Re:
But the most illustrious Colombian cyclists hit their peaks reasonably late. Cochise Rodriguez broke the hour record at 28 and had his best European results at the '74 Giro when he was 32. Lucho Herrera was 26 when he won the Vuelta and 30 when he snagged his last polka dot jersey. Whereupon he seemed to get hit by the same quick generational turnover that brought out other stars of the era, including Fignon and LeMond. Speaking of which, Santiago Botero was on the cusp of his 30th birthday when he had his annus mirabilis, winning the world time trial title and standing on the figurative fourth step on the champs elysees. Rigoberto Uran's literal podium showing, the brightest 2nd place of his ilustrious string, took place well after his 31st birthday last year. And say what you will about Quintana, but he hasn't yet seen spring come for the thirtieth time himself, so any judgment on his career seems less than definitive. Meanwhile, for Edouard Louis Joseph of Meensel-Kiezegem, his 30th spring was his last competitive one, having won his 11th and final grand tour shortly after his 29th birthday.
Geraint Thomas will be the unquestionable leader for Ineos going into this summer, having thoroughly won his place after nearly a decade of service, where he stood out for his loyalty, deference and bonhomie as much as for his results. The defending British champion on a British team with a British sponsor, anything less would be flatly out of the question at this junction. Extending him as many olive branches as possible is by far the wisest course of action for young Egan, who has been given nearly every opportunity at Ineos, and made the most of most of them so far. But Sky made a name for itself via their relentless focus on first place, and everyone working there, Geraint Thomas foremost amongst them, is well acquainted with the cutthroat nature of the team and the sport. Brailsford certainly knows that a 32-year old with one GT top 10 on his palmares is hardly a guarantee of victory, and the Tour is the only race that matters to him. So Bernal will likely once again find himself given the opportunity to exceed expectations, or, by now, if the professionals are anything to go by, to meet them odds-on. I expect him to continue to avoid reiterating that unpleasant fact to the one man who could most easily find himself in a position to help or hinder his attempt to prove it.
Yeah, but early bloomer is not early peaker. Colombians are characterized as early bloomers in Europe because only those who do well early end up racing in Europe, and local journeymen-come-contenders rarely make the jump up later in life as it is a far harder transition to make later in life for myriad reasons.Red Rick said:It's not just he's 22. He's Colombian who are generally notorious early bloomers. Quintana didn't get any better after he was 23, and Bernal's rise was faster than that.
But the most illustrious Colombian cyclists hit their peaks reasonably late. Cochise Rodriguez broke the hour record at 28 and had his best European results at the '74 Giro when he was 32. Lucho Herrera was 26 when he won the Vuelta and 30 when he snagged his last polka dot jersey. Whereupon he seemed to get hit by the same quick generational turnover that brought out other stars of the era, including Fignon and LeMond. Speaking of which, Santiago Botero was on the cusp of his 30th birthday when he had his annus mirabilis, winning the world time trial title and standing on the figurative fourth step on the champs elysees. Rigoberto Uran's literal podium showing, the brightest 2nd place of his ilustrious string, took place well after his 31st birthday last year. And say what you will about Quintana, but he hasn't yet seen spring come for the thirtieth time himself, so any judgment on his career seems less than definitive. Meanwhile, for Edouard Louis Joseph of Meensel-Kiezegem, his 30th spring was his last competitive one, having won his 11th and final grand tour shortly after his 29th birthday.
Geraint Thomas will be the unquestionable leader for Ineos going into this summer, having thoroughly won his place after nearly a decade of service, where he stood out for his loyalty, deference and bonhomie as much as for his results. The defending British champion on a British team with a British sponsor, anything less would be flatly out of the question at this junction. Extending him as many olive branches as possible is by far the wisest course of action for young Egan, who has been given nearly every opportunity at Ineos, and made the most of most of them so far. But Sky made a name for itself via their relentless focus on first place, and everyone working there, Geraint Thomas foremost amongst them, is well acquainted with the cutthroat nature of the team and the sport. Brailsford certainly knows that a 32-year old with one GT top 10 on his palmares is hardly a guarantee of victory, and the Tour is the only race that matters to him. So Bernal will likely once again find himself given the opportunity to exceed expectations, or, by now, if the professionals are anything to go by, to meet them odds-on. I expect him to continue to avoid reiterating that unpleasant fact to the one man who could most easily find himself in a position to help or hinder his attempt to prove it.