Who will Garmin ride the TdF for?

graeme_s-2

Just pondering who Garmin's GC contender will be at the Tour this year? Presumably Hesjedal and CVV are done after the Giro, so who do they have left that they can try and get up into the top 10 of the GC in Paris?

If they're not planning to contest the GC, then what will their targets for the TdF be? I can't see Farrar making much of an impression, so will they just try and get people into breaks and hope to pick up a couple of stages? :?:

ddraver

Whoever their GC rider is I reckon that the second part is most true...

I think they re focussed on the TTT too (or have I made that up?)

(mind you I'd have said that before the Giro too, so...)

inkyfingers

ddraver wrote:

I think they re focussed on the TTT too (or have I made that up?)

They'll be a bit gutted when they find out there isn't one....

RichN95.

Danielson for GC, Martin for the Polka dots, Farrar for the sprints and the possibility of breakaway for the others. They may not have any favourites for anything, but they'll have opportunities every day.

ddraver

inkyfingers wrote:

ddraver wrote:

I think they re focussed on the TTT too (or have I made that up?)

They'll be a bit gutted when they find out there isn't one....

I made it up then....(good, don't like TTTs)

cycling5280

Graeme_S wrote:

Just pondering who Garmin's GC contender will be at the Tour this year? Presumably Hesjedal and CVV are done after the Giro, so who do they have left that they can try and get up into the top 10 of the GC in Paris?

If they're not planning to contest the GC, then what will their targets for the TdF be? I can't see Farrar making much of an impression, so will they just try and get people into breaks and hope to pick up a couple of stages? :?:

GC: Vande Velde and Danielson. Vande Velde has always said that if he can come out of the Giro without breaking anything his form will be best in July? I guess we'll find out. Although Danielson can climb with the best it will be interesting to see if he can hang in the TTs.

They'll take the usual Zabriskie, Millar, Farrar, Ryder(his call)
I have a feeling Farrar might pull out of the race early in preparation for London.

Remaining spots up for: Martin, Haussler, Peterson, Talansky, Le Mevel, Vansummeren, Hunter, Navardauskas, Dekker, Maaskant

The team is stacked so it will be interesting to see how they play their cards. You win the Giro the pressure is off just a little bit.

LangerDan

cycling5280 wrote:

GC: Vande Velde and Danielson. Vande Velde has always said that if he can come out of the Giro without breaking anything his form will be best in July? I guess we'll find out. Although Danielson can climb with the best it will be interesting to see if he can hang in the TTs.

They'll take the usual Zabriskie, Millar, Farrar, Ryder(his call)
I have a feeling Farrar might pull out of the race early in preparation for London.

Remaining spots up for: Martin, Haussler, Peterson, Talansky, Le Mevel, Vansummeren, Hunter, Navardauskas, Dekker, Maaskant

The team is stacked so it will be interesting to see how they play their cards. You win the Giro the pressure is off just a little bit.

Given that, after Hesjedal , Martin is currently the highest placed Garmin rider in the World Rankings and Vaughters has already said he's bringing him to the Tour to focus on stage wins & the KOM, then I doubt that he'll have to battle the others for his spot.

inkyfingers

Would be nice to see Dan Martin continue his progression, King of the Mountains and a stage win would definitely be a possibility if he can avoid the allergy problems that have previously caused him problems in the summer months.

Farrar will be there for the sprints, and even though he's not shown much this year it only needs Cav to crash or get out of position and he would have a chance at a stage.

Danielson or Vande Velde could both finish in the top 10 with good form.

In some ways the lack of a number 1 GC rider is good, they can cast their net wide for wins and mix it up a bit.

rick_chasey

Whoever said Maaskant will ride the tour - I'd be very surprised. He's been quoted as saying he "HATES" the TdF, and, tbh, he wouldn't be much use.

cycling5280

Rick Chasey wrote:

Whoever said Maaskant will ride the tour - I'd be very surprised. He's been quoted as saying he "HATES" the TdF, and, tbh, he wouldn't be much use.

He rode the Tour in 2009. Did not know he hates the Tour. Yeah probably a no go for him.

RichN95.

I'd expect them to pick: Danielson, Talansky, Martin, Farrar, Millar, Zabriskie, Vande Velde for sure
and two of Le Mevel, Haussler, Navardauskas, Dekker and Wegmann

But that's just me guessing.

timoid.

Would like to see Dekker given a chance. I truly believe he's repentant and it would be a good example to others who want to reform. Would also be interesting to see how good he is without the sauce.

Martin, VdV, Farrar, Danielson, Millar, Le Mevel, Haussler, Zabriske and Dekker for me.