Wilba60 said:
I am not sure Sky put Gerrans in a position that he wanted to be in...I was really confused with what role he was playing in certain races last year compared to now where he is a lead rider and has a big say in what he can or can't do. I think the fact that he moved over from the Paris Nice group to the TA group that was so successful in the team time trial last week and who were earmarked for the MSR. To take his place in that team says a lot for the influence and respect he now has at GE.
I have absolutely no idea what GE may do in respect to significant GC riders but I wouldn't be surprised if they target Porte who is 3rd, 4th or 5th in line at Sky to be an Aussie rider in an Aussie team and take on a lead role....only my thoughts! I actually think this because I feel that an Aussie team will try for a home grown GC contender where possible, Porte would be a very good fit in the early years of the team.
I think Goss is just starting to get his season moving and his focus seems to be the green jersey at TDF and the Olympics. Remember that the majority of Australians have been more exposed to cycling at Olympic level and track cycling.....therefore speed and pursuit or time trial riding is a big attraction. Aussies love their Olympics with swimming and track cycling being two of the strong constants behind us being so successful and "punching above our weight" as Libertine quotes about GE this season.
To be fair, in 2010 Gerrans was given the sole leader role in every hilly classic, and was put in good positions at the crucial moments for many of them, but for whatever reason he never had the legs that year. Despite that they stuck by him in 2011 and he was, with Uran this time, leader in all the major hilly races.
His 2011 was really quite good; 3rd at AGR obviously being the highlight, but he also won the Tour of Denmark, was strong in LBL, and was the strongest rider at Plouay. He was unlucky in the Tour in that he got into a number of breaks, but they were always chased down quickly. I doubt his start to 2012 at Sky would have been nearly as successful as it's been with GE, but the idea (not necessarily from you) that he did nothing with Sky is wrong.
I'm very bullish in my opinion that Cam Meyer WILL be a GC rider, but I also realise there's a difference between a GC rider and a
GC rider. If all goes swimmingly maybe he'll hang on with the top group in big races, but being a player in the top groups in the top top races? Not sure.
I think after the start Porte has made with Sky, the chances of him moving are getting slimmer by the minute. Maybe Cadel is more likely now that GE have shown they will compete well. Lachlan Morton for the future maybe? Cadel short term, Morton long term. Wouldn't be bad.
Can't wait to see what Bobridge can do when he finally quits the track.
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