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It's flipping lovely to see Cav at his best - I've always thought there was something a bit sour about some of the comments around good wins in the absence of a full and organised set of competitors, but there's undoubtably something special about pulling it out the bag like he has this past week.
I hope QuickStep are being kinder to Kittel than they reportedly were to Cav.
I hope QuickStep are being kinder to Kittel than they reportedly were to Cav.
It's really very good to see Cavendish back into form - not quite the force of 5 years ago, but he is 31.
Beating Kittel in a straight one on one battle for the second time shows he is right in there.
There are 5 stages where a bunch sprint looks likely left, maybe 2 of them with a bit of a sting in the tail that would favour Sagan.
I can't see him abandoning now - it's his best shot at Green for 5 years.
Beating Kittel in a straight one on one battle for the second time shows he is right in there.
There are 5 stages where a bunch sprint looks likely left, maybe 2 of them with a bit of a sting in the tail that would favour Sagan.
I can't see him abandoning now - it's his best shot at Green for 5 years.
Cav is riding very well, I think now he has freedom in the sprints he can pick wheels and make his own moves. It shows that the riders still in need of a sprint train to deliver them to the 250M mark are suffering. if your team arent up to it then you wont be in the mix at the finish, alternatively if you can jump wheels and pick a rider to follow, you are in with a chance. He will always have the small aero advantage over the likes of Kittel and Greipel but as he complained he was spinning out (on 53/11?!) he clearly has the power to match.
Cav said yesterday he fought for Kittel's wheel which has got to be better than someone like Kristoff who was sat behind his Katusha team mates who arent as quick or lack tactical nous. Even McLay got invovled and was jumping wheels without a train.Sure they need a train to get them in the mix but I think the days of the old HTC sprint train style victories are over.
I thought Cav's comments about Luke Rowe and Sky will be well taken too, it was a sprinter stages and whilst I can see the GC guys have a point and want to stay out of trouble, they dont need to fight it out once they are within the 3kms point and record the same time if there is an accident.
Tour finishes on the 24th July, Omnium starts on 14th Aug, he has loads of time.... after all, La Vuelta starts on the 20th....
Cav said yesterday he fought for Kittel's wheel which has got to be better than someone like Kristoff who was sat behind his Katusha team mates who arent as quick or lack tactical nous. Even McLay got invovled and was jumping wheels without a train.Sure they need a train to get them in the mix but I think the days of the old HTC sprint train style victories are over.
I thought Cav's comments about Luke Rowe and Sky will be well taken too, it was a sprinter stages and whilst I can see the GC guys have a point and want to stay out of trouble, they dont need to fight it out once they are within the 3kms point and record the same time if there is an accident.
Tour finishes on the 24th July, Omnium starts on 14th Aug, he has loads of time.... after all, La Vuelta starts on the 20th....
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 8th July 09:49
CoolC said:
I wonder if the track training he's (presumably) been doing in prep for Rio has build his sprint up to what it was a few years ago? He's certainly looking leaner than every currently.
I think it has helped him but I also think he has found his focus and ambition again with the Games coming up he looks like Cav from 5 years ago.Just watched highlights of yesterdays stage, I was nervy just watching. Those guys have got some kahoonas it looked nuts. All good points made above how looks like we're seeing a change in how the sprints are being played out, brains as well as brawn needed.
So now we've had the w
es doovras on to the mountains. GC boys have had a relatively quiet week (except Berti) so am expecting fireworks up the Aspin today.
So now we've had the w
es doovras on to the mountains. GC boys have had a relatively quiet week (except Berti) so am expecting fireworks up the Aspin today. Cummings 
What I find kinda remarkable was that he got away with being the underestimated guy again, in order to do the exact same thing as last year only even better. Were the other team kipping on the job or what?!
No matter, it's awesome.
The proliferation of outstanding British riders in more and more teams can only be a good thing for the sport in this country. That all these wins are under the project Qhubeka banner, even better.
http://www.qhubeka.org/
What I find kinda remarkable was that he got away with being the underestimated guy again, in order to do the exact same thing as last year only even better. Were the other team kipping on the job or what?!
No matter, it's awesome.
The proliferation of outstanding British riders in more and more teams can only be a good thing for the sport in this country. That all these wins are under the project Qhubeka banner, even better.
http://www.qhubeka.org/
FlyingMeeces said:
Cummings
What I find kinda remarkable was that he got away with being the underestimated guy again, in order to do the exact same thing as last year only even better. Were the other team kipping on the job or what?!
No matter, it's awesome.
The proliferation of outstanding British riders in more and more teams can only be a good thing for the sport in this country. That all these wins are under the project Qhubeka banner, even better.
http://www.qhubeka.org/
thanks for the website I have just donated.What I find kinda remarkable was that he got away with being the underestimated guy again, in order to do the exact same thing as last year only even better. Were the other team kipping on the job or what?!
No matter, it's awesome.
The proliferation of outstanding British riders in more and more teams can only be a good thing for the sport in this country. That all these wins are under the project Qhubeka banner, even better.
http://www.qhubeka.org/
Steve was quite emotional at the finish not sure why but he seemed very pleased he was on this team.
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