Wiggins Discussion thread.

[Caruut]

But if it were a game of poker I would possibly say he is showing his hand too early. Impressing as it is, Sky showing their stage race stragegy/showing their strength for all their July competitors to see in advance could backfire by July.

Cancellara is testement to the fact that if you continually show your strength your competitors eventually wise up, leave you to make the race and then smoke you in the finale.

Cancellara's real problem is that his biggest strength is one that cycling just doesn't really reward due to drafting. To be a climber, you've got to be very nearly as strong, unless their tactics are really stupid. To beat a sprinter you've gotta be stronger. To be a rider like Cancellara, you just don't. Cancellara would have won far less if he spent all his time bumbling around pretending he couldn't solo on the flat to save his life, and only raced properly a few times.

 

[Richeypen]

Just noticed that Brad is wearing national champion bands. Didnt think Sky did that but I like it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Appreciation thread detected.

 

[williamp78]

Just noticed that Brad is wearing national champion bands. Didnt think Sky did that but I like it.

Does Christian Knees have the german bands? Or Eisel the austrian? (actually i'm not sure if eisel ever won the austrian champs.)

I noticed Rogers had the rainbow bands during the prologue

 

[Richeypen]

Does Christian Knees have the german bands? Or Eisel the austrian? (actually i'm not sure if eisel ever won the austrian champs.)

I noticed Rogers had the rainbow bands during the prologue

Nope. Hunt and Thomas havnt either

 

[williamp78]

I wonder why wiggins does then?

 

[Angliru]

Cancellara's real problem is that his biggest strength is one that cycling just doesn't really reward due to drafting. To be a climber, you've got to be very nearly as strong, unless their tactics are really stupid. To beat a sprinter you've gotta be stronger. To be a rider like Cancellara, you just don't. Cancellara would have won far less if he spent all his time bumbling around pretending he couldn't solo on the flat to save his life, and only raced properly a few times.

Its a tactic that worked in the past but his opponents are now closely watching out for him to make his "patented move". In the cobbled classics where fatigue plays a much stronger factor he is more inclined to get away with it because in those races the strongest rider often than not wins but even then if his support is subpar he ends up burning many matches before the race reaches its pivotal point. In the stage races he can still end up making the selection on his own but the formula has been established to minimize the success of his efforts. He's no longer able to create that gap that can't be bridged like he's done in the past. It will be interesting to see what happens in Paris-Roubaix and RVV next year with Boonen back at his best and some of the young prospects having gained experience and confidence.

 

[Angliru]

Appreciation thread detected.

Noticed that too. Thought they were all changed to discussion threads.

 

[Angliru]

I wonder why wiggins does then?

He's special.

 

[Parrulo]

Noticed that too. Thought they were all changed to discussion threads.

just the ones on the first few pages, the rest would be changed as they popped up, which i have already done with this one a couple hours ago

 

[Forunculo]

Wasn't Wiggo too isolated last kms today?

 

[Winterfold]

Finished with Cuddles (68 and 71)

Maybe they were looking out for each other?

When it's that fast and Rogers is off the back ( happened a few times already ) he will be on his own, if Eisel and EBH are with Cav.

 

[taiwan]

They should have kept thread with the poll

 

[masking_agent]

I'm curious to know if we will see Wiggo ever "attack" during this year's tour ? I have watched many races in the last 2 seasons, and never remember seeing him launch an attack ?? I guess he's more of the "follow" moves vs create a move. Only time will tell. I think back to this year's Dauphine , Paris Nice and last year's Vuelta.

 

[Froome19]

I'm curious to know if we will see Wiggo ever "attack" during this year's tour ? I have watched many races in the last 2 seasons, and never remember seeing him launch an attack ?? I guess he's more of the "follow" moves vs create a move. Only time will tell. I think back to this year's Dauphine , Paris Nice and last year's Vuelta.

He has never had the climbing ability to really attack in the mountains, this year though he seems to have improved and so we may see him attack. He will most likely not attack though but rather ride tempo as he did in the Vuelta and try and drop the riders behind him. That is obviously his forte as it is generally with most time triallist-climber such as he.

And of course he may very well not be required to attack at all if he has gained the necessary time in the TT.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I'm curious to know if we will see Wiggo ever "attack" during this year's tour ?

We are unlikely to see an "attack" in the sense of a significant acceleration. He's not that kind of rider. He's not great on short, sharp, climbs for the same reason. He's a poor sprinter for the same reason. He's just not explosive. The other type of attack a grinding rider with no explosive change of pace can do is on the downhill, but those aren't his forte either.

He could take a flyer off the front on the flat and try to time trial his way to victory (in the way David Millar sometimes does) but a GC man can't really hope to get away with that.

The best we can hope for in terms of excitement for him is that he hits the front and grinds people off his wheel, Basso style. More likely, he follows wheels all Tour and relies on his TT to make time.

 

[masking_agent]

I agree ..

 

[El Pistolero]

Just noticed that Brad is wearing national champion bands. Didnt think Sky did that but I like it.

He should, everyone should. It's the only way I can recognize Phil these days in the peloton. Can't see the acne from camera-shots.

 

[MonteZoncolan]

I'm curious to know if we will see Wiggo ever "attack" during this year's tour ? I have watched many races in the last 2 seasons, and never remember seeing him launch an attack ?? I guess he's more of the "follow" moves vs create a move. Only time will tell. I think back to this year's Dauphine , Paris Nice and last year's Vuelta.

Not a Wiggins fan but remember watching this live...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le8rfpFu6TM&feature=related

 

[will10]

Not a Wiggins fan but remember watching this live...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le8rfpFu6TM&feature=related

So winning a bunch sprint counts as an attack now?

 

[jens_attacks]

he attacked on monte grappa and mende this year

on planche de belles filles it will be something else.rolland be strong,son!

 

[webvan]

Yep, PdBF will be a good time for him to get everyone depressed before the ITT.

 

[Caruut]

He should, everyone should. It's the only way I can recognize Phil these days in the peloton. Can't see the acne from camera-shots.

Don't like BMC's nats bands, though they're better than nothing.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Didn´t see any pictures of Knees and the others´s jerseys, but I´m sure they have the stripes on the jerseys, they even have to, I think. Reason why they are missing is probably that some riders like to cut few cms of their jersey arms when it´s really hot.

 

[MonteZoncolan]

So winning a bunch sprint counts as an attack now?

No need to be an arsehole. I suppose I should have asked first, so what defines an attack?