The 2010 Cycling Thread!

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Do you think he will end up with more total points than Pettachi? I don't even know the point total for the green jersey winner. I debated about taking Thor cause I thought he would win green but ended up changing my mind and taking Cav.

Green jersey winner gets 100pts in Velogames, 2nd place gets 80.
Petacchi will end up with more points than Cav though, as he had 957 at the last update while Cav had 818. Even with a 30pt increase for Cav for Stage 20 (150 vs 120), he'll still finish behind Alejet in total points.

Although Cav will pass Hushovd in points after that last stage.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Come on, San Sebastian next week!

Very early talk of Vuelta roster:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010...mark-cavendish-highlight-vuelta-roster_131686

Both Schlecks, Menchov, Cav, Boonen, etc.
The problem with selecting a team for the Vuelta is a good chunk of the star riders leave early to prepare for Worlds. I think I read somewhere else that Farrar wanted to race the Vuelta too as prep for Worlds.
I could see Andy working for Frank in the GC of the Vuelta if Frank is recovered enough.

 

[ARM]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Teams are over rated. I've yet to see a tour since '89 where a superior team was able to overcome a superior rider.

A strong team can't move a weaker rider to a GC win. However, a weakness in a team can definitely cost a rider in the GC. I thought SaxoBank was very strong until they lost Frank Schleck, and then they really didn't have that one guy to be Andy's wing man. Imagine how different the chain episode might have played out had Frank still been in the race to trade bikes or work with Andy to catch up.

Also, was Lance really the 3rd best guy last year? I think being on a strong team helped him.

Now losing Renshaw and Cav keeps killing them. Makes me question lead out value.

Cav has said that w/o Renshaw he's still the favorite, but with Renshaw, it is a sure thing. It makes sense. The guy who is much faster than everyone else is going to be very hard to beat, but if that fastest guy also gets launched right where he wants to be ... I'm not sure how slower guys can compete.

 

[Probert]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Very early talk of Vuelta roster:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010...mark-cavendish-highlight-vuelta-roster_131686

Both Schlecks, Menchov, Cav, Boonen, etc.
The problem with selecting a team for the Vuelta is a good chunk of the star riders leave early to prepare for Worlds. I think I read somewhere else that Farrar wanted to race the Vuelta too as prep for Worlds.
I could see Andy working for Frank in the GC of the Vuelta if Frank is recovered enough.

Usually for the Vuelta I take all Spanish guys because they are much more likely to stick around till the end.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

I've yet to see a tour since '89 where a superior team was able to overcome a superior rider.

I can't believe I'm about to write this, but I could argue that '08 we saw it. CSC was clearly the stronger team and Evans couldn't counter Sastre's move on the Alpe as F. Schleck would have jumped. I think the idea that Sastre was stronger (or weaker) than Evans is open to debate.

I think you could also argue whether Riis was stronger than Indurian in '96. I remember Ullrich practically dragging Riis up some col while Big Mig struggled.

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

I can't believe I'm about to write this, but I could argue that '08 we saw it. CSC was clearly the stronger team and Evans couldn't counter Sastre's move on the Alpe as F. Schleck would have jumped. I think the idea that Sastre was stronger (or weaker) than Evans is open to debate.

I think you could also argue whether Riis was stronger than Indurian in '96. I remember Ullrich practically dragging Riis up some col while Big Mig struggled.

I don't think I'm with you on those two.

Evans just doesn't do it for me in the grand tours. Until the worlds last year, he always struck me as a bit of a kitty. Sastre has been on the podium in Grand Tours several times. His beating of Evans seemed entirely predictable. Granted I due think this is the best example, had CSC been supporting Evans he wins no doubt. They help him up the mountains and he would have drilled the TTs. As it was, I wasn't too suprised when Sastre destroyed everyone at the base of Alpe de Huez.

I don't think the Indurain example in the '96 Tour holds, maybe someone else from that tour. Unless I'm remembering it wrongly, Indurain really wasn't a factor. I clearly think Ullrich would have won had he not been supporting Riis.

I truly hope to see it next year if Frank and Andy alternate attacks and actually crack Contador. I just don't think it will happen unless Frank really improves, AC just won't respect his attacks.

 

[Probert]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

I don't think I'm with you on those two.

Evans just doesn't do it for me in the grand tours. Until the worlds last year, he always struck me as a bit of a kitty. Sastre has been on the podium in Grand Tours several times. His beating of Evans seemed entirely predictable. Granted I due think this is the best example, had CSC been supporting Evans he wins no doubt. They help him up the mountains and he would have drilled the TTs. As it was, I wasn't too suprised when Sastre destroyed everyone at the base of Alpe de Huez.

I don't think the Indurain example in the '96 Tour holds, maybe someone else from that tour. Unless I'm remembering it wrongly, Indurain really wasn't a factor. I clearly think Ullrich would have won had he not been supporting Riis.

I truly hope to see it next year if Frank and Andy alternate attacks and actually crack Contador. I just don't think it will happen unless Frank really improves, AC just won't respect his attacks.

The other thing about next year is supposedly Frank and Andy are going to a new team so aside from them how strong will the rest of the team be? Especially if their is a TTT unless they have some strong TT riders Andy could be in a hole to begin with.

As another note about team strength Sastre has really not been a GC factor since leaving Saxo Bank for Cervelo which is a pretty weak Grand Tour team.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

The other thing about next year is supposedly Frank and Andy are going to a new team so aside from them how strong will the rest of the team be?

Some of the riders rumored on going to their team are pretty strong, but we'll see what actually transpires. That should be an interesting team to watch be built. They certainly have a strong core in the Schlecks.

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Congrats to Saeco again! Pretty impressive win. Losing Frank early and still putting the beat down on the rest of us.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Come on, the big loss was Cardoso on day 1, not F. Schleck!

Still I'll take the win, losing both Schleck and Cardoso within the first few days this is a good result! I think this gives me the career grand slam. Based on experience, I'll pick up the maglia nero, or whatever the Spanish equivalent is in the Vuelta.

As for the discussion about the '08 TdF, I'm not sure who was stronger, Evans or Sastre, but it was close enough for me to say that the team won the event.

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

As for the discussion about the '08 TdF, I'm not sure who was stronger, Evans or Sastre, but it was close enough for me to say that the team won the event.

As 2010 TDF USCHO Champion, you win.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Congrats to Titleist on another league title!
30 days and counting until the Vuelta now...

Sounds like Contador will be leaving Astana at the end of the season.
Possibly joining Riis over at the reformed Saxo Bank (now with main title sponsor Sunguard) team. That's with the Schlecks supposedly forming this Luxembourg based team.

Should be an interesting offseason.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Congrats to Titleist on another league title!
30 days and counting until the Vuelta now...

Sounds like Contador will be leaving Astana at the end of the season.
Possibly joining Riis over at the reformed Saxo Bank (now with main title sponsor Sunguard) team. That's with the Schlecks supposedly forming this Luxembourg based team.

Should be an interesting offseason.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=5416265

confirmed.

Contador could have a lot of suitors couldn't he?

Caisse De'pange was linked to him last year wasn't he?

How fractured is Contador and Hog's relationship? Was the main rift between Armstrong and Contador or would he never consider joining forces with Johan again on Radioshack or whatever team Hog ends up with after what happened last year with Astana.

I forgot the Schlecks were leaving SaxoBank so that opens up that team as well.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Caisse De'pange was linked to him last year wasn't he?

Caisse d'Epargne might not even be a team next year, unless they find a new sponsor. Even if they do, they'll be called something else. If they find a new sponsor, they might be looking for a new GC guy with Valverde done for a couple years.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/caisse-depargne-to-end-cycling-sponsorship

How fractured is Contador and Hog's relationship? Was the main rift between Armstrong and Contador or would he never consider joining forces with Johan again on Radioshack or whatever team Hog ends up with after what happened last year with Astana.

I forgot the Schlecks were leaving SaxoBank so that opens up that team as well.

It seems Johan and Contador get along fine...it was more the rift between AC/LA.

The odds of AC joining RadioShack are pretty slim though. AC has a personal contract with Specialized for another couple years, and RS is tied to Trek for a few more years. The odds are better that the Schlecks join RS should their Luxembourg deal fall through.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

It seems Johan and Contador get along fine...it was more the rift between AC/LA.

Partially true I think. In addition to the bike sponsor issue, I've seen the Hog really say some unkind things about AC in the Tour aftermath. I just can't see him reforming there. I mean this still is the same team that didn't pick him up to got to the last TT last year. And it would mean I'd have to go back to hating him again.

As for the move to Riis/Sungard, its a good move for him. He'd have Cance pulling for him in the TTT (which will return next year) and Schleck wouldn't. Bet he'd also get LL Sanchez if he wanted.

Finally apparently Samu broke his arm in the crash on the Tourmalet stage Here.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

And it would mean I'd have to go back to hating him again.

As for the move to Riis/Sungard, its a good move for him. He'd have Cance pulling for him in the TTT (which will return next year) and Schleck wouldn't. Bet he'd also get LL Sanchez if he wanted.

Agreed, that would be a dominant team next year if Contador moves over to Sunguard (and takes some of his workers, as has been rumored...Navarro, De la Fuente, etc) and if they can keep Cance (I've seen rumors that BMC wants him...not sure how valid they are).

 

[MattS]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

The odds of AC joining RadioShack are pretty slim though.

Especially since I read today that Kloden has declared himself the team leader at RadioShack next season.

Even with the disappointing result, the 35 year old German feels that next year will be his year: "I think for sure that next year the team will focus on me, and I'll have a chance to do a good ride at the Tour."

 

[Probert]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Especially since I read today that Kloden has declared himself the team leader at RadioShack next season.

Based on the Tour it has to be Chris Horner doesn't it. I wouldn't be surprised barring a big acquisition to see Brajowitz get a chance on a Grand Tour as leader.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Especially since I read today that Kloden has declared himself the team leader at RadioShack next season.

Kloden's form at the TdF this year was disappointing.

 

[MattS]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Based on the Tour it has to be Chris Horner doesn't it. I wouldn't be surprised barring a big acquisition to see Brajowitz get a chance on a Grand Tour as leader.

I would rather see Horner get a shot at it over Wheel sucker Levi or Kloden. But realistically unless Radioshack signs a big name it will probably be Brajkovic.