posted Jul 15, 2009

Wiggo's time will come when the peloton reaches the Alps.
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Did you ever think we'd be typing sentences like that three months ago?

I say three months because of Wiggins riding past riders like Armstrong, Soler and Cunego on the climbs in the Giro, which is something not to be sniffed at at all.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Wiggins is this year's Kohl - you know, a journeyman rider who comes from nowhere to suddenly be a major factor in the tour. Of course he's helped by much of the profile, and we'd like to think (and presume) that he doesn't have the same reasons for it as the Austrian nodding-dog did, but there's no denying, very few people expected Wiggins to ride like he has done, and if he can keep it up, the top 10 would be a remarkable achievement and could really see a change in how he's perceived in world cycling - perhaps he could even get assigned a few 7-day races to try and win!

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Urlaub - I'd say more like this year's VandeVelde. You know, a good oldie who's showing what you can achieve if you just keep on working steadily.

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posted Jul 15, 2009

@tgsgirl


>Sorry - I should not have included 19 in that list, which has a cat 2. It looks like only 12 or 14 are remaining win possibilities for Cavendish.<

You should have actually, since it's officially categorised as a flat stage. It's the stage where I think Cav could lose green to Thor, if the Norwegian makes it over the cat 2 intact (which I think he can) and Cav doesn't.

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We are making the same point - I know it's categorised as flat, but it doesn't look like one for Cavendish; that's my point. The remaining ones for Cavendish look like 12, 14, and Paris. If he's to win green I think he's probably got to win two of them and be well placed in the third and making a decent showing on 19, which is a very tough call because 12 and 14 are quite 'bumpy' and 14 is sandwiched between two toughies. That is why I don't think he'll make it to green overall this year, but here's hoping.

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Actually Wiggins (29 isn't he?) is at what's often considered the perfect age for a pro-cyclist - or for a GC contender at any rate.

Speaking of Vande Velde, he's still only about 40 secs behind Wiggins and less than 1'20 from Contador...

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Wiggo's only 29? It feels like he's been around for the past 30 years My mistake!

And VdV seems to be cruising along unnoticed, together with Sastre and young Andy. Speaking of the latter, he announced that he does have an attack plan (though he wouldn't give us the details) in the interview I mentioned yesterday..

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posted Jul 15, 2009

I'd say stage 19 is set up for a long escape. It falls after some hard days but before the biggun so I'm sure the likes of Cav and other sprinters will be looing to save some energy to ensure they get through Ventoux unscathed.

Every year there is the transitional stage where a group gets 10-15 minutes on the peleton and I see no reason why this year should be any different

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Every year there is the transitional stage where a group gets 10-15 minutes on the peleton and I see no reason why this year should be any different
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That's true, but two factors might avert that: Columbia's formidable strength and the fact that, as invincible as Cav seems, other sprinters' teams could well be chipping in because they'll still want to grab an unlikely stage win to justify their Tour.

(You'll also get AG2R chipping in to protect Nocentini's lead while it holds, but that won't be a factor come stage 19.)

Then again, it's hard to see the top sprinters getting over the cat 2 lump in touch with the others, so you may well be right and the sprint teams might not bother from the beginning of it.

As much as I'm missing the mountain-top finishes and some tougher stages, I must admit that it's kept the number of potential candidates wide open till now. Astana may look almighty, but so's the Pope supposed to be infallible.

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posted Jul 15, 2009

I missed the whole thing today, my internet was down after switching servers yesterday, really annoyed about that.

All I can say is well done Cav, i'll watch the stage later & here's hoping he can keep up the good form, as with BW.

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Then again, it's hard to see the top sprinters getting over the cat 2 lump in touch with the others, so you may well be right and the sprint teams might not bother from the beginning of it.
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I find myself immediately searching back to see who made it over the Tourmalet. As I recall we were left with Freire and Rojas. Rojas is impressive at climbing for a sprinter, and he's on a team that usually quite like the mountains (even with Rodriguez absent). Then again, if Caisse lead the chase, the breakaway stay away, it seems to be at the moment.

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posted Jul 16, 2009

How dissapointing that L'equipe allows anonymous articles to be published with comments from anonymous riders. How "arrogant" is that???
Keep smiling your lovey big smile Cav, your doing OK !!!

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