Ben Swift Discussion Thread

[VeloHuman]

Looks like he's headed to Pais Vasco next. Will be fun to watch him against Meersman and Matthews.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Ben is swift

 

[Pricey_sky]

Very good show from him today, never in a million years did I think he would beat Cav and Sagan if they were still in the lead group.

 

[movingtarget]

Very good ride by Swift. Looks good for future classics.

 

[del1962]

Looks like he's headed to Pais Vasco next. Will be fun to watch him against Meersman and Matthews.

Suprised he is not down for Gent–Wevelgem

 

[Arredondo]

Suprised he is not down for Gent–Wevelgem

He loves Pais Vasco. In 2009 he won 3 of the three bunch sprints..... unfortunately three times a rider was still in front

 

[Grupetto1]

He needs a win though. Confidence confidence confidence.

 

[King Boonen]

It would be nice if they let him have free reign in the classics to see how he goes. Don't think it'll happen but he looks good for them.

 

[Netserk]

Which classics?

 

[manafana]

delighted for swift always been a little bit of an outsider in the sky show but he can carry himself and no better time to show it.

 

[JRanton]

Suprised he is not down for Gent–Wevelgem

He still has a metal plate inserted in his shoulder after the surgery and they don't want to risk it on the cobbles.

 

[JRanton]

Which classics?

The late season semi classics would be good ones for him to target along with trying to win stages in races like Pais Vasco, Tour de Suisse etc along the way.

 

[Arredondo]

Ben is going to start in Settimana Coppi & Bartali.

Sure he has to get a victory there, fingers crossed!

 

[EnacheV]

He was never going to beat Greipel/Kittel/Cav type of guys but seems he found himself a niche.

Wow win today.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

He was never going to beat Greipel/Kittel/Cav type of guys but seems he found himself a niche.

Wow win today.

yea, a very fine stage win today. Probably his best win imo.

No reason he can't climb into top 5 in AGR based on this form.

BP, FW and LBL no chance.

 

[BigMac]

yea, a very fine stage win today. Probably his best win imo.

No reason he can't climb into top 5 in AGR based on this form.

BP, FW and LBL no chance.

Dunno. Is he explosive enough? Can he follow a select group that might punch away in the start of the Cauberg? Certainly if he manages to be part of a select group on the top he can outsprint almost everyone.

Looking forward to it.

Nice win today.

 

[Popchu]

yea, a very fine stage win today. Probably his best win imo.

No reason he can't climb into top 5 in AGR based on this form.

BP, FW and LBL no chance.

That's a bit too much for him, I think, even it was an impressive win today.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

That's a bit too much for him, I think, even it was an impressive win today.

Its likely the max for him, but AGR often provides some surprises in the top 10. His sprint could help him squeeze past a few guys. Anyway I'm happy we have a new player in the mix.

Hopefully it means other teams will ride harder earlier.

 

[jsem94]

I was extremely impressed today, Sky should ride for him come AGR.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Very impressed with Swift this season so far, I thought he may just fade away after a mediocre year last time but he has shown some real toughness to win today and podium at MSR. I never expected him to be able to stay in a vastly reduced group that Kreuziger then Valverde had reduced on a toughish climb. I will have to watch the final climb back again to see if he was in any trouble as I never really watched out for him!

Maybe a top 10 at AGR isn't out the question and could be in with a good shout if it isn't raced hard. He won't ever match the top sprinters but showing he can fight will get him good results when the fast man can't get over the hills.

 

[Afrank]

Which GT is he scheduled to ride? Giro?

He's been showing great form all season thus far, if he can hold it into the Ardennes and Giro he could definitely have the chance of taking some more big wins. Good to see him living up to his potential after dealing with a number of injuries and setbacks.

 

[Gloin22]

Second stage of Tour finishes in his home town. And that stage is quite hilly but sprinters should make it.

I think he's very much targeting that stage in particular

 

[BYOP88]

Second stage of Tour finishes in his home town. And that stage is quite hilly but sprinters should make it.

I think he's very much targeting that stage in particular

Is he on the roster for Sky at the TdF?

 

[Gloin22]

He might. EBH is going to Giro it seems.

So it'd make sense for him to go Tour.

Plus as it begins in UK, they will want maximum British riders in the team.

 

[Peter von]

Is he on the roster for Sky at the TdF?

Which GT is he scheduled to ride? Giro?

He's been showing great form all season thus far, if he can hold it into the Ardennes and Giro he could definitely have the chance of taking some more big wins. Good to see him living up to his potential after dealing with a number of injuries and setbacks.

I think SKY is still sorting out the particulars in the aftermath of their Porte and Henao problems, despite him being one of their few success stories this season(so far) he is still a minor piece in the SKY puzzle.
I think he'll do the Giro(or at least some of it), it just makes the most sense for both him AND the team. The team has very little to do in the Giro and it would be great for them to have a sprinter in the race and Swift needs as many results as he can get ahead of the Tour, not only to convince Brailsford et al that he should be in the Tour IX but also that he shuld be allowed to sprint, maybe even get the help of EBH/Wiggo/Eisel.