I don't want to question the great Johan Bruyneel, but was it a mistake for him to come into the TDF with this sort of wait-and-see approach? Will the fight for alpha male status bring out the best in all of his riders, or will it lead to infighting and a lack of 100% support once one guy finally emerges as THE guy to ride for? Would he have been better off just naming someone as the leader to be sure he got good support? You could certainly argue that Hincapie deserved to be leader as a reward for years of hard work (not that I'd agree) or that he should go with Popo just to give him experience for later years. Should he have decided to focus on stage wins if he didn't have a clear cut GC leader? Now that Lance is gone maybe it's time to measure success with stage wins instead of tour wins.
What if one guy does emerge as the best shot for the GC? Doesn't it sort of remind you of T-Mobile from last year? How can a guy win if he's not getting 100% support from his team?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
maybee they allready do know but sort of forgot to tell anyone in an effort to keep the other teams on their toes?
PedalMasher
Good points. It can be agreed upon that there are no GC hopes for disco this year. I predict a Hincapie/Popo break for at least one stage win. It should be doable as they are not GC threats unless Hincapie kicks arse in the time trials.
roadwarrior
What if one guy does emerge as the best shot for the GC? Doesn't it sort of remind you of T-Mobile from last year? How can a guy win if he's not getting 100% support from his team?
No, it does not remind me of TMobile. Disco will never run down their own rider on a break. Disco has actual tactical team management.
Why do you think Vino's no longer there...that was a major reason.
harlond
Good points. It can be agreed upon that there are no GC hopes for disco this year. I predict a Hincapie/Popo break for at least one stage win. It should be doable as they are not GC threats unless Hincapie kicks arse in the time trials.No GC hopes for Discovery? How you figure? They do have a former GT winner on their squad in Savoldelli, and I don't think you could say the TdF is a parcours that ill-suits him. If Savoldelli has the form he had at the beginning of the Giro, I think I'd put my eggs in that basket.
Hipcycler
YES>
I was thinking the same thing.
The eggs are not in one basket.
There are several baskets and well, we'll see how it goes and make a plan on the fly.
Sounds a lot like "T" in last year's Tour.
merlinextraligh
Good points. It can be agreed upon that there are no GC hopes for disco this year. I predict a Hincapie/Popo break for at least one stage win. It should be doable as they are not GC threats unless Hincapie kicks arse in the time trials.
Well there wer no GC hopes yesterday, today, maybe.
Hipcycler
Well there wer no GC hopes yesterday, today, maybe.
Oh heck yeah!
This opens the door to tick off the French by having yet another American win!
CyLowe97
I can't wait for Azevedo to attack in the mountains and then have Hincapie/Popo/Falco go reel him in.... Then they'd be this year's T-Mobile.