Rider schedules for 2016.

[Velolover2]

Let's create a thread where we discuss and debate the various riders' program for next year in order to avoid the speculation floating a lot unrelated threads. Providing links is a must.

Froome wants a third Tour De France title and Olympic Gold in both the TT and RR:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/10/news/froome-targets-2016-tour-olympic-road-race-and-tt_386903

Contador's main goals look similar. TDF and the Olympic Road Race.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/09/news/contador-reconfirms-2016-retirement-targets-tour-rio-in-swan-song_385886

Porte is all about defending his titles in Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya with Tour De France as his big main goal.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/richie-portes-move-to-bmc-racing-confirmed-for-2016-185571 and http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/porte-confirmed-with-bmc-for-2016/

Thomas will focus on stage racing instead of the classics in 2016. Mainly as Froome's lieutenant in stage races and the TDF. His big target is a top 5 in Tour De France and the Olympics. If Froome fails in the Tour, he will be their plan-B.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/wales/34192527 and http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thomas-weighs-up-options-as-team-skys-plan-b-for-tour-de-france/

Nibali seems to be skipping the Tour as is focusing 100% on the Giro. To represent his country in the Olympics is another big goal for him.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/10/news/nibali-may-be-only-big-to-race-2016-giro_387093 and http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-ready-to-forgo-tour-de-france-and-target-2016-giro-ditalia/

 

[Velolover2]

Landa moved to Sky because he wanted to lead a Grand Tour. He will lead the Giro which is supposed to be his main target but there is a good chance that Sky will divide the races on the calendar between Froome and Landa. One camp will have Froome, Thomas and perhaps other english-speakers such as Kennaugh and Boswell. While the other will have a Spanish flavor with Landa, Intxausti, Nieve and Lopez. I'm excepting Froome/Thomas to target Paris-Nice which should feature one or two time trials while Tirreno–Adriatico is rumored to have no TT's which suits the Landa camp. Another race he is sure to lead is his home race, Pais Vasco.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/mikel-landa-confirms-he-will-ride-for-team-sky-in-2016-191773 and http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2015/10/05/actualidad/1444062728_617013.html

 

[Velolover2]

While it's not a surprise anymore, Adam Hansen is yet again targeting the Grand Tour triple. It will be 16 GTs in a row if he makes it next year. He is also dreaming about Rio.

http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/adam_hansen_chasing_record_in_2016/ and http://rio2016.olympics.com.au/news/hansen-has-the-tough-bite-needed-in-rio

 

[Moviestar]

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Yep, those two. But in general, they will be focusing less on the cobbled classics and more on the Grand Tours. Thomas will perhaps ride the Flanders, but only Flanders. Not Roubaix or any of the smaller races. But I wouldn't be surprised if they send Michal Kwiatkowski to ride the cobbled classics as well.

http://www.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/9995622/geraint-thomas-to-focus-on-stage-racing-in-2016-says-dave-brailsford

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Supposedly so, Im not a big classics guy, but I have at least picked up that Stannard seems to have more potential than what he has showed so far. He is the man now that Thomas and Wiggo is gone.

For the likes of Nibali, Contador, Froome, Landa and Porte, I agree on all of their programs. Seems to be the best races. Many wants Porte to do the Giro, but I think its pretty obvious that BMC will feature both Porte and Tejay as captains or co-leaders. Imo, he should do Pais Vasco instead of Catalunya since I felt it was somewhat lucky he won last year and it tends not to feature TT's. And generally, I just feel like Catalunya is a shitty race compared to Pais Vasco.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Yep, those two. But in general, they will be focusing less on the cobbled classics and more on the Grand Tours. Thomas will perhaps ride the Flanders, but only Flanders. Not Roubaix or any of the smaller races. But I wouldn't be surprised if they send Michal Kwiatkowski to ride the cobbled classics as well.

http://www.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/9995622/geraint-thomas-to-focus-on-stage-racing-in-2016-says-dave-brailsford

Doubtful with Kennaugh apparently heading to the Giro he'll be a key super dom for Froome in week long stage races and the Tour, while leading at the Ardennes.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Supposedly so, Im not a big classics guy, but I have at least picked up that Stannard seems to have more potential than what he has showed so far. He is the man now that Thomas and Wiggo is gone.

For the likes of Nibali, Contador, Froome, Landa and Porte, I agree on all of their programs. Seems to be the best races. Many wants Porte to do the Giro, but I think its pretty obvious that BMC will feature both Porte and Tejay as captains or co-leaders. Imo, he should do Pais Vasco instead of Catalunya since I felt it was somewhat lucky he won last year and it tends not to feature TT's. And generally, I just feel like Catalunya is a shitty race compared to Pais Vasco.

Porte doesn't want to do the Giro. He has expressed that many times recently. He wants to ride the Tour. And Catalunya suits him better. He wants to defend his title. The climbs are longer but more gradual. The Pais Vasco-type of climbs are for the Henaos and Landas of this sport. Neither for Porte or Tejay.

I think it would be smarter to send Tejay to Giro. But I don't know if the whole "American Dream of the Tour" is a obstacle. The long TT suits him better than Porte who was more of a prologue and short TT expert in his youth.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Yep, those two. But in general, they will be focusing less on the cobbled classics and more on the Grand Tours. Thomas will perhaps ride the Flanders, but only Flanders. Not Roubaix or any of the smaller races. But I wouldn't be surprised if they send Michal Kwiatkowski to ride the cobbled classics as well.

http://www.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/9995622/geraint-thomas-to-focus-on-stage-racing-in-2016-says-dave-brailsford

Doubtful with Kennaugh apparently heading to the Giro he'll be a key super dom for Froome in week long stage races and the Tour, while leading at the Ardennes.

Who? Kwiatkowski? Yeah he'll lead the team in the Ardennes, Strade Bianche and all the hilly classics they participate in and be a super-dom for Froome in the Tour.

Maybe he will lead one of the smaller WT races such as Poland or Suisse.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Yep, those two. But in general, they will be focusing less on the cobbled classics and more on the Grand Tours. Thomas will perhaps ride the Flanders, but only Flanders. Not Roubaix or any of the smaller races. But I wouldn't be surprised if they send Michal Kwiatkowski to ride the cobbled classics as well.

http://www.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/9995622/geraint-thomas-to-focus-on-stage-racing-in-2016-says-dave-brailsford

Doubtful with Kennaugh apparently heading to the Giro he'll be a key super dom for Froome in week long stage races and the Tour, while leading at the Ardennes.

Who? Kwiatkowski? Yeah he'll lead the team in the Ardennes, Strade Bianche and all the hilly classics they participate in and be a super-dom for Froome in the Tour.

Maybe he will lead one of the smaller WT races such as Poland or Suisse.

I think he''ll go to Aus and lead there as well as maybe Cali or the Coppi Bartali, rest of the time he'll be with Froome.

 

[Velolover2]

Please, make some contributions if you can find some links about the riders' schedules.

 

[Velolover2]

That seems about right, MatParker117.

I think Froome, Thomas and Kwiatkowski all will ride Paris-Nice together.

 

[Velolover2]

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/rigoberto-uran-joins-cannondale-garmin-for-2016-189237

“He brings style and passion to racing and he will be a huge asset to the team. Rigo has one more step to climb in the Giro and I will put my heart into helping make that happen. We are very excited to add him to our 2016 line up.”

JV signed Uran as their new leader for the Giro. I wonder what the role of Rolland is going to be. Co-leading the Tour with Talansky? In my opinion, Rolland deserves to be their sole leader with Talansky as super-dom.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Matthews will look for stage wins in the Giro as one of his goals next year: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-sees-numerous-possibilities-for-stage-wins-in-2016-giro-ditalia-route/

Aru will target the Tour GC: http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2817799

Dumoulin lines up as one of Froome's rivals for the Olympic ITT gold as he makes it his main target next year. He also says that he doesn't know yet if he'll aim for a GT GC: http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/10/news/dumoulin-to-plan-2016-season-around-olympic-time-trial_387226

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Matthews will look for stage wins in the Giro as one of his goals next year: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-sees-numerous-possibilities-for-stage-wins-in-2016-giro-ditalia-route/

Aru will target the Tour GC: http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2817799

Dumoulin lines up as one of Froome's rivals for the Olympic ITT gold as he makes it his main target next year. He also says that he doesn't know yet if he'll aim for a GT GC: http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/10/news/dumoulin-to-plan-2016-season-around-olympic-time-trial_387226

Thank you! It's stuff like that I'm looking for. I hope others will contribute.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Adam Yates: Targeting week long stage races and strong results in the Ardennes classics, Simon will probably follow a similar schedule. Both will also ride the Tour again next year.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/adam-yates-eyeing-success-in-week-long-stage-races-in-2016-186198

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Adam Yates: Targeting week long stage races and strong results in the Ardennes classics, Simon will probably follow a similar schedule. Both will also ride the Tour again next year.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/adam-yates-eyeing-success-in-week-long-stage-races-in-2016-186198

Adam is a little more punchy/explosive while Simon is the better climber, right? Although the different between them is small.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

Adam Yates: Targeting week long stage races and strong results in the Ardennes classics, Simon will probably follow a similar schedule. Both will also ride the Tour again next year.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/adam-yates-eyeing-success-in-week-long-stage-races-in-2016-186198

Adam is a little more punchy/explosive while Simon is the better climber, right? Although the different between them is small.

I've changed my thoughts about their strengths every year, I honestly don't know who will come out better in long climbs/punchy hills but they are young enough to keep learning and improving. Both have good results on MTF's and steep hills and this seems to change almost race to race.

 

[Jonhard]

Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Danny van Poppel too.. he's had some good results in, err, Scheldeprijs.

Andy Fenn usually rides the northern classics and is sure to be in the team, I'd suggest. They also made Viviani ride in Belgium this year - I wonder if he'll feature with newbie Gianni Moscon? Moscon was second at U23 Flanders which seems a good sign.

It does look the weakest area for the team though. Better chances in the Ardennes surely.

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

If Thomas will focus on stage races who will do the northern classics for Sky? Stannard/Rowe?

Danny van Poppel too.. he's had some good results in, err, Scheldeprijs.

Andy Fenn usually rides the northern classics and is sure to be in the team, I'd suggest. They also made Viviani ride in Belgium this year - I wonder if he'll feature with newbie Gianni Moscon? Moscon was second at U23 Flanders which seems a good sign.

It does look the weakest area for the team though. Better chances in the Ardennes surely.

Also Puccio and Knees.

 

[robin440]

Tony Martin might skip the tour and ride the giro, he said that this might be the better preperation for rio than riding the tour.

 

[staubsauger]

Stannard, Van Poppel and Moscon look like a fruitful future classics combination to me.

On paper ain't in the race of course.

 

[MatParker117]

Stannard, Rowe, Fenn, Moscon, DVP, Swift, Knees, Puccio will be the default team with Viviani and Kwait swapping in for any sprints.

 

[Velolover2]

Hejsedal is the captain for Trek's Giro team. I'd like to see who is going to support him. Maybe Schleck and Zubeldia wants to try something other than the Tour. But Mollema needs helpers for the Tour too.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hesjedal-looks-forward-to-change-with-trek-factory-racing-focuses-on-giro-ditalia-in-2016/

 

[Anderis]

Re:

JV signed Uran as their new leader for the Giro. I wonder what the role of Rolland is going to be. Co-leading the Tour with Talansky? In my opinion, Rolland deserves to be their sole leader with Talansky as super-dom.

Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports and Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling, said that Rolland’s riding style reminds him of Thierry Claveyrolat, one of his favorite riders of all time due to that riding style, and is capable of winning the Tour de France Polka Dot Jersey

http://slipstreamsports.com/2015/08/27/cannondale-garmin-announce-pierre-rolland-will-join-the-team-in-2016/

And I don't think Rolland deserves having Talansky as a domestique until he proves to be the strongest of these two in the early climbs of Tour de France 2016. They should both be protected riders at the start of the race. Rolland has been Europcar's leader for many years and never achieved anything spectacular GC-wise. He doesn't deserve a proven top10 GT GC finisher to sacrifice for him right from the beginning.