Who will win 2012 Tour de France

[killswitch]

Seems many are overrating Nibbles even if i'd like him to win.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Actualy it was the Tour 2010. His best GT in his career.

And as explained many times his TDS and TDF 2010 time trials were anomalies. Most of the time when in topform he finishes top 5/top 10

even in prologues and pan flat 30km time trials nowadays so if you keep referring to 2 bad TT's in 2010. I'll keep referring to Tony Martins 235423423 bad mountain results too

 

[Bavarianrider]

And as explained many times his TDS and TDF 2010 time trials were anomalies. Most of the time when in topform he finishes top 5/top 10

even in prologues and pan flat 30km time trials nowadays so if you keep referring to 2 bad TT's in 2010. I'll keep referring to Tony Martins 235423423 bad mountain results too

We were talking about TT not mountains here.
And like it or not, Gesink is totally umproofen in a long TT.

 

[Froome19]

We were talking about TT not mountains here.
And like it or not, Gesink is totally umproofen in a long TT.

And.......

Gesink has displayed incredibly impressive TT perfomances since he has worked on his position, especially considering his injuries.
Therefore whilst not certain that he will do brilliantly in long GT TTs logic certainly dictates that he will because since he has improved his TT he has shown nothing to indicate otherwise.

 

[Bavarianrider]

And.......

Gesink has displayed incredibly impressive TT perfomances since he has worked on his position, especially considering his injuries.
Therefore whilst not certain that he will do brilliantly in long GT TTs logic certainly dictates that he will because since he has improved his TT he has shown nothing to indicate otherwise.

Valverde has always been great in short TT, too. Yet in the long ones he always sucked.
As for now, Gesink has shown nothing which gives him the reputation of being a great long gT TTler. Frankly, he didn't really have the chance to do so.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

We were talking about TT not mountains here.
And like it or not, Gesink is totally umproofen in a long TT.

Yeah, like his 10th place in Beijing Olympics in 2008 in a long ITT. Or his 13th place in a long ITT in the dauphine.

Bore me more BavarianTroll

 

[Bavarianrider]

Yeah, like his 10th place in Beijing Olympics in 2008 in a long ITT. Or his 13th place in a long ITT in the dauphine.

Bore me more BavarianTroll

Yeah 10th and 13th with 3 minutes time loss. what great results

 

[Elagabalus]

It's best to expect the worst..

In that case, I'll be expecting on the podium (and in no particular order) Wiggins, Evans and Schleck ...

The Trifecta from Hell


I forgot to add, Cavendish will win the points jersey ...

Oh ... Unholy Tetrarchy!!!

 

[Angliru]

Dout he will tt any better than neither Evans, MEnchov or Wiggins.
Highly doubt he will climb better than them, so meh not much of a chance....

If he's on form he's better in the TT than both Evans and Menchov and based on Wiggins grand tour and specifically Tour TT performances he's close to his equal. Like I said though that is provided he arrives at the Tour on the form that he's hoping for. This will definitely be his last chance at Tour glory considering his age and the return of Contador to competition.

 

[theyoungest]

Gesink can do much better than that. Believe me.

The final week isn't Gesink's specialty, so I don't know about that.

Yeah right:
Gesink has a great history of flat 50km TT

109. GESINK Robert 195 RABOBANK 1h 09' 29" + 08' 33"

Cadel Evans, who you probably think sucks at TTing, also did great in that TT

 

[Bavarianrider]

The final week isn't Gesink's specialty, so I don't know about that.


Cadel Evans, who you probably think sucks at TTing, also did great in that TT

Unlike Gesink, Evans has actualy done a few very very good long TTles.
Gesink has none.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I just provided you examples. You can't disregard that because of time differences to the winner.

Nice try but you lost another argument....

 

[theyoungest]

Unlike Gesink, Evans has actualy done a few very very good long TTles.
Gesink has none.

The length isn't the problem, in principle an ultra long TT should be better for him than a medium length one. His TT position just sucked until last year, so in every windy flat TT he was nowhere.

 

[Angliru]

Also you have to remember that Sky are very methodical and scientific and they will certainly see the numbers riders are putting out in training and know how strong they are, and who deserves to lead for the tour etc.

I doubt Froome's scientific readings being superior to Wiggins would make Sky decide that he's their leader for the Tour. There would be SO much drama if that were to happen (but it won't). Wiggins is their hope, that is quite clear.

 

[cineteq]

Unlike Gesink, Evans has actualy done a few very very good long TTles.
Gesink has none.

Besides the Tour, every race Martin participates and the Tour of Bavaria, what else have you watched in the last 2 years? You seem to be completely in the dark about Gesink.

 

[Pentacycle]

The length isn't the problem, in principle an ultra long TT should be better for him than a medium length one. His TT position just sucked until last year, so in every windy flat TT he was nowhere.

Well, the ITT's shouldn't be THE problem for Gesink... his recovery in the 3rd week is essential, even if he has got his 2010 climbing form.

 

[Bavarianrider]

I just provided you examples. You can't disregard that because of time differences to the winner.

Nice try but you lost another argument....

Ehhm.
Time Trial performance is based on the time you lose isn't?
If Gesink finishes the last Tour TT in spot 13en, 3 minutes down. You think this would make him a good TTler?

 

[Angliru]

What has he shown in the previous year to suggest that?

He's German.

 

[Froome19]

I doubt Froome's scientific readings being superior to Wiggins would make Sky decide that he's their leader for the Tour. There would be SO much drama if that were to happen (but it won't). Wiggins is their hope, that is quite clear.

It may not be the primary factor, yet it is certainly a factor which would taken into consideration and it would affect the exact freedom of certain riders.

 

[theyoungest]

It may not be the primary factor, yet it is certainly a factor which would taken into consideration and it would affect the exact freedom of certain riders.

I don't think anyone except Wiggins and Cav will be afforded much freedom... you're either in the sprint train, in the uphill train, or both.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Well, the ITT's shouldn't be THE problem for Gesink... his recovery in the 3rd week is essential, even if he has got his 2010 climbing form.

The overabundance of flat road stages towards the end won't hurt. The third week will be a complete joke if only the last Pyrenees stage is contested by the podium contenders. That isn't impossible.

 

[Froome19]

I don't think anyone except Wiggins and Cav will be afforded much freedom... you're either in the sprint train, in the uphill train, or both.

But it will affect your pecking order within that train. Effectively if you have done good you get to go 2nd etc. That gives you an opportunity because you can ride really really hard and then see that Wiggins is not there anymore and go on to win!

 

[Gloin22]

Cav will leave about stage 14 or 15. I am sure of this. What I see is also CAv not having a proper train at all. Instead Eisel/EBH bringing him up to front with 1km to go and Cav picking the best wheel to follow.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

I hope Sky are paying him much more than anyone else offered.

 

[Froome19]

Cav will leave about stage 14 or 15. I am sure of this. What I see is also CAv not having a proper train at all. Instead Eisel/EBH bringing him up to front with 1km to go and Cav picking the best wheel to follow.

Cav will not leave if he is in the green jersey.