- Jun 26, 2013
- 80
- 0
- 0
The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Arredondo said:I really hope Ben can put similar results like 2011. I still think he's one of the best sprinters, but he's totally at the wrong place.
Dazed and Confused said:I doubt he can win against Kittel/Cav/Greipel on a simple flat stage. Maybe on tougher parcours or against the other 2nd tier sprinters. Hence I see no reason why he can't get help from Sky in some races.
Arredondo said:No, he can't beat guys like Kittel and Greipel, but he's one of the best at difficult finishes. But still i think he can sprint in the top 5 at flat stages. It would be a really good rider fighting for green.
Sky isn't that interested in sprinting, so it will be more difficult for Swift to get serious help in the sprints. Of course, due to the bad luck he hasn't fulfilled his true potential, but i think changing from team and environment would be good for him.
Dazed and Confused said:Point is that Swift is not really bankable as a sprinter and therefore he will find it difficult to get a lot of resources allocated to him in big races regardless of team. FDJ doesn't give Bouhanni more than a couple of guys for example. Same with Bos on Belkin. In smaller races, these type of guys gets more help from the team, but thats no different that what Swift would get in similar races on Sky imo. Cav on Sky was a very different situation. He can rightfully demand almost all resources in big suitable races. He would never get that on Sky.
Anyway lets see how Swift does when he returns fully fit.
What exactly makes Bouhanni a top tier sprinter? The only time he went head to head with Bos last year, Bos wonArredondo said:That's the difficulty of being a second-tier sprinter, or someone who doesn't have the results and position of a Cav. Greipel or Kittel. Look at Ferrari, who can do a lot better, but doesn't get more then two riders in service, if he's lucky.
You're right about Bouhanni and Bos. The big difference for Bouhanni is, is that he is capable to become (or already is) a topsprinter. Then he will get more help from the team.
Dazed and Confused said:Point is that Swift is not really bankable as a sprinter and therefore he will find it difficult to get a lot of resources allocated to him in big races regardless of team. FDJ doesn't give Bouhanni more than a couple of guys for example. Same with Bos on Belkin. In smaller races, these type of guys gets more help from the team, but thats no different that what Swift would get in similar races on Sky imo. Cav on Sky was a very different situation. He can rightfully demand almost all resources in big suitable races. He would never get that on Sky.
Anyway lets see how Swift does when he returns fully fit.
theyoungest said:What exactly makes Bouhanni a top tier sprinter? The only time he went head to head with Bos last year, Bos won
I was surprised by his climbing in Beijing though. But then again, it's Beijing.
That comparison was Bos was a joke, for the more perceptive reader. I don't see how having a better palmares than him makes you a top sprinter though?Arnout said:Maybe because he has a better palmares than Bos even though he is only 23?
theyoungest said:That comparison was Bos was a joke, for the more perceptive reader. I don't see how having a better palmares than him makes you a top sprinter though?
Bouhanni has some good wins under his belt, but put him up against any of the top guys and chances are it's bye bye Bouhanni.
CycloAndy said:As I see it for flat stages:
1st tier (of similar ability) Kittel/Greipel/Cav
2nd tier (of similar ability) Bouhanni/Viviani/Bos/Demare (flat specialists) Sagan/Degenkolb/Kristoff/Nizzolo/Ciolek (on flats as hilly stage sprinters)
3rd tier (of similar ability) Swift/Farrar/Blythe/Fenn/Goss/Renshaw/ Petacchi/Ferrari/Mezgec/Coquard/Matthews/Richeze/Van Hummel/Markus/Guardini/Modolo.
theyoungest said:What exactly makes Bouhanni a top tier sprinter? The only time he went head to head with Bos last year, Bos won
I was surprised by his climbing in Beijing though. But then again, it's Beijing.
CycloAndy said:As I see it for flat stages:
1st tier (of similar ability) Kittel/Greipel/Cav
2nd tier (of similar ability) Bouhanni/Viviani/Bos/Demare (flat specialists) Sagan/Degenkolb/Kristoff/Nizzolo/Ciolek (on flats as hilly stage sprinters)
3rd tier (of similar ability) Swift/Farrar/Blythe/Fenn/Goss/Renshaw/ Petacchi/Ferrari/Mezgec/Coquard/Matthews/Richeze/Van Hummel/Markus/Guardini/Modolo.
Arredondo said:What's the last time Ciolek actually won a important bunch sprint? MSR was just pure class, but in the end it had nothing do to with sprinting anymore, but who had the most energy left.
And are Matthews, Coquard and Modolo slower then Viviani?
argyllflyer said:What about Meersman - did pretty well in some of the bunch sprints in stage races last season.
MatParker117 said:Because he wasn't really sprinting against sprinters.
CycloAndy said:All fair points, I initially had Modolo and Ciolek the other way round but on second thoughts, both should be third tier on flat stages and 1st or 2nd tier on hillier stages. Same with Matthews and Meersman. Coquard will probably develop into a 2nd or even 1st tier (flat course) sprinter soon but might need another year to truly challenge.
argyllflyer said:I wonder if Europcar will give Coquard a go at the Tour this year, even just for experience. With their promotion to WT, they perhaps don't need to be in the break every day therefore a sprint finish on the flat stages might suit them.
Edit: I see from PCS they have him listed as leader, had missed that if it's the case.
SlimChance said:Fascinating to see how he gets on.
http://m.cyclingnews.com/news/speedy-coquard-aiming-for-a-big-win-in-2014
SlimChance said:Don't even a hardcore Ben Swift supporter like me saw that performance coming today. Will he be given another go sprinting in the Vuelta?