Dale
Posts:1767
 |
| 04/02/2021 08:56 AM |
|
One is stellar, the other isn't.
Tactics in cx consists of "Go hard for an hour"
Tactics in road racing is (insert dissertation here).
Having a team in the former means having someone to share a team bus with and negotiate sponsorships with.
Wout has it dialed in. Jumbo-Visma is the real deal.
MVdP needs to find a team, not just some guys with the same kit. |
|
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/02/2021 10:14 AM |
|
| Solidly disagree. The arrangement is perfect for him. The team has been putting in a fair bit of work in recent races and are quite visible. Two wins for Merlier already and podium on Wednesday. The Belgian champ in their midst. They will grow as the emphasis increases on road. They are in fact quite ambitious and there seems to be no lack of money. |
|
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/02/2021 10:35 AM |
|
I do think he needs to work on his preparation. He blitzed straight from cyclocross into classics with insufficient rest and base. It might have carried him through one day races but led to fatigue from TA so now he’s passed his prime. Last year it was reverse, crazy rides with Stybar resulted in overtraining.
Van Aerts prep is more deliberate. It’s a difference in personality. Wout is the ultimate professional. MVDP is still stuck in fortnite mentality. |
|
|
|
|
Dale
Posts:1767
|
| 04/02/2021 05:52 PM |
|
^ I agree that Wout is tactically better.
Fortnite mentality.... nice. |
|
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/02/2021 06:07 PM |
|
Oh I don’t think Wout is tactically better. His preparation is better. Tactically Wout does better when MVDP is absent- see this week, he races a lot more relaxed. When MVDP is present it tends to freeze up Wout. Shows the degree to which rivalry is in his head.
The comparisons between these two are a bit shortsighted. They’ve raced a lot against each other is all. But Wout is someone who does well in a traditional team setup. MVDP will not do well there. A proper comparison would be MVDP and Sagan, both have to do their thing. And a Alpecin, Bora comparison would also not be out of place. Bora used to be the Sagan show but is now much more than that. Alpecin will follow same trajectory. |
|
|
|
|
Dale
Posts:1767
|
| 04/02/2021 06:48 PM |
|
Yup, I think MVdP gets into Wout's head but still contend WVA is a better tactician. VdP doesn't need to be as tactical since he can just, to use CK's term, bludgeon everyone with his raw power.
Good parallel with Sagan and Mathieu. |
|
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/02/2021 06:53 PM |
|
I’d counter that and say he rode a very tactical Strada.
He knows what to do but often it’s boring to him, just like riding tactically was boring to Sagan. That same Fortnite mentality. You know he gets his own hotel room for sole reason he doesn’t need to share wifi when playing game. Addicted to gaming. He’s still a kid. Wout has matured faster, that I think is where main difference is. |
|
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/04/2021 09:08 AM |
|
| I’ll note that Vermeersch is short entering last 10k guarding in chase group. Not a Jumbo in sight to help van Aert. |
|
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/07/2021 11:03 AM |
|
Well I'll be damned.
Not only was Alpecin the only team other than DQS to put two in top 10 at Flanders, today they beat DQS at their own game with a sprint win by Philipsen in Schelde ahead of Bennett and Cav.
Guess they're not that bad after all :-) |
|
|
|
|
Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
|
| 04/07/2021 01:51 PM |
|
After two weeks of masterclass in tactics, Deceunick made a total mess of that sprint. They clearly wanted to set up Cav, but waited too long after it was clear he couldn't come through.
great win by Phillipsen. |
|
| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
|
|
|
Orange Crush
Posts:4499
|
| 04/08/2021 09:45 PM |
|
| Actually according to their DS Cav did exactly what he was meant to do. Sit on Bennett’s wheel to prevent anyone else from latching on. It was Bennett who made the mistake and or didn’t have the legs. |
|
|
|
|
Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
|
| 04/09/2021 01:39 PM |
|
Ah, the old "sit up and gap 'em" move....always liked that one.
Regardless, they still made a right mess of it!! |
|
| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
|
|
|