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Le Tour 2012

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tigerland12

John Thornett (49)
Interesting in that interview it sounded like he pretty muched begged the team director to give him a chance in this stage.
 

Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
Have they already launched the whole of next years route? I can only find official reference to the first 3 days on Corsica then the following 2 days in Nice including a team TT (of which Sky would kill it with Wiggins, Fromme, Rogers, et al).

Not fully released, that happens later. But they have given hints on the course though, and pretty much stated that it would be more mountainous.

Wouldn't mind a stage with a few cobbles too. Loved the cobbled stage in the 2010 version.
 

tigerland12

John Thornett (49)
Anyone going to bet against The Missle on this one. Even though he is a Brit, I love the bloke, he is a freak. He should get up easily, but Sagan, Goss and Griepel will all contest. Would be amazing if Gossy got up.

So close for Goss again, he is really going to go well in the next few tours, but Cavendish is unstoppable.
 

tigerland12

John Thornett (49)
Tour Review

Best Rider (in regards to expectation and performance)
1- Chris Froome: Was not expected to do anything in the GC except carry his team mate up the mountains. Proved that he is a future Tour winner with his win on Stage 7 by carrying Wiggins and Evans up the final climb, only to explode away from them to take the win. He was surrounded by rumour that he was unhappy with being made to play second fiddle, which may of been evident on the final climb in the Peyrenees where he gestured numerous times to Wiggins.
2- Bradley Wiggins: The man who was expected to win the Tour did just that, with relative ease. People may criticize him for riding the coatails of his Australian workhorses (Porte and Rogers), but the man did not ever look like losing the Yellow. His time-trailing is the best in the world by a country-mile and should carry that form to Olympic gold. Next year Team Sky will have to make the tough decision to either keep Wiggins as their leader or promote the better climber in Chris Froome.
3- Teejay van Garderen: Relatively unknown before the tour, this young American made a name for himself by claiming the white jersey. But it was his ability to keep up with the heavyweights of the race, often dislodging other more seasoned and favoured riders in the GC, where he came to the forefront as a genuine rider. His defining moment of the tour was when he lead out Cadel Evans on an attack, only for the former Champion to fall behind the American's pace. This result forced the BMC team to allow Teejay to continue to ride at the head of the group when his team leader fell behind. This bloke will be a household name by the time he hits 25.

Most Disapointing Rider
1- Cadel Evans: Unfourtunately Evans could not find his legs in the important mountain stages, and ultimately seemed to loose his motivation in the final time trial. Tipped to be the only man capabale of challenging Wiggins, he looked leg-less in the mountains and was even outclassed by his own team mate van Garderen. Many will hope cyclings nice guy will be able to bounce back for one more crack next year, but you have to wonder if he has the legs to challenge.
2- Denis Menchov: Was expected to ride high in the GC but fell behind the Tour leaders numerous times throughout the mountains,resulting in finishing 27minutes behind the yellow jersey. The Russian would classify this as a very disapointing tour.

The Sprinters
Often the sprinters classification is overlooked by the GC, but with the dull nature of the main competition, the sprinting heavyweights took stage on numerous occasions. Firstly, Mark Cavendish is a class act, he is the undisputed fastest man on the international circuit as was exemplified by his stage win in Brive where he came from a good 10men back to blitz the rest of the field in a spine-tingling turn of speed. Peter Sagan is a youngster who has a massive future ahead of him. The Slovak is heavily built and used his power to win three stages and claim the Green Jersey by over 120points. Matt Goss competed for the first Australian team and he did not disapoint. He was the only man looking like challenging Sagan in the Sprinters Classification, but his tour ultimately ended when he was disqualified and deducted 30 points for a change in direction on one of his finishes. Collected a bagload of 2nds and 3rds, and is one to watch for next year to gain that elusive Stage victory. Andre Griepel showed the competition amongst the springers is wide open, winning a few stages himself and finishing second on points behind Sagan

Most Aggresive Rider
1- Chris Anka Sorenson: Many found a new favourite in the form of the Danish mountain climber, who on countless stages fought his way back from significant deficits to regain his position. This was highly evident on Stage 11 where he was dropped 5 times from the breakway group and yet managed to make the gap back every time. Honourable mentions to Luis-Leon Sanchez and Tommy Voeckler for their attacking riding in the mountains.

Most Entertaining Rider
1- Mark Cavendish: One cannot help but love watching this man in full flight. Thrilled crowds with his stage wins with his raw power getting him home twice in the final three stages.
2- Tommy Voeckler: French favourite and probably every other countries second, little Voeckler was a man on a mission in the mountains. He rode like he was having a fist fight with his bike, and the passion and energry radiating from his facial expressions provided great entertainment. His win on Stage 10 is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Honourable Mentions: Jens Voigt and Alexandre Vinokourov

Highlight of the Tour
1- Mark Cavendish winning in Paris and Brive was a sight to behold. We have been possibly watching the greatest sprinter of all time.
2- Tommy Voecklers stage win when he took off by himself a long way to the finish, and claimed the King of the Mountains jersey at the same time.
3- Chris Froome, Vicenzo Nibali and Bradley Wiggins destroying the rest of the field in Bagneres-de-Luchon. Showing the world why they were holding places in the top three.
Honourable Mentions: Alberto Valverde's stage win

Lowlight of the Tour
1- Frank Schleck testing positive on both samples and having to withdraw from the Tour. This man along with his brother are icons in Luxembourg and this has tainted his reputation. He is facing a lengthy ban.
2- The horrific crashes in the early weeks of the tour left many battered and was very hard to watch.

Rider of the Future
1- Peter Sagan: At 22 this bloke has the cycling world at his feet. Three stage wins, the Green Jersey by 120 points and not to mention countless moments in breakaways throughout the tour. A sprinter who can hold his own in the mountains.
Honourable Mentions: Teejay van Garderen and Thibaut Pinaut

Verdict: Overall a fairly boring tour. Dominated by the workmen for Team Sky and their dominance in the Time Trials, no other riders were given a chance to come close to Bradley Wiggins. The sprinters classification was entertaining with 4 riders showing next years battle will be one to watch carefully. In the mountains it was the underdogs who came away with the goods with Voeckler, Sanchez, Vinokourov and Sorenson all providing great viewing. Next year will mark the 100th event and will no doubt be heavily mountain based. With the return of Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, it will shape to be a fair more entertaining spectacle with more riders capable of challenging Wiggins and Froome.
 

Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/evans-to-lead-bmc-in-2013-tour-de-france

Interesting.

Personally, I'd rather see Evans ride the Giro next year, as I think he's a real chance to win it. A second GT win would really give him the palmares his talent deserves.

Then maybe he could try the TdF 2013 as co-leader with TJVG, although TJVG might even be the preferred of the two there if Evans struggles with the Giro in his legs. This woud allow TJVG a good transition into full leadership in 2014.

I wish Evans the best of luck, but I think that even the TdF podium in 2014 might be hard for him due to his age and the return of Contador and Schleck plus the rise of Froome. At 36, surely a possible Giro win would be best, rather than another Tour top 5 or top 10?

Whatever Evans decides, best of luck to him.
 
G

G&GR News Bot

Guest
Tigerland gives a great look back at Le Tour 2012
Best Rider

(in regards to expectation and performance)
1- Chris Froome: Was not expected to do anything in the GC except carry his team mate up the mountains. Proved that he is a future Tour winner with his win on Stage 7 by carrying Wiggins and Evans up the final climb, only to explode away from them to take the win. He was surrounded by rumour that he was unhappy with being made to play second fiddle, which may of been evident on the final climb in the Peyrenees where he gestured numerous times to Wiggins.
2- Bradley Wiggins: The man who was expected to win the Tour did just that, with relative ease. People may criticize him for riding the coatails of his Australian workhorses (Porte and Rogers), but the man did not ever look like losing the Yellow. His time-trailing is the best in the world by a country-mile and should carry that form to Olympic gold. Next year Team Sky will have to make the tough decision to either keep Wiggins as their leader or promote the better climber in Chris Froome.
3- Teejay van Garderen: Relatively unknown before the tour, this young American made a name for himself by claiming the white jersey. But it was his ability to keep up with the heavyweights of the race, often dislodging other more seasoned and favoured riders in the GC, where he came to the forefront as a genuine rider. His defining moment of the tour was when he lead out Cadel Evans on an attack, only for the former Champion to fall behind the American’s pace. This result forced the BMC team to allow Teejay to continue to ride at the head of the group when his team leader fell behind. This bloke will be a household name by the time he hits 25.
Most Disapointing Rider

1- Cadel Evans: Unfourtunately Evans could not find his legs in the important mountain stages, and ultimately seemed to loose his motivation in the final time trial. Tipped to be the only man capabale of challenging Wiggins, he looked leg-less in the mountains and was even outclassed by his own team mate van Garderen. Many will hope cyclings nice guy will be able to bounce back for one more crack next year, but you have to wonder if he has the legs to challenge.
2- Denis Menchov: Was expected to ride high in the GC but fell behind the Tour leaders numerous times throughout the mountains,resulting in finishing 27minutes behind the yellow jersey. The Russian would classify this as a very disapointing tour.
The Sprinters

Often the sprinters classification is overlooked by the GC, but with the dull nature of the main competition, the sprinting heavyweights took stage on numerous occasions. Firstly, Mark Cavendish is a class act, he is the undisputed fastest man on the international circuit as was exemplified by his stage win in Brive where he came from a good 10men back to blitz the rest of the field in a spine-tingling turn of speed.
Peter Sagan is a youngster who has a massive future ahead of him. The Slovak is heavily built and used his power to win three stages and claim the Green Jersey by over 120points. Matt Goss competed for the first Australian team and he did not disapoint. He was the only man looking like challenging Sagan in the Sprinters Classification, but his tour ultimately ended when he was disqualified and deducted 30 points for a change in direction on one of his finishes. Collected a bagload of 2nds and 3rds, and is one to watch for next year to gain that elusive Stage victory.
Andre Griepel showed the competition amongst the springers is wide open, winning a few stages himself and finishing second on points behind Sagan
Most Aggresive Rider

1- Chris Anka Sorenson: Many found a new favourite in the form of the Danish mountain climber, who on countless stages fought his way back from significant deficits to regain his position. This was highly evident on Stage 11 where he was dropped 5 times from the breakway group and yet managed to make the gap back every time. Honourable mentions to Luis-Leon Sanchez and Tommy Voeckler for their attacking riding in the mountains.
Most Entertaining Rider

1- Mark Cavendish: One cannot help but love watching this man in full flight. Thrilled crowds with his stage wins with his raw power getting him home twice in the final three stages.
2- Tommy Voeckler: French favourite and probably every other countries second, little Voeckler was a man on a mission in the mountains. He rode like he was having a fist fight with his bike, and the passion and energry radiating from his facial expressions provided great entertainment. His win on Stage 10 is one that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Honourable Mentions: Jens Voigt and Alexandre Vinokourov
Highlight of the Tour

1- Mark Cavendish winning in Paris and Brive was a sight to behold. We have been possibly watching the greatest sprinter of all time.
2- Tommy Voecklers stage win when he took off by himself a long way to the finish, and claimed the King of the Mountains jersey at the same time.
3- Chris Froome, Vicenzo Nibali and Bradley Wiggins destroying the rest of the field in Bagneres-de-Luchon. Showing the world why they were holding places in the top three.
Honourable Mentions: Alberto Valverde’s stage win
Lowlight of the Tour

1- Frank Schleck testing positive on both samples and having to withdraw from the Tour. This man along with his brother are icons in Luxembourg and this has tainted his reputation. He is facing a lengthy ban.
2- The horrific crashes in the early weeks of the tour left many battered and was very hard to watch.
Rider of the Future

1- Peter Sagan: At 22 this bloke has the cycling world at his feet. Three stage wins, the Green Jersey by 120 points and not to mention countless moments in breakaways throughout the tour. A sprinter who can hold his own in the mountains.
Honourable Mentions: Teejay van Garderen and Thibaut Pinaut
Verdict:

Overall a fairly boring tour. Dominated by the workmen for Team Sky and their dominance in the Time Trials, no other riders were given a chance to come close to Bradley Wiggins. The sprinters classification was entertaining with 4 riders showing next years battle will be one to watch carefully. In the mountains it was the underdogs who came away with the goods with Voeckler, Sanchez, Vinokourov and Sorenson all providing great viewing. Next year will mark the 100th event and will no doubt be heavily mountain based. With the return of Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, it will shape to be a fair more entertaining spectacle with more riders capable of challenging Wiggins and Froome.
The post Le Tour 2012 Review appeared first on Green and Gold Cycling.

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