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Teams & Riders From a Jack to a King? The Jack Haig Thread

jack-haig-of-australia-and-team-bahrain-victorious-and-his-baby-the-picture-id1338512861

Haig on the Vuelta podium with his son Liam

It's been a long time coming, but Jack Haig finally got his GT breaktrough with an impressive third place finish in the 2021 Vuelta, equaling the best ever Australian GC performance by Cadel Evans from the 2009 edition. And though he got a little lucky with the tactics from both Movistar and INEOS, plus he had a very strong team to back him, he still had to produce the goods himself, which he certainly did. We also have to remember that he didn't start the Vuelta as team leader, and if he had, he possibly wouldn't have lost 1:30 to Mas on Picón Blanco, which could have changed the battle for the podium spots during the race.

His results have been fine this year after he made the switch from Mitchelton-Scott to Bahrain. With a solid 7th in Paris-Nice (though Mäder outshined him there), a great 5th place in Critérium du Dauphiné and a 5th and a 10th on the two first stages of the Tour, he looked destined to at least duke it out for a top 10 position in the final GC, before he sadly crashed out in that much talked about bend on stage 3. After breaking his collarbone he missed the Olympics and didn't even think he'll be racing again this year, but fortunately for him he made it to Burgos and the rest is history.

He is not Monseiur LeClerc, but he is a redheaded Aussie, who turns 28 today. Congratulations, Jack!
 
Definitely wondering how far he would have gone at the Tour, considering he'd actually prepared for it and was surprisingly strong in the hills before crashing out on the worst stage of the season. Would at least have been favoured to beat O'Connor for fourth and being the highest-finishing Australian rider, and if he'd had the level to make the podium, I'm not sure he'll ever have an opportunity that good to do so again...
 
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Fun fact - Since turning pro in 2016, Haig has never returned to Australia for an off-season visit, though he is under pressure from his partner who wants to visit Australia.

Fun Fact - Haig was the key lieutenant for Robert Power in the under 23's in 2014

My guess is he will target the TDF in 2022 and Mader the Giro.

Caruso and Mader to Giro
Haig and Landa to Tour

That would be my guess although if ITT is high at TdF then Landa would probably do Giro instead so Haig will probably have sole leadership