TdF 2012 route

[gb155]

It was noticeable how much slimmer Tony Martin is these days. I think he'll try to become a GCer but I'm not convinced yet that he's a good enough climber. Mind you, I said that about Wiggo

And wiggo has proven you wrong ......oh wait

 

[rich p]

And wiggo has proven you wrong ......oh wait

4th in the TdF when at leat one of those in 1,2 and 3 were doped and 3rd in the Vuelta. What does he have to do to be considered a contender FFS?

 

[gb155]

4th in the TdF when at leat one of those in 1,2 and 3 were doped and 3rd in the Vuelta. What does he have to do to be considered a contender FFS?

Erm, win ?

Sorry but I bet my mate the other day £10 that "brad"/"wiggo" etc would never ever win a GT so I gotta stick by that

His 3rd IMO was down to the fact no-one saw him as a threat and as such didn't start to properly Mark him until towards the end.

Sorry but I'm just not a fan as a GT rider, as a lead out man for Cav at the worlds he was epic and I'd love him to be that at team sky, then Cav would be IMO unbeatable

 

[beastie]

Wiggins was 3rd in La Vuelta just 6 weeks after breaking a collar bone. Not bad. Ok the big big boys weren't there but he showed some classy riding and only really faltered when the gradient went up to 20 %. He believes he can win a GT now, and if he don't then Sky can run Froome at the same time.

Two options is better than one. Plus Sky have new mountain specialists next year, something they were light on.

The parcours has to aid Wiggins if it has two ITT and only 2 mountain top finishes.

 

[rich p]

Erm, win ?

Very few win the thing but it doesn't mean you're not a GC contender. Andy Schleck hasn't won one yet.

 

[tigger]

Andy Schleck hasn't won one yet.

And given the course I'd say he has less chance than Wiggins next year

 

[andrew_s]

His 3rd IMO was down to the fact no-one saw him as a threat and as such didn't start to properly Mark him until towards the end.

So where did he gain time on Cobo except during TTs?
3rd was down to strong riding - there's a difference between not marking and getting dropped.

 

[gb155]

Very few win the thing but it doesn't mean you're not a GC contender. Andy Schleck hasn't won one yet.

Its a fair point at Im only messing upto a point BUT I just don't think the man matches the hype thats all.

 

[montage]

Its a fair point at Im only messing upto a point BUT I just don't think the man matches the hype thats all.

I think he has been above expectations this year. World class track pursuiter, World class time trialist, World class climber, World Class GC rider.

 

[gb155]

I think he has been above expectations this year. World class track pursuiter, World class time trialist, World class climber, World Class GC rider.

When it comes to the track , yes he's world class and few can touch him

But we are talking about the roads now

Sir Hoy is the best at what he does but he'd never finish a TdF

 

[beastie]

When it comes to the track , yes he's world class and few can touch him

But we are talking about the roads now

Sir Hoy is the best at what he does but he'd never finish a TdF

Silver medal at the roads ? That means he is world class. Winner of the Dauphine ?

Of course Chris Hoy would be no good on the roads, but what has that got to do with Wiggins?

 

[gb155]

Silver medal at the roads ? That means he is world class. Winner of the Dauphine ?

Of course Chris Hoy would be no good on the roads, but what has that got to do with Wiggins?

He's never come close to a GT despite the hype, that's my point - and IMO he won't ever come any closer than his 4th place .

 

[beastie]

He's never come close to a GT despite the hype, that's my point - and IMO he won't ever come any closer than his 4th place .

I think 3rd and a minute and a bit down is pretty close but next year, the course will be his best chance for a good finish of any GT in the rest of his career.

 

[gb155]

I think 3rd and a minute and a bit down is pretty close but next year, the course will be his best chance for a good finish of any GT in the rest of his career.

4th is STILL 4th

I'll go on record ( again ) that I believe " wiggo " will never ever win GT

If I'm wrong then feel free to quote this post once he wins a GT by all means , but when he retires having failed to win a GT then I'll do the same

Don't get me wrong , I'd love a Brit to win a GT but simply don't believe that Brad is the man to do it.

 

[rich p]

4th is STILL 4th

I'll go on record ( again ) that I believe " wiggo " will never ever win GT

If I'm wrong then feel free to quote this post once he wins a GT by all means , but when he retires having failed to win a GT then I'll do the same

Don't get me wrong , I'd love a Brit to win a GT but simply don't believe that Brad is the man to do it.

I realise I'm banging my head against a brick wall here Gaz but Wiggo came 3rd in a GT as beastie pointed out

No-one on here has said that Brad will definitely win one but we are saying that coming 3rd and 4th in a grand tour means he already has been, and is a contender. There's no debate with that fact!

As I said, very few win the GTs but they still contend. Look at Andy Schleck ( hasn't won one), Cadel Evans (2nd for years and won his first aged 35), Carlos Sastre ( won the TdF aged 33).

Anyway, I've banged on enough about this. That's my last word