Valv.Piti said:
Red Rick said:
I like how there's not a single doubt in the world Thomas will be in great shape after diong nothing all year and crashing out of his most important prep race
Seems very odd to say the least. On the other hand, whoever they decide to go for will probably win the race, so why not choose Thomas? He is more experienced and obviously is British.
I think being British has nothing to do for what Thomas and Bernal are going through coming TdF. Huge hype and mental pressure for Bernal, with one GT under his belt, where Thomas..13 of them. Thomas has all the knowledge and trust to go to once again to the TdF. He has less pressure as he already proved he can do it and he's been in trouble quite a many times too, so he knows all the risks and that way not overcook things too early.
That he crashed out from Dauphine is not a problem as it's possible to ride yourself to peak condition during GT, it's a question of balancing being in the wind and inside groupetto. To say that TdS or Dauphine is most important race of the year..it's not. It's close moment to take a snapshot where athlete is in racing performance. But after that it's possible to mess things up badly, as fitness and form are never static but going up or down all the time.
All the best for Bernal after all. His racing history is so slim and GT is at least as much mental strenght as raw and explosive youth power. Hopefully he or Ineos do not overcook him too early as 3 week race is a long one and lots can happen to everyone.