2021 Season Thread
+7
Big
Good Golly I'm Olly
alfie
dummy_half
formerly known as Sam
Azabache
Lowlandbrit
11 posters
The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Cycling
Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2021 Season Thread
First topic message reminder :
Racing calendar TBC, but enough news to get us started!
Alejandro Valverde has said this will be his last season, with the Olympics as his main focus.
Jumbo-Visma announced take two for their 'three-headed monster' Tour strategy after Kruijswijk's injury prevented it last year, only for Tom Dumoulin to announce he's taking an unspecified amount of time off the day after.
WorldTour team changes:
- If you thought AG2R La Mondiale had the ultimate marmite kit before, wait until you see what they've come up with now that they're AG2R Citroën
- McLaren are gone, now we have Bahrain Victorious
- Mitchelton-Scott is now Team BikeExchange
- The place of CCC has been taken in by Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert
- NTT are now Team Qhubeka Assos
- Sunweb are now Team DSM
Racing calendar TBC, but enough news to get us started!
Alejandro Valverde has said this will be his last season, with the Olympics as his main focus.
Jumbo-Visma announced take two for their 'three-headed monster' Tour strategy after Kruijswijk's injury prevented it last year, only for Tom Dumoulin to announce he's taking an unspecified amount of time off the day after.
WorldTour team changes:
- If you thought AG2R La Mondiale had the ultimate marmite kit before, wait until you see what they've come up with now that they're AG2R Citroën
- McLaren are gone, now we have Bahrain Victorious
- Mitchelton-Scott is now Team BikeExchange
- The place of CCC has been taken in by Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert
- NTT are now Team Qhubeka Assos
- Sunweb are now Team DSM
Lowlandbrit- Posts : 2691
Join date : 2011-06-15
Location : Netherlands
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Seems like there'll be no win 34 today for Cav. I'm loving the additional commentary from Alexei Sayle though!
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
Re: 2021 Season Thread
The Manx Missile draws level with the Cannibal, superb stuff. The green jersey is his as long as he makes it to Paris.
Soul Requiem- Posts : 6563
Join date : 2019-07-16
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Wow I missed this. I had thought Cavendish was finished. The reporting of this has been extremely low key on a particular media website I follow. Now I see he has equalled Merckz's record.
ps: According to Wikipedia Cavendish was not entered for the Tour de France but came in as a "late replacement for the injured defending champion Sam Bennett at Deceuninck–Quick-Step". Now he was 4 stage wins of this year TdF. I am scratching my head in bewilderment.
ps: According to Wikipedia Cavendish was not entered for the Tour de France but came in as a "late replacement for the injured defending champion Sam Bennett at Deceuninck–Quick-Step". Now he was 4 stage wins of this year TdF. I am scratching my head in bewilderment.
No name Bertie- Posts : 3688
Join date : 2017-02-24
Re: 2021 Season Thread
No name Bertie wrote:Wow I missed this. I had thought Cavendish was finished. The reporting of this has been extremely low key on a particular media website I follow. Now I see he has equalled Merckz's record.
ps: According to Wikipedia Cavendish was not entered for the Tour de France but came in as a "late replacement for the injured defending champion Sam Bennett at Deceuninck–Quick-Step". Now he was 4 stage wins of this year TdF. I am scratching my head in bewilderment.
He signed for the team on a minimum wage to fill in for another injured rider. Wasn't supposed to be on any of the big races. He refound his form and as Bennett fell out with the team and then got injured Cav found himself on the biggest stage. Would make a great film actually.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
No name Bertie likes this post
Re: 2021 Season Thread
I can't believe that Mark Cavendish only has an MBE. Others have been given OBE's and knighted for less.
No name Bertie- Posts : 3688
Join date : 2017-02-24
Re: 2021 Season Thread
His veteran DS believed in him and "went with his heart, not his head" apparently. Wonderfully recompensed.
It's going to be difficult from now on with some taxing mountain stages....
It's going to be difficult from now on with some taxing mountain stages....
Azabache- Posts : 534
Join date : 2011-02-25
Location : Surrey
formerly known as Sam likes this post
Re: 2021 Season Thread
The mountains will be tough. He'll have a few riders around him to support him and try and get him through. They've kept him out to time limit so far. Just a few more killer stages to survive and it's a successive green jersey for the team.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Absolutely incredible achievement by Cavendish to match the record - he looked dead on the bike by the end today, another brutal stage in the saddle
Do have fears about him making it to Paris - it’s been a very tough Tour and he wasn’t prepared for it, heading into the final week with many mountain stages, hopefully his legs can just hold on. Also for the sake of the team, they’ll hope DeClerq is ok after a horrible crash today, he’s been the main engine on the front on these long sprint stages and helping Cav in the mountains.
You have to think if he can make it, there’s another one, maybe two stage victories left for him. He’s clearly far and away the quickest sprinter left
Do have fears about him making it to Paris - it’s been a very tough Tour and he wasn’t prepared for it, heading into the final week with many mountain stages, hopefully his legs can just hold on. Also for the sake of the team, they’ll hope DeClerq is ok after a horrible crash today, he’s been the main engine on the front on these long sprint stages and helping Cav in the mountains.
You have to think if he can make it, there’s another one, maybe two stage victories left for him. He’s clearly far and away the quickest sprinter left
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51300
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 29
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Terrific performance from Cavendish - again. Kudos to his lead out man Morkov as well.
Really hope he can make it over the mountains and get to Paris. if he does he may well have the outright record before the finale - but the ideal finish would be for him to take number 35 , in Green , on the Champs-Elysees...
Really hope he can make it over the mountains and get to Paris. if he does he may well have the outright record before the finale - but the ideal finish would be for him to take number 35 , in Green , on the Champs-Elysees...
alfie- Posts : 21853
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Melbourne.
formerly known as Sam likes this post
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Absolutely incredible achievement by Cavendish to match the record - he looked dead on the bike by the end today, another brutal stage in the saddle
Do have fears about him making it to Paris - it’s been a very tough Tour and he wasn’t prepared for it, heading into the final week with many mountain stages, hopefully his legs can just hold on. Also for the sake of the team, they’ll hope DeClerq is ok after a horrible crash today, he’s been the main engine on the front on these long sprint stages and helping Cav in the mountains.
You have to think if he can make it, there’s another one, maybe two stage victories left for him. He’s clearly far and away the quickest sprinter left
I think the team will abandon the leading from the front until Paris if they can. Just keep Cav safe and don't take risks. He's got 100 points on Matthews. Make sure they bring the jersey home.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Declerq already struggling massively today after his crash yesterday, struggle to see any scenario where he makes the time cut or finishes the stage. Would be a blow for Quickstep, maybe more for stage 19 than in Paris…
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51300
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 29
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Anyone else bemused by the Ineos tactics? All eggs seem to be in the Carapaz basket. Porte isn't miles off but rides in the group with Carapaz all day. Tao Geoghegan Hart is so far back he would have been allowed off the front in the break every day. He'd have been a legitimate stage win option in the rolling terrain and there's the possibility he could have done a Martin or a Woods and used the break to jump large places up the standings quickly. Get another rider within 5 minutes of Pogacar and suddenly Ineos have some options.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Brailsford is a wily old fox, but has only the last week now to retrieve something.
Azabache- Posts : 534
Join date : 2011-02-25
Location : Surrey
Re: 2021 Season Thread
I am also bemused. If they have a plan, they have 6 days left for it to come to fruition - and right now I'm struggling to see what it is.
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
Re: 2021 Season Thread
formerly known as Sam wrote:Anyone else bemused by the Ineos tactics? All eggs seem to be in the Carapaz basket. Porte isn't miles off but rides in the group with Carapaz all day. Tao Geoghegan Hart is so far back he would have been allowed off the front in the break every day. He'd have been a legitimate stage win option in the rolling terrain and there's the possibility he could have done a Martin or a Woods and used the break to jump large places up the standings quickly. Get another rider within 5 minutes of Pogacar and suddenly Ineos have some options.
Agreed. Before the race they talked about being more exciting, taking more risks and having 4 guys who could all be the leader and they would just see what happens. But if anything it has been less exciting than ever from them! I can see what they were trying to do. Not put someone forward as the GC leader/contender who would then be a target. It worked a few years back when everyone thought G was the leader and then Bernal ended up being no.1. To a certain extent when Froome (I think) was the obvious GC and no one noticed Geraint until he took over and ended up winning it. But where is all this risk taking and exciting riding they talked about?! Only Geraint Thomas has had a tour defining crash this tour in the Ineos team, from memory? If that was the case, and they still have 3 riders who could be GC contenders, it shouldn’t make too much difference to ‘lose’ Thomas in terms of him not being on top form. Just focus on one of the others. But they’re just average to middling this year. Not doing anything of note expect getting round. Unless something out of this world happens in the last week???
Guest- Guest
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Regarding Ineos, they were a victim of circumstance. Thomas and Geoghan Hart were impacted by the crashes in the first couple of days, and Porte lost quite a bit of time caught behind some crashes, leaving them with only Carapaz in the GC. Also has taken time for guys to improve after their injuries.
Worth also considering that the tactics would always have been Carapaz and Thomas being the true GC riders, Porte and TGH (plus Castroviejo) being the main climbing domestiques
Carapaz has really been the only GC contender to attempt to take the race to Pogacar, he just hasn't been strong enough / been chased down by other teams (I'm thinking the early hilly stage Mohoric won, where he got 30 seconds up the road and Movistar chased him down in the last 100 m). Still two big mountain days to go, and while I think yellow is out of the question (unless Pogacar blows up spectacularly - Carapaz would need at least 3 minutes lead before the TT as would the others bar Uran who could maybe limit his loos to a tired Pogacar to about 1:30), second place is certainly still well within reach.
Take a stage and second overall and it would be a pretty good salvage job from a very dodgy start to the race.
Worth also considering that the tactics would always have been Carapaz and Thomas being the true GC riders, Porte and TGH (plus Castroviejo) being the main climbing domestiques
Carapaz has really been the only GC contender to attempt to take the race to Pogacar, he just hasn't been strong enough / been chased down by other teams (I'm thinking the early hilly stage Mohoric won, where he got 30 seconds up the road and Movistar chased him down in the last 100 m). Still two big mountain days to go, and while I think yellow is out of the question (unless Pogacar blows up spectacularly - Carapaz would need at least 3 minutes lead before the TT as would the others bar Uran who could maybe limit his loos to a tired Pogacar to about 1:30), second place is certainly still well within reach.
Take a stage and second overall and it would be a pretty good salvage job from a very dodgy start to the race.
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
I think there is an element of it being a lot easier to (look like you) have a plan when you have the strongest rider to finish it off. It feels a bit like they settled on this plan once the time gaps opened up in the first week and just sort of got stuck in it though.
Lowlandbrit- Posts : 2691
Join date : 2011-06-15
Location : Netherlands
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Back for stage 16 today, another day in the mountains which doesn't end in a mountain top finish, looks ideal for another breakaway win and not a lot of GC action. Shouldn't be any issues for anyone making the time cut, but you never quite know coming off a rest day...
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51300
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 29
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: 2021 Season Thread
I've wrongly thought 'nothing too exciting will happen today' in this latest edition of the Tour! Hopefully if there is any excitement it will be a stunning ride rather than crashes and the like. Still looking forward to seeing who goes for it today though.
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Definitely an easy mountain day today, so a big chance for a break away to succeed, while the GC guys take a day to just get back into the rhythm of the race before the two big stages tomorrow and Thursday.
Expect to see Quintana in the break, trying to pick up KoM points. Might be an outside bet for the stage, although the distance from the last major climb to the finish might allow a bigger and more powerful rider to get back and out-sprint him.
Expect to see Quintana in the break, trying to pick up KoM points. Might be an outside bet for the stage, although the distance from the last major climb to the finish might allow a bigger and more powerful rider to get back and out-sprint him.
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
So back to some serious business today, with a brutal mountain stage. First 115 km are not much to worry about, just gradually gaining height back into the mountains proper, but the final 65 km is a virtual copy of the short stage from 3 years ago, with two first cat climbs and then the very hard Col du Portet summit finish - near 9% average gradient for 16 km and finishing above 2200 m
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
The GC teams have got to attack Pogacar today and with something more imaginative than the Sky Train tactic. He's more than happy to sit on the back of the train and breeze up the mountains.
They've got to do something like move Carapaz up to second in the train and then have whomever is in front kick off the front and tow Carapaz away whilst the rest slow down. Force Pogacar and his team to keep chasing and bringing back the supporting Ineos riders so that the next one can go to the front and dig in with Carapaz. Pogacar will be quickly isolated and left to chase down the repeated attacks himself whilst Carapaz should always be in a teammates wheel until he's ready to go himself.
They've got to do something like move Carapaz up to second in the train and then have whomever is in front kick off the front and tow Carapaz away whilst the rest slow down. Force Pogacar and his team to keep chasing and bringing back the supporting Ineos riders so that the next one can go to the front and dig in with Carapaz. Pogacar will be quickly isolated and left to chase down the repeated attacks himself whilst Carapaz should always be in a teammates wheel until he's ready to go himself.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Well, looks like it could definitely be an interesting day for the KoM jersey. Will be interesting to see how far ahead Poels and Quintana can/are allowed to get.
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Or not... Poels and Quintana getting nowhere before being reeled back in. Carapaz playing 'tired' before an attack at the end, or actually struggling to stay with Pogacar and Vingegaard?? Great racing though today.
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
Re: 2021 Season Thread
I don't think Pogacar believed Carapaz for a second. Had his number throughout the final few km. Dominant from Pogacar once again.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Hmmm-we are either seeing a new wonder who's emerged relatively quickly (like Fignon) or question marks will increase (like He Whose Name Must Never be Mentioned)!
A least Ineos tried and had some success.
I'd like to see some in-depth investigative journalism on Slovenia...
A least Ineos tried and had some success.
I'd like to see some in-depth investigative journalism on Slovenia...
Azabache- Posts : 534
Join date : 2011-02-25
Location : Surrey
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Azabache wrote:Hmmm-we are either seeing a new wonder who's emerged relatively quickly (like Fignon) or question marks will increase (like He Whose Name Must Never be Mentioned)!
A least Ineos tried and had some success.
I'd like to see some in-depth investigative journalism on Slovenia...
Because Fignon was clean... Admitted to sometimes using illegal stimulants, and probably used steroids as well at times. Also, Fignon was a case of peaking early and not ending up with the palmares that would have been expected. After 84, he only won one further grand tour (Giro 89) and one other podium in the Tour of that year.
Merckx would of course be another case of a rider who emerged quickly - won a classic at 21, the world title and stages in the Giro at 22, taking the overall at 23. Eddy obviously then went on to dominate the sport for 9 seasons: 67-75)
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
You do get athletes finishing physical development earlier than others. Pogacar has been mentored since he was about 10 if I remember rightly. The writing was on the wall before last year, he won the 2019 Vuelta best young rider. UAE as a team have good financial backers and once they knew they had someone who was actually going to challenge for GC spent to so that in 2021 he had a strong team around him. 2020 was partially luck and partially other teams looking at each other allowing him to come through and take the win, Carapaz won the Giro in similar circumstances.
Because of what's gone before you'll always get questions. I'm sure some are questioning Cav's Lazarus style recovery. There's doping controls and plenty of them so you have to hope they are doing the job.
Because of what's gone before you'll always get questions. I'm sure some are questioning Cav's Lazarus style recovery. There's doping controls and plenty of them so you have to hope they are doing the job.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
It feels like Alaphillipe has been involved in every break for the last fortnight now
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51300
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 29
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: 2021 Season Thread
formerly known as Sam wrote:You do get athletes finishing physical development earlier than others. Pogacar has been mentored since he was about 10 if I remember rightly. The writing was on the wall before last year, he won the 2019 Vuelta best young rider. UAE as a team have good financial backers and once they knew they had someone who was actually going to challenge for GC spent to so that in 2021 he had a strong team around him. 2020 was partially luck and partially other teams looking at each other allowing him to come through and take the win, Carapaz won the Giro in similar circumstances.
Because of what's gone before you'll always get questions. I'm sure some are questioning Cav's Lazarus style recovery. There's doping controls and plenty of them so you have to hope they are doing the job.
The history of cycling is to a greater or lesser extent a history of doping, so questions are inevitable both about dominant riders like Pogacar and about those who appear to have made sudden improvements like Cav this year or Froome in the past.
The climbing times and w/kg numbers I've seen for Pogacar are in the upper echelons of plausible for a clean rider (so where a dominant GC rider would be expected to be). Also worth noting that he's mainly beating guys by 5 minutes who you would expect him to be beating by 5 minutes at least (Kelderman, Uran, Vingegaard) with the possible exception of Carapaz, who doesn't appear to be in great form (would be expected to climb equal to Pogacar and better than those around him in the GC). The lack of Roglic and lack of form of Thomas and Froome (+ Quintana?) has reduced the amount of high class opposition in the GC battle.
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
dummy_half wrote:formerly known as Sam wrote:You do get athletes finishing physical development earlier than others. Pogacar has been mentored since he was about 10 if I remember rightly. The writing was on the wall before last year, he won the 2019 Vuelta best young rider. UAE as a team have good financial backers and once they knew they had someone who was actually going to challenge for GC spent to so that in 2021 he had a strong team around him. 2020 was partially luck and partially other teams looking at each other allowing him to come through and take the win, Carapaz won the Giro in similar circumstances.
Because of what's gone before you'll always get questions. I'm sure some are questioning Cav's Lazarus style recovery. There's doping controls and plenty of them so you have to hope they are doing the job.
The history of cycling is to a greater or lesser extent a history of doping, so questions are inevitable both about dominant riders like Pogacar and about those who appear to have made sudden improvements like Cav this year or Froome in the past.
The climbing times and w/kg numbers I've seen for Pogacar are in the upper echelons of plausible for a clean rider (so where a dominant GC rider would be expected to be). Also worth noting that he's mainly beating guys by 5 minutes who you would expect him to be beating by 5 minutes at least (Kelderman, Uran, Vingegaard) with the possible exception of Carapaz, who doesn't appear to be in great form (would be expected to climb equal to Pogacar and better than those around him in the GC). The lack of Roglic and lack of form of Thomas and Froome (+ Quintana?) has reduced the amount of high class opposition in the GC battle.
Oh I think it's entirely plausible. There's no way last season's winner of the Tour and cycling's new golden boy wasn't tested repeatedly over the winter and then regularly during the season. He's looked entirely in control of the race but despite threats to do so has never pulled out an unassailable lead. It's not like he's 30 odd minutes clear.
As you say Roglic and Thomas were ruled out with early injury and some others look short of form. Pogacar looks in prime form.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
One other thing is that the recent issues / controversy has been about the use of ketones - these are not banned PEDs, but nutritional supplements that appear to be very beneficial. The marathon runner who broke 2 hours (admittedly, in non-race conditions) used them extensively and it appears that they are very effective at maintaining glycogen stores. Basically, improved fuelling of an endurance athlete's body, and not currently outside the rules. We know Jumbo Visma were using them last year.
It's the third wave (at least) of performance enhancement - first was steroids and stimulants, meaning stronger and push harder for longer, second was oxygen vector (EPO / blood doping) allowing enhanced endurance from the cardio-vascular system. ad the third is focussed on maintaining the body's fuel.
It's the third wave (at least) of performance enhancement - first was steroids and stimulants, meaning stronger and push harder for longer, second was oxygen vector (EPO / blood doping) allowing enhanced endurance from the cardio-vascular system. ad the third is focussed on maintaining the body's fuel.
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Pogacar wins the sprint to the line from Vingegaard and Carapaz. Other GC riders finishing in dribs and drabs but the only major loser was Uran. Just further proof that Pogacar is the strongest GC rider in the field.
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Interesting talk about "ketones". I have heard of steroids, EPO and human growth hormone. HGH was difficult to detect but I think the blood passport system was as rigorous as one could get in terms of prevention. In general the nature of professional sport means if it is not illegal you use it and you test the system as much as possible if you can get away with it - such as use of TUE for people with various ailments - existent or exaggerated. I would think there is a loss of diminishing returns in terms of the main enhancers being banned and a detection system that seems very thorough - able to detect things down to trace amounts.
No name Bertie- Posts : 3688
Join date : 2017-02-24
Re: 2021 Season Thread
ps I have been hearing about this:
Cycling Weekly wrote:Bahrain Victorious raided by police at Tour de France 2021
The team said officers searched riders’ rooms and asked for training files
By Alex Ballinger 6 hours ago
Bahrain Victorious were raided by police after the finish of stage 17 of the Tour de France 2021.
The team has confirmed that after arriving at the team hotel in Pau, officers from French police requested to search rider hotel rooms and to see training files, after the news was initially reported by Cycling News.
Bahrain Victorious said they have not been informed of the reasons for the raid but added they are cooperating with police.
A statement from the team, released on the Thursday (July 15) before the start of stage 18, said: “On the eve of stage 18 of the Tour de France, Bahrain Victorious were subject to an investigation by French police. The team were monitored by a number of officers following their arrival after stage 17 to the team hotel in Pau.
“The investigation involved a search of riders’ rooms as part of the process. Despite being unaware of the investigation reasons, the team was also requested to provide all training files which were compiled and presented to the officers as requested.”
Technical director of the team, Vladimir Miholjevič said: “Following stage 17, we were greeted by several French police officers. We were not given a warrant to read through, but the team complied with all the officers’ requests......
No name Bertie- Posts : 3688
Join date : 2017-02-24
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Arkea got raided at the last Tour and that doesn't seem to have led to anything, so wait and see for now I guess.
Lowlandbrit- Posts : 2691
Join date : 2011-06-15
Location : Netherlands
Re: 2021 Season Thread
A real shame that Cav didn't win on the Champs, ultimately both he and Quickstep royally did themselves in. Quickstep went way way too early with their train, they'd lose Alaphillipe with 4km to go! They did ok to get back into some position, but Cav leapt onto WVA's wheel which was fine, but allowed himself to get boxed against the barrier and then had no hope.
Nonetheless, a fantastic achievement to win Green and match the record. One of the all time great comebacks
Nonetheless, a fantastic achievement to win Green and match the record. One of the all time great comebacks
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51300
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 29
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Van Aert completing the mountain stage, TT, sprint stage trifecta to keep Merckx in the record books while wearing the Belgian champion's jersey is a not a bad storyline to end the race with either though.
Lowlandbrit- Posts : 2691
Join date : 2011-06-15
Location : Netherlands
formerly known as Sam and Big like this post
Re: 2021 Season Thread
All remarkable stuff with Cav, and WVA; and the usual little-predicted "discoveries"-like Vingegaard; the usual plucky, dogged performances-like Carapaz; the usual hardlucks doggedly plugging on-like Thomas; many more-vaunted youngsters being bested by the old stars-like Valverde; regrettable exits really upsetting the standings-like Roglic; the disappointments-name your own!
Must confess to getting a bit BORED in those final days when it was obvious that Pogacar was in total control. Not his fault and one can only wish him well, applaud him, look forward to future years; and fervently HOPE that there's nothing untoward lurking out there, because-if it is-it WILL come out in the fullness of time.....
Must confess to getting a bit BORED in those final days when it was obvious that Pogacar was in total control. Not his fault and one can only wish him well, applaud him, look forward to future years; and fervently HOPE that there's nothing untoward lurking out there, because-if it is-it WILL come out in the fullness of time.....
Azabache- Posts : 534
Join date : 2011-02-25
Location : Surrey
Big likes this post
Re: 2021 Season Thread
I can't get excited about Pogacar at the moment, something just doesn't feel right. He almost did as little as possible so as not to draw suspicion unto himself but by doing that has done the exact opposite. The past 25+ years of following and participating in cycling has taught me one thing; the extraordinary is rarely to be believed.
Delighted for Cavendish however, winning the green jersey and equalling Merckx in what could be his final grand tour, unlikely that Bennett will be injured against next year. This year has gone someway to right the wrongs of the green jersey for the last decade.
Cavendish: 34 stage wins and two green jerseys
Sagan: 12 stage wins and seven green jerseys
Delighted for Cavendish however, winning the green jersey and equalling Merckx in what could be his final grand tour, unlikely that Bennett will be injured against next year. This year has gone someway to right the wrongs of the green jersey for the last decade.
Cavendish: 34 stage wins and two green jerseys
Sagan: 12 stage wins and seven green jerseys
Soul Requiem- Posts : 6563
Join date : 2019-07-16
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Like you I go way back-to the old Channel4 coverage at the end of the Hinault era (mid '80s)-I still remember the catchy theme music!
All I will say at this juncture is that all this debate-already commenced-is delicious, but proof is needed. During the long, long *rmstr*ng era many of us were criticised by other posters as blindly hero-worshipping him; that was not the case-it was just that there was no "legal" evidence for years. Thankfully, due to persistence by some real journalists, and courageous US personnel, it all came out in the end.
All I will say at this juncture is that all this debate-already commenced-is delicious, but proof is needed. During the long, long *rmstr*ng era many of us were criticised by other posters as blindly hero-worshipping him; that was not the case-it was just that there was no "legal" evidence for years. Thankfully, due to persistence by some real journalists, and courageous US personnel, it all came out in the end.
Azabache- Posts : 534
Join date : 2011-02-25
Location : Surrey
Re: 2021 Season Thread
To be fair to Pogacar, much like Cavendish ended up facing in the sprints, he was facing an extremely weak field for the GC contention this year.
Vingegaard is a decent prospect, but he came to the Tour as a domestique and fairly easily managed second place...and actually over the last two weeks of the tour he took time out of Pogacar (and if Ventoux would have finished at the top of the mountain, he'd have taken more).
The rest...pretty rubbish. Ineos not bringing Bernal, Roglic crashing out basically ruined any real challengers to Pogacar over three weeks...the fact guys like Ben O'Connor and Kelderman finished top 5 (O'Connor because he got in a break) and then random half decent climbers like Lutsenko and Guillerme Martin finishing comfortably top 10, shows just quite how weak the GC field was.
Weirdly, the Vuelta GC is shaping up to be a much stronger field.
Vingegaard is a decent prospect, but he came to the Tour as a domestique and fairly easily managed second place...and actually over the last two weeks of the tour he took time out of Pogacar (and if Ventoux would have finished at the top of the mountain, he'd have taken more).
The rest...pretty rubbish. Ineos not bringing Bernal, Roglic crashing out basically ruined any real challengers to Pogacar over three weeks...the fact guys like Ben O'Connor and Kelderman finished top 5 (O'Connor because he got in a break) and then random half decent climbers like Lutsenko and Guillerme Martin finishing comfortably top 10, shows just quite how weak the GC field was.
Weirdly, the Vuelta GC is shaping up to be a much stronger field.
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51300
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 29
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:To be fair to Pogacar, much like Cavendish ended up facing in the sprints, he was facing an extremely weak field for the GC contention this year.
Vingegaard is a decent prospect, but he came to the Tour as a domestique and fairly easily managed second place...and actually over the last two weeks of the tour he took time out of Pogacar (and if Ventoux would have finished at the top of the mountain, he'd have taken more).
The rest...pretty rubbish. Ineos not bringing Bernal, Roglic crashing out basically ruined any real challengers to Pogacar over three weeks...the fact guys like Ben O'Connor and Kelderman finished top 5 (O'Connor because he got in a break) and then random half decent climbers like Lutsenko and Guillerme Martin finishing comfortably top 10, shows just quite how weak the GC field was.
Weirdly, the Vuelta GC is shaping up to be a much stronger field.
That's what my did as little as possible comment was in regards to, he should have crushed that field but chose not to. Why?
Soul Requiem- Posts : 6563
Join date : 2019-07-16
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Likewise, my interest in the yellow jersey race dipped, as barring any surprising incidents it was evidently over long before the finish. The race for the polka dot was not out of contention though and I enjoyed that - and the 'will he/won't he' with regards to Cav getting win no. 35 was very much on. I think 34 might be it now for him - but that is such an unbelievable achievement I can't see anyone complaining if he doesn't win any more.
I was very very amused by the BBC on this. On the day Cav matched Merckx's record it got barely a mention, then when the tour is over they are all over him in the coverage and with a very nice interview. Call me cynical if you like, but could this possibly be because during the race they don't want to promote ITV coverage, and after they are thinking about SPOTY later in the year? Or is it a more mundane thing in that ITV have the rights for footage/interviews/etc and there just wasn't much for them to show until they could do an interview?
On a final note, I'm very much with Azabache in that if anything untoward is going on it will eventually catch up with whoever is involved. Of all the sports I enjoy cycling is the only one that seems to make a serious effort to catch the cheats, and my impression is that they do generally get there sooner or later. Far from being disenfranchised by the fact that they catch people, I'm encouraged - and I wish other sports I follow would do likewise.
I was very very amused by the BBC on this. On the day Cav matched Merckx's record it got barely a mention, then when the tour is over they are all over him in the coverage and with a very nice interview. Call me cynical if you like, but could this possibly be because during the race they don't want to promote ITV coverage, and after they are thinking about SPOTY later in the year? Or is it a more mundane thing in that ITV have the rights for footage/interviews/etc and there just wasn't much for them to show until they could do an interview?
On a final note, I'm very much with Azabache in that if anything untoward is going on it will eventually catch up with whoever is involved. Of all the sports I enjoy cycling is the only one that seems to make a serious effort to catch the cheats, and my impression is that they do generally get there sooner or later. Far from being disenfranchised by the fact that they catch people, I'm encouraged - and I wish other sports I follow would do likewise.
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
Good Golly I'm Olly likes this post
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Wasn't even supposed to be that, like Cav he was a sub (for Dumoulin).Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Vingegaard is a decent prospect, but he came to the Tour as a domestique and fairly easily managed second place...
Lowlandbrit- Posts : 2691
Join date : 2011-06-15
Location : Netherlands
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Soul Requiem wrote:
Delighted for Cavendish however, winning the green jersey and equalling Merckx in what could be his final grand tour, unlikely that Bennett will be injured against next year.
Unlikely Bennett will be at the team next year. Jackobson might be fit again and come in though DQT might look to keep Cav for one more year. Deploy Jackobson the younger rider at the Giro and Vuelta and then have the big Cav story at the Tour. Would keep them in the public eye and keep their sponsors happy.
formerly known as Sam- Posts : 21303
Join date : 2011-07-13
Age : 38
Location : Leicestershire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
formerly known as Sam wrote:Soul Requiem wrote:
Delighted for Cavendish however, winning the green jersey and equalling Merckx in what could be his final grand tour, unlikely that Bennett will be injured against next year.
Unlikely Bennett will be at the team next year. Jackobson might be fit again and come in though DQT might look to keep Cav for one more year. Deploy Jackobson the younger rider at the Giro and Vuelta and then have the big Cav story at the Tour. Would keep them in the public eye and keep their sponsors happy.
Hasn't it already been announced that Bennett is leaving? Certainly seems to have fallen out with the team management.
DQT also have to consider whether they will have any interest in the GC, in particular whether Evenepoel has progressed enough and proven his ability in the high mountains sufficiently by the next Tour - my suspicion is that hw won't have, and will be given another crack at the Giro before coming to the Tour in 2023. If they are going all in for stage wins, could even be worth bringing two top level sprinters as well as Alaphillipe.
dummy_half- Posts : 6490
Join date : 2011-03-11
Age : 52
Location : East Hertfordshire
Re: 2021 Season Thread
Yes, he's back off to BORA (who are losing Sagan) and in the week before the race Lefevere went from saying he couldn't pick Cav because Bennett can't handle having another sprinter around to suggesting he wasn't really still (that) injured but wants to run out his contract.dummy_half wrote:Hasn't it already been announced that Bennett is leaving? Certainly seems to have fallen out with the team management.
Lowlandbrit- Posts : 2691
Join date : 2011-06-15
Location : Netherlands
Re: 2021 Season Thread
formerly known as Sam wrote:Soul Requiem wrote:
Delighted for Cavendish however, winning the green jersey and equalling Merckx in what could be his final grand tour, unlikely that Bennett will be injured against next year.
Unlikely Bennett will be at the team next year. Jackobson might be fit again and come in though DQT might look to keep Cav for one more year. Deploy Jackobson the younger rider at the Giro and Vuelta and then have the big Cav story at the Tour. Would keep them in the public eye and keep their sponsors happy.
There might be some sense in DQT keeping Cav and sending him - being blunt he'll get their sponsors a lot of attention even if he doesn't manage to get another stage win, and 1 stage win for Cav that sets a new record might be worth more than 2/3/4 for another sprinter in terms of that coverage... being more cynical even if DQT don't use Cav for the Tour, if they keep him on their books they will prevent him setting a new record with somebody else's name on the shirt!
Big- Posts : 815
Join date : 2011-08-18
Location : Durham
alfie likes this post
Page 3 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Similar topics
» Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread
» Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread
» Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread
» F1 2021 Season
» F1 2021 Season
» Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread
» Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread
» F1 2021 Season
» F1 2021 Season
The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Cycling
Page 3 of 5
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum