Keith Richards
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| 03/28/2014 12:14 PM |
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Wow...OPQS had two guys in a four man break and could do NOTHING to stop Sagan from taking the easy sprint finish.
I guess his form is just fine, thank you! |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Orange Crush
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| 03/28/2014 12:26 PM |
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They made life too easy on Sagan. At some point he was cooked, looking for food all over the place before his team car finally arrived; they should have skewered him there and then.
OPQS still had numbers at head of race but far less control than in Draws door Vlaanderen, with a competition that more closely resembled what will be at start at RVV. RVV will be wide open.
Cance looked very strong. |
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 03/28/2014 12:28 PM |
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| Were not for his luck Cance would have won this one, I believe. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 03/28/2014 02:06 PM |
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I think it could have been different if Niki Terpstra were the weaker of the two OPQS guys and the one softening Sagan up. But Sagan in a small break? History is going to show that will favor Sagan every time. Guy's the real deal and that is one of the places he thrives.
Yes, Keith, I agree. Cance was on today. If one of his efforts was made from the front and that far from the finish, it would have been another one of those "electric motor" days.
Ben |
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 03/28/2014 03:28 PM |
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| Niki is on the form of his life. I hope he scores a monument this spring. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 03/28/2014 04:50 PM |
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But, Keith, Niki beating Sagan from a small group is asking a lot. Sagan is the next Eddy. I remember watching Eddy attacking repeatedly until he had shed all his compatriots, then soloing for miles for the win. Sagan's style is different, but he has the ability to answer as many attacks as Eddy could dish out and still sprint.
Ben |
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 03/28/2014 05:30 PM |
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He has a lot to prove before I pronounce him the next Eddy.
I totally agree that Niki besting Sagan in the situation today was a long shot.
But that does not change the fact that Terpstra is on some superb form this spring. All I was saying is that if he gets in a good tactical position this spring (think Vansummeren in Paris-Roubaix), I think he has the form to finish it. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/28/2014 06:23 PM |
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He's not the next Eddy. People lined him up to start winning multiple Monuments 3 yrs ago when we were still on the old site. I told everyone to sit tight and let him mature for a couple of years. 3 yrs later, he's won a ton of races, some of really good stature, but a Monument (his proclaimed focus) is still wanting. In fact I give 50/50 odds to Terpstra or Stybar winning a Monument before Sagan.
How about for now we call him the next Valverde. Getting a similar palmares would be pretty darn good. Both are amongst few really versatile riders in the peleton. |
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JS
Posts:61
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| 03/28/2014 11:51 PM |
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| OC, hate to break it to you but barring a doping positive or career ending injury Sagan will end his career as one of the top 5 racers of all time. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/29/2014 12:23 AM |
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That is a fine prediction JS but whether it comes true will depend on a heck of a lot more than lack of injury or doping suspension. Sagan would probably say something like this about being shouldered with an expectation like that:
"You ‘mustn’t’ nothing in your life," he said. "I don’t ‘must’ nothing in the life, just die. It’s important, yeah, but I have also a future in front of me. Of course, I want to do well but the important thing for me is to do the maximum in the race, and then I am glad."
He's a heck of a lot more realistic that a lot of his fans.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sagan-wants-to-savour-his-e3-harelbeke-win |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 03/29/2014 01:47 AM |
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Yeah I said Sagan is the next Eddy. He is not. As I said two sentences later, he is significantly different. He also has bike handling skills I don't believe Eddy ever had. He won't get Eddy's win numbers; times have changed. And granted, he may get injured, sidetracked, whatever. But I think there is a real chance that in 20 years one of us might be saying "That Ben was right about Sagan."
I will not hold my breath. My life isn't over he doesn't make it. But I think this is going to be a fun run to watch. And a top 5 of all time? I was thinking that before I saw JS's post. (My words, as expressed to my housemate "one of the all time greats".)
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 03/29/2014 09:58 AM |
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This discussion is just ridiculous.
I LOVE Sagan and think he is going to have a great career, but this "next Eddy" thing is bull$4it.
You have to not be a true historian of the sport to say such a thing. Better palmares the Moser? Bartali? Anquetil? De Vlaeminck? Kelly? Museeuw? Shit....Boonen and Cancellara?
You all need to stop. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/29/2014 11:02 AM |
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Posted By Keith Jackson on 03/29/2014 09:58 AM
Better palmares the Moser? Bartali? Anquetil? De Vlaeminck? Kelly? Museeuw? Shit....Boonen and Cancellara?
That's why I threw Valverde out there to get the response I expected. If he matches Valverde's palmeres he'd already be doing better than Boonen and Cance and be good for a top 25 of all time give or take. Predictable reaction.  |
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