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Tour de France 11 Stage 21: Créteil > Paris Champs-Elysées 95km
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| hakab |
Posted on 24-07-2011 10:21
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All of Edvalds wins have come after disappointing things happened the day before.
Once he started sprinting early, the day after he won.
He got beat by Hushovd, the day after he won.
Yesterday the handlebar broke, let's hope the pattern continues. |
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| Martin_TB |
Posted on 24-07-2011 10:55
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I wish Edvald all the best, but unless he manages to get onto the HTC train, I don't think he has the bodies to deliver him to the line fast enough.
Of Course, there is going to be a lot of adrenaline flowing in the final laps, but that needs to be controlled and Sky really rely on Brad Wiggins to set up and control their train (as well as his contribution in pulling it). Without him I fear that the occasion may prove too much. Cobbles won't help either.
That's not to say that Eddy or Swifty can't take advantage of the HTC train, jump on Cav's wheel and try and nick it, but they've tried it before and they have been knocked off the wheel by Julian Dean (for example).
My money is on HTC and Cav, but there will be several teams wanting to take advantage of them. |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 24-07-2011 10:59
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Martin_TB wrote:
Of Course, there is going to be a lot of adrenaline flowing in the final laps, but that needs to be controlled and Sky really rely on Brad Wiggins to set up and control their train (as well as his contribution in pulling it). Without him I fear that the occasion may prove too much. Cobbles won't help either.
Say what?
Edited by SportingNonsense on 24-07-2011 10:59
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| rorzcp |
Posted on 24-07-2011 11:00
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Domestique
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SportingNonsense wrote:
Martin_TB wrote:
Of Course, there is going to be a lot of adrenaline flowing in the final laps, but that needs to be controlled and Sky really rely on Brad Wiggins to set up and control their train (as well as his contribution in pulling it). Without him I fear that the occasion may prove too much. Cobbles won't help either.
Say what?
Say what, say what? |
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| lagetcher |
Posted on 24-07-2011 11:14
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doddy13 wrote:
Roy of FDJ gets super combativity award.
Well deserved. Do they usually decide that award before the final stage? I guess so, but I must have forgotten. It would be a strange situation if he for some reason didn't make it to the finish on the final day.
Or is that a prediction? Hmmm...now I look stupid 
Edited by lagetcher on 24-07-2011 11:15
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| kumazan |
Posted on 24-07-2011 11:31
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Prudhomme wants to say something to Schleck:
We also have a winner who is a great rider from March to October. Cadel Evans has been the world champion and the winner of the Flèche Wallonne. He has honoured this Tour de France from start to finish. He was just behind Philippe Gilbert on stage 1 at the Mont des Alouettes.
“Evans’ victory is also a great symbol,” Prudhomme continued. “It’s emblematic of the globalization of cycling. He’s the first winner from the Southern Hemisphere. He comes from mountain-biking. This year, he has won Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour de Romandie. He came second at the Dauphiné. Cycling cannot simply be a race in July. The Tour de France must be one episode in the middle of a saga.”
Put two ITTs with a combined length of 100km next year, Christian. Honor the winner. 
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| Martin_TB |
Posted on 24-07-2011 11:37
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Stagiare
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SportingNonsense wrote:
Martin_TB wrote:
Of Course, there is going to be a lot of adrenaline flowing in the final laps, but that needs to be controlled and Sky really rely on Brad Wiggins to set up and control their train (as well as his contribution in pulling it). Without him I fear that the occasion may prove too much. Cobbles won't help either.
Say what?
Cobbles - Champs Élysée is cobbled. It can really tire you out. You'll see a lot of riders in the gutter trying to avoid them and only going on them if they have to.
Apart from AToC I can't think of a successfull Sky Train that didn't involve Brad Wiggins. They had a couple of superb trains in last years Vuelta and in last years TDF too IIRC, but nothing this year really.
They've had a couple of half hearted attempts but they haven't been more than 4 (usally 3) and they've been bashed about by the peleton a lot.
Now, it may well be that Lampre, Omega and Others have also had small trains that have been bashed about, but I haven't been watching for them and can't comment.
Garmin, Movistar and HTC have been the successful ones I've noticed and they've all been well drilled.
In fact, I would say that the GC trains of BMC and Leopard have been better than Sky and they are only trying to keep their riders out of a pile up!
Sky miss Bradley Wiggins in their Sprint Train.
End of.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 24-07-2011 11:40
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Some examples of a 'successful Sky sprint train' involving Wiggins would be nice 
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 24-07-2011 11:43
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Cavendish for shure |
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| Martin_TB |
Posted on 24-07-2011 12:13
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I understand where you are coming from SportingNonsense.
I should, perhaps, define what I mean by a successful Sky Sprint train.
Unfortunately, I don't mean that a sky sprinter wins the stage - I mean that that actually get to form a train and start leading out properly.
That's something that hasn't really happened on this tour, and I suspect it's because Wiggins hasn't been there to get them in order.
Actually winning from a good lead out is stage 2, ATM their sprinters are hoping to hop onto someone else's train and they've had limited success so far.
Edited by Martin_TB on 24-07-2011 12:14
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 24-07-2011 12:23
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kumazan wrote:
Put two ITTs with a combined length of 100km next year, Christian. Honor the winner. Well, they often do that. During Indurain's years there were plenty of ITT. Same in the Ullrich/Armstrong years. Whereas now, with climbers (who can TT too), there are more mountain finish and less ITT.
So, with Cadel crushing most other contenders in an I.T.T., we might expect like 100 km of I.T.T. next year, as you wrote. Farewell Frändy. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 01:47
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 24-07-2011 12:23
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Its just to me, Martin, you seem to be giving a lot of credit to Wiggins for a minor role, when Geraint Thomas has done so well throughout the year and really been a massive part in Sky's sprint successes.
Dont forget, its much easier to form a proper train in races other than the Tour de France and wherever you are racing, it tends to only be possible for one leading train at a time (though which train this is may switch in the run in to a finish) and with Cavendish, HTC have really perfected it, while Garmin are now in their 3rd year of putting up a challenge to HTC, and they have certainly imrproved from their early efforts - its just a matter of time for Sky.
Perhaps they do need more firepower, but I really dont see Wiggins being willing to provide it in the TDF - he was meant to be helping out Garmin on the final stage 2 years ago, in a key position, but instead chose to hide away in the pack instead, which didnt particularly endear him to his then teammates such as David Millar
Edited by SportingNonsense on 24-07-2011 12:24
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 24-07-2011 13:59
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this is nice and relaxing to watch after 3 weeks |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 24-07-2011 14:20
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Fred Grappe makes an interesting point. Besides saying the proof of a cleaner peloton is the reduced performances this year, also he says that unlike the Schlecks and Contador who keep becoming weaker as the peloton gets cleaner, Evans has been at the same level since 2008.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| ember |
Posted on 24-07-2011 14:57
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Hagen made a fair point in an interview with norwegian television, thinking that HTC might not pull breakawayriders on Champs Elysees, to win the green jersey. It's an interesting thought, but I doubt they can let this stage go.
Can't wait for the racing on Champs Elysees, will be fireworks. Also nice to see the 1 minute silence before the start. |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 24-07-2011 15:00
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ember wrote:
Hagen made a fair point in an interview with norwegian television, thinking that HTC might not pull breakawayriders on Champs Elysees, to win the green jersey. It's an interesting thought, but I doubt they can let this stage go.
I doubt it. Cav would want the stage win.
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| kumazan |
Posted on 24-07-2011 15:03
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ember wrote:
Hagen made a fair point in an interview with norwegian television, thinking that HTC might not pull breakawayriders on Champs Elysees, to win the green jersey. It's an interesting thought, but I doubt they can let this stage go.
Can't wait for the racing on Champs Elysees, will be fireworks. Also nice to see the 1 minute silence before the start.
I don't think HTC can hold back, they don't miss any chance to make any race as boring and predictable as possible.
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| ember |
Posted on 24-07-2011 15:04
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I too doubt it, but it is worth a thought, and it would definately make the stage wide open. |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 24-07-2011 15:04
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CountArach wrote:
ember wrote:
Hagen made a fair point in an interview with norwegian television, thinking that HTC might not pull breakawayriders on Champs Elysees, to win the green jersey. It's an interesting thought, but I doubt they can let this stage go.
I doubt it. Cav would want the stage win.
Brian Holm mentioned the possibility, but said that they'd rather fight for the stage win and "risk" the green jersey. |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 24-07-2011 15:07
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Ultimately, Rojas hasnt shown any sign of beating Cav in a full on bunch sprint, so Id expect HTC and Cav to go for the stage
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