Professional Cycling For the Fans - Where is Denis Menchov?

Where is Denis Menchov? I mean this in the double sense. The actual rider and the author of the 'If Lance wins the tour De France do you think its by doping?' thread.

What does the forum member recommend Denis do to get back in amongst it? What does everyone else think?

Menchov is done for this year's TdF! he isn't Pantani and won't come even close to winning both Giro and TdF like Pantani did it back in 1998. IMHO Menchov will struggle in mountains and won't have strength to follow other GC contenders. I don't see him winning not even one stage in this year TdF or coming in top 3. Who knows i might be wrong but somehow judging first 5 stages i don't see any other scenario.

It's a long tour. I can absolutely guarantee that Astana will not fill all three podium spots after Mount Ventoux / Stage 20. The minutes that separate Menchov, Sastra, Andy Schlek, etc. from the top 7 as of now will be obliterated, with the exception of Armstrong / AC. There are a lot of opportunities for Menchov to get back in the race.

He'll move up rapidly in the mountain stages and before you know it he'll be in the top 10 before stage 20. I think this is why they call him the silent assassin. As far as strategy, I don't think Rabobank's team has the depth to really catapult Menchov in a long tour like the TDF, or in the mountain stages, but I wouldn't count Menchov out of a podium spot just yet. He still is dangerous and can probably win the whole thing if he has the legs in the mountains. Also there could be confusion in Astana about the issue of not having a lead man during the tour....I think this issue will finally rear it's ugly head in the first mountain stage, because the team will have to divide it's resources to Armstrong and Contador, which could inevitably weaken them. If I were menchov or any other team, I'd attack on the first mountain stage, since Astana will probably not have a lead man at that point.

Menchov lost yesterday his best man that should have helped him in mountains Robert Gesink and it's a big blow for him! don't get me wrong i like Menchov but somehow i just think Giro took great part of him this year.

I believe Menchov is cooked. He dug deep to win the Giro, and you don't recover from that in a month or two. He may have a go in the second week, but by the third he'll be fading.

At their best, Alberto is a better climber than Denis - who in turn is as good as anyone else in the peloton. The problem is, Denis isn't at his best this soon after the Giro. There are quite a few in the peloton who could match him in this race.

i believe menchov is cooked. He dug deep to win the giro, and you don't recover from that in a month or two. He may have a go in the second week, but by the third he'll be fading.

+100

Menchov should tank a big chunk of time today. Thereby get the license to go away early on the mountain stages, and shoot to win the Polka Dot jersey.

Either that or bide his time, recover a bit, and try to win a stage later in the tour.

He's cooked on GC.

As crappy of a TdF Menchov had last year, he still managed to finish 4th. It's the 6th stage for crying out loud. Relax, my brethren.

As crappy of a TdF Menchov had last year, he still managed to finish 4th. It's the 6th stage for crying out loud. Relax, my brethren.

I would say it's going a lot crappier than last year & there are a few strong riders that weren't there last year. I think it's a lot more realistic going for the Lantern Rouge than a podium spot. Or is that what Silence Lotto is going for now?:p

As crappy of a TdF Menchov had last year, he still managed to finish 4th. It's the 6th stage for crying out loud. Relax, my brethren.

Ooh, I just saw he lost another 1:02 today. 4:54 behind the yellow. I think he is really cooked after the Giro.

^ Implementing my plan, intentionally or not.

Menchov lost yesterday his best man that should have helped him in mountains Robert Gesink and it's a big blow for him! don't get me wrong i like Menchov but somehow i just think Giro took great part of him this year.

I agree! He's past his peak and his team has been on the floor more often than not. Losing Gesink to a broken wrist is a bad blow too. Menchov is done...I see him pulling out before the end, especially if he gets unceremoniously dropped on Friday's final climb.

I agree! He's past his peak and his team has been on the floor more often than not. Losing Gesink to a broken wrist is a bad blow too. Menchov is done...I see him pulling out before the end, especially if he gets unceremoniously dropped on Friday's final climb.

yep. that's his style. he's back on form :eek:.

ed rader

I believe Menchov is cooked. He dug deep to win the Giro, and you don't recover from that in a month or two. He may have a go in the second week, but by the third he'll be fading.

BS. what about lance, levi and sastre? menchov will always find a way to lose the big one. i'll be shocked if he makes it paris.

ed rader

BS. what about lance, levi...

ed rader

Did you see Levi stink it up at the Giro? Clearly he and Sir Lance did not put the effort into the race that Menchov did.

Menchov won the damn Giro which some people including me believe to be a better and often more difficult race than the TDF.

Did you see Levi stink it up at the Giro? Clearly he and Sir Lance did not put the effort into the race that Menchov did.

Menchov won the damn Giro which some people including me believe to be a better and often more difficult race than the TDF.

Levi won three stage races prior to the giro. he's up almost 5 minutes on menchov in the biggest trace in cycling. kicked that bolshevik's arse in the TT and the ITT.

armstrong is an old man waaay past his prime and he's in a virtual tie for the yellow jersey. how do you explain that one? and sastre didn't contest the giro?

i wouldn't be surprised if menchov packs it in within the next couple of days. or crashes out. we'll see him in the team car with a loooong face.

if you think beating diluca carries more prestige than winning the TDF let me get a hit offa that spliff ur smoking :eek:!

ed rader

Levi won three stage races prior to the giro. he's up almost 5 minutes on menchov in the biggest trace in cycling.


Three minor stage races that added up don't even approach the Vuelta, much less the Giro. Again, Menchov destroyed himself to win the Giro. Levi and Sir Lance did not.

Lance will lose time the next couple weeks. Levi will lose more. To put Levi on the same level as Menchov is a joke. Menchov's won two Vueltas and the Giro. Levi will never win a Grand Tour.

The best thing about you Ed is that you'll disappear from here for another year once the TDF is done. Hey-O!! ;)

Three minor stage races that added up don't even approach the Vuelta, much less the Giro. Again, Menchov destroyed himself to win the Giro. Levi and Sir Lance did not.

Lance will lose big chunks of time the next couple weeks. Levi will lose more. To put Levi on the same level as Menchov is a joke.

The best thing about you Ed is that you'll disappear from here for another year once the TDF is done. Eeek!!

you wanna bet levi places higher than menchov? i'd be glad to place a friendly bet if you really do believe what you are saying......

ed rader

Oh I don't doubt that Menchov will drop. He clearly peaked at the Giro and would be better served resting and trying to peak again for the Vuelta. A Giro/Vuelta combo would outshine anything Levi ever did or ever will.

Oh I don't doubt that Menchov will drop. He clearly peaked at the Giro and would be better served resting and trying to peak again for the Vuelta. A Giro/Vuelta combo would outshine anything Levi ever did or ever will.

why did menchov even bother to contest the TDF? training for the vuelta?....yeah right :eek:!

ed rader

you wanna bet levi places higher than menchov? i'd be glad to place a friendly bet if you really do believe what you are saying......

ed rader

I'd bet menchov is in the top ten after the GC today. If you don't think menchov can drop Levi in the mountains, you are mistaken. I think Levi will crack in the mountains as usual in the TDF. I'm a big fan of Levi though, and I'd like to see him get a podium spot this year. Menchov had his glory in the Giro, so perhaps it's Levi's time to shine again.

I'd bet menchov is in the top ten after the GC today. If you don't think menchov can drop Levi in the mountains, you are mistaken. I think Levi will crack in the mountains as usual in the TDF. I'm a big fan of Levi though, and I'd like to see him get a podium spot this year. Menchov had his glory in the Giro, so perhaps it's Levi's time to shine again.

34 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 0:05:02 :(

34 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 0:05:02 :(

He tired from the Giro

:50:

Oh I don't doubt that Menchov will drop. He clearly peaked at the Giro and would be better served resting and trying to peak again for the Vuelta. A Giro/Vuelta combo would outshine anything Levi ever did or ever will.

Yeah, I think Menchov would have done much better taker more time to recover & peak again for the Vuelta. He seems pretty cooked. I loved watching him race the Giro & he and Diluca put on a good show. I was hoping he would come to the TDF in good form & present at least somewhat of a challenge to Astana.

Levi went into the Giro tired from his earlier peak. He didn't plan to contest the overall and was planning to ride support for Lance. Lance's crash changed that. He didn't bury himself as Menchov did, at least it didn't look like it. So, he's coming to the TDF slightly below his peak. Probably similar to 07 when he took 3rd & missed second only due to a 10 second time penalty. Remember his 3rd week of that tour? Who was riding the strongest both climbing & time trialing? Based on how he has ridden the last 2 grand tours that he properly peaked for (07 TDF & 08 Vuelta), his 3rd week should be pretty impressive. Unless something drastic happens, it's more likely that Menchov loses more time to Levi than passes him on the GC. :eek: I enjoy watching both riders, but I don't think Menchov will have much to show this tour. BTW, when Levi & Menchov both peaked at the same grand tour, who came out ahead?

I agree, big fan of Di Luca, that guy has got some heart. Wish he could of made it to the TDF. I know he'd be capable of a stage win or two. Only grip with the Giro is the lousy commentating and bad quality from watching it online.

Menchov is in 27th, guaranteed to make the top 10 before this race is over.