Teams & Riders Geraint Thomas

[RownhamHill]

So it's only a January training race, so not worth getting excited by Thomas's stage win yesterday. But was reading this:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/opinion-is-skys-search-for-a-classics-rider-over

Suggesting that he could be a contender at LBL.

As a fairly new, UK based, cycling fan, I don't have enough understanding of the classics to get a strong grasp on whether this is a sensible view, or just non-sensical hype.

So I thought I'd throw this open to people who know more than me - basically two questions. What's anyone's opinion of:

- How far can Thomas go as a contender results wise? (say elite contender 5-10 wins+ a year, solid contributor 2-4 wins a year, occasional stage hunter/super dom, or just a solid pro)

- What should he specialise in - classics (hills, cobbles, both?), short stage races/prologues, grand tours?

Personally I don't have a strong opinion either way. I think he's already at the stage-hunter/super dom level, but just don't have any idea if he will progress. Just interested in others views.

 

[maltiv]

As a fairly new, UK based, cycling fan, I don't have enough understanding of the classics to get a strong grasp on whether this is a sensible view, or just non-sensical hype.

Normally it's the latter. Winning a stage in TDU doesn't make you a L-B-L contender, and G has never really been good in the hills. But according to this great article, winning a stage in TDU is a better indication of classic talent than being 2nd at Worlds.

Anyhow, since he's British and from Sky normal logic and progression doesn't apply. I guess he'll probably podium TDF this year and win all 5 monuments.

 

[Winterfold]

RownhamHill - I'm not sure about that article - it seems obvious that JTL will win LBL.

G will win RVV and PR, in the same year, several times*.

*Unless he's riding for Boassen Hagen, that is the only thing that could stop him

 

[RownhamHill]

Normally it's the latter. Winning a stage in TDU doesn't make you a L-B-L contender, and G has never really been good in the hills. But according to this great article, winning a stage in TDU is a better indication of classic talent than being 2nd at Worlds.

The first bit was my reaction. Not sure I follow the second bit - who is it came second at the worlds who is being unfairly maligned?

Anyhow, since he's British and from Sky normal logic and progression doesn't apply. I guess he'll probably podium TDF this year and win all 5 monuments.

ouch!

 

[maltiv]

The first bit was my reaction. Not sure I follow the second bit - who is it came second at the worlds who is being unfairly maligned?

"...and although Edvald Boasson Hagen appears to have many of the right attributes, he seems to have found a place at Sky as a stage hunter and domestique de luxe at the grand tours"

Well **** you CN, to me it seems like Geraint Thomas has found his place as a stage hunter in the TDU!

 

[Gloin22]

Normally it's the latter. Winning a stage in TDU doesn't make you a L-B-L contender, and G has never really been good in the hills. But according to this great article, winning a stage in TDU is a better indication of classic talent than being 2nd at Worlds.

Anyhow, since he's British and from Sky normal logic and progression doesn't apply. I guess he'll probably podium TDF this year and win all 5 monuments.

I love the way you you give EBH a mention everytime

How is 2nd at Worlds any idication on any talent on cobbles ( as EBH said he's big target is PR ) I have no clue ? Did the Worlds include cobbles or what ?

Plus the Worlds weren't hard at all, compared to normal versions of races like Ronde or PR.

EBH said he was at best shape last year and still failed at PR. Let's say that I have more faith in Thomas producing on cobbles than EBH.

I hope EBH proves me wrong though of course, but I don't have much faith in him on cobbles .

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Plus the Worlds weren't hard at all, compared to normal versions of races like Ronde or PR.

Mostly this. Boasson Hagen's potential does seem limited at present, as far as Monuments and other BIG classics are concerned.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

"...and although Edvald Boasson Hagen appears to have many of the right attributes, he seems to have found a place at Sky as a stage hunter and domestique de luxe at the grand tours"

Well **** you CN, to me it seems like Geraint Thomas has found his place as a stage hunter in the TDU!

I feel pity for you having so many nationalistic frustrations.

 

[Richeypen]

G will at least podium P-R one day. He has never shown anything in the Ardennes though. Henao, Uran, EBH and JTL will fight out Skys Ardennes leadership

 

[Afrank]

Thomas has shown some promise of being good on the cobbles, he won junior Paris-Roubaix in 2004 and was 2nd on the cobble stage in the 2010 Tour.

 

[Tei6chai]

Who really knows where GT is going to go on the road?

Despite his age and experience this is going to be his very first season going full-out on the roads at the top level.

His under-23 record suggests that he has reasonable prospects in the flatter classics.

Whether he yet has the capacity to win over the L-B-L hills is yet to be established.

It's unlikely, though possible, that he can win if they go really hard on all the L-B-L climbs.

That said, the Fleche finale is the only big climb that I'd be inclined to rule him out of contention entirely.

 

[Gloin22]

Thomas has shown some promise of being good on the cobbles, he won junior Paris-Roubaix in 2004 and was 2nd on the cobble stage in the 2010 Tour.

Meanwhile you forget his best result of 10th at Ronde where he was voted the best domesqtiue that day puling flecha and hincapie back to the main group as probably most impresive feat except his work early on the race etc.

 

[El Pistolero]

Geraint Thomas' results in Roubaix or even worse than EBH.

 

[Ruudz0r]

G will at least podium P-R one day. He has never shown anything in the Ardennes though. Henao, Uran, EBH and JTL will fight out Skys Ardennes leadership

Flanders is much better for G then PR, although he might also be able podium there if he would focus on it, but I think his focus is going more and more towards going for GCs. Whether that is in one week races or GTs only time will tell.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

On that Sky TV documentary / love-in series last year, Thomas said he expected to be a Tour contender within a couple of years (or something along those lines). A few years ago that would have been a joke but nowadays I wouldn't be surprised if Eisel did the cobbles double and Zandio won the Vuelta

 

[Richeypen]

Flanders is much better for G then PR, although he might also be able podium there if he would focus on it, but I think his focus is going more and more towards going for GCs. Whether that is in one week races or GTs only time will tell.

Maybe in the past but the Flanders route is now joke. Glorified ardennes route

 

[Gloin22]

Geraint Thomas' results in Roubaix or even worse than EBH.

He only rode it seriously once, in 2011. And then he fell once and had puncture twice... yeah...

 

[maltiv]

I love the way you you give EBH a mention everytime

How is 2nd at Worlds any idication on any talent on cobbles ( as EBH said he's big target is PR ) I have no clue ? Did the Worlds include cobbles or what ?

Plus the Worlds weren't hard at all, compared to normal versions of races like Ronde or PR.

EBH said he was at best shape last year and still failed at PR. Let's say that I have more faith in Thomas producing on cobbles than EBH.

I hope EBH proves me wrong though of course, but I don't have much faith in him on cobbles .

I didn't mention cobbles at all, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. I agree he has no chance whatsoever in P-R. Neither does Geraint Thomas, to be honest, normally he should be way too light for that race.

 

[trevim]

Thomas has shown some promise of being good on the cobbles, he won junior Paris-Roubaix in 2004 and was 2nd on the cobble stage in the 2010 Tour.

That result in the Tour doesn't count for anything classics wise, Schleck and VdB were in the top10 that day too. This said, I believe that his 2nd place on Waregem and 10th on the Ronde are good indicators that he can have some cobbled potential.
If he can become a regular top10 on Ronde/Roubaix he can win one of them, specially Roubaix since luck plays such a big role.
About his talent on the hills, specially LBL type, I think it remains to be proven: it's not like TDU is a good indicator of that. Still, it's fair to say that he was impressive on Corkscrew.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him become wherever Sky wants him too: from cobbled classics rider to GT contender. If they could change Froome, Thomas has shown far more until now than Froome ever had.

 

[maltiv]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him become wherever Sky wants him too: from cobbled classics rider to GT contender. If they could change Froome, Thomas has shown far more until now than Froome ever had.

Thomas is older now than Froome was when he was 2nd in the Vuelta though.

 

[the asian]

Flanders is much better for G then PR, although he might also be able podium there if he would focus on it, but I think his focus is going more and more towards going for GCs. Whether that is in one week races or GTs only time will tell.

Interesting. He can try and win the Eneco Tour Of Benelux.

If he fails, he can return and become a lead -out man, something which he's pretty decent at.

 

[jens_attacks]

JTL said loud and clear he will target the ardennes triple
don't get me wrong,thomas is a great rider but i see him best suited to the stage races. he could be a force in flanders though but for roubaix, sky is strong enough without him.
anyway it will be very exciting to follow him this season.

 

[williamp78]

On that Sky TV documentary / love-in series last year, Thomas said he expected to be a Tour contender within a couple of years (or something along those lines). A few years ago that would have been a joke but nowadays I wouldn't be surprised if Eisel did the cobbles double and Zandio won the Vuelta

That interview was done a he was worming up for the prologue. I remember the forum at the time discussing wether or not he was referring to winning a prologue and therefore wear the yellow jersey someday or going full crack at the GC on a grand tour.

He is a similar rider to wiggins (and perhaps younger than when wiggins concentrated on the road) so he could turn to GC but i expect him to become a GC rider on shorter races with stage hunting at grand tours (though at team sky i expect little stage hunting on three week tours with the whole team uniting behind a GC rider) with some dabbling in the classics.

He made need to decide what he wants to be to really excel in one area rather than being good but not great in lots. I think EBH is in the same boat

 

[Ruudz0r]

That interview was done a he was worming up for the prologue. I remember the forum at the time discussing wether or not he was referring to winning a prologue and therefore wear the yellow jersey someday or going full crack at the GC on a grand tour.

He is a similar rider to wiggins (and perhaps younger than when wiggins concentrated on the road) so he could turn to GC but i expect him to become a GC rider on shorter races with stage hunting at grand tours (though at team sky i expect little stage hunting on three week tours with the whole team uniting behind a GC rider) with some dabbling in the classics.

He made need to decide what he wants to be to really excel in one area rather than being good but not great in lots. I think EBH is in the same boat

He said he wanted to be a contender for the GTs in several interviews.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Geraint Thomas' results in Roubaix or even worse than EBH.

but thomas has shown that he can go well over 200 km in the classics, unlike ebh