So it's 2 and 4 for FDJ, not 2 and 3.. It's still quite impressive!
Still impressive
Farrar continues to be disappointing. Seems like he hasn't been on top since 2010. Not a good year last year either. Yes, he took a stage victory in TDF, but that was all. And in the end it was between him, Feillu, Rojas and Hinault because of a crash. None of them are know to win a lot of races. Wonder what has happend to him. Think he misses a lead out man. He had Julian Dean, who is maybe the best in the world(in competition with Renshaw). He had Hushovd as a lead out man in Tirreno - Adriatico last year, and then he was right up there because of his good leadouts. He miss those now... I would say he is not top 10 in the world. He has a name, and he lives on that.
lluuiiggii wrote:I couldn't see the race, but reading the reports it seems like Cancellara really destroyed the field. Seems like a sign for the upcoming classics.
Just watched the last 50km from a RAI broadcast. Definitely didn't destroy the field - just rode away in the final 10km. Van Avermaet (I think) put in a big attack on the final hill about 12k from finish. Cancellara pulled it back gradually and then rode past him. Had a gap of a few seconds or so going over the top and then powered on to the finish. Ballan taking a wrong turn in the run in definitely didn't help the 5 chasers.
Certainly in good shape though - would appear that is looking good for MSR and the cobbles. Think Boonen will still best him in Flanders/Roubaix.
Oh, and I can't see Oss putting in an attack in the latter stages of a race ever again.
So it's 2 and 4 for FDJ, not 2 and 3.. It's still quite impressive!
Still impressive
Farrar continues to be disappointing. Seems like he hasn't been on top since 2010. Not a good year last year either. Yes, he took a stage victory in TDF, but that was all. And in the end it was between him, Feillu, Rojas and Hinault because of a crash. None of them are know to win a lot of races. Wonder what has happend to him. Think he misses a lead out man. He had Julian Dean, who is maybe the best in the world(in competition with Renshaw). He had Hushovd as a lead out man in Tirreno - Adriatico last year, and then he was right up there because of his good leadouts. He miss those now... I would say he is not top 10 in the world. He has a name, and he lives on that.
Wouter Weylandt happened. To put it bluntly, I think Farrar has lost his nerve and had his cycling world shaken to the core when Wouter passed away. I don't think you can have any kind of doubts or fears if you want to be a sprinter. And I'd be surprised if his training wasn't compromised in some way, be it lack of motivation or deeper in his psyche.
I hope he can come back to being a top sprinter, although we cant forget he got a win on Stage 3 in the Tour last year (after Wouter's crash, if that was the issue), so maybe that isn't his problem, and he just has poor form.
valverde321 wrote:
I hope he can come back to being a top sprinter, although we cant forget he got a win on Stage 3 in the Tour last year (after Wouter's crash, if that was the issue), so maybe that isn't his problem, and he just has poor form.
He already stated many times his full preparations over the winter has gone into the classics, cobbled especially. He didn't do any sprint training and will focus on that in the second half of the year coming to the Tour. We'll judge him then, but I think it's clear he will never be fast as Cav, Greipel or even Kittel so I think he will find it tough to win at Tour again in a mass sprint, but we never know I guess
Demare again on the podium. I think Farrar is one of the best sprinters and
I´m sure he will be back soon with good results.
Anyway, I also agree with Alakagom there are still some guys, sprinting a lot faster.
I´m looking forward to see Marcel Kittel in some bigger races this year. Hopefully his team will get a wild card for the Tour.
