Cav's bike ability

Harp
Harp Posts: 79
edited July 2011 in The bottom bracket
OK, so we know he is being regarded as the greatest sprinter that there has been , but what of his biking abilities.
Would he wipe the floor with the field in an Elite class race in the UK , or a 1st 2nd race ???

Just wondering.
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Comments

  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    No he's an awful cyclist and I reckon I'd have him on any route above 25 miles with an uphill finish.

    What do you reckon? :roll:
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    He's a damn good rider, but without his team to lead him out, not sure how many races he would actually win. He'd do pretty good though!
    My London Road
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Oh. This is a serious thread?

    If that's the case, then it's best I don't contribute.
    Ben

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  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    While my post was serious, i'd still own him with a bit a beer belly and fag in hand!
    My London Road
  • mbhuw
    mbhuw Posts: 79
    MountainMonster wrote:
    He's a damn good rider, but without his team to lead him out, not sure how many races he would actually win.
    I second that, he's one of the best sprinters but not necessarily the best without his team
    http://www.cyclechain.co.uk
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    mbhuw wrote:
    MountainMonster wrote:
    He's a damn good rider, but without his team to lead him out, not sure how many races he would actually win.
    I second that, he's one of the best sprinters but not necessarily the best without his team

    Wrong. He's the best, regardless of whether he's on HTC's train or someone else's. He's proven it time and again and will continue to do so.
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
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  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    The OP question was "would he wipe the floor with Elites or 1st/2nd Cat riders?"

    Yes. Yes he would.
    Ben

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  • acidstrato
    acidstrato Posts: 945
    lostboysaint wrote:
    mbhuw wrote:
    MountainMonster wrote:
    He's a damn good rider, but without his team to lead him out, not sure how many races he would actually win.
    I second that, he's one of the best sprinters but not necessarily the best without his team

    Wrong. He's the best, regardless of whether he's on HTC's train or someone else's. He's proven it time and again and will continue to do so.

    ofcourse he is and ofcourse he has :shock:
    Crafted in Italy apparantly
  • Sirius631
    Sirius631 Posts: 991
    lostboysaint wrote:
    mbhuw wrote:
    MountainMonster wrote:
    He's a damn good rider, but without his team to lead him out, not sure how many races he would actually win.
    I second that, he's one of the best sprinters but not necessarily the best without his team

    Wrong. He's the best, regardless of whether he's on HTC's train or someone else's. He's proven it time and again and will continue to do so.

    +1. In his second victory of this year's Tour he had lost his train, so he got on the wheel of an opponent and still won. I still think that Robbie McEwen was the master at appearing from nowhere without a lead-out train, but the shear number of Cav victories says that the other teams are at a loss as how to stop him.
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Sirius631 wrote:
    lostboysaint wrote:
    mbhuw wrote:
    MountainMonster wrote:
    He's a damn good rider, but without his team to lead him out, not sure how many races he would actually win.
    I second that, he's one of the best sprinters but not necessarily the best without his team

    Wrong. He's the best, regardless of whether he's on HTC's train or someone else's. He's proven it time and again and will continue to do so.

    +1. In his second victory of this year's Tour he had lost his train, so he got on the wheel of an opponent and still won. I still think that Robbie McEwen was the master at appearing from nowhere without a lead-out train, but the shear number of Cav victories says that the other teams are at a loss as how to stop him.
    Exactly.

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Harp wrote:
    OK, so we know he is being regarded as the greatest sprinter that there has been , but what of his biking abilities.
    Would he wipe the floor with the field in an Elite class race in the UK , or a 1st 2nd race ???

    Just wondering.

    I think there should be a new catagory on this forum. Really, really, really, really stupid questions.
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    Smokin Joe wrote:

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.

    Unless it was up hill.
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • OffTheBackAdam
    OffTheBackAdam Posts: 1,869
    Wipe the floor with them? He'd wipe his arse on them first!
    Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.
  • heavymental
    heavymental Posts: 2,079
    dennisn wrote:
    Harp wrote:
    OK, so we know he is being regarded as the greatest sprinter that there has been , but what of his biking abilities.
    Would he wipe the floor with the field in an Elite class race in the UK , or a 1st 2nd race ???

    Just wondering.

    I think there should be a new catagory on this forum. Really, really, really, really stupid questions.

    :lol::lol: My favourite is the phrase 'biking abilities'. :lol::lol:

    Sorry OP. Its just funny. Yes of course he would. He gets protected by his team on the way to the finish but he doesn't get a taxi there. He's also just finished 3 weeks in the biggest race there is. 3430kms with the average speed being around 39kmph. Most cyclists couldn't dream of doing anything remotely similar. He's slower on hills than many in the peleton but I would still expect him to beat most racers who consider themselves grimpeurs. At the end of a stage of around 200k he'll then sprint at speeds up to 50mph. Even on the Champs after 3 weeks of racing. Don't underestimate his achievements!
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,661
    dennisn wrote:
    Harp wrote:
    OK, so we know he is being regarded as the greatest sprinter that there has been , but what of his biking abilities.
    Would he wipe the floor with the field in an Elite class race in the UK , or a 1st 2nd race ???

    Just wondering.

    I think there should be a new catagory on this forum. Really, really, really, really stupid questions.

    I know! :D The UK racing scene is like so obviously brilliant that a ProTour rider, the best in the whole world, could nt handle a 2nd Cat rider, cos like 2nd Cat riders are better but, you know, can't be bothered with all the shenanigans that go with winning the Tour de France green jersey so just like leave it to the lower classes [/sarcasm]

    Cleat - He would still wipe the floor, they'd have no chance!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Martincan
    Martincan Posts: 188
    Boy oh boy oh boy, I've just realised who he's dating! :P
    Pain is weakness leaving the body.....I have a lot of weakness!

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  • mouth
    mouth Posts: 1,195
    Harp wrote:
    OK, so we know he is being regarded as the greatest sprinter that there has been , but what of his biking abilities.
    Would he wipe the floor with the field in an Elite class race in the UK , or a 1st 2nd race ???

    Just wondering.

    Surely he served his 'apprenticeship' in the UK Elite, 1st, 2nd Cat etc to gain his pro license. For the record, I wouldn't wanna take him on at this Sunday's club run. He'd wipe the floor with most riders in this country.
    The only disability in life is a poor attitude.
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.

    Unless it was up hill.
    So how many E/1/2/3 riders do you know who could ride up the Alps and the Pyrenees in the Autobus?

    The term non climber is only by pro standards, Cav or any other sprinter can climb faster than any amateur can dream about.
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    Three words:

    MILAN SAN REMO
    The older I get the faster I was
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    Unless it was up hill.

    That's right. Because finishing one minute behind Andy Schleck on an Alp stage of the TdF means he sucks at climbing :P
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    Aren't some UK elites also pros ? Obviously there's a gap in class between Cav and the best domestic pros but if the terrain didn't favour him he's not going to just turn up and walk every Premier Calendar is he.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,920
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.

    Unless it was up hill.
    So how many E/1/2/3 riders do you know who could ride up the Alps and the Pyrenees in the Autobus?

    The term non climber is only by pro standards, Cav or any other sprinter can climb faster than any amateur can dream about.

    Exactly! He finished 25 mins down on the alpe d'heuz stage in the autobus.

    How many E/1/2/3 riders would finish 25 mins behind Contador/Sanchez etc when Contador attacked with 80Km left.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    rozzer32 wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.

    Unless it was up hill.
    So how many E/1/2/3 riders do you know who could ride up the Alps and the Pyrenees in the Autobus?

    The term non climber is only by pro standards, Cav or any other sprinter can climb faster than any amateur can dream about.

    Exactly! He finished 25 mins down on the alpe d'heuz stage in the autobus.

    How many E/1/2/3 riders would finish 25 mins behind Contador/Sanchez etc when Contador attacked with 80Km left.

    I'm not sure if you mean that E/1/2/3 riders would be closer?

    Either way, anyone who thinks that any TdF sprinter's performance in the hillier stages is an indication of lack of ability should also remember they are saving their legs for the days that the can win. Stick someone like Cav into any one day race and he could make his mark if he wanted, as in Milan San Remo. Might not win against a Pro Tour specialist but he could make his mark.

    To be consistently considered a Classics rider he would need to amend his training to move some of his capacity from "the jump" to longer more sustained efforts as Thor has. But he could certainly do it.
  • Cressers
    Cressers Posts: 1,329
    Perhaps he will adapt to being a one-day classic rider as he ages and loses his full-on sprint ability.
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,920
    BigG67

    No I meant that I think they would finish a lot further behind. Just compare peoples time in the Etape to Cavs time. I know some people in the Etape are just sunday ride people but I think there would have been some racers as well.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • Redhog14
    Redhog14 Posts: 1,377
    Stone Glider wrote:
    Three words:

    MILAN SAN REMO

    +1 - and I think the many races he won in Germany whilst loaned out to an amateur team before going pro proves his pedigree and should also shut up these numpties whose only purpose seems to try and decry anyone who is actually worldclass and British (although he'll say he's Manx). Prickly he may be but our best Cyclist ever - Done!

    BBC Sportsman of Year 2011 (more deserved than a golfer who has only just managed to squeeze in one major win prior to retirement).
    @surroundedbh
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Harp wrote:
    OK, so we know he is being regarded as the greatest sprinter that there has been , but what of his biking abilities.
    Would he wipe the floor with the field in an Elite class race in the UK , or a 1st 2nd race ???

    Just wondering.

    Seriously? Like in serious question, like?

    I'm not joining in the Cav sycophancy, any pro rider, down to this year's Lantern Rouge, would walk away from any Elite, Cat 1 & 2 rider. Anywhere. While singing to himself and looking at passing totty. And probably smoking a fag as well.

    Hoogerland post crash would just stroll away from any Elite rider.

    These guys are phenominally fast, talented, fit and are at the top of their game.

    I remember Cav being asked whether an Elite guy could stay with the peloton - he replied something along the lines of "nah, maybe through the neutral zone, but after that, not a chance".

    Amateur/Pro is a completely different ball game. Imagine having Zola in his hey day playing in your local pub team: he may be quite good compared to the rest of them out there.

    Now, Cav versus a top neo - pro on the top of his game on a good day: now there could be an upset. But I wouldn't bet anything on it.
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.

    Unless it was up hill.
    So how many E/1/2/3 riders do you know who could ride up the Alps and the Pyrenees in the Autobus?

    The term non climber is only by pro standards, Cav or any other sprinter can climb faster than any amateur can dream about.
    I think you may have missed the humour in Cleat's post... :)
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Accepting that post 'Tour' crits are a showcase Cav wins again!

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/post-t ... ut/results

    Moreover, crits demand a very high level of bike handling ability.
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Nuggs wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    Smokin Joe wrote:

    And he could ride away from Elite/1/2/3 riders on one leg.

    Unless it was up hill.
    So how many E/1/2/3 riders do you know who could ride up the Alps and the Pyrenees in the Autobus?

    The term non climber is only by pro standards, Cav or any other sprinter can climb faster than any amateur can dream about.
    I think you may have missed the humour in Cleat's post... :)
    I may have...but then again there is a huge misconception as to what is termed a non-climber. Many people seem to think that a pro who struggles to make the time limit on a grand tour mountain stage would be hanging on the back on the climbs in a sportive. They can't grasp the difference between the standards in pro and amateur cycling.

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