Sky Grand Tour Line Up

[Karl Max]

I would like to see Arvesen and Stannard in for Flecha, if the tour line-up reflects that of the Dauphine at all. I think Arvesen would be a strong presence on the road and he's a good rouleur too.

Arvesen says in this article he has to preforme better in the upcomping races than he has done so far this season if he wants to ride the Tour this year. He is not pleased with his season so far. He hopes for a stage win in Luxembourg on friday or saturdays stage, but if no stage win he at least has to show more strength than he did in California.

He says that his form is improving and he hopes to convince the boss that they will need an old sheep like him on the tour team.

http://www.tv2sporten.no/sykkel/arvesen-jeg-maa-prestere-for-aa-faa-tour-de-franceplass-3507060.html

 

[Captain_Cavman]

Hmm but at T_Mobile in 2006 we know that juice was certainly done a lot. But even then Rogers had already lost his TT supremacy. So if the juice is the only reason, Rogers must have been a super dooper juicer in his very young pro days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Ferrari#Athletes_associated_with_Michele_Ferrari

 

[Anonymous]

(link to all 'fevers interviews of Rigoberto Urán
http://www.cyclingfever.com/sporter.html?_ap=interviews&sporter_idd=MTU4ODI=
'cos the one on http://teamskyfans.com/uran.html doesn't seem to be working)

Yeh, in the site rebuild with the profiles ive only got far as reputting hte interview links up to about E. on my todo list for this week.

 

[Bavarianrider]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Ferrari#Athletes_associated_with_Michele_Ferrari

Oh ok, didn't know he was a Ferrari boy. That explains things a bit of course
By the way Gerdeman is missing on that list. Ferrari was making his "traingplans" till 07/08

 

[Anonymous]

uran syis he wants to be in top ten and win the white jersey in the tour. maybe he forgot gesink

But, if you look at the White Jersey competition outside of Gesink, it is wide open. If gesink has a bad day, then its anybodys.

Something I suggested back in February
http://www.teamskyfans.com/blog/?p=70

If he forgets about GC and overall, just shadow gesink, have your own private battle.

Im really pleased to see that he is saying White is an aim. Suggests he will have a role beyond just "helping" wiggins.

 

[maltiv]

uran syis he wants to be in top ten and win the white jersey in the tour. maybe he forgot gesink

Well it's definitely possible if Gesink crashes out, which isn't extremely unlikely. I think he would have a better shot at getting the KOM jersey+ a stage though, if he loses some time on purpose (or by trying to push Wiggins up them mountains).

 

[Matty_Tucks]

But, if you look at the White Jersey competition outside of Gesink, it is wide open. If gesink has a bad day, then its anybodys.

Something I suggested back in February
http://www.teamskyfans.com/blog/?p=70

If he forgets about GC and overall, just shadow gesink, have your own private battle.

Im really pleased to see that he is saying White is an aim. Suggests he will have a role beyond just "helping" wiggins.

Could be realistic for the KOM jersey perhaps... I do like the breadth of the squad this year - suggests a few more options and should make for an interesting watch.

 

[lucybears]

Yeh, in the site rebuild with the profiles ive only got far as reputting hte interview links up to about E. on my todo list for this week.

I've got one of those 'todo' lists aswell, though it just seems to get longer & longer.....

 

[JRanton]

So with the TDS now done and having seen the performance at the Dauphine what do people think will be the line-up for the Tour?

 

[Gloin22]

Wiggins, Thomas, Uran, Zandio, EBH, Gerrans and Flecha are in.

Then 2 from Henderson, Arvesen, Knees and Stannard.

I believe Knees ( for Wiggins ) and Stannard ( for TTT and general awesome domestique help ) should go.

 

[roundabout]

Somehow Knees hasn't been particularly impressive this year (and here I thought it was Milram being crappy) so it'll probably be Henderson as EBH as good as he is should target selected stages instead of having to show Sky colors in every sprint.

 

[JRanton]

Wiggins, Thomas, Uran, Zandio, EBH, Gerrans and Flecha are in.

Then 2 from Henderson, Arvesen, Knees and Stannard.

I believe Knees ( for Wiggins ) and Stannard ( for TTT and general awesome domestique help ) should go.

Froome must have a chance. He showed better climbing form at the TDS than either Zandio or Gerrans have all season. He's also a better TT than both of them. And he's Brit(ish).

Henderson hasn't helped his chances with his TDS performance so I agree that it's perfectly possible that they'll go with Stannard if they don't think Swift is quite up to it. To be honest, Stannard and Swift probably both deserve to be selected based on form but I think the line-up would be just too inexperienced when you also include the likes of Uran, Thomas, EBH and Froome.

I'd completely written off Arvesen's chances a month or so ago but he's been pretty strong in Luxembourg and at TDS.

Some difficult decisions to make!

 

[JRanton]

And I'm not sure we can completely rule out Lovkvist considering the lack of climbing ability available. He's been decent at Route du Sud so who knows.

 

[Jan the Man]

Wiggins
Uran
Zandio
Gerrans
EBH
Thomas
Flecha
Stannard
Froome

 

[Anonymous]

Wiggins, Thomas, Uran, Zandio, Eddie Boss, Gerrans and Flecha are certs.

I would send Arvesen and Stannard.

But Knees may have done himself some good in the Dauphine, in which case Id send him in place of Arvesen.

Id actually consider putting Arvesen in one of the team cars with Yates and Ljungvist/de Jongh

 

[The Cobra]

I dont really know what Zandio has done to deserve a place, I suppose he's there to keep Uran company but is that enough of a reason? Froome had an excellent TDS climbing and TT well, could possibly win from a break also so should go imo.

As for another sprinting option, Swift and Henderson probably have similiar speed but Swift seems in much better form so gets a spot. Final spot could go to a number of riders: Stannard, Knees, Hayman, Arveson. Tough decision but Stannard looks in good form probably just gets it, although the team could do with riders of Knees and Arvesons experience.

Wiggins
EBH
Thomas
Gerrans
Flecha
Uran
Froome
Swift
Stannard

 

[hatcher]

Zandio does a lot of the early, dirty work that happens before the cameras start rolling. Sitting on the front, chasing down breaks. Unlike Froome he hasn't had the chance to ride for himself. He's also been on all the pre-Tour recces and altitude trips etc. I'd be gobsmacked if he isn't going.

I'd take Henderson plus any of Stannard/Hayman/Knees to go with the (generally) accepted 7 of Wiggins, Uran, Zandio, Thomas, Gerrans, EBH, Flecha.

IMO Froome and Swift both look like they could use a rest, and should aim for doing a good Vuelta.

 

[Anonymous]

I dont really know what Zandio has done to deserve a place, I suppose he's there to keep Uran company but is that enough of a reason? Froome had an excellent TDS climbing and TT well, could possibly win from a break also so should go imo.

Zandio did a massive amount of work in the Dauphine early on in the stages for Wiggins, Uran and the rest of them which left the likes of Boasson Hagen and Uran fresh to help brad over the climbs.

Froome's form was aimed to peak for the Tour de Suisse.

Im fairly confident that Zandio will go and Froome wont, with Chris going to the Vuelta instead. And I cant see anyway on earth that Swift will be going to the Tour.

its basically up for grabs for those final two spots between Arvesen, Knees, Henderson, and Stannard.

Hendo is likely to be moving on at the end of the season, I dont know if that will effect any decision or not.

 

[Midnightfright]

My team for the tour personally would be

Wigwam
Thomas
EBH
Uran
Zandio
Knees
Stannard
Swift
Flecyha

 

[Wergeland]

Arvesen has been underperforming at Sky. His form seems to be coming now though. At TDS he has been really good though (except for todays TT.) I Agree with TSF. If they don't put him on the squad they should bring him in a car (it will ruin the rest of his season though, so I'm pretty sure it won't happen). Sky needs an experienced road captain.

Would be nice to see him in this years TDF. I think this is his last season. Most likely he'll be a DS at either Sky or Leopard next season.

 

[online-rider]

Hendo is likely to be moving on at the end of the season, I dont know if that will effect any decision or not.

He is? where is he going?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Wiggins, Thomas, Uran, Zandio, Eddie Boss, Gerrans and Flecha are certs.

I would send Arvesen and Stannard.

But Knees may have done himself some good in the Dauphine, in which case Id send him in place of Arvesen.

Id actually consider putting Arvesen in one of the team cars with Yates and Ljungvist/de Jongh

I thought you said Gerro wouldn't be going to the tour?

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

The squad looks strong to me. Decent mix of possible stage winners, Brad for top 10 on GC and Uran for KOM or White Jersey.

EBH has a great chance of stage win in the first week. Their team for the TTT looks god too so they've a great chance of getting the yellow jersey.

I'd take Henderson assuming he's fit and healthy for the sprints and some support the TTT.

Stannard will ride the Vuelta with Ben Swift to prepare for the Worlds.

Froome, although he's proven his climbing and TT are good, is still massively inconsistent and took 4 days to recover from the 1st mountain stage. at the TDS. I'd send him to the Vuelta because I don't think he's strong enough for the tour yet.

I think Arveson will go as road captain but he has shown little or no form for 2years. It'll be harsh on Hayman because he's been Sky's most consistent domestique since they started.

I reckon the team will be:
EBH
Henderson
Gerrans
Flecha
Uran
Zandio
Wiggins
Thomas
Arveson

 

[Anonymous]

I thought you said Gerro wouldn't be going to the tour?

i think i probably meant Hayman. I keep getting the two muddled up. All you australians, look alike to me.

 

[Wergeland]

The squad looks strong to me. Decent mix of possible stage winners, Brad for top 10 on GC and Uran for KOM or White Jersey.

EBH has a great chance of stage win in the first week. Their team for the TTT looks god too so they've a great chance of getting the yellow jersey.

I'd take Henderson assuming he's fit and healthy for the sprints and some support the TTT.

Stannard will ride the Vuelta with Ben Swift to prepare for the Worlds.

Froome, although he's proven his climbing and TT are good, is still massively inconsistent and took 4 days to recover from the 1st mountain stage. at the TDS. I'd send him to the Vuelta because I don't think he's strong enough for the tour yet.

I think Arveson will go as road captain but he has shown little or no form for 2years. It'll be harsh on Hayman because he's been Sky's most consistent domestique since they started.

Arvesen has shown poor form while in Sky, but I think he rode good in Luxemburg and very good in Tour de Suisse. There's an explanation to his poor TT yesterday aswell: His handlebar came loose straight of the ramp.

Sky really needs an experienced road captain imo.