.

had to do with some mental issues with his fathers passing... he had problems with that in the Tirreno and the team advised him to take some time off and get his head straight on

I see, thank you guys. I didn't think it was affecting him so much, I hope he makes it through OK.

 

[theyoungest]

lol, you're overcompensating and over dramatically..

I did that in the past, when a rider I like did a less then awesome result, I immediately went into depressed state and started writing him off everywhere.

You'll learn, it won't happen. Don't get depressed

Personally I don't care one way or the other, just warning you about the risks of your bet Because really, what makes you think he'll do better than last year?

 

[La Pandera]

I said it already in Oman, he was too early in shape (I don't base this on winning the MTF but beating Cancellara, Pinotti, EBH in a time trial...) and has lost some of his form now. As long as he's able to take a break and actually rest a little he'll be fine for the TDF.

Another theory is that he has used the winter almost exclusively on training for his TT, in which case it's only natural that he struggles with those incredibly steep climbs. If that's the case then he should be a lot better in L-B-L.

He's become the Dutch version of Bradley Wiggins, minus the horrendous haircut and wardrobe. When I see Gesink climbing the steep grades it reminds me of Wiggins in the 2009 Tour, attacking the bunch of elite climbers and looking like he was overgeared and spinning on a trainer, pedaling fast but not making much ground. As was stated earlier he completely lacks the snap in acceleration/ power to hang on the steep grades. I happen to like Gesink so I'm hoping that he's simply past his peak and ready to rebuild for the Tour.
I had high hopes for his progress this year so I'm not giving up on him. Now Wiggins, he's done except for TT's.

 

[The Hitch]

Personally I don't care one way or the other, just warning you about the risks of your bet Because really, what makes you think he'll do better than last year?

I suppose no Menchov and maybe no Contador + should beat VDb might be enough.

Thats if you ignore Basso and beating Cadel is part of the stipulation anyway.

 

[La Pandera]

had to do with some mental issues with his fathers passing... he had problems with that in the Tirreno and the team advised him to take some time off and get his head straight on

I feel for him. He'll be fine for the Tour. That period off the bike might explain the cramping he was experiencing earlier in the week. He did well to finish where he did considering,

 

[La Pandera]

Why? You of all people should be happy with that one. Seeing as how often Cadel blows a race with an 'unfortunate injury' or flat tire or peaking completely wrong.

You act surprised. By now you should really know better.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Personally I don't care one way or the other, just warning you about the risks of your bet Because really, what makes you think he'll do better than last year?

He was stronger in the after season of 2010 than ever before, seriously made a 'jump' through riding the Tour.
He has way stronger time trials in 2011 than in 2010.
Even though he had lesser form, he performed better in both Tirreno and Pais Vasco than in 2010, even in the classics, although it wasn't hard to do worse than last year there...

So, so far, I see no reason at all as to doubt he'll do better than last year. Every result so far suggests he'll do better, and that with questionable form...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

He's become the Dutch version of Bradley Wiggins, minus the horrendous haircut and wardrobe. When I see Gesink climbing the steep grades it reminds me of Wiggins in the 2009 Tour, attacking the bunch of elite climbers and looking like he was overgeared and spinning on a trainer, pedaling fast but not making much ground. As was stated earlier he completely lacks the snap in acceleration/ power to hang on the steep grades. I happen to like Gesink so I'm hoping that he's simply past his peak and ready to rebuild for the Tour.
I had high hopes for his progress this year so I'm not giving up on him. Now Wiggins, he's done except for TT's.

wiggans is such a bad example.
never could he been up there on the gradients in ta and basque. True gesink didn't look amazing, but he didn't look too bad either. Just compared to the elite he was a notch below. He has never looked like wiggo.

Think people are reading way too much into his bad form atm. Media have stated he has been having some motivation and personal issues this season. In this perspective it is understandable. Weather one believes the media or not, is up to the person. If true he didn't train after TA, that is not ideal prep. for the ardennes and basque. Not too surprised tho, considering how much he struggled with personal issues at TA.

If he takes a nice break after LBL and trains properly for the tour, gets properly motivated I am pretty confident DT's bet will come true also. Gesink is a better climber then he has displayed in the last month or so.

 

[movingtarget]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. I doubt he'll make the top-5.

I see no reason why Gesink or VDB cannot make the podium. No Menchov, possibly no Contador. I would pick Gesink ahead of VDB because he is a better time triallist. Sanchez or Evans possibly. I can't see Porte or Wiggins making the top 5. Kreuziger possibly. Frank Schleck, Hesjedal, Rodriguez I don't see making the top 5. Basso, I am not sure about but I have my doubts about him making the top 3 this year.