Why is Gerrans off TdeF squad

[Jasper]

He was the best out of an escape group that got a free pass from the peloton. Hardly the same as dragging Sastre all the way up the mountain with a murderous pace that leaves half of the top 20 candidates dying in his wheel.

 

[grumpy mongrel]

As a very close friend of Simon (gero) I was having dinner with him when he got his first call up for TDF. I am extremely dissapointed he is not riding, but teams make decisions on many factors that we as viewers, local racers, and even national riders, dont know. Give him a break, he is a great rider, has performed beyond his wildest dreams, and will take this as a pro, and get on with the job. I will check with him as to the reason....

 

[issoisso]

He was the best out of an escape group that got a free pass from the peloton. Hardly the same as dragging Sastre all the way up the mountain with a murderous pace that leaves half of the top 20 candidates dying in his wheel.

To be fair, he was dropped, got back on and kept yo-yoing off the back of Pate and Martínez during the climb. At the end, he barely hung on, and being the better sprinter, left them behind on the flat finish.

 

[stevepedo]

Looking at the bios of the climbers assisting Sastre, I can only find very modest results.
The controversy is due to an open question of the pros and cons of having an all rounder like Gerrans or a specialist/s of limited abilities. The people here making airy fairy statements seem to think that Sastre will be surrounded by team mates when the road goes vertical, just because they are classified as climbers. Perhaps, or IMHO perhaps not.

 

[issoisso]

Looking at the bios of the climbers assisting Sastre, I can only find very modest results.
The controversy is due to an open question of the pros and cons of having an all rounder like Gerrans or a specialist/s of limited abilities. The people here making airy fairy statements seem to think that Sastre will be surrounded by team mates when the road goes vertical, just because they are classified as climbers. Perhaps, or IMHO perhaps not.

You're clearly referring to Cuesta and Gustov. Those are two riders who have spent their entire careers in the service of someone else.
They are the typical domestique: after their service is done, they tail off and finish very slowly to avoid wasting energy.
They also never get into breaks.

This is why you don't see them having results. But their climbing abilities are clear to see when they race.

Remember the 2006 Giro? Simoni vs Basso on the Mortirolo? Remember who dropped every single rider in the pack so that those two were left alone to fight? Hint: it was Gustov. That's just one example, by the way.

Sastre won't be "surrounded by teammates" in the final kms of mountain stages. But they'll be there when he needs them. Which Gerrans would never be able to do, not being a very good climber.

 

[Zambeaux]

I don't thinnk it's such a bad idea to get him out of the Tour roster. I'm sure he'd do a good work for Sastre, but he's had a busy season so far and there's still the Vuelta, the Worlds and the autumm classics...

 

[Andrew Swan]

Gerrans should go to a french team where solo, tv coverage, efforts are the main TdF aim (i.e. FdJeux or Cofidis)

Mate, you forgot serial offenders Bouygues Telecom! Little Tommie's initials aren't "TV" for nothing...

P.S. The insightful comments on this thread have helped me overcome my rage about Gerrans' non-selection, for which I'm grateful. Luckily Haussler is still there to fly the flag (sorta).