Professional Cycling - Strategy: Play to Your Strengths (Spoiler)

People have been complaining a lot about the riding of Cadel Evans. "Wheelsucking" seems to be the accusation of choice.

Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. You are not the strongest climber of the GC contenders, but you can hold your own if not attacked or attacking too much. You are the best time trialist of the contenders. Why would you do anything aside from keeping everyone nice and close together until the final TT? Of course you do not want Menchov or VDV to get away, because they are also very good time trialists, but otherwise you has a small cushion to give to the other GC guys.

IMHO, Evans has ridden a perfect tour to this point, and even after conceding yellow, to Frank, he has been in control of this race. He may not be the most entertaining rider to watch, but when he is wearing Yellow on Sunday it will be because he had a plan to win, he played to his strengths, and he buckled down and earned it.

Edit: I should add that I've loved watching CSC and was pulling for them (and VDV of course), not Evans. I just think Evans has had the best Tour, he has worked hard, and I think he will win. It's hard not to respect that.

evans hasnt done anything wrong.

I think Evans has played his cards well. Doesn't mean we have to pull for his strategy to win though. Fans like guys who attack with panache.

People didn't like Indurain particularly in his first TDF wins either.

I do think however in hindisght, Evans might have put his head down and started chasing Sastre a few K earlier today, and just forgot about shclecks et al.

I think he didn't because he was too concerned about blowing up. We'll see on saturday whether he calculated today's effort correctly.

kinda makes you miss Lance - he was always good for one pain session in the mountains.

If Astana was here, Cadel would be in a lot more trouble - he'd have Leipheimer sucking his wheel and dangerous at the ITT, while Contador was smacking his head in the mountains and not terrible at the ITT.

I'm pulling for anyone from CSC just because I like watching them fight like a bunch of Spartans.

no way levi would have cracked already

no way levi would have cracked already

Relative to Contador, probably, but he could have played wheel sucker to the wheel sucker.

kinda makes you miss Lance - he was always good for one pain session in the mountains.

If Astana was here, Cadel would be in a lot more trouble - he'd have Leipheimer sucking his wheel and dangerous at the ITT, while Contador was smacking his head in the mountains and not terrible at the ITT.

I'm pulling for anyone from CSC just because I like watching them fight like a bunch of Spartans.

I've been considering the "if Astana was here" all day too. You'd have Astana, CSC, and Evans.

interesting. very interesting.

and that in no ways means I am diminishing the quality of this race. Merely I'm saying added complexity would be interesting -- but maybe not turn out to be as good.

I've enjoyed this Tour - especially with Tivo.

I just have no idea what we're going to do come Monday. Is there a 12 step withdrawl program?

I just have no idea what we're going to do come Monday. Is there a 12 step withdrawl program?

I actually feel that way during the fourth week of every July also! :cry:

Maybe I'll order some Giro d'Italia DVD's that I haven't seen yet from World Cycling Productions.

I actually feel that way during the fourth week of every July also! :cry:

Maybe I'll order some Giro d'Italia DVD's that I haven't seen yet from World Cycling Productions.

Olympic Cycling is like methadone. Not the hardcore stuff, just enough to take the edge off.