What will do Jurgen VDB

[Lexman]

What do you think - expect of VDB this year? In a belgian newspaper

http://www.standaard.be/artikel/detail.aspx?artikelid=DMF20120112_223

http://www.standaard.be/artikel/detail.aspx?artikelid=DMF20120112_222

he says he's training on the ITT but it will always stay problematic. He's very delighted with the Vuelta parcours and will do the two GT this year.

Marc Sergeant says they aim for a top 10 in TDF.

VDB says he will normally be able to do better in The Vuelta than last years 8th place which he achieved without not that much condition after his heavy crash in TDF.

Any opinions?

 

[roundabout]

He can do really well in the Vuelta if he aims for it.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I agree, he should aim for vuelta, and compete for the win there.
Lotto should go for Greipel and Vanendert in the Tour.

 

[The Hitch]

Talk of him skipping the Tour is like talk of Andy doing the Giro. JVDB seems like he will just go for the Tour every year for the next decade, then retire, so I dont see him skipping it.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Giro and Vuelta

 

[El Pistolero]

Talk of him skipping the Tour is like talk of Andy doing the Giro. JVDB seems like he will just go for the Tour every year for the next decade, then retire, so I dont see him skipping it.

He's doing the Tour and Vuelta.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Talk of him skipping the Tour is like talk of Andy doing the Giro. JVDB seems like he will just go for the Tour every year for the next decade, then retire, so I dont see him skipping it.

I'm afraid you're right.

 

[El Pistolero]

I'm afraid you're right.

I'm afraid you're both wrong. He won't skip the Tour, but he said he wants to do well in the Vuelta as well next year. So no, he won't be just a Tour guy for the next decade

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I'm afraid you're both wrong. He won't skip the Tour, but he said he wants to do well in the Vuelta as well next year. So no, he won't be just a Tour guy for the next decade

I know, I read the articles. But I was talking about the skipping the tour part. He will never totally focus on the vuelta. But he will also never be good enough to go for the tour win, while in the vuelta he could go for the highest.

 

[El Pistolero]

I know, I read the articles. But I was talking about the skipping the tour part. He will never totally focus on the vuelta. But he will also never be good enough to go for the tour win, while in the vuelta he go for the highest.

If Contador is not banned, he will also do the Tour-Vuelta double, so I don't think VDB2 is missing out on a GT victory when not skipping the Tour... And I don't really see him win a GT anyway.

I'm curious to see his time trial improvement this year. If VDB2 has one thing, it's that's he's a very hard worker.

 

[Panda Claws]

VDB2 may not be the most attacking rider, but he put in some attacks at the Vuelta too while countering a lot of attacks as well.

It is a real shame we did not get too see him at this year's tour because he seemed to be in the form of his life.

 

[theyoungest]

VDB2 may not be the most attacking rider, but he put in some attacks at the Vuelta too while countering a lot of attacks as well.

It is a real shame we did not get too see him at this year's tour because he seemed to be in the form of his life.

The longer the climb is, the worse VDB2 gets, so I don't know if he would have been a real threat for the podium based on that first week. But with the same kind of form he should be able to make the top 10 at least in this year's Tour, regardless of time trial kilometres. There's still more than enough climbing to be done.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I'm afraid you're both wrong. He won't skip the Tour, but he said he wants to do well in the Vuelta as well next year. So no, he won't be just a Tour guy for the next decade

doesn't mean he is capable of holding the form for two consecutive GTs, and thus tour will usually always take priority which I assume was hitch's point.

 

[The Hitch]

He's doing the Tour and Vuelta.

Are you a parrot?

We all saw that in the OP. Thanks for umm repeating it though

 

[Altitude]

Why are people saying he can win the Vuelta this year? Not a chance in hell.

VDB is a very good climber but he's not a pure climber like Rodriguez, Anton, Cobo etc. The brutally steep climbs of the Vuelta do not suit him. He can finish in the top 5 but definitely will not win it.

Anyways his primary goal is always the Tour, like Schleck.

 

[El Pistolero]

Are you a parrot?

We all saw that in the OP. Thanks for umm repeating it though

No, I'm merely tired of people thinking they know it better than the actual cyclists.

 

[El Pistolero]

doesn't mean he is capable of holding the form for two consecutive GTs, and thus tour will usually always take priority which I assume was hitch's point.

He was 8th in last year's Vuelta coming back from heavy injuries. He's capable all-right. Not to win, but to be there in the top 10.

 

[boomcie]

What will do Jurgen VDB?
That's actually a very good question. I'm not sure about the answer though.
Who will do him? I know Femke Herygers did him, at least I think so...
But what will do him? My guess is as good as any, but i'm going to go out on a limb and say Shetland pony.

 

[Panda Claws]

I think VDB2 can podium a GT, any GT but not this year's tour with all the TT kms.

 

[DenisMenchov]

JVDB to win 100th Tour.

Just training this year.

 

[Ripper]

What will do Jurgen VDB?
That's actually a very good question. I'm not sure about the answer though.
Who will do him? I know Femke Herygers did him, at least I think so...
But what will do him? My guess is as good as any, but i'm going to go out on a limb and say Shetland pony.

LMMFAOTIC!!

 

[greenedge]

Out of all the GT's the TDF does suit him best. He is aided by other weakfish climbers/ you can cling on to another group of climbers to secure a top 5 placing. The race is also controlled.

The Vuelta might suit him competition wise but the parcours for this year does not. Oh well best of luck for him.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

He was 8th in last year's Vuelta coming back from heavy injuries. He's capable all-right. Not to win, but to be there in the top 10.

speculation still, injured or not it was the only full GT he rode.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I think VDB is one of the most overrated riders and I reckon he won't do much actually.

 

[Panda Claws]

I expect VDB2 to at least start winning stages in smaller stage races.

Now he's got the taste of winning.