Pellizotti2 wrote:
Freire, Valverde, Contador, Flecha plus five more domestiques would've been the perfect team. I'd even leave out Freire, since he was just holding Valverde back, when Piti was clearly stronger.
I don't think Freire holded anyone back. Hard to do so when you're in the 7-10th place in the peloton and your next team mate is the 20th or so.
Eden95 wrote:
So, last night with about 20km remaining, the TV I was watching malfunctioned and wouldn't turn back on. I was wondering if there are any videos of the last 10-20km or so?
Its not much but its the best i could find
Thanks Good win for Gilbert, and a good ride by Navaurdauskas.
The Italians must have done the worst tactical race ever. Not working in the break, then working for Nibali who doesn't get away. But as strong as the Belgians were I don't think there was anything any team could have done to win it. Perfect race by the Belgians and a deserved win by Gilbert.
tyriion wrote:
The Italians must have done the worst tactical race ever. Not working in the break, then working for Nibali who doesn't get away. But as strong as the Belgians were I don't think there was anything any team could have done to win it. Perfect race by the Belgians and a deserved win by Gilbert.
The Italians didn't really have the team to try and control the race. I actually think they rode pretty brilliantly. They got Noceintini up the road, and had him not ride, which if you're trying to establish a rider up the road to help attackers is just what you want. His not helping isn't what doomed that move. Then, they had Nibali, their only rider with a legitimate shot for a good result (Moser isn't there yet, he will be soon though), make a move on the Cauberg, the one place that was suited as such, and he just didn't quite have the legs.
Deadpool wrote:
Then, they had Nibali, their only rider with a legitimate shot for a good result (Moser isn't there yet, he will be soon though), make a move on the Cauberg, the one place that was suited as such, and he just didn't quite have the legs.
I just don't see any other way to play it.
If they wanted to go with Nibali, they shouldn't have waited for the last lap. Nibali just is unable to match the more explosive riders in a climb like the Cauberg, it wouldn't have ever worked, even if Nibali was in the form of his life. It's easier said than done, but probably the best tactic for them would have been to try to form a strong breakaway group in the penultimate lap. Possibly a long shot, but more likely to work (imo) than launching Nibbles in the Cauberg.
Deadpool wrote:
Then, they had Nibali, their only rider with a legitimate shot for a good result (Moser isn't there yet, he will be soon though), make a move on the Cauberg, the one place that was suited as such, and he just didn't quite have the legs.
I just don't see any other way to play it.
If they wanted to go with Nibali, they shouldn't have waited for the last lap. Nibali just is unable to match the more explosive riders in a climb like the Cauberg, it wouldn't have ever worked, even if Nibali was in the form of his life. It's easier said than done, but probably the best tactic for them would have been to try to form a strong breakaway group in the penultimate lap. Possibly a long shot, but more likely to work (imo) than launching Nibbles in the Cauberg.
I guess that depends on what form Nibali was in heading into the race, which only he and Bettini would know. I mean, he won Padania, but that really doesn't give us that much of an idea of where he's at. If he was in good form, I'd agree with you. If not, it was probably smart to wait until the last lap, be aggressive, and hope to win tactically. My guess though is if there had been a determined move on the penultimate run, he would have followed it, but he wasn't going to instigate anything.
Exactly, the only Spaniard to ride for the team today was Lastras, and he really wasn't of much use except when he was with the Contador group up the road. Spain was extremely dysfunctional this race.
What about Flecha? He was far more useful than Lastras if you ask me, pacing the Contador group together with Coppel for several laps.
Good point, I forgot about Flecha, he rode really well. My point is, when it came to the final decisive point of the race Spain decided to all ride as individuals whereas they could have won if they all focused their efforts on a single rider.
They could have just hedged their bets on one puncheur + Freire. But say that leader had been Purito yesterday... well bang goes the medal.
For sure they should have designated someone reliable to Freire, but they also couldn't have hoped for more than a bronze out of those final Kms and one of their several leaders delivered that. I think it worked out for them.
I disagree. Spain has been in the top 2 of cycling nations for countless years, yet their last rainbow jersey if from Freire's win 8 years ago in Verona. Since then, the Italians have won no less than 3 Worlds. Countries like Germany or Norway might be very happy with a medal, but a bronze medal doesn't mean shit for a country with the potential of Spain.
Edited by kumazan on 24-09-2012 14:24
kumazan wrote:
I disagree. Spain has been in the top 2 of cycling nations for countless years, yet their last rainbow jersey if from Freire's win 8 years ago in Verona. Since then, the Italians have won no less than 3 Worlds. Countries like Germany or Norway might be very happy with a medal, but a bronze medal doesn't mean shit for a country with the potential of Spain.
And not just that, but Spain produces Worlds style riders by the dozen. It is worth noting though, that whatever their aptitude for it may seem to be, Spain also hasn't had the best run as of late in the Ardennes. Considering they're usually the closest to the Worlds in terms of parcours, that might mean something. With that said, it's one of the reasons I can't really bitch about the US' awfulness. We've never been good at these sorts of races. Lemond could ride them well, but he wasn't incredible, Lance was good pre-cancer, but not really post, and who else have we had? I mean, we've never really had a knockout hilly classics rider. It looks like this coming generation will be the same. We've got three really good GC riders (Talansky, Joe D, TJ), one really good TTer who could conceivably be the next Cancellara (Mini-Phinney), a really good sprinter (Farrar, who I would consider to be the front end of this generation), and a bunch of other good riders who will be solid supporters. But we won't have any Worlds competitors, unless the courses really change.
For sure it might not mean much, but I don't really see how anyone could have stopped Gilbert on the day. EBH seemed a level above anyone else too.
I think it would have taken a particularly astute tactical performance even to take silver... I don't think any of the national teams delivered that, not just Spain. No-one knows for sure what could have been though.
Dutch national coach van Vliet said that the Rabobank riders were too pampered. He thinks they should get harder coaching, like the riders at Saxo and OPQS. Some rabo riders were already complaining about their pants before riding in them apparently.
Don't know if it's just a cry for attention or if there's something to it. Especially Mollema and Gesink have shown too little this year.
When Gilbert wants something and he's all right, he takes it. I don't think Freire would've won if Valverde even protected him, or the other way around. Anyone who could follow, should've followed him, but no one did.
Good win for Gilbert, and a good ride by Navaurdauskas.
