Covid is to blame. He had his career schedule dialed in nicely with the Olympic MTB in 2020 - not many options in 2021. That said, as much as I love mountain biking, it was a helluva a lot of fun watching him in the tour - stage 2, the leadouts, railing the final corners like a madman in the TT... I pretty much tuned out once he left. Covid screwed with everyones' schedule, but even more so for a guy trying to be the best in the absolute best in the world in 3 disciplines. Hoping things go his way - unfortunately I won't get to see it until I know the results because the peacock streaming schedule is weak - didn't show the men's road replay until a full day after it was done.I must admit, considering it's been his main aim since 2017, they're not giving him the best preparation. Almost trying to be too clever; I get the theory, but why has nobody else has done it?
And I've said it before, only doing 2 World Cups (his first for 18 months) leaves him short in MTB race prep. Yes, the Tour is a big deal, but it might be that his road campaign (and COvid) wrecks his MTB goal. Which is something I hoped wouldn't happen
We'll know in less than 12 hours.