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

[Samu Cuenca]

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!

 

[Red Rick]

No ace?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

No ace?

Well he played it, and he won a queen and walked away with Anna Botterweg's heart.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

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...

 

[RedheadDane]

Haig on the Vuelta podium with his son Liam​

So, we have established that he did not in fact just grap a random kid in the crowds.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

So, we have established that he did not in fact just grap a random kid in the crowds.

Yes, it his own flesh and blood. Liam was probably just perplexed by his father's technicolor dreamcoat.

 

[BlueRoads]

Liam has the same hairstyle that Pogacar used to have before his make-over this season.

 

[yaco]

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.

 

[RedheadDane]

Yes, it his own flesh and blood. Liamw as probably just perplexed by his father's technicolor dreamcoat.

Probably also just the entire situation:
"Why are we up here? Why are all the people looking at us? Dad, what are you doing? Why are they playing weird music? Why is that other kid so crazy?"

 

[Red Rick]

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.

That's honestly wild

 

[yaco]

That's honestly wild

It's a bit extreme but for an Aussie or New Zealander you have a better chance of success if you embrace the European lifestyle - I guess he will return for the 2022 Aussie summer.

 

[Pinot's goat]

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

 

[Samu Cuenca]

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.

He hasn't raced in Australia since the 2016 Herald Sun Tour either, so I can understand if they are beginning to feel a little homesick.
I assume the grandparents would like to see the baby, too.

 

[SHAD0W93]

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

Honestly keeping Haig and Mader together might be good plus they wouldn’t potentially be down a rider at Tour.

Landa should go back to Astana too.

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Honestly keeping Haig and Mader together might be good plus they wouldn’t potentially be down a rider at Tour.

Landa should go back to Astana too.

Landa and MAL should be co-leaders for Astana at the Giro next year, what could possibly go wrong?

 

[perico]

I always thought he deserved more of a shot at Orica.