Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF ?

[deValtos]

Focused mostly on the GC teams but I'm sure there will be very useful lead out riders and cobble guys for the sprinters etc

Porte/Valverde/Majka are probably the strongest in the mountains but does that make them the most useful ?

It could be someone like G.Thomas who is the most valuable asset or even a motivated Sagan (we know he can climb, he just doesn't bother a lot of the time.)

What do you guys reckon ?

 

[Velolover2]

"Quintana (Valverde)" should almost be an opinion. ;D

 

[Asero831]

Thomas and Henao

 

[deValtos]

Re:

Where is Mark Renshaw?

There are too many to list for a poll of 10 so I just went for the GC focus.

 

[Anderis]

Re: Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF

Moreno is not riding reportedly.

I could imagine Hesjedal doing a monster job for Talansky (or possibly Martin) if the latter is in contention for good place in GC and the former is not. There are very little of riders of this calibre who can sacrifice for their leaders that much.

 

[Velolover2]

But I'd go with Poels. He could be as strong as in Pais Vasco when he rode away from Alberto and Valverde + the Zoncolan stage where he helped Uran in the Giro. He is good when it gets really steep and this is what this Tour is all about. I think he is going to win Lombardia this year, but let's see.

Will be Froome's last man if Porte fails to deliver.

 

[Jonhard]

Stannard, Rowe and Thomas forming a rolling cordon around Froome for the first week?

 

[SeriousSam]

Valverde is a co-leader and will also be targeting stages. Not counting a rider of his stature as a mere domstique, although the benefit to Quintana will be great nontheless.

Out of the actual domestiques, I'd say some Sky rider besides Froome will be climbing extremely strongly. Porte.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Porte.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Majka, Kreuziger, Kišerlovski, Rogers. With Majka being the most valuable one, wining the whole Tour in the process

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

But I'd go with Poels. He could be as strong as in Pais Vasco when he rode away from Alberto and Valverde + the Zoncolan stage where he helped Uran in the Giro. He is good when it gets really steep and this is what this Tour is all about. I think he is going to win Lombardia this year, but let's see.

Will be Froome's last man if Porte fails to deliver.

The tour is not about steep at all. The tour climbs ain't steep at all.

 

[deValtos]

Re: Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF

Dunno why the poll doesn't work

 

[Ricco']

Jose Herrada.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Quintana

 

[greenedge]

Lars Boom for Nibali on the cobbles, helping him to gain a 10 minute gap on the peleton by the end of the stage.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Re: Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF

Dunno why the poll doesn't work

Delete the poll and start again. That normally works.

Cheng Ji.

 

[deValtos]

Re: Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF

Dunno why the poll doesn't work

Delete the poll and start again. That normally works.

Cheng Ji.

Ok thanks, works now !

Switched out Moreno for Hesjedal if he's not riding then.

 

[bassano]

Re: Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF

for me fuglslang, cobbles skill from last year, competitive in mountain, and I like the way he is working for Nibali
but I am curious what majka will be able to do to help contador

 

[Simurgh]

Voted Fuglsang, 'cause Astana is probably gonna be incredibly strong in the Tour (as in il Giro)

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Sagan as a domestique? I don't expect to see that happen at all. If he can't get finish line points, he will try till he knows what points he can get at the intermediate, and then roll along at his own pace. He is essentially in competition with Contador, as there are so many team members to look after there conflicting requirements.

 

[BigMac]

Rafa Valls

*flies away*

 

[djpbaltimore]

I voted Thomas, mostly due to his diversity. Besides the obvious potential to help on the cobbles, I think his motor will be essential in the TTT.

 

[Hakkapelit]

Feels to me like Morabito should be the single most important one since all those others are not totally inreplaceable within their squads.

 

[Vasilis]

I think Vuilermoz will certainly be there for Bardet, but as I don't see Bardet in the jersey, or in need to put his team on the front, I don't think he'll be the most visible. I guess that's what it's largely about though.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Who will be the most helpful domestique at the 2015 TDF

Thomas, he is in good shape and he is extremely helpful because he is important on the cobbles, for pace making and in the mountains. Most of the other domestiques can only do one or two of these things (or their leader just doesn't need them so much, like nibali who won't need as much help on the cobbles as other favorites will.