posted Nov 9, 2008

Greetings all, this is my first post on the resplendent 606, though I've been a spectator of these boards for a while. Just getting into the cycling after the commentary for last year's TdF was on at a convenient time in the working day.

This is a Ventoux like learning curve, but starting gently, wondered whether Cervelo, and in particular Roulston, will likely be involved in next year's TdF?

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posted Nov 9, 2008

First off, hi Bond, welcome! (may I call you James? )

I do think Cervelo will be able to put enough money on the table to get themselves a TdF spot. Roulston in France seems unlikely though.
They're going to wanna work for Sastre to win the GC, so I'm guessing Florencio, Cuesta and Klier for the mountains. Gerrans and Hushovd to steal a stage win here and there. I'd take Haussler and Gustov with me as well.

So, there's still one spot open in my Cervelo TdF team, but I don't think it'll go to Roulston. Formidable track record (I'd never heard of the guy, but I could care less about track cycling), but on the road he hasn't proven all that much.

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posted Nov 9, 2008

Thanks GS, you sure can, if I can call you Penny?

I hadn't heard much of Roulston before - still new to this - but some such as Wiggins seem to be reasonably successful on both track and road, so surprised more don't cross over. Hoy for the sprints, for example? Is it just that there's too much road before the sprints for the track specialists to switch?

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posted Nov 9, 2008

Yeah excactly. Hoy normally has to Sprint for 250m after a 500m roll, whereas Cav has to sprint for 200m with a 1.5km fast section and 4 hours before with lots of sprints and fast bits.

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posted Nov 10, 2008

There is a big difference between track and road as CavS has said before me. The reason why some are succesful at both is probably because they do know how a bike works, because they have the right mentality (ie, an athlete's mind: eating right, training hard, sacrificing a lot...). So while it certainly is possible for a track cyclist to have success on the road, being a great tracker doesn't automatically make you a great road cyclist. And to throw someone without a decent road CV into the biggest Tour there is when you're trying to win it...

PS: Penny sounds fine You think Q can hook me up one of those kick-ass Aston Martins?

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posted Nov 10, 2008

Not too sure I get that viewpoint GSgirl. There are many highly professional, dedicated and bike savvy track riders who wouldn't have a hope on the road pro scene simply because they have developed to heavy a body type, not because they ate all the pies. In all honesty I don’t really think that’s what you are saying.

As others have said, Hoy and Bos come to mind. On the road powerful guys like these would make Cavendish look like a mountain goat. While Wiggins transfers between track and road because he uses his time trailing ability for both.

As an aside, I would love to see Wiggins / Cancellara ride against each other on the track. Cancellara has the measure of Wiggins on the road, would that translate onto track...?

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posted Nov 10, 2008

I'm not trying to say that the guys who didn't succeed on the road did so because they don't have an athlete's mind (nor because they ate too many pies**)! No disrespect meant to trackers!
I simply mean that - imho - a large part of being a top professional athlete (in any sport) is a mental thing. You have to a] have talent b] have the right mentality. If you only of one, you won't succeed.
So, what I meant was: the trackers already have 'b' (they are professional athletes after all). Whether they will succeed on the road thus depends on whether they have 'a' (road racing talent*) as well.

When it comes down to it, track and road are two different sports. Some talents will make it at both, most won't.

I hope I'm clear this time.

*by talent I do mean everything that makes you good for the sport physically, including body type, length, size etcetera...
**I'm craving pie now.

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posted Nov 10, 2008

GS girl is right. Although in the recent Curaco amstel race Bos came third. Although it is more of a carnival although still impressive. A track rider can turn 4km form to the road in most cases because they normally involve similar types of training.

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posted Nov 10, 2008

No problems, we are I believe all singing from the same hymn sheet.

As for that final Cervélo Test Team spot, I’ve finally caught up with the fact Jeremy Hunt has found a home there. So, how about Hunt joining the Cervélo tour train?

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posted Nov 10, 2008

I don't know, but if you lose out to Rémi Pauriol, William Bonnet and Jimmy Engoulvent (as he did with CA this year)... that's never a good sign

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