posted Jul 15, 2008

Seriously, Hushovd and Freire are older than Cavendish: he will fill out more - but not too much.

Steviep, cippolini couldn't dream about sustaining a completely exposed 250m sprint off a 300m single lead at 60kph. Be honest...

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posted Jul 15, 2008

Cav is more of a type McEwen: intrinsically faster, but with less power. He needs a finish as flat as a billiardtable (as we say in Dutch), while Hushovd and Freire can drag themselves over a hill or two (the latter better than the former, but still).

I'm not even sure why I'm debating that Cav should quit really. Let him stay, ride til he's knackered. That just means Keisse and De Ketele have a (slightly) better chance in Bejing

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posted Jul 15, 2008

Sprinters are meant to be bad tempered and egotistical.
Go Cav - faster than anyone since Cippo as far as I can tell.

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posted Jul 15, 2008

As a British road cyclist, what matters most to me is not being regarded as vermin by my fellow road users, aided and abetted by ignorant journalists.

The best chance of a change in the public perception of cycling in this country is a headline-grabbing performace by the cycling team in Beijing.

Most of the public don't even know there is a green jersey, and if told would ask why its not yellow.

So with my selfish hat on, I'd give 5 green jerseys for another gold Olympic medal from Cav.

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posted Jul 15, 2008

What better training for the olympics than riding the tour. 3 1/2 weeks is plenty of time to recover and he should be stronger for doing it.

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posted Jul 15, 2008

Is it just me that finds it ammusing? Whats wrong with a bit or arrogance? Plus the lad is only 23 and has never had anywhere near the same amount of media attention. Yesterday, he was obviously shattered and all he wanted to do was go back to the hotel and begin his recovery...what's so bad about that? Plus, who wants to hear the same plastic sound bites we get all the time, when he said he had nothing to learn it made me laugh because it was something unexpcted.

As for the Olympics, 3 1/2 weeks is plenty of time to recover isn't it? Speaking as a Manxman, we want as many stage and gold medal wins as we can get, hopefully Jonny Bellis (who i was at school with...just thought i'd drop that in there) can compete well in the road race, haven't heard much about how strong a field it will be mind.

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posted Jul 15, 2008

Cav winning stages in Le Tour is doing far more for British Cycling and Road Cycling than him ever winning the Madison in Beijing will. He will have a perfect gap to taper his training right down after the Tour and hit the boards in Beijing simply screaming with pace!

Just you wait, so long as he doesn't break anything in Le Tour, I would say Madison Gold is one of the more certain Golds for Team GB.

Cav is the real thing and speaks what he feels, not some media-polished sterile blubber you get from most sports!

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posted Jul 16, 2008

without a doubt yes. I agree with Hock and Manx red devil (don't let this out on the footy boards)

Appauld his arrogance and confidence - didn't we all love the last "sefl proclaimed fastest man" super Mario the Lion King. good theatre, great for the sport, what a tos*er but hey really really fast and thats what is about. I know its not very british but More power to MArk, lets stop beating him up for winning !! I think we brits love a loser too much - Murray will win SPOTY after all. !

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posted Jul 16, 2008

3 1/2 weeks is long enought to recover and staying in the Tour can only help Cav in the madison, with, as the Madison also combine long distance with sprints and group riding, and finally riding in a team.

Go on Cav and Wiggins gold is yours!!!!!

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posted Jul 17, 2008

Past history has shown that after a TdF, riders are either in great form or absolutely done in - check out how many hour record attempts have been about a month after finishing the Tour, and using that form and fitness to the best advantage.

Unless he really runs out of power (possible since he's already ridden the Giro), Cav should continue on to Paris and go for the ultimate sprinter's victory on the Champs Elysses.

Olympics Madison champion - would be a bonus but is the lesser prize for a road race pro like Cav

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