Sky's classics problems

[Pentacycle]

Vanmarcke is the most obvious pick imo. But who knows, Sky might make him ride as a domestique for G or someone else still, as they still don't seem to get the fact that a high watt output or FTP isn't the most important factor in P-R...

They'll put Vanmarcke in the break. His FTP doesn't come near EBH's or G's.

But high power output can work in PR, look at Cancellara or Boonen. They're not at all bad time trialists.

 

[Ferminal]

Vanmarcke isn't much of an improvement if they want a genuine season long contender. Unless you're taking Boonen/Cancellara/Sagan you're not going to get someone who can lead your team and get results every week. A better investment around that range would probably be Degenkolb/Kristoff.

Is it really a problem that they don't have genuine classics winners? They are a stage racing squad, being competitive and having a strong presence in classics is already a good result. With or without classics they are still the best team in the world.

 

[maltiv]

They'll put Vanmarcke in the break. His FTP doesn't come near EBH's or G's.

But high power output can work in PR, look at Cancellara or Boonen. They're not at all bad time trialists.

Yes exactly, that's why they put Hayman in the early break in P-R...they only compared their FTP, and didn't take into account how much more fluent that guy is on the cobbles than the rest

Of course high power output is essential, but it doesn't help if you lack endurance or skills on cobbles. EBH's FTP is almost on Cancellara-level, but since he sucks at everything else a classic has to offer he's obviously not going to win one.

 

[JRanton]

Vanmarcke isn't much of an improvement if they want a genuine season long contender. Unless you're taking Boonen/Cancellara/Sagan you're not going to get someone who can lead your team and get results every week. A better investment around that range would probably be Degenkolb/Kristoff.

Is it really a problem that they don't have genuine classics winners? They are a stage racing squad, being competitive and having a strong presence in classics is already a good result. With or without classics they are still the best team in the world.

They want to win monuments and have complete world domination to paraphrase Brailsford. So yes, it is a problem.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Given their money, some of their riders and the success of the GT teams probably too much was expected from the classics team. They have some guys that on a given day might get a result but then so do most of the other teams.

I think tactically Sky never really made their mind up and tried to wait and see what happened. Sadly, Thomas crashing a lot happened... At least at LBL they started trying something different albeit with the same result.

EBH does seem to be no mans land at Sky. I am not really sure what his role is. He promised to be something special but either is being stifled at Sky or was not quite as good as people first thought.

At the moment a few riders seem to dominate all the classics and this does not look to change anytime soon.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Exactly, that's why they need to get rid of the chubby cheeked Norwegian on nearly 2 million euros per year who keeps failing horribly time after time and replace him with someone who can win some spring classics.

ebh is definitely not making 2 million euros a year

 

[JimmyFingers]

Vanmarcke isn't much of an improvement if they want a genuine season long contender. Unless you're taking Boonen/Cancellara/Sagan you're not going to get someone who can lead your team and get results every week. A better investment around that range would probably be Degenkolb/Kristoff.

Is it really a problem that they don't have genuine classics winners? They are a stage racing squad, being competitive and having a strong presence in classics is already a good result. With or without classics they are still the best team in the world.

O Sagacious man, thank thee for your ever wise words

Or

Good post Ferm