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johnxjsc1985 said:
I know the Commonwealth games are not rated as highly as others but I really enjoyed the competition.
Maybe Thomas will realise he has enough to do more than be a domestique.
He knows deep down that he doesn't, though. He is a victim of his own success in terms of being a fantastic all rounder but outside of track he doesn't have enough of any one thing to make him a race winner I don't think.Maybe Thomas will realise he has enough to do more than be a domestique.
How do you think he'd had done if Sagan and Boom were in the break yesterday for example?
okgo said:
johnxjsc1985 said:
I know the Commonwealth games are not rated as highly as others but I really enjoyed the competition.
Maybe Thomas will realise he has enough to do more than be a domestique.
He knows deep down that he doesn't, though. He is a victim of his own success in terms of being a fantastic all rounder but outside of track he doesn't have enough of any one thing to make him a race winner I don't think.Maybe Thomas will realise he has enough to do more than be a domestique.
How do you think he'd had done if Sagan and Boom were in the break yesterday for example?
Interesting to note in his last TdF column on the BBC he said a Top 10 position might be possible if he was a protected rider, but admits Sky aren't in it for Top 10.
In other news - This is curious.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28637575
I know the Italians have a habit of having big enquiries into everything up to and including dying of old age - but allegedly the family have evidence that Marco Pantani was murdered, and it is strong enough for the Police to at least re-open the case.
Curiouser and curiouser....
slightly more detailed: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycli...
In other news - This is curious.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28637575
I know the Italians have a habit of having big enquiries into everything up to and including dying of old age - but allegedly the family have evidence that Marco Pantani was murdered, and it is strong enough for the Police to at least re-open the case.
Curiouser and curiouser....
slightly more detailed: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycli...
Edited by Vocal Minority on Monday 4th August 16:07
I think you are being a bit harsh on Thomas, he has a few years on the likes of Cacnellera and Boonen so could profit when (if?!) they start to fade and no one would have predicted Tepstra winning Roubaix this year so its for Thomas to make the most of those chances that come his way. Thomas was first Brit home in Flanders and in that bunch with Cacnellara and Wiggo in Roubaix so he has the legs, I just question his tactical nous, its one thing to finish in the bunch, another to break and suceed (like Sunday though I appreciate that field wasnt a patch on a proper Classics entry). To come from the track and do as well as he has though is exceptional, I dont know much about his early years and assume he was always a track rider?. Sky seem to be in a bit os disarray at the moment, they have the talent but cant make it work in as many races as you would expect although the rest of the Pro Tour field is incredible at the moment
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 5th August 12:21
I agree, but there will be more riders like Boonen and Cancellara that come along (they both won their first classics a couple of years younger than Thomas is now), and I dare say Cancellara only started properly targeting them a bit later in his career as he was likely more interested in winning world titles beforehand.
Yes, being there at the end of Roubaix perhaps does prove he can do it, Terpstra's move was not something Thomas can't do. The problem perhaps is as much mental as physical, and he knows he is a workhorse for others, and that is just going to stop him thinking he can jump clear in that final selection. As you said when the race was, in hindsight, at least one of them should have had a go in the Roubaix, but they let Terpstra do it.
Yes, being there at the end of Roubaix perhaps does prove he can do it, Terpstra's move was not something Thomas can't do. The problem perhaps is as much mental as physical, and he knows he is a workhorse for others, and that is just going to stop him thinking he can jump clear in that final selection. As you said when the race was, in hindsight, at least one of them should have had a go in the Roubaix, but they let Terpstra do it.
Not really, no. The question you need to consider is "would a 'better' team make him win more?". To which I suspect the answer is 'No'. He doesn't need a leadout as he's not quick enough. He needs some tactical nouse, which Bjarne might well be able to help him out with. Once you figure the £ into the equation it makes some sense. I assume the discussions with Alonso came to naught, or that they weren't prepared to dig deep enough.
Sagan was touting Astana, Cannondale, Alonso and TinkOff. Team Alonso wont know if they have a WT place until October and I dont think many riders will hang on till then... Cannondale are rumoured to be merging with Garmin-Sharp but I dont know if thats Garmin-Cannondale or Cannondale-Garmin and thus who gets first dibs on current riders as two into one wont go so given that uncertainty TinkOff makes more sense to me than Astana...
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