Cadel Evans - where are his team mates?

[arpie]

Hi guys

Now, I am not heavily into bike racing, but I can't, for the life of me, understand why Wiggins is surrounded by about 4 team-mates throughout each stage, protecting him, keeping him fresh for any sprints ........ whilst none of Cadel's team mates are within cooee of him!! The same thing last year & the year before with his team mates 'not really being there'! It is as if he has to 'do it on his own' every time??

I just don't get it!! Aren't they supposed to be assisting him, keep him fresh for challenges, lead any assaults so that he can then just sneak past, to get clear of Wiggins?

cheers

Roberta

[mako2000]

I would have thought last nights course would have been a great time for some team tactics (until the tacks on the road). Get the team at the front on the narrow section of road where noone could pass and let Cadel make a break for it to pull back some time. (Cycling newbie here too!! so maybe thats not the done thing)

[arpie]

I haven't seen last night's 'tack' episode yet - some spoiled sport, wanting his five mins of fame! I did see the start of it for about 1/2hr & no-one seemed very 'keen' on 'taking it on'! One of Cadel's mob was up front - tho I am sure that if Cadel HAD moved up, WIggins would have been there along with his minders quickly enough! He is now protecting his lead, whilst Cadel & his team really need to try & outwit them, to lessen the lead. Mind you, to be honest, there is not a lot of chance of any change between here & the finish!

Roberta

What would be really interesting is if Froome decided to 'have a go' & win it for himself! He is more than capable of it, I reckon! But, he is 'paid' by WIggin's mob, to protect him, not win for himself!

Personally, I reckon everyone should be racing as 'individuals' and then, you would have to form alliances with all sorts of different people, to get 'ahead' ...... and it is in the sprint for the finish line that the individual stage winners would then win ......... on for one & all!!

[arpie]

OK - a buddy explained it this way ...... I reckon I would have loaded my team with some climbers as well!!

Cadel's team is full of guys that are really good on the flat stages to keep any break aways at bay. Wiggins team has a lot of good climbers which means they are often with wiggins longer than cadels team is with him on the climbs. There's pros and cons of either. It's always assumed that if cadel moves in the mountains that he's going to be by himself anyway even if his team were climbers too but it's really on the fast flat stages that you want your team around you. In saying that wiggins team has been going VERY well and may even get two on the podium this year. Cadel is not looking as strong as last year but still a week to go so you never know. Wiggins hasn't really proved himself in a long time trial at the end of a 3 week race so it's not totally in the bag yet.

Fingers crossed Cadel can make a comeback ...... but somehow, I think it is all over already!

Roberta

[mako2000]

I like your buddys thinking and Cadel has a never say die attitude...but listening to the commentators I tend to agree with you more...Its possibly all over!!

Edited July 17, 2012 by mako2000

[paul.kenny]

Watching the weeks highlights due to the rest day. It is quite clear that Sky has built an outstanding all round team. Even before the mountains team BMC didn't look as sharp as Sky. Let's hope Cadel and his team has a plan to win back some time during the remainder of the Mountain stages.