Re: Re:
Compare them to last year - Simon got into one break, and had to withdraw. Adam finished the Vuelta but I can't remember actually seeing him.
This year, it looks like they're both going to finish the tour, they've both been in breaks regularly, they both have top 10 finishes on really tough stages. It's a shame neither of them could win a stage but if they keep improving they could be very strong next year.[/quote]
Next year I think they will go for top 10 on GC. Maybe wishful thinking but would love to see them go to the giro.[/quote]
Next year they will still only be 23. Hopefully the first thing they do is convert top 10 in a stage to GT stage wins and then maybe they can go for gc in 2 years time. Regardless of what they do, I hope they don't leave Orica. They will never get chances like this in another team imo.[/quote]
Now THIS is far more reality-based than them looking at Top10 GC next year. At this point, neither can compete with the real contenders on a day to day basis NOR can they stick with the pivotal move when the break splinters. With some added strength, the latter may be somewhat better addressed next year but as yet (and not even mentioning TTing where neither are stellar), they're still some way off.
Do agree that if they were to transfer to UK Postal, they'd just be hammered into the ground doing grunt work on a day to day basis.[/quote]
It is not impossible for them to get top 10 GC at 23. Anyway, they made the right decision to go to Orica over SKY. I think in three years they will be leading a team or at least free to go for GC. At SKY, G is nearly 30 and still not had a chance to lead at a GT, and Porte only got his first opportunity this year.[/quote]
NOT impossible; there are riders only a couple of years older than them riding high in the GC but it call comes down to the individual characteristics of the rider and relative state of development.
At this point, NEITHER Yates has shown a capacity to stick with the contenders in the mountains on a day to day basis which is a pre-requisite for a high GC finish nor the capacity to "finish off" a break. NEITHER are high level TTers at this point; another near pre-requisite for high GC.
What their overall capabilities may be has yet to be established and all we can go on is what they've produced to date. They've shown the capacity to ride high GC at one week tours but even there, when up against the big gun GT men, they've yet to show they can go with the big moves.
Next season they may be further along but from what we've seen at this year's Tour; top 10 is one quantum leap rather than a next step.[/quote]
From what I saw in the Dauphine, Simon lived with the big boys pretty well. While top ten is probably out of reach next year, I don't think it is as far away as you think.