Wiggins @ 2011 Tour

[Anonymous]

You saying there is a possibility he may not ride the tour?

Dunno but it should be an option.

 

[Sophistic]

I wouldnt write him off so quickly, the guy was toast already at the prologue this year, most likely a result of the tough Giro/poor build up.
The course might not be favorable next year but i wouldnt be surprised to see him crack the top 10 again if he manages to arrive at the Tour in top shape.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Kreuziger is doing the giro.

Gesink could potentially win the Giro and/or the Vuelta next year, but he will probably prefer to be top 5 in the TDF...

that's fine, but my point stands. Lots of riders - unfortunately - prioritize the tour, and lose the opportunities from the giro/vuelta.

And despite what some people here assume, it will remain this way next season.

Presuming riders like uran are going to the ride the giro, as it seems logical, unfortunately will only lead to disappointment (The majority of the time ).

 

[Wiggins_fan]

I think Wiggins will be on the podium for sure. The guy is a top notch TTer and for this reason alone he is a major threat in the TDF. Of course we must realize that Wiggins may be the only CLEAN major podium contender which is why he is always dropped in the bigger mountains. Hopefully he will be right up there with Contador and Schleck in 2011. Who knows

 

[la.margna]

tour 2011 is much too difficult an does not have enough ITT km in order that Wiggo has any Top 10 chance.

...unless he has again an incredible magic winter transformation like in the period between le Tour 2008 and 2009, but I highly doubt he can become such a strong climber.

 

[Christian]

Way way down. This year he was found out after a tame 2009 route and next year is an even worse route for him. Top 20 would be a result

Yup exactly what I think. 2010 was a bad route for him, 2011 even worse. Top 20 at the very best

 

[Frosty]

Does anyone have a profile of the 41km ITT round Grenoble? There is nothing on the letour website just a mention that it favours a strong rider who can TT and the mention of some climbs. Could be one for Wiggins to wait for if things arent going well in the mountains, but then maybe it favours Menchov, Martin, Sanchez etc, Conty obviously if he is riding.

Just speculation but i cant help wondering if team Sky might be focussing more on EBH come the time of the tour. The bunch sprints may well still be Cav's preserve but if he isnt there or on form then EBH could get a win. The first stage could be to EBH's favour and even if he doesnt win then Sky may look to concentrate on the TTT the next day to get the yellow jersey. This wouldnt be easy as Columbia and Garmin will also scent an opportunity. EBH could also be a contender for the points jersey, being able to get points on the lumpier stages.

This eventuality wouldnt mean that they would forget about Wiggins but more build most of the team around EBH and leave Wiggins and Lovkvist to their own devices in the mountains. Since neither of these guys are likely to be serious contenders for the overall this might not matter as they could just follow wheels and see where they end up. Maybe they decide who is top of the pecking order if there is a big difference between them on the first big mountain stage - the one further back on time then works for the other/tries to go for a stage win.

EDIT: I havent gone for a position, i think he will do better than this year, 12th.

 

[maltiv]

Does anyone have a profile of the 41km ITT round Grenoble? There is nothing on the letour website just a mention that it favours a strong rider who can TT and the mention of some climbs. Could be one for Wiggins to wait for if things arent going well in the mountains, but then maybe it favours Menchov, Martin, Sanchez etc, Conty obviously if he is riding.

Just speculation but i cant help wondering if team Sky might be focussing more on EBH come the time of the tour. The bunch sprints may well still be Cav's preserve but if he isnt there or on form then EBH could get a win. The first stage could be to EBH's favour and even if he doesnt win then Sky may look to concentrate on the TTT the next day to get the yellow jersey. This wouldnt be easy as Columbia and Garmin will also scent an opportunity. EBH could also be a contender for the points jersey, being able to get points on the lumpier stages.

This eventuality wouldnt mean that they would forget about Wiggins but more build most of the team around EBH and leave Wiggins and Lovkvist to their own devices in the mountains. Since neither of these guys are likely to be serious contenders for the overall this might not matter as they could just follow wheels and see where they end up. Maybe they decide who is top of the pecking order if there is a big difference between them on the first big mountain stage - the one further back on time then works for the other/tries to go for a stage win.

I'm pretty sure they've already said that EBH will get more support in 2011. On paper, the first week looks to be perfect for him, as there are many stages that suits him perfectly, most notably the first stage where he will have a chance to get the yellow jersey. I don't think he'll get/try to get the points jersey, because he still gets boxed in quite frequently and this would lose him a great deal of points, and in addition being in contention for the points jersey means he wouldn't be able to go for a stage win from a breakway.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Urán is a good rider, and he did the Giro/Vuelta this year. He has always seemed less all-about-the-Tour than many of the other youngsters, but then he isn't from a country - and wasn't riding for a team - where the Tour is near to the only major race for them (I know, neither is Gesink). However, Team Sky ARE from a country where the Tour is near to the only major race as far as the public are concerned, and Urán is a good climber, ergo he will be expected to be a key lieutenant for Wiggins and perhaps ersatz leader. However, as a rider, he would be much better suited to the Giro and Vuelta. He was Arroyo's last domestique on Grappa and Mortirolo; he saved himself on Zoncolán when Jeannesson took up the role, but recovered enough to finish 7th on Kronplatz afterward.

He also is not especially good against the clock, so riding the GC at one of the more climbing-oriented GTs would be better for him than the Tour - but Team Sky need his help for Wiggins.

 

[ingsve]

Does anyone have a profile of the 41km ITT round Grenoble? There is nothing on the letour website just a mention that it favours a strong rider who can TT and the mention of some climbs. Could be one for Wiggins to wait for if things arent going well in the mountains, but then maybe it favours Menchov, Martin, Sanchez etc, Conty obviously if he is riding.

Just speculation but i cant help wondering if team Sky might be focussing more on EBH come the time of the tour. The bunch sprints may well still be Cav's preserve but if he isnt there or on form then EBH could get a win. The first stage could be to EBH's favour and even if he doesnt win then Sky may look to concentrate on the TTT the next day to get the yellow jersey. This wouldnt be easy as Columbia and Garmin will also scent an opportunity. EBH could also be a contender for the points jersey, being able to get points on the lumpier stages.

This eventuality wouldnt mean that they would forget about Wiggins but more build most of the team around EBH and leave Wiggins and Lovkvist to their own devices in the mountains. Since neither of these guys are likely to be serious contenders for the overall this might not matter as they could just follow wheels and see where they end up. Maybe they decide who is top of the pecking order if there is a big difference between them on the first big mountain stage - the one further back on time then works for the other/tries to go for a stage win.

EDIT: I havent gone for a position, i think he will do better than this year, 12th.

Well, Wiggins will still be there and he will have support but it seems like they will be prepared to have more focus on stage wins than last year.

My guess is something like:

Wiggins + 3 helpers

Sprinter + 2 helpers

2 riders that can help with both.

The team that I would pick If I would choose right now is

Wiggins
Löfkvist
Uran
Rogers (if the rumors are true)

Thomas
Arvesen

Henderson
Boasson Hagen
Sutton

It depends a lot on forim of course and especially on who is doing the Giro. Löfkvist talked earlier this year about perhaps doing the Giro again next year and if he does I doubt he would be in good shape for the Tour.

Having both Henderson and EBH is a good idea in my opinion since it means they can switch around a little if things aren't working for either of them. Also it might be an idea to leave the green jersey alone for EBH and instead let Henderson sprint on flat stages so that EBH can get more freedom from the peloton to go in breaks. A lot can change by the time we get this far into next season though,

 

[The Hitch]

Urán is a good rider, and he did the Giro/Vuelta this year. He has always seemed less all-about-the-Tour than many of the other youngsters, but then he isn't from a country - and wasn't riding for a team - where the Tour is near to the only major race for them (I know, neither is Gesink). However, Team Sky ARE from a country where the Tour is near to the only major race as far as the public are concerned, and Urán is a good climber, ergo he will be expected to be a key lieutenant for Wiggins and perhaps ersatz leader. However, as a rider, he would be much better suited to the Giro and Vuelta. He was Arroyo's last domestique on Grappa and Mortirolo; he saved himself on Zoncolán when Jeannesson took up the role, but recovered enough to finish 7th on Kronplatz afterward.

He also is not especially good against the clock, so riding the GC at one of the more climbing-oriented GTs would be better for him than the Tour - but Team Sky need his help for Wiggins.

And right after this he went and performed very well in the Tour de Suisse. Was 2nd to Gesink before the stage where everything was turned on its head and i dont remember where he finished. Probably around 7th or so. Came 2nd in the stage Frank one as well.

Anyway, its one thing to compete in the Giro and then try to compete in the Tour, its another, slightly easier task to compete in the Giro and domestique in the Tour. If he does the Cadel Evans thing of doing the Giro, then shutting himself away, not doing any races until the Tour, he can warm up during the early boring Cav stages and be a good domestique during the 3d week, or if hes not needed, try for a stage win.