At the time I also thought that and whilst I thought Girmay was a very astute signing I didn’t think it would pay off so big so soon nor did I think that Jan Hirt could go from handy rider to Giro top 10 GC and stage winner.Yeah, they have been incredible. I assessed quite wisely before last season that they were probably the weakest ever instalment on the WorldTour. Based on how the first few months of last year went by, that wasn't an entirely poor call, but boy have they improved since then.
Kristoff also felt like Gilbert to Lotto in buying a former monument winner too far gone to win well again but he has been a good influence with Girmay and chipped in some valuable wins.