Deadpool wrote:
As I noted, Wiggins is a prologue specialist, not a long time-trial specialist. Also, the person in the car behind can and often does make a big difference in terms of keeping the rider calm, patient, and on track.
And yes, I think he will plug himself in for a long time-trial where he will need more information than in a shorter prologue where you can memorize the race route and profile.
No, no, no, no, no.
The last few Grand Tours time trials (note: not prologues) Wiggins has ridden:
2009 TDF Stage 1 - 15.5km - 3rd
2009 Giro Stage 21 - 15.5km - 2nd (rain affected)
2009 Giro Stage 12 - 60.6km - 7th (If you remember it was the particularly mountainous one)
2008 Giro - Stage 21 - 28.5km 4th 2007 TDF Stage 13 - 54km - 4th
And if you consider Wiggins has never ridden so well on the road as he has done in this race...
Contained two major climbs. It was also the one time so far in his career where I didn't like his attitude. He rode the whole TT in dry conditions except for the final km.
The favorites all rode in pouring rain.
At the end Wiggins complained that he wasn't being given proper credit and that he rode in the rain.
So you're saying in 2007 he showed the ability to climb fairly well (in a time trial at least)?
Does this mean the transformation into a climber isn't so remarkable... perhaps in longer TT's he's done well because he has some skill in the area?
(I'm asking this seriously... don't want it to come out as sarcasm)
ruben wrote:
Wiggins is probably sure one. And then the 3rd place is between A.Schleck/Sastre/Nibali...etc
You have no reason to believe that Wiggins can take second. As of now he is, unbelievably, the only one who can actually beat Contador. But we don't know anything about how he will do in the third week in a Grand Tour.
Hopefully he will destroy Contador on the time trial.
I doubt he will, Contador is a fantastic time-trialist and Wiggins isn't nearly as good for longer tests.
COntador is good on shorter TTs, he will be in top 5 at first check and then rapidly lose placings, because he start out to fast and because of his lack of stamina. Isso once showed numbers proving my statement here, but I don't remember where though.
BenBarnes wrote:
Thor wears a live rattlesnake as a condom.
ruben wrote:
Wiggins is probably sure one. And then the 3rd place is between A.Schleck/Sastre/Nibali...etc
You have no reason to believe that Wiggins can take second. As of now he is, unbelievably, the only one who can actually beat Contador. But we don't know anything about how he will do in the third week in a Grand Tour.
Hopefully he will destroy Contador on the time trial.
I doubt he will, Contador is a fantastic time-trialist and Wiggins isn't nearly as good for longer tests.
COntador is good on shorter TTs, he will be in top 5 at first check and then rapidly lose placings, because he start out to fast and because of his lack of stamina. Isso once showed numbers proving my statement here, but I don't remember where though.
i've seen this trend as well. contador goes way too hard early.
