Who will win the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco?

[Hugo Koblet]

You mean the same Tour de France where Hesjedal wasn't in a good shape and had a broken rib and who wasn't riding for GC after that, hmm. De Gendt finished 1min ahead Contador in that ITT who, at the same time, did about the same that Hesjedal in the last ITT in the Giro 2012.

Still, you've never provided one piece of evidence to prove that Hesjedal is a better ITT'er than Contador. Why don't you back up your claim with facts?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Clearly Valverde continues his good form. Should pick up the win here.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Valverde will have to TT better than all other GC contenders. I don't see that happening.

 

[Miburo]

Valverde will have to TT better than all other GC contenders. I don't see that happening.

He definitely can, it's not a normal ITT. I'm pretty sure he'll beat TJ and he might beat Contador and Costa, i doubt it but it's possible. By my knowlegde there aren't any better ITT riders on that parcours that has a legit change of winning this race.

 

[woodenswan]

Valverde will have to TT better than all other GC contenders. I don't see that happening.

he has put in quite a number of impressive solo efforts already this season. i think he'll beat most of 'em

 

[LaFlorecita]

he has put in quite a number of impressive solo efforts already this season. i think he'll beat most of 'em

Most of them, sure, but each and every one of them...

 

[woodenswan]

Most of them, sure, but each and every one of them...

just took notice of that orc-like shadow in your avatar! just as impressive as Valverde's TT will be i dunno.. Contador's Cancellara-beating days seem to be behind him.. should be a great battle between the 2. i mean the whole race, not the TT necessarily

 

[LaFlorecita]

just took notice of that orc-like shadow in your avatar! just as impressive as Valverde's TT will be i dunno.. Contador's Cancellara-beating days seem to be behind him.. should be a great battle between the 2. i mean the whole race, not the TT necessarily

Orc?! F*ck you it's freaking art man

Ps remember this?

His Cancellara beating days may be over, but that was damn impressive, even more so because he was in **** form.

 

[ILovecycling]

...
Ps remember this?

His Cancellara beating days may be over, but that was damn impressive, even more so because he was in **** form.

In this moment I hated Froome so much.
But,this year he is back in his form and he will f... this Borg to pieces!

Your avatar is mighty impressive Flo

 

[woodenswan]

Orc?! F*ck you it's freaking art man

Ps remember this?

His Cancellara beating days may be over, but that was damn impressive, even more so because he was in **** form.

i feel like i should.. but no, i dont. do refresh my memories.

id be happy with either of them here. and hopefully one of them steps up and beats the mongrel in the Tour.

 

[Jspear]

i feel like i should.. but no, i dont. do refresh my memories.

id be happy with either of them here. and hopefully one of them steps up and beats the mongrel in the Tour.

This is when he came in 2nd to Froome on the hilly TT of the 2013 Tour.

 

[del1962]

i feel like i should.. but no, i dont. do refresh my memories.

id be happy with either of them here. and hopefully one of them steps up and beats the mongrel in the Tour.

You must feel real big about yourself calling someone a mongrel, typical arrogant trolling from Bertie fans on this forum though

 

[woodenswan]

This is when he came in 2nd to Froome on the hilly TT of the 2013 Tour.

oh thx

You must feel real big about yourself calling someone a mongrel, typical arrogant trolling from Bertie fans on this forum though

that was just some innocent trolling! ill readily admit to it i do dislike the team, sure, but not the Dog. ill have to pass the time somehow! only 13 hours till the big one!
+ Froomedog, Froomongrel.. not that big a difference! it shouldnt even be pejorative! mixed-breeds are the best dogs!

 

[BigMac]

Peter Kennaugh gonna get a top ten finish and surprise everyone. I'm sure none of you have heard of him

Sorry to disapoint but everyone in this forum knows who Peter Kennaugh is.

 

[BigMac]

Is Sky riding for Kennaugh or Nieve. It might be Nieve, but Kennaugh has been amazing in that small italy race.

It's really hard to tell. I'd go with Nieve but it doesn't mean I think he will perform better than PK. On the contrary.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Is Sky riding for Kennaugh or Nieve. It might be Nieve, but Kennaugh has been amazing in that small italy race.

Hard to tell. Coppi e Bartali was a much flatter race than País Vasco (or than a normal edition of Coppi e Bartali) and Kennaugh was able to defend because of already having a time advantage in the TTT and a strong ITT. However, he looked good in the hilly stage and is clearly in excellent form.

On the other hand, Mikel Nieve grew up riding these roads and has his strength in climbing; the stages are a lot more up and down all day than anything Kennaugh faced in Emilia and the TT is not a normal TT. On the other hand again, however, Nieve's TT is so poor it classifies as an offensive weapon.

Climbs in the TT:

These are some pretty legit climbs, and there is precious little flat in this TT.

 

[woodenswan]

Orc?! F*ck you it's freaking art man

Ps remember this?

His Cancellara beating days may be over, but that was damn impressive, even more so because he was in **** form.

btw, in retrospect, i find it quite amazing that the fact that you had a theme appropriate Alberto gif at your disposal didnt even make me pause

 

[LaFlorecita]

btw, in retrospect, i find it quite amazing that the fact that you had a theme appropriate Alberto gif at your disposal didnt even make me pause

That gif is already a classic.

In my mind at least

 

[manafana]

Hesjedal ITT results at Pais Vasco:

2012

52 HESJEDAL Ryder Team Garmin - Barracuda 1:55

2011

23 HESJEDAL Ryder Team Garmin - Cervélo 1:52

2010

18 HESJEDAL Ryder Team Garmin - Transitions 1:21

2009

50 HESJEDAL Ryder Team Garmin - Slipstream 3:36

When someone says that Hesjedal is better than Contador in ITT specially in this kind of hilly profile, something isn't right.

Hesjedal due to his awkard size etc, is often average in a tt, when he needs to he can put in a decent one which isn't that often, lots of guys are good in tt but need an extreme position to do so

 

[manafana]

Sorry to disapoint but everyone in this forum knows who Peter Kennaugh is.

as sky riders go he is probably my favourite, hoping he gets more chances for himself great climber and who will forget him climbing out of a bush.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Tony Martin has thrown his hat in the ring.
He says he's targeting a top GC finish.

http://www.tonymartin.de

 

[Netserk]

Tony Martin has thrown his hat in the ring.
He says he's targeting a top GC finish.

http://www.tonymartin.de

If I was him, I'd wait until after today to decide

 

[theyoungest]

Tony Martin has thrown his hat in the ring.
He says he's targeting a top GC finish.

http://www.tonymartin.de

Oh Jesus, no, not again. Just work for Wout Poels and Kwia, would you Tony?

 

[theyoungest]

And, anyone seen Tony Martin today?

Anyway, I said Mollema would be better this week, which he clearly wasn't. His form is quite worrying I must say.