Professional Cycling For the Fans - Does Evans stand a chance?

I guess I'm seeing Evans as a sort of Levi - strong second tier racer, tactically savy, but pretty boring to watch. Kudos to him for riding smart, making his paycheck the best way, and generally hanging through these hard mountain stages working towards a podium GC finish. I'm sorry if I gave the impression I didn't like him out of turn, its just my 2 cents. He's a boring rider, and as reef58 so clearly stated regarding McEwen, I don't have to "like" anybody for any reason.

I'd rather watch McEwen than 78% of the rest of the peloton - the dude rocks. Reef58 can't stand him. Whatever. You seem to like Evans. Awesome. I can hardly stand to watch him. Whatever.

Different strokes for different folks.




So in order for you to like a rider, he has to ride like an idiot? Ok. This stuff about Evans being 'boring' or 'weak' because he's riding himself into the ground every day to stay near the front, but not blowing himself up in a meaningless attack that he know he can't make stick because he's already redlining... he's being paid to get results not to overreach like a poseur idiot, blowing his GC chances.

After reading the comments made by Evans I think a lot less of him. He was whining about how AC attacked, MR followed, and it was 2 against one. He also said his team didn't have the $$$ to pay a rider that can stay with him in the mountains. Basically saying his teamates are low rent no accounts.

Richard

@ Reef58 - can you give me a link? or just head to cyclingnews/pez/velonews?
I know...why don't I just look? :rolleyes: There's no accounting for I.S. people's behavior.

He made the comment about Contadpr and Rasmussen ganging up on him on Versus.

The comment about his teamates was either on cyclingnews, pez, or velonews. I dont remember.

Richard

Here is some of it from cycling news:

Cadel Evans lost more time in the second Pyrenean mountain stage to Loudenvielle, where he was isolated and eventually ridden off the wheel of the yellow jersey thanks to constant attacks from Discovery Channel's white jersey wearer Alberto Contador. "I was in the position at 12km to go and then, those guys combined against me yesterday, what with Astana and Discovery behind, well, unfortunately I had to race a little conservatively.

His team-mate Chris Horner was the last to be able to hang with the pace, but was dropped before he could help his leader in the crucial moments. Evans was then left to play it safe and ride the wheels. "It's not what I wanted to do but I was completely on my own, it was up to the other guys to work it, but what am I supposed to do when I am on my own, everyone else had a team-mate."

Evans, who rode like a yellow jersey contender on stage 14 was left fighting for what appeared to be just a podium spot in Paris. "Unfortunately yes, but you have to play the cards your dealt. Twelve km from home and I am on my own, what am I supposed to do," the Australian complained. "Today I rode to conserve a little. Unfortunately the team hasn't got the budget to hire a rider who can close those gaps for me."

After two weeks of racing and two tough mountain stages, the Predictor-Lotto rider is keen to have the rest day, and then on to his final goal - to be the first Australian on the final podium of the Tour. "I am ready for a rest. I would be very happy with that [podium spot]. But there's still a bit of racing to go. We'll just have to see."

I looked around a little last night, but missed those - thanks for posting those quotes.

Rogers I felt bad for

O'Grady I felt bad for

McEwen is such a wheel sucking no account he wont be missed by me.

Richard

This is probably the most wrong thing I've read all day

I hate that.

Richard


This is probably the most wrong thing I've read all day

I hate that.

Richard

Why the beef with McEwan ? Any sprinter wheelsucks till the last 100 metres, it's what they do.

Not all of them. Some actually have other talents. Are you telling me there are no pro riders you dislike?

Richard


Why the beef with McEwan ? Any sprinter wheelsucks till the last 100 metres, it's what they do.

After the news about Vino, Cadel Evans remarks about Astana have different perspective.

Not all of them. Some actually have other talents. Are you telling me there are no pro riders you dislike?

Richard

Off the top of head there's only really Boonen who can do things other than sprint of the current crop. I'd probably say he's more a rouler first and foremost anyway.

McEwan is far and away a better sprinter to watch than Boonen. He doesn't need a lead out train in the Cipo mold, preferring to capitalize in the chaos. I still don't know how he wins half of them, seemingly teleporting out of nowhere to the front of the bunch. Stage One of this years tour was a good example.

Boonen didn't seem to have much of a train during his first stage win of the tour this year.

Richard


Off the top of head there's only really Boonen who can do things other than sprint of the current crop. I'd probably say he's more a rouler first and foremost anyway.

McEwan is far and away a better sprinter to watch than Boonen. He doesn't need a lead out train in the Cipo mold, preferring to capitalize in the chaos. I still don't know how he wins half of them, seemingly teleporting out of nowhere to the front of the bunch. Stage One of this years tour was a good example.

I have grown a new respect for Evans this year. He has tried several times to get away and not be a wheel sucker. He doesn't have it but I give him A for effort.

I guess I'm seeing Evans as a sort of Levi - strong second tier racer, tactically savy, but pretty boring to watch. Kudos to him for riding smart, making his paycheck the best way, and generally hanging through these hard mountain stages working towards a podium GC finish. I'm sorry if I gave the impression I didn't like him out of turn, its just my 2 cents. He's a boring rider, and as reef58 so clearly stated regarding McEwen, I don't have to "like" anybody for any reason.

I'd rather watch McEwen than 78% of the rest of the peloton - the dude rocks. Reef58 can't stand him. Whatever. You seem to like Evans. Awesome. I can hardly stand to watch him. Whatever.

Different strokes for different folks.

2nd teir racers? They are in 3rd and 4th place in the biggest race in the world. Id hardly call that second tier. They are both doing what thay can and have to do to stay in contention. They have both stated that they just cant climb like MR and AC.

After the news about Vino, Cadel Evans remarks about Astana have different perspective.

I was thinking the same thing.

Boonen didn't seem to have much of a train during his first stage win of the tour this year.

Richard

I would of liked to have seen the rocket that was fired up Steegmans arse for not moving over during stage 4 (? can't remember of the top of my head if that's the right stage).

Of course you're correct. I'm not implying that they're playing Cat2s or something like that, rather that they seem to lack whatever ingredient (? - possibly a poor choice of words considering today's news) necessary to be competitive. Is Predictor-Lotto's team so weak that they can't have a second man in the lead group - that seems to be what Evans would like us to believe. I guess I have a hard time believing that. I haven't had a chance to see Levi launch too many attacks of his own. If I might, it seems like they're doing more of what they have to do and less of what they want to do, just to stay in contention. But, hey - this is just my opinion, and its all arm-chair babble to boot.


2nd teir racers? They are in 3rd and 4th place in the biggest race in the world. Id hardly call that second tier. They are both doing what thay can and have to do to stay in contention. They have both stated that they just cant climb like MR and AC.

Easier said than done. It is not like they decide; "I think I will stay with the lead group today, yea I think I will".

Richard


Of course you're correct. I'm not implying that they're playing Cat2s or something like that, rather that they seem to lack whatever ingredient (? - possibly a poor choice of words considering today's news) necessary to be competitive. Is Predictor-Lotto's team so weak that they can't have a second man in the lead group - that seems to be what Evans would like us to believe. I guess I have a hard time believing that. I haven't had a chance to see Levi launch too many attacks of his own. If I might, it seems like they're doing more of what they have to do and less of what they want to do, just to stay in contention. But, hey - this is just my opinion, and its all arm-chair babble to boot.

Easier said than done. It is not like they decide; "I think I will stay with the lead group today, yea I think I will".

Richard


How many of us who have raced or are racing have made BIG plans at the start of a race and actually seen them dashed to pieces? How many times have each one of us said " If only the race was 5miles or kms longer or shorter? But when on the rare occassion it works...HOW SWEET IT IS, especially if you beat a few egotistical BOOFHEADS. :p