Sky next year

[greenedge]

If Wiggins can get himself into some kind of form then i'm not sure how people can say he won't be of use in the mountains? Im pretty sure that with the Tour starting in England he would want to be there and put in some effort in what could be last GT appearance.

Pretty sure Porte would do the Tour as well as he will still be a big help. I wonder if Sky will be tempted to put Eisel into the Tour team with his form on the cobbles or just stick with G and Stan.

Its EBH's chance to shine on the cobbles- for once the race will not be 300km

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Pretty good guess, although i think at least one(or two, depending on what they expect from Wiggins, younger riders) of Cataldo, Deignan and Lopez will be in the running for a spot in the Tour and therefore won't do the Giro, Dombrowski or new guy likely to replace them.

both in case of injury, but perhaps more importantly to ensure some competition between the riders before the Tour, they know it's their Tour to loose and Porte is still young for a GC leader and SKY can afford to loose the Giro much better than they can the Tour.

One would think Deignan wants to go to the Giro next year, but otherwise I agree Sky is mostly about the tour.

 

[JRanton]

And i think you're right not to do so.

But it seems Porte has already set his eyes on the Giro and because of this if he is to be told now that it's one more year as a slave in the Tour he might end up a demotivated shadow of himself. And thus Brailsford risk missing a chance to win the Giro and weaken his Tour squad.

Porte will do what the team tells him to do and it helps that he's best mates with Froome. I'd imagine they would sell the idea to Porte that by taking their best team to the Tour, it increases his chances of finishing on the podium with Froome.

 

[JRanton]

One would think Deignan wants to go to the Giro next year, but otherwise I agree Sky is mostly about the tour.

Yes, that would make sense with it starting in Ireland. If they aren't planning to target the GC with Porte then presumably they'll be stage hunting and it might be a chance for some of their young climbers like Kennaugh and Dombrowski to shine.

 

[Jan the Man]

Tour

Froome
Wiggins
Henao
Nieve
Kiryenka
Kennaugh
EBH
Thomas
Stannard

Giro

Porte
Cataldo
Lopez
Svistov
Dombrowski
Deignan
Knees
Pate
Zandio

 

[CycloAndy]

Yes, that would make sense with it starting in Ireland. If they're aren't planning to target the GC with Porte then presumably they'll be stage hunting and it might be a chance for some of their young climbers like Kennaugh and Dombrowski to shine.

I think they'll still target GC but the expectation might just be a podium and not a win, which might still allow Dombrowski to go stage hunting.

 

[JRanton]

I think they'll still target GC but the expectation might just be a podium and not a win, which might still allow Dombrowski to go stage hunting.

Who could they realistically target the podium with if they take all their best guys to the Tour?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Who could they realistically target the podium with if they take all their best guys to the Tour?

I still think Porte will do the Giro. Just with less support than what was given to Wiggins this year. It's a good chance to give riders like Deignan and Dombrowski a chance with a couple of experienced heads like Cataldo and Suitsou involved too.

 

[greenedge]

I think they'll still target GC but the expectation might just be a podium and not a win, which might still allow Dombrowski to go stage hunting.

Edit- already asked

If Sky sent their "B" Team- it is still good enough to help Porte win/ be the strongest squad along with Katusha for the GC.

 

[Ruudz0r]

I think Earle will also do the Giro, he is a friend of Porte and a good climber.

 

[CycloAndy]

Who could they realistically target the podium with if they take all their best guys to the Tour?

A team oforte, Cataldo, Deignan, Lopez/Earle, Dombrowski, Siutsou, Knees, Pate and Puccio would be capable of challenging for the podium, whilst leaving:
Froome, Henao, Nieve, Porte, Kennaugh, Kiryienka, Thomas, Stannard and EBH to do the tour.

 

[Grupetto1]

Poor Bernie if that ends up to be the case...

 

[CycloAndy]

Poor Bernie if that ends up to be the case...

He might do the vuelta though.

 

[Ferminal]

ffs, you don't need a strong climbing team to win a GT. Evans' rouleurs were good enough in 2011 despite two of the more serious tactical moves of the decade. Purito missing Contador last year was more his fault/inability than Moreno/Menchov's.

The problem is that Sky (Brailsford?) demands total control and there is zero tactical consideration other than ride on the front. If you're not strong enough you're not good enough. Subsequently this could do more harm than good as others may see it as a sign of weakness. Luckily nine times out of ten the tactical unconsciousness of opponents will let you off.

 

[CycloAndy]

ffs, you don't need a strong climbing team to win a GT. Evans' rouleurs were good enough in 2011 despite two of the more serious tactical moves of the decade. Purito missing Contador last year was more his fault/inability than Moreno/Menchov's.

The problem is that Sky (Brailsford?) demands total control and there is zero tactical consideration other than ride on the front. If you're not strong enough you're not good enough. Subsequently this could do more harm than good as others may see it as a sign of weakness. Luckily nine times out of ten the tactical unconsciousness of opponents will let you off.

You don't need it, as Froome proved when he was isolated at this years tour, but it doesn't do any harm. Plus, Stannard, Thomas, EBH and Kiryienka are decent enough rouleurs for the flatter parts.

 

[IndianCyclist]

A team oforte, Cataldo, Deignan, Lopez/Earle, Dombrowski, Siutsou, Knees, Pate and Puccio would be capable of challenging for the podium, whilst leaving:
Froome, Henao, Nieve, Porte, Kennaugh, Kiryienka, Thomas, Stannard and EBH to do the tour.

Where, I ask, is Wiggins.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Where, I ask, is Wiggins.

I think they will dump Thomas, if Sir Wiggo gets serious again.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I think they will dump Thomas, if Sir Wiggo gets serious again.

No they won't. Thomas has made the full commitment to the road now and is a valuable team player. He's also a 'Brailsford man' from the track. If Thomas stays fit and continues his upward curve then his name will appear on the TDF list for many years.

 

[Alex76]

Thomas.... Has he actually done anything that warrants all this GT love?

 

[Catwhoorg]

Thomas.... Has he actually done anything that warrants all this GT love?

Finishing this years TdF having broken his Pelvis earns him an early team nomination next year. He did contribute as well despite that injury.

Held white jersey in 2010 and 2011. Losing it 2011 waiting to see if Wiggo was getting up. 2011 he had a real good go on Stage 12 being overhauled only on the final climb.

Someone who is a real team player, and can be stage hunter if need be. Just what the team needs.

 

[Gloin22]

Thomas.... Has he actually done anything that warrants all this GT love?

Did you not watch Tour ? He rode the Tour with fractured pelvis..

Before The Tour, at Dauphine he was sheding the peleton for Froome as his 2nd last man. Finishing 25th himself.

Amazing support rider on flat stages, hilly and mountain stages. A complete domestique.

 

[Alex76]

Sure, I watched the tour, and yes he rode with a fractured pelvis.... Big props to him.... And yes I know he wore the white jersey in 10 & 11, but am still expecting him to live up to the hype (granted the fracture put and end to that in 2013), and win a stage or 2 in the GTs.

Is prob wrong of me, but I've always thought he was a British version of EBH; a massive team player, a decent rider, alot of hype, but never delivers on the final promise.

Sorry I know that won't go down well with some people..

 

[Gloin22]

But that's excatly what you want for someone to support Froome. No?

Very devoted teammate, that can do amazing job for him.

He's been very unlucky in classics, crashed in MSR, Ronde and Robuaix. Maybe not luck at that point. However I expect him to do much better this season.

 

[ferryman]

But that's excatly what you want for someone to support Froome. No?

Very devoted teammate, that can do amazing job for him.

He's been very unlucky in classics, crashed in MSR, Ronde and Robuaix. Maybe not luck at that point. However I expect him to do much better this season.

I like Thomas and he has been unlucky with those crashes. Is he the man to chaperone Froome over the cobbles on Stage 5?

 

[Catwhoorg]

I like Thomas and he has been unlucky with those crashes. Is he the man to chaperone Froome over the cobbles on Stage 5?

Him and I can see Bernie there as well.