Cavendish always had the right to be brash, he was a top tier track star before becoming a pro. He had the record to stand upon, >>a dominating sprinter.<<
On the other hand tj has a lot of talk, without being dominating.
He needs to study some real pros, Hinault, LeMOND, MERCKX, etc. in their early careers.
If he studied Jens! he would see a real sportsman, a man comfortable in his own skin,(not a weenie.)
For tj to target the oilcan TT in Bakersfield, ATOC,(hometown of Buck Owens, and Dwight Yokum,) is a noble endeavor, however it is a US domestic race no matter how you slice it.
Very few Europeans will be going full bore in the race.
Hopefully for tj and his new sponsor he will chant the mantra,"Shut up legs,Om Padne Om, Shut up legs,Om Padne Om, ad infenitum, etc. and go to Europe and ride with the Europeans, on their home turf, when they are riding 90 to 110 percent. Ride a real hard race like Catalunya, or Basque.