Pre-empting Gilbert Bashing.

rick_chasey
rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
edited April 2012 in Pro race
OK - cards on the table.

Gilbert won't win anything in the first half on 2012.

I may even go as far to say he won't win anything of note this year.

There - I said it.

I've said before, a rider never has a season like Gilbert did last year twice in a row.

Comments

  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,573
    I've said before, a rider never has a season like Gilbert did last year twice in a row.

    How about Kelly?

    Between 1983 and 1986 he won at least one monument a season, in 84 and 86 he won two, as well as multiple stage races and stages.

    I think you're right about Gilbert. It looks like he's learning that what you do in the winter really matters the hard way.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    andyp wrote:
    I've said before, a rider never has a season like Gilbert did last year twice in a row.

    How about Kelly?

    Between 1983 and 1986 he won at least one monument a season, in 84 and 86 he won two, as well as multiple stage races and stages.

    I think you're right about Gilbert. It looks like he's learning that what you do in the winter really matters the hard way.

    Pfft. Before I was born. Doesn't count.


    No, I appreciate we're over a quarter of the way into the season and he's only got 3 races that matter before he goes and hibernates again for the Tour, but it's a theme I've been using all season - since Strada anyway.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,259
    He's not the first person in life to have great success, believe they cracked it, get complacent and then get their butt kicked. It's one of life's oldest stories.

    He's still very talented and will probably get it together for the Worlds save his season.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Which year was it that Cavendish had a howler of an early season because of teeth and then had a dominating 2nd part of the year with Pip?
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    iainf72 wrote:
    Which year was it that Cavendish had a howler of an early season because of teeth and then had a dominating 2nd part of the year?

    You think this will happen this year?
  • hangeron
    hangeron Posts: 127
    RichN95 wrote:
    He's not the first person in life to have great success, believe they cracked it, get complacent and then finish their career throwing ice cubes around on a FlyBe flight to Cardiff. It's one of life's oldest stories.

    .


    Fixed mun
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Well its all down to these new DMT shoes.

    dmt.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,573
    What an amateur, everyone knows it is all about the Bonts these days.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    FF.

    Can you start a thread about pros and their shoes?

    I want a Premier League style table - with the previous years' form.
  • I've said before, a rider never has a season like Gilbert did last year twice in a row.

    Hasn't Boonen had a pretty good season so far, a bit like the one he had in 2005?
    Pfft. Before I was born. Doesn't count.

    Think you were born then, so it does count!
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    I've said before, a rider never has a season like Gilbert did last year twice in a row.

    Hasn't Boonen had a pretty good season so far, a bit like the one he had in 2005?
    Pfft. Before I was born. Doesn't count.

    Think you were born then, so it does count!


    In a row Mr. In a row. His 2006 was good, but nothing like 2005.
  • skylla
    skylla Posts: 758
    I'll put my neck out and predict he'll win on the Cauberg.

    Even though he's quoted as saying about yesterday's ride "“It’s not that I’m hiding during the race, I was exactly in my place.”

    Diversion tactics, you see, the whole season up to this Sunday. That's how much Amstel Gold means to him.

    In all honesty, I enjoyed watching him so much last year that I really really want him to do well even though for just this race.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    skylla wrote:
    I'll put my neck out and predict he'll win on the Cauberg.

    Even though he's quoted as saying about yesterday's ride "“It’s not that I’m hiding during the race, I was exactly in my place.”

    Diversion tactics, you see, the whole season up to this Sunday. That's how much Amstel Gold means to him.

    In all honesty, I enjoyed watching him so much last year that I really really want him to do well even though for just this race.


    Presuming you mean Sunday, not the worlds?

    S'a big call. I'll put it in the predictions thread.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,708
    Well its all down to these new DMT shoes.

    dmt.jpg

    Nah, it's cos he's fat isnt it! Look at that bulge in the zip - could nt possibly be a rumple in the jersey -BEAUCOUP DE FRITES ET BIER PHILLIPE!!!!

    ;)
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • In a row Mr. In a row. His 2006 was good, but nothing like 2005.

    Yeah, yeah, whatever. In my mind I was right. :D
  • skylla
    skylla Posts: 758
    Thanks. Yes, this Sunday. It's a big call, but no money will exchange hands, right? Right? oh dear..
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    skylla wrote:
    Thanks. Yes, this Sunday. It's a big call, but no money will exchange hands, right? Right? oh dear..

    Right.

    If you get it wrong you'll get some banal/irritating comment from me on the predictions thread.

    Humiliating I know.
  • skylla
    skylla Posts: 758
    skylla wrote:
    Thanks. Yes, this Sunday. It's a big call, but no money will exchange hands, right? Right? oh dear..

    Right.

    If you get it wrong you'll get some banal/irritating comment from me on the predictions thread.

    Humiliating I know.

    Wasn't expecting anything less, mini-mod. Certainly not now!
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    Different team doctor this year. :twisted:
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • dave_1
    dave_1 Posts: 9,512
    I would love to know what's been going on through his winter. Looks like beer and partying. Or, he's got underlying health problem, or he's changed whatever he's been doing over previous winters...it's 1 of the 3, but which?
  • MrTapir
    MrTapir Posts: 1,206
    Different team doctor this year. :twisted:

    fair bit of speculation on the inner ring blog about the change of Gilbert's doctor (last year) now being Boonen's doctor. Also the guy is being charged over Mantova affair or something.

    I don't think this is why Gilbert is crap and Boonen is good though. Maybe Gilbert's wife is making him take care of Alan more and he is more tired as a result.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    He's had tooth problems, and infections with it. He wasn't able to eat properly at an important part of the season and his form has suffered accordingly. I don't think it's a great mystery really.

    As for Boonen, he's always good this time of year. He had some luck this year with his form and has capitalised on it. It's not like he's never won P-R, Flanders, E3 or that other chipper before, is it?
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • dave_1
    dave_1 Posts: 9,512
    Gilbert started to mention his teeth problems after a poor month of racing..looks more excuse when it comes out sometime after poor race form first started. Pros do offere excuses from time to time when they can't find the answer.

    It took Rominger 8 years to overcome pollen allergies by 1992 and start dominating summer grand tours.. :lol::lol::wink:
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Either way, just by looking at him you can see all isn't well.

    He's not 'playing' with the pedals like we saw from Asmtel onwards. There was a kind of bounce - a spring to his pedal strong that isn't there now. It looks that bit more laboured, even if he is turning at the same rate.