AJ August -- ALL ABOARD the American GC Hype Train.

[Juan Pelota]

Just signed a 3 year deal with Ineos. Had a great season, finishing 2nd in the Redlands Classic GC as only a 17 year old, while winning a stage. He is perhaps the best American GC prospect in quite some time, with rumors of power numbers exceeding 7 w/kg on short climbs. (Although controversies in measurements exist).

Thoughts, opinions? Getting his own thread started early.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Won the Junior Koppenbergcross last season.......No CX has been mentioned, so I assume it will be dropped.

 

[ManicJack]

E Won the Junior Koppenbergcross last season.......No CX has been mentioned, so I assume it will be dropped.

He just turned 18 a week ago. After Jan 1 he would be one of, if not the youngest U23 riders in a world cup race. He is really talented at CX but I think it would be a pretty big learning curve for him at that level. Would like to see it though.

 

[Bolder]

Just signed a 3 year deal with Ineos. Had a great season, finishing 2nd in the Redlands Classic GC as only a 17 year old, while winning a stage. He is perhaps the best American GC prospect in quite some time, with rumors of power numbers exceeding 7 w/kg on short climbs. (Although controversies in measurements exist).

Thoughts, opinions? Getting his own thread started early.

Why not? Every great junior nowadays is highly sought after. From his recent results, he's definitely a GC prospect. And cx means that he can handle his bike.

 

[scribers]

Ready to become a fanboy

 

[Unchained]

Just signed a 3 year deal with Ineos. Had a great season, finishing 2nd in the Redlands Classic GC as only a 17 year old, while winning a stage. He is perhaps the best American GC prospect in quite some time, with rumors of power numbers exceeding 7 w/kg on short climbs. (Although controversies in measurements exist).

Thoughts, opinions? Getting his own thread started early.

Big squads have all kinds of inexpensive observation they can put a young rider on development track and turn it up or down without world tour pressures. You see multiple success stories like Tom Pidcock, Wout and MVP all riding at great levels and big teams appear to agree with the riders that cyclocross has something to do with good to great results. And I don't want to troll anyone but if Van Der Poel, Van Aert, Pidcock and AJ find the bike market going semi gravel or a full gravel schedule these fantastic all around pros that can drill it in cyclocross, MTB are poised to be big players in the emerging discipline. And with current techniques this kid could be ready to rock and roll sooner rather than later.
*and speaking of the ultra steep learning curve, these teams appear to know if you got it or not pretty fast, by only a 3 year deal.. He will be renegotiated his contract before he is legal to buy a beer in the US!!!
I just have a feeling about some off road in the TDF is going to be a thing, going forward..

 

[ZackObryant]

He will become a goat soon.