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La Vuelta 2012 expectations
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| issoisso |
Posted on 24-07-2012 17:23
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Froome continues to make us laugh with how obvious the sky lunacy is, by matching Contador
Also, Nordhaug makes a huge jump in performance (another one, I mean. he already went from painfully average to quite good this year)
Finally, Antón will do well because this is an even year
"Hopefully in 2 years time I might win the Time Trial and be a credible Time Trial winner because I haven't beaten someone by 2 minutes."
- Bradley Wiggins a few years ago
"It's the Time Trial. The race against the truth!" - Phil Liggett, 2003 Vuelta |
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| 9-Ball |
Posted on 24-07-2012 18:01
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Billopoulos wrote:
I just hope Gesink is at last in perfect form and ready to compete for a GT.
Not going to happen - he's so over-rated it's almost comical. He might continue to dominate the Tour of California Young Rider category though, till he's too old. I don't know, never bought into this guy being a real GC contender. Maybe when he's 30 or if he finds some of those wonderfully named clenbutocows.
Zroome for the Vuelta. Little Al won't have legs. Zroome has at least 8.
It was eleven more than necessary.
Jacques Anquetil |
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| ruben |
Posted on 24-07-2012 18:02
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Lets hope Igor doesn't fall anywhere in the race. His track record is worse than even Gesink
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 26-05-2013 03:48
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 24-07-2012 18:08
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9-Ball wrote:
Billopoulos wrote:
I just hope Gesink is at last in perfect form and ready to compete for a GT.
Not going to happen - he's so over-rated it's almost comical. He might continue to dominate the Tour of California Young Rider category though, till he's too old. I don't know, never bought into this guy being a real GC contender. Maybe when he's 30 or if he finds some of those wonderfully named clenbutocows.
Zroome for the Vuelta. Little Al won't have legs. Zroome has at least 8.
Who's Zroome? Is he an alien?
Check here my story with Qantas, the new Down Under hope:
http://pcmdaily.c...d_id=29026 |
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| emre99 |
Posted on 24-07-2012 18:10
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Miguel98 wrote:
9-Ball wrote:
Billopoulos wrote:
I just hope Gesink is at last in perfect form and ready to compete for a GT.
Not going to happen - he's so over-rated it's almost comical. He might continue to dominate the Tour of California Young Rider category though, till he's too old. I don't know, never bought into this guy being a real GC contender. Maybe when he's 30 or if he finds some of those wonderfully named clenbutocows.
Zroome for the Vuelta. Little Al won't have legs. Zroome has at least 8.
Who's Zroome? Is he an alien?
Froome 
SWANS IN ALL THE SEAS!
PCMDAILYS FAVORITE (POLL)
http://pcmdaily.c...d_id=28886 |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 24-07-2012 18:12
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9-Ball wrote:
Billopoulos wrote:
I just hope Gesink is at last in perfect form and ready to compete for a GT.
Not going to happen - he's so over-rated it's almost comical. He might continue to dominate the Tour of California Young Rider category though, till he's too old. I don't know, never bought into this guy being a real GC contender. Maybe when he's 30 or if he finds some of those wonderfully named clenbutocows.
Zroome for the Vuelta. Little Al won't have legs. Zroome has at least 8.
Winner of American Championship races which I can't remember since my sig was deleted :L
RIP to Exxon Duke and Monster Energy |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 24-07-2012 19:49
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issoisso wrote:
Finally, Antón will do well because this is an even year
You forgot the most important thing -> very few descents in this Vuelta. Then again Antón has such bad luck he could crash uphill à la Menchov.
Really hope the guy has a good Vuelta. Top form and no crashes/illness. He could add a lot of fun.
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 24-07-2012 19:59
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Teddy The Creator wrote:
Ybodonk wrote:
Teddy The Creator wrote:
A bit early to have a thread but I also see a Froome/Conta duel, and a result that will sadden me but hopefully captivate too.
Note that these predictions are all assuming these riders will participate.
1. Froome
2. Contador
3. Rodriguez
4. Henao
5. Anton
6. Cobo
7. De Gendt
8. Van Den Broeck
9. Zubeldia
10. Mollema
Sprints are hard to predict, I think if Argos gets a wilcard then Kittel should win a stage or two for sure.
Ang guess who for the KoM, Moncoutie!
I dont see Froome beating Contador. If he can do that then Froome will have to find a completely new mountain level that havent been seen before.
And all PCM's DB's should change him to 87+ in mountans 
I think VDB will be 4th. I dont see Anton or Cobo finishing before him
Although I know Conta will be in top-form, I think not riding a pro race for 12 months will affect him and the level Froome was riding at Le Tour makes me think.
Conta must be a favourite but I am predicting a Froome win.
Dont forget that Froome just finished tour..and was not sleeping there. He is good ..but he´s aint robot.
isso: Froomebot has been reset and a new BIOS installed
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 24-07-2012 20:02
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Interseting names for me will be De Gent, and Sky youngsters duo. Will they drag Froome or can they race?
isso: Froomebot has been reset and a new BIOS installed
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 24-07-2012 20:11
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Guido Mukk wrote:
Interseting names for me will be De Gent, and Sky youngsters duo. Will they drag Froome or can they race?
I think they will work for Froome. I see Sky trying to apply the same tactics they had in the Tour.
Manager of Project 1t4i ● HQ |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 24-07-2012 20:14
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They'll have it much easier to apply the USPS train tactic in the Vuelta. After all, most stages look like this:
_____________________________/
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 24-07-2012 20:20
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ruben wrote:
Giro 2011 Contador would beat Froome's ass. So that's bs. Maybe you forgot he rode 2011 Tour with already a Giro in his leggs? (where he easily destroyed Nibali uphill and could even ride at 90% the last 3 mountain stages because the lead was too big...)
So I don't get the whole Contador wasn't at a good level in 2011 bullshit.
Yes he wasn't good in the Tour, but with the amount of race days he had and the amount of races he had gone full in, that's normal.
Giro 2011 Contador managed 420 W on his best ascents. And he soft-pedalled the rest of the way.
At the Tour he managed 400-410, which I agree, is a level below (it's like the usual difference between the third or fourth G.C. rider and the strongest one).
So, even at the Giro, he was far from his former best, like a couple of other "miraculous" performers, actually.
How much did Froome manage this year ? 415 average, and obviously he wasn't giving it all. Hint : he and his group climbed Peyresourde almost as fast as the best Contador from 2007.
So, no, Contador wouldn't beat Froome's ass. Not in biblical proportions at least. Thin margins maybe.
Maybe the number of racing days made Contador fade, I'm not denying that, but there's a dozen of other plausible explanations for that, so calling it BS is a bit strong, IMO.
Question mark is on both Froome motivation (and level) and Contador's form (and level) for the Vuelta.
Edited by Aquarius on 24-07-2012 20:22
"Racing is life. Everything before or after is just waiting." |
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| 9-Ball |
Posted on 24-07-2012 21:07
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Guido Mukk wrote:
Dont forget that Froome just finished tour..and was not sleeping there. He is good ..but he´s aint robot.
Sir, with respect, I believe you are wildly out of touch. I present the following as clear evidence:
It was eleven more than necessary.
Jacques Anquetil |
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| Squire |
Posted on 24-07-2012 21:09
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I. Can't. Wait.
The best stageracer in the World, the most exciting climbing talent, the most explosive climber, the second best climber in the World, plus Igor Anton, Sammy Sanchez, Cunego, the Sky Colombians and maybe Valverde. Besides, I do quite like the Vuelta's unique characteristics. This has the making of a fantastic Grand Tour.
Barring injury or crashes, my GC prediction is something like this:
1. Contador
2. Quintana
3. Rodriguez
4. Anton
5. Froome
6. Cunego
7. Sanchez
8. Van den Broeck
9. Kreuziger
10. Henao
De Gendt, Mollema, Uran, Capecchi, Roche, Pinot, possibly Gesink and Machado to be in the mix too.
Cobo is an absolute wildcard, but he looks happy at the moment, so he'll probably be good.
I don't think Andy Schleck will be ready, but he'll probably win a late stage.
I don't know Valverde's program, but if he races, this could be the best GT for me since the Giro 2010.
Edited by Squire on 24-07-2012 21:12
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| searmh |
Posted on 24-07-2012 21:26
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as long as the vuelta is not as boring as the tour ill be happy |
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| searmh |
Posted on 24-07-2012 21:28
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wondering if anyone knows who is likely to ride for Garmin-Sharp?? |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 24-07-2012 21:33
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Squire wrote:
Pinot
I don't know his racing schedule, but I very much doubt he'll ride competitively (to the end) 2 GT in the same season, being only 22.
"Racing is life. Everything before or after is just waiting." |
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| pcm2009fan |
Posted on 24-07-2012 21:57
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9-Ball wrote:
Hmm "Little Al" clearly doesn't stand a chance against that... thing
I do hope that Froome spices things up, but for the first time he has the pressure on his shoulders, and his shape might go against him. Contador is a bit of an unknown but I'd expect him to deliver.
I reckon Schleck won't take too long to withdraw, perhaps in light of a new Radioshack controversy...
Anyway with so much talent on offer, the Vuelta is surely obliged deliver in at least some aspects.
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| lokytrew |
Posted on 24-07-2012 22:05
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The thing is, Contador is fresh. Froome has got the Tour in his legs. It will make him weaker for sure. I expect Quintana on the podium. He is an amazing climber.
Domenico Pozzovivo  |
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| Squire |
Posted on 24-07-2012 22:06
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Aquarius wrote:
Squire wrote:
Pinot
I don't know his racing schedule, but I very much doubt he'll ride competitively (to the end) 2 GT in the same season, being only 22.
Good point. According to cyclingfever, he's riding the Vuelta.
Guess he should be in my Schleck category then.
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