maltiv said:What about Swift? Since he's not going to the giro, shouldn't he get a spot in TDF?
Looks like the Vuelta is the current plan
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/swift-skys-top-sprinter-in-amgen-tour-of-california
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maltiv said:What about Swift? Since he's not going to the giro, shouldn't he get a spot in TDF?
Frosty said:Tour squad?
Lack of Cummings and Hayman suggest that they will be in the tour squad. Cummings did the Giro last year and was a bit tired by the time the tour came round. Would be good riders for the TTT which Sky have said they will prioritise as well as good domestiques/breakaways.
maltiv said:What about Swift? Since he's not going to the giro, shouldn't he get a spot in TDF?
ingsve said:Nordhaug is currently sick with a cold so his Giro might be in danger as well so there might be someone who has to step in for him on short notice. Nothing decided yet though.
Frosty said:Tour squad?
Wiggins
Rogers
Henderson
Thomas
Cummings
Hayman
Boasson Hagen
Flecha/Gerrans
Uran
Lack of Cummings and Hayman suggest that they will be in the tour squad. Cummings did the Giro last year and was a bit tired by the time the tour came round. Would be good riders for the TTT which Sky have said they will prioritise as well as good domestiques/breakaways.
JRanton said:The guy in the studio on ITV 4's coverage mentioned that Swift was on Sky's 15 man long list for the Tour. So maybe take Swift instead of Henderson?
Sprint train - Rogers - Flecha - Hayman - Thomas - EBH - Swift
TeamSkyFans said:No chance against the serious sprint trains in the Tour, but then again, I wouldnt give Hendo or EbH much chance against the sprint trains in the tour either.
roundabout said:Poor Rogers. Ok, he is top-10 at very best for GC but Swift is hardly a 'certain' winner that needs 5 people to lead him out.
EBH used to be a first class breakaway expert, so if they bring him back to his old role and realize that he's not a sprinter for the flats then he'll surely pick up a stage. Could also win a reduced bunch sprint in one of the medium hard stages.JRanton said:It would be difficult but it's still Sky's best chance of winning a stage. They're not exactly renowned for their breakaway and climbing abilities are they?
maltiv said:EBH used to be a first class breakaway expert, so if they bring him back to his old role and realize that he's not a sprinter for the flats then he'll surely pick up a stage. Could also win a reduced bunch sprint in one of the medium hard stages.
hatcher said:In that sense I wonder if EBH and Swift are just too similar, in that they both excel at the hillier, reduced bunch sprints. Personally I'd bring EBH and Henderson, and send Swift to the Vuelta.
Frosty said:EBH could be a chance for the green jersey? Not sure how fit he is after injury but if he is able to place reasonably high in both the flat sprints and the uphill sprints then could stand a chance?
Surprised to see that Zandio is the fourth name on the provisional team sheet at cycling startlists
http://cyclingstartlists.com/2011/07Jul2011/01TDF2011.htm
ingsve said:My guess right now would be something like this:
Wiggins
Uran
Zandio
Rogers
Cummings
Thomas
Hayman
Henderson
EBH
I would go for both EBH and Henderson in the sprints by mixing it up a bit. I think it's better for EBH that he isn't a threat in the green jersey since that could give him more chances of going in a break.
Unlike last year there are actually some sprints that suit him, particularly stage 1 and stage 6 looks good for him, and in top form could get quite an advantage over the other sprinters. If he manages to win one of them he might as well try to get the green jersey.ingsve said:I would go for both EBH and Henderson in the sprints by mixing it up a bit. I think it's better for EBH that he isn't a threat in the green jersey since that could give him more chances of going in a break
maltiv said:Unlike last year there are actually some sprints that suit him, particularly stage 1 and stage 6 looks good for him, and in top form could get quite an advantage over the other sprinters. If he manages to win one of them he might as well try to get the green jersey.
greenedge said:Geraint Thomas FTW