EBH signs for another 3 years

iainf72

At Sky. They must be paying him some decent cheddar.

It is a disgrace that Sky are prepared to sign Johnny Foriegner in place of Brits though.

pedro118118

Sky obviously feel that first Monument is just around the corner, assuming he can stay fit and engages his brain, when required! That said, the competition is still pretty fierce, with BMC, Garmin Cervelo, LeopardShack and GreenEdge all looking strong. Aside from Cav at MSR, is there a Brit capable of winning a Monument - no. A classic/semi-classic - probably not. I just hope that the development of certain riders, G especially, isn't stiffled by the need to work for others (Johnny Foreigners!).

greasedscotsman

pedro118118 wrote:

Aside from Cav at MSR, is there a Brit capable of winning a Monument - no. A classic/semi-classic - probably not.

You don't think Geraint Thomas is capable of winning Flanders or maybe Roubaix?

TMR

greasedscotsman wrote:

You don't think Geraint Thomas is capable of winning Flanders or maybe Roubaix?

I think he is, for what that's worth. You need a lot of luck for Paris-Roubaix though, the best man doesn't always win.

ddraver

^I'm really hoping so, but deffo not this year cos of some thing in london this summer....

frenchfighter

I guess he just likes his kit.

pedro118118

I suppose Thomas has the potential to win, but as things stand, Sky will be working for EBH. Unless he gets in a break (a la Van Summeren this year), but I don't see the big favourites allowing that to happen. If he is up against the likes of Gilbert, Boonen, Cancellara, Hushovd et al pedal-stroke-for-pedal-stroke, then I don't see him coming out on top. Same for Flanders, but for me he has less potential to win there.

camerone

can EBH ride over 200km without having immediate stomach convulsions yet?
Thomas was stronger than fletcha at flanders last year, and if luck had been with him he may have contested the final sprint..

Pross

camerone wrote:

can EBH ride over 200km without having immediate stomach convulsions yet?Thomas was stronger than fletcha at flanders last year, and if luck had been with him he may have contested the final sprint..

Well, as he finished 8th in the Worlds this year I'm guessing the answer is yes?

iainf72

Pross wrote:

Well, as he finished 8th in the Worlds this year I'm guessing the answer is yes?

200km on that course was worth about 30km of heavy northern classics roads really.

He might be able to do if it he comes out of winter uninjured, but I'd not put him in the top tier for those kind of races.

josame

[He might be able to do if it he comes out of winter uninjured, but I'd not put him in the top tier for those kind of races.[/quote]

The thing with EBH is that he is improving year on year so it is very difficult to predict how well he will go in 2012
for my money he will be in that 'top tier' because of his improvement record (I imagine australia will help too)

squired

If EBH remains healthy through 2012 he could have an amazing season. I do also think that the strengthening of the squad could actually work to his advantage in terms of targeting specific races. If he ends up outside the top 20 in the World I think his season will be a disappointment. His aim has to be a top 10 placing in the overall rankings and multiple World Tour wins, including at least one single day race.

Turfle

EBH won at least 3 stages/races over 220 km last year, including Vattenfall and one of his Tour de France stages.

inkyfingers

I think the thing that people forget is that he's still only 24. He's also lost the last two classics seasons with injuries/crashes so it's a bit too soon to right him off yet. He's won a lot of big races for a 24 year old.