SyncSA Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Ok - so it is only Stage 1, and I am sure that the top contenders are not too concerned with the stage going to Veilleux from Europcar. Great stage for him but to me the others put in no effort to catch him. Moving on - it looked like Berto was in finishing bunch alone? How do you guys rate the Saxo team?
'Dale Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Some awesome scenery today. What a race of his cycling life by Veilleux!
tombeej Posted June 2, 2013 Author Posted June 2, 2013 Great tactics from Europcar. And even better when the plan is executed perfectly. Since the big teams aren't expected to show their hands before stage 5, the French wildcards would be in with a chance to hold yellow to the TT. And if happens - 3 days in yellow out of 8 - then this will be a massively successful Dauphine for them. As I say, a great plan perfectly executed. SyncSA 1
'Dale Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Great tactics from Europcar. And even better when the plan is executed perfectly. Since the big teams aren't expected to show their hands before stage 5, the French wildcards would be in with a chance to hold yellow to the TT. And if happens - 3 days in yellow out of 8 - then this will be a massively successful Dauphine for them. As I say, a great plan perfectly executed. To think that Europcar is not a Worldtour level team...
GrumpyOldGuy Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Ok - so it is only Stage 1, and I am sure that the top contenders are not too concerned with the stage going to Veilleux from Europcar. Great stage for him but to me the others put in no effort to catch him. Moving on - it looked like Berto was in finishing bunch alone? How do you guys rate the Saxo team? Not much. I said many posts back, I have no doubt 'Berto is up to the job, Saxo however leaves me cold. Personally I have no idea why 'berto stays on here at Saxo, for a team which is "supposedly" built around his aims of grand tour wins, they are looking hopelessly inadequate. In my mind Riis is a marginally later model dinosaur to Bruyneel, and we can see the results of that now in both teams who are struggling for results. 'Berto, I hope, will look for a new team for 2014.
GrumpyOldGuy Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Great tactics from Europcar. And even better when the plan is executed perfectly. Since the big teams aren't expected to show their hands before stage 5, the French wildcards would be in with a chance to hold yellow to the TT. And if happens - 3 days in yellow out of 8 - then this will be a massively successful Dauphine for them. As I say, a great plan perfectly executed. Yeah, marvelous ride by the young Lad, he gave me some "hold your breath" moments on those downhill switchbacks but he was determined, and just powered away. Super little team Europcar, sadly I thought I heard Mathew Keenan say they are looking for a new sponsor next year, I hope not, they have some wonderful talent which needs a place to develop.
SyncSA Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Not much. I said many posts back, I have no doubt 'Berto is up to the job, Saxo however leaves me cold. Personally I have no idea why 'berto stays on here at Saxo, for a team which is "supposedly" built around his aims of grand tour wins, 'Berto, I hope, will look for a new team for 2014. If that's the case then Froome might have the upperhand for TDF purely based on his support team.
'Dale Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 Personally I have no idea why 'berto stays on here at Saxo, for a team which is "supposedly" built around his aims of grand tour wins, they are looking hopelessly inadequate. 'Berto, I hope, will look for a new team for 2014. The sponsor backed him throughout the clenbuterol suspension.I reckon Berto is highly loyal as a result. GrumpyOldGuy 1
GrumpyOldGuy Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 If that's the case then Froome might have the upperhand for TDF purely based on his support team. Indeed, he may, sad as that is to say. 'Berto can most likely look after himself in the mountains, BUT if due to a weak team he is left exposed in the cross winds say for example, or is unable to get his food and drinks, or a lead back after a mechanical or any of a hundred issues, its game over for him, and that would be really unfortunate in my opinion.
jcza Posted June 2, 2013 Posted June 2, 2013 I see Meersman was very upset that OPQS didn't chase because Martin was up the road. Don't think the main contenders are worried but the smaller teams missed a trick today. All credit to Europcar, took a chance & it paid off. I agree with grumpy re Saxo. Sure Contador won't be able to defend the jersey for 3 weeks with that team. Best he can hope for is Sky to make the pace & then attack in week 3. SyncSA 1
Bianchisti Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) confirmed on the start line for Argos-Shimano Awesome!
carbon29er Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Not much. I said many posts back, I have no doubt 'Berto is up to the job, Saxo however leaves me cold. Personally I have no idea why 'berto stays on here at Saxo, for a team which is "supposedly" built around his aims of grand tour wins, they are looking hopelessly inadequate. In my mind Riis is a marginally later model dinosaur to Bruyneel, and we can see the results of that now in both teams who are struggling for results. 'Berto, I hope, will look for a new team for 2014.You don't think €5 million a year has anything to do with it? No one's going to pay him what Saxo Tinkoff pay him.
GrumpyOldGuy Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 You don't think €5 million a year has anything to do with it? No one's going to pay him what Saxo Tinkoff pay him. - I didn't know it was that much, I understood it was around 3 Million, but Yah,... I guess its a big persuader.
NotSoBigBen Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Not much. I said many posts back, I have no doubt 'Berto is up to the job, Saxo however leaves me cold. Personally I have no idea why 'berto stays on here at Saxo, for a team which is "supposedly" built around his aims of grand tour wins, they are looking hopelessly inadequate. In my mind Riis is a marginally later model dinosaur to Bruyneel, and we can see the results of that now in both teams who are struggling for results. 'Berto, I hope, will look for a new team for 2014. Maybe they are the only team that will have him ......
NotSoBigBen Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Home office all set up for this and the TdF soon dracs and samuelp53 2
'Dale Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Kramon_Giro2013_stage10__DSC6160-Version-2.jpg
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