I'd prefer to see more discussion of the other 95% of races that occur during a season.
For example <snip> RVV <snip>
- first of all, you should change the name of this forum to "pro cycling talk" or something like that because the Road Racing forum is too slow and this one is hardly limited to the GTs. Do you have that authority?
Koppenberg is out next year because of the bad paving - fine with me, it was fun but ridiculous in 2006.
Can Boonen 3-peat? Only Magni has ever done that, in the 1950's. I think TB could win nothing else all year and still be a superhero if he wins at Vlaanderen.
If it's windy (make that windier than usual) the first selection can be made well before the first bergs.
I have to say I like the Koppenberg's inclusion in RVV - especially in wet conditions.
I agree 2006 Koppenberg was a bit chaotic but it added to the spectacle.
Thing is, it's too easy for a team mate to "crash on purpose" and take out challengers; one guy goes down and huge numbers of riders wind up walking and losing contact. I like the elements of chance and risk, but not tactics like that. And the cobbles are REALLY bad now - the subsurface has shifted and there are wheel-swallowing gaps between them.
Oh yeah, Tommy Boy will be going to a 3peat and Cancellara is a good bet. But the one I'm interested to see if he can do anything is Leif Hoste now that he's no longer #2 behind Hincapie. I wonder if he has it in him.
Oh yeah, Tommy Boy will be going to a 3peat and Cancellara is a good bet. But the one I'm interested to see if he can do anything is Leif Hoste now that he's no longer #2 behind Hincapie. I wonder if he has it in him.
Hoste has two second places, 2004 and 2006 - how much more evidence does one need that he "has it in him" other than winning?
As for being #2 behind Hincapie, sure didn't seem like it last year. 🙂
Well, you all know what I have to say... it is one of the few races Bettini has not won. He has proven he can have fine form and can deliver on the races he programmes for...
Hoste has two second places, 2004 and 2006 - how much more evidence does one need that he "has it in him" other than winning?
As for being #2 behind Hincapie, sure didn't seem like it last year. 🙂
We'll have to see what Hoste can do without Hincapie and Co. It's a lot easier to slip away when you've got two strong teammates with you in the winning move and they're all eyeballing one in particular.
We'll have to see what Hoste can do without Hincapie and Co. It's a lot easier to slip away when you've got two strong teammates with you in the winning move and they're all eyeballing one in particular.
And yes, the bicycle racing forum is slow.
exactly, I should have said I wonder if he still has in him after a few years at Disco.
We'll have to see what Hoste can do without Hincapie and Co. It's a lot easier to slip away when you've got two strong teammates with you in the winning move and they're all eyeballing one in particular.
In 2004, when he was 2nd RVV and 12th Roubaix, he rode for Lotto-Domo. The RVV was a solo break of 230 out of 257km. (And don't forget his nominal 2nd at Roubaix 2006!)
I don't want him to beat Hincapie, but I don't like seeing him put down either - he is one major good rider. He has already shown he can do plenty.
In 2004, when he was 2nd RVV and 12th Roubaix, he rode for Lotto-Domo. The RVV was a solo break of 230 out of 257km. (And don't forget his nominal 2nd at Roubaix 2006!)
I don't want him to beat Hincapie, but I don't like seeing him put down either - he is one major good rider. He has already shown he can do plenty.
Agreed. Next year, keep your eye on Tyler Farrar (US, Cofidis). That's my boy from the Great Northwest and the Rounde is his kind of race. I mean, he ain't going win. I think he's still 20, but a top 10? Maybe.
Well, you all know what I have to say... it is one of the few races Bettini has not won. He has proven he can have fine form and can deliver on the races he programmes for...
If Paolo really wanted this one, he should have stuck with the T-Mobile offer - no way he's going to do it with Tomtom on his team and in the race. It is a good course for him though.
Agreed. Next year, keep your eye on Tyler Farrar (US, Cofidis). That's my boy from the Great Northwest and the Rounde is his kind of race. I mean, he ain't going win. I think he's still 20, but a top 10? Maybe.
With all due respect, that would be completely out of the blue. He is a promising youngster who nonetheless has nothing approaching a result like this would be. In 2005 he was an espoir. 2006 was to have been his first in the major pros, but he crashed in April; not sure how much he rode the rest of the year. Has he ever even ridden a ProTour race?
Give him a few years, let him get some more results first. He's 22, by the way.
His photo is also on the promotional poster for RVV 2007 - putting the WC into difficulty (at least that's the story he'll tell his grandkids)
I saw that photo, surprised they didn't chose one with more of TB - but two Belgians, so no problems.
I recall reading that, after Hoste attacked and TB caught up, the latter went "a bloc" to fend off a third rider, don't recall who. Hoste said he was barely able to hang on. Pretty even the rest of the way, but I don't recall either attacking until the final 400m.
If Paolo really wanted this one, he should have stuck with the T-Mobile offer - no way he's going to do it with Tomtom on his team and in the race. It is a good course for him though.
Fair enough. But you never know what can happen in a race. And what TB wins in the early season...
BTW, I also forgot to mention Ballan. That boy can motor in the classics...
