yaco said:
I have been critical of Sky's development of young riders and any thought to start him in the TDF is madness, and potentially could be detrimental to Bernal's development - I believe Bernal has already been over-raced - He's had 34 race days and if he does Dauphine and the TDF he'll have over 60 race days by the end of July - I'll also add that he's been team leader or ended up team leader for all these races, unlike most neo-pro's who just roll their legs - He's also had a program of only stage races with no one day races to help with his development - He should ride one GT in year one, one in year two in a free role and then consider GC in a GT in year three - He's is exceptionally talented but you need to adopt a long-term approach.
Not sure I agree with that rather slow learning curve. I mean, if you already are THIS good, there is nothing that should hold him back next year for riding GC in a 3 week tour.
But you are right about the one day races, but If im not mistaken, he has done a fair amount of the hard Itaian fall classics. He could do that again after the Vuelta unless he is completely gassed (which would be understandable).