OP
OP
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
I hope to see Lefevre's team spanked again today
Minor Races Thread 2015 - [SPOILERS]
- Thread starter Pro Tour Punditry
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OP
OP
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
GP Lugano also on today
Foghat
Freight-train-groove-rider
It's only wheelsucking when you don't do your fair share of the work.
In those circumstances in the final 40km, Stannard's fair share of the work was virtually zero. It wasn't any old three riders from any old same team - it was flippin' Boonen, Terpstra and Vandenbergh from the team which wanted it the most. And I expect Stannard was feeling strong enough not to be too concerned about being unable to deal with the chasing group if it caught them - the odds were already stacked against him with the Quickstep triumvirate.
What's more, the three riders were trying to work Stannard over by leaving gaps here and there for him to close and then launching the inevitable attacks, so there was no onus at all on him to contribute at that stage.
Definitely not wheelsucking, but a brilliant display of strength and tactical sense in what should have been an open-and-shut case for Quickstep. Lefevre is just embarrassed his team cocked it up, but probably also admits to himself that Stannard was just too strong anyway.
In those circumstances in the final 40km, Stannard's fair share of the work was virtually zero. It wasn't any old three riders from any old same team - it was flippin' Boonen, Terpstra and Vandenbergh from the team which wanted it the most. And I expect Stannard was feeling strong enough not to be too concerned about being unable to deal with the chasing group if it caught them - the odds were already stacked against him with the Quickstep triumvirate.
What's more, the three riders were trying to work Stannard over by leaving gaps here and there for him to close and then launching the inevitable attacks, so there was no onus at all on him to contribute at that stage.
Definitely not wheelsucking, but a brilliant display of strength and tactical sense in what should have been an open-and-shut case for Quickstep. Lefevre is just embarrassed his team cocked it up, but probably also admits to himself that Stannard was just too strong anyway.
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
Interesting contrast in team tactics too. Sky basically used their powerhouse riders to keep breakaways in view and make sure that Stannard was in the right place at the right time and could do what he does best, i.e. just grinding down his rivals. There was no doubt Stannard was the one they were riding for today, despite Wiggins being in tbe team - he did a massive job today too. EQS on the other hand didn't seem to be quite clear who was their leader. This meant that the 3-person advantage they had was much more fragile than it looked, and it fell apart as soon as Stannard increased the pace, making it one on one... Lefevre needs to look at himself and his team rather than blaming Stannard for doing exactly what he had to do.
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Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
In other news, the Classic Sud Ardeche was won by the very talented young Argentinian rider, Eduardo Sepulveda. Unfortunately both Yates brothers seemed a bit off the pace...
OP
OP
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
wheelsucking
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
Sprinters' race innit....
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
He's still got it. Class finish against some of the best around.
