Road Bike Racing - No help for George H. from USPS Team?

I'm certainly no expert on the strategy of racing teams, but in watching the past few classics, George H. appears to be at or near the front of each race, but gets no support from his team members. Today's race is a good example. I quickly glanced at the final results and it seemed to me that the nearest USPS teammate was something like 13 minutes back from the lead pack. I thought they would be working to help him get a big win. Is there something strategic going on or do they just not care about this part of the season?

Mike

I think he lost three teamates in a crash in the Arenberg Forest, at about 100km to go.

Yes, there was a crash where three postals went down.

His performance at Flanders wasn't a team problem though. He's the only one to blame for missing the winning break. He was right behind the three when they took off on the Mur and simply wasn't able to latch on.

Teams will help you get to the front and stay there for a while. In the end though it's up to you to maintain contact with a group that's making the winning break.

thanks for the information. There have been various comments about George being less than aggressive and not necessarily as savvy at the front as he needs to be on other threads on the forum. It seems as though he has so much potential, but never seems to make the most of it. I've only been riding since June of last year and this is the first that I've really tried to pay attention to races other then the Tour. Trying to learn about the strategy has been interesing.

Thanks again!

Mike

Teams will help you get to the front and stay there for a while.

...And chase down breaks so the designated leader has something left for the finish.

Wrecks? A motorcycle even went down! At one point, a spectators flag got wrapped up in Mengin's rear wheel, forcing him to stop.

Laggard, my impression (at least from OLN coverage) was that when Johan dropped the hammer, George didn't miss the winning break, he just couldn't hang with it, any more than Boonen or most of the other "watched" riders. Your implication is that it was a poor strategic choice. I did not see it as a "choice," they were too close to the finish to intentionally let anything get away. The earlier break he chose, in my opinion, was the *right* one considering his ability and lack of team support. I was particularly glad George beat Boonen after his remark about George possibly "winning the sprint for fourth place" the other day.

A heartbreaker for Museeuw. It looked like he had the form to win, or at least take second considering the way PVP was coming on. I thought PVP showed a lot of class, letting Museeuw take the win between the two of them.

I agree. I'm sure that at the Ronde, George would have gone with the 3 riders if he'd been able to. Same thing today. When I said that he missed the break, I really meant to say that for whatever reason he was physically unable to stay with the attacking riders.

I agree. I'm sure that at the Ronde, George would have gone with the 3 riders if he'd been able to. Same thing today. When I said that he missed the break, I really meant to say that for whatever reason he was physically unable to stay with the attacking riders.


Either unable to, or watching all the favorites, but they are all guilty of missing that break. Museeuw, Van Petegem, Boogerd, Bettini , Dekker, Freire etc..

George beat them all, except Dekker and Bettini

in fairness to hincapie, usps just isn't built for the classics. i mean, you have to wonder what good pena could have been in p-r. the best helpers hincapie could have for a race like p-r are ekimov and van heeswick. eki wasn't there and van heeyswick crashed out. what did he have left? quick step, lotto-domo and, to a certain extent, alessio are stronger for the classics, and that showed. to be honest, hincapie would probably be better served on a second-division belgian squad like bodysol.

having said that, he really doesn't have, in my mind, what he needs to win a big northern classic. i remember in 2001, when museeuw flatted with 25 km to go, and hincapie didn't attack. you have to wonder, outnumbered four to two, what he was waiting for?

At one point, a spectators flag got wrapped up in Mengin's rear wheel, forcing him to stop.

The power skid and bike control, on the pavé, with the flag lodged in the rear wheel and gears, was remarkable. As was the other riders reaction to avoid him. Unbelievable sight.

The power skid and bike control, on the pavé, with the flag lodged in the rear wheel and gears, was remarkable. As was the other riders reaction to avoid him. Unbelievable sight.

I marveled at that, too. Talk about balance and skill - showed what a "pro" is in a very different way from what we're used to/expect.

to be honest, hincapie would probably be better served on a second-division belgian squad like bodysol.

But I suspect he would not enjoy the income.

he rode the last 100k solo...

Does anyone know if any of the postal riders got injured in any of the crashes? And if so, who?

The power skid and bike control, on the pavé, with the flag lodged in the rear wheel and gears, was remarkable. As was the other riders reaction to avoid him. Unbelievable sight.

That was an awesome display of bike handling, eh? I thought he'd high-side it for sure, but he kept in in check, and stayed on his steed. Remarkable! :)