Well there are several circumstances that lead to the racing schedule of Ackermann this year.This guy could have a very strange season. He’s doing pretty well and looking very fast. He has six wins already. But it’s entirely possible that he doesn’t get to race anything more prestigious than Tirreno-Adriatico. Or at least nothing he would be considered a contender for, unless he shows a very surprising cobbled classic level or something.
Not picked for Tour, Giro, Milan San Remo, no WCRR for obvious parcours reasons. Those are the four most prestigious things for a sprinter. Whether the Vuelta goes ahead is far from clear. If it doesn’t, he will have a year of small races. And I don’t think there are too many smaller stage races left for him to ride after Binckbank. He will win some there though as I think all of the other high level sprinters won’t be there.
I don’t know how much it will really matter for a sprinter to do no GT for a year. But if I had his speed and had to waste a year on small races I’d be quite frustrated.
Fingers crossed for the Vuelta.
1.) Sagan wanted to ride Tour and Giro this year.
2.) Tour and Giro route have less flat stages this year
3.) They also want(ed) to ride for GC in both Giro and Tour
4.) Ackermann prefers to ride with his sprint train
For next year Denk already confirmed him that he can ride the tour.