Will Gerant Thomas ever be TDF contender?

135

Comments

  • secretsqirrel
    secretsqirrel Posts: 2,122
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    SecretSqirrel wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    chrisday wrote:
    sportvan wrote:
    ... I'm sure he also stated that he has to have a very special injection once a year and has to be very carefull and not get ill.

    Don't remember hearing that - any linkage?
    If nowt else, that'd get the Sky-Bashing Twitterati (henceforth to be known as the SBTs) and Asylum posters in a froth, wouldn't it?


    Never ever ever heard this one

    Anybody who has had a splenectomy has to have medication for the rest of their lives. They are left with a greatly weakened immune system, and have to carry a MedicAlert bracelet or pendant.


    Does this explain the bioflow bracelet? :wink:

    I would defy anyone to explain a bioflow bracelet. What was he thinking :roll:
  • ratsbeyfus
    ratsbeyfus Posts: 2,841
    People with bioflow bracelets are incapable of rational thought. I like Geraint Thomas but I think he must've had his brain removed to promote them.

    I had one of them red bikes but I don't any more. Sad face.

    @ratsbey
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Just stick with promoting Welsh lamb in future, G
  • gsvbagpuss
    gsvbagpuss Posts: 272
    I'd love him to win Paris-Roubaix or Flanders
  • Team Banana Spokesman
    Team Banana Spokesman Posts: 538
    What the hell guys?

    He won P-R in 2004
  • ratsbeyfus
    ratsbeyfus Posts: 2,841
    Team Banana Spokesman wrote:
    What the hell guys?

    He won P-R in 2004

    P-R 2004? Powys-Rhyl? Oh... the kiddie's version. Sorry.

    I had one of them red bikes but I don't any more. Sad face.

    @ratsbey
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    The thing that disappoints me most is that even on a cycling site a lot of people seem to only want to see Brits win 'The Tour'. We now have some excellent Grand Tour riders, certainly something I never expected to see when I first started watching cycling and a stage win for a Brit was a huge event (just seeing the token Brit's finish position on the screen was an event some years). It would now be good if some of the other riders could be focussed on becoming top class one day specialists that being stage racers. I would much rather see Geraint become a regular winner in the spring classics and semi-classics than to be a top 10 GC rider or winning one week stage races. It would be good if the general public in the country became aware that there are cycle races outside of the Tour, Olympics and World Champs and I think many would share the same amazement that I did when first watching P-R that riders could race on such roads on a normal road bike.

    Rather than asking if every talented British rider could be a Tour contender we, as cycling fans, should be hoping British riders can start to perform in all aspects of pro bike racing.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    I like Thomas a lot. A lot of flatland talent, dedicated, keeps his head down and works hard on the bike. Seems reasonably open and honest off the bike and not too self absorbed.

    Great riding style too.
    _
  • wallace_and_gromit
    wallace_and_gromit Posts: 3,608
    I'm hoping for big things from "G" this year. His GT progression since 2007 has been very steady:

    2007 140th Tour
    2008 118th Giro
    2009 DNS
    2010 67th Tour
    2011 31st Tour
    2012 80th Giro, but not ridden as a priority
    2013 ?

    Taking out my crystal ball, had he not been prioritising the OGs last year, a top 20 in the Tour would seem to have been achievable, so top 15 this year in a GT seems reasonable as an aim, if he's prioritising GTs.

    That said, Pete Kennaugh is the man. A friend of a friend who claims inside knowledge of such things has long claimed that Kennaugh was who Sir Dave had in mind for his British Tour winner by 2014. This is completely unverified but he (the friend of a friend) made the claim in early 2010 and PK hasn't let anyone down since.
  • Mad_Malx
    Mad_Malx Posts: 5,182
    Wallace and Gromit wrote:
    I'm hoping for big things from "G" this year. His GT progression since 2007 has been very steady:

    2007 140th Tour
    2008 118th Giro
    2009 DNS
    2010 67th Tour
    2011 31st Tour
    2012 80th Giro, but not ridden as a priority


    So ignoring 2012, he is improving by 30 places each tour, that means he's going to win 2013?
  • Cakegirl
    Cakegirl Posts: 66
    Pross wrote:
    The thing that disappoints me most is that even on a cycling site a lot of people seem to only want to see Brits win 'The Tour'. We now have some excellent Grand Tour riders, certainly something I never expected to see when I first started watching cycling and a stage win for a Brit was a huge event (just seeing the token Brit's finish position on the screen was an event some years). It would now be good if some of the other riders could be focussed on becoming top class one day specialists that being stage racers. I would much rather see Geraint become a regular winner in the spring classics and semi-classics than to be a top 10 GC rider or winning one week stage races. It would be good if the general public in the country became aware that there are cycle races outside of the Tour, Olympics and World Champs and I think many would share the same amazement that I did when first watching P-R that riders could race on such roads on a normal road bike.

    Rather than asking if every talented British rider could be a Tour contender we, as cycling fans, should be hoping British riders can start to perform in all aspects of pro bike racing.


    Absolutely. There's room for all types of riders and races to be appreciated and succeed. The Tours have to be calculated, planned rides - that's fine, it's necessary. Olympics and Worlds are skewed by the country team structure - again, that's how it is. One day classics are often thrillingly visceral and tactical. Who isn't on the edge of their seat as Tom Boonen, Spartacus or whoever turn on the taps. To see G in that kind of company would be fantastic.
    If everything's under control, you're obviously not going fast enough.
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    Wallace and Gromit wrote:
    I'm hoping for big things from "G" this year. His GT progression since 2007 has been very steady:

    2007 140th Tour
    2008 118th Giro
    2009 DNS
    2010 67th Tour
    2011 31st Tour
    2012 80th Giro, but not ridden as a priority
    2013 ?

    Taking out my crystal ball, had he not been prioritising the OGs last year, a top 20 in the Tour would seem to have been achievable, so top 15 this year in a GT seems reasonable as an aim, if he's prioritising GTs.

    That said, Pete Kennaugh is the man. A friend of a friend who claims inside knowledge of such things has long claimed that Kennaugh was who Sir Dave had in mind for his British Tour winner by 2014. This is completely unverified but he (the friend of a friend) made the claim in early 2010 and PK hasn't let anyone down since.

    I think some people on the IOM might have a different opinion to that after his no show at the last Commonwealth Games
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Given his World and Oly golds, I think the Manx have forgiven him
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Given his World and Oly golds, I think the Manx have forgiven him

    You're probably right RR. I'll always remember that race for the huge turn on the front by local MEA employee Graham Hatcher alongside cameron Meyer. Good effort by Cav as well in trying to get on terms.

    Kennaugh for a one weeker this year, or maybe a stage?
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Yellow Peril wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Given his World and Oly golds, I think the Manx have forgiven him

    You're probably right RR. I'll always remember that race for the huge turn on the front by local MEA employee Graham Hatcher alongside cameron Meyer. Good effort by Cav as well in trying to get on terms.

    Kennaugh for a one weeker this year, or maybe a stage?


    Yeah, the Commies are great for that, arent they. Love the stories of Cav riding in the Manx team alongside part-time guys who are posties and builders, and giving reporters absolute hell for suggesting that they'd let him down in the road race.

    I'll be surprised if PK doesnt get a win this season. I think he's riding Giro and Ardennes. Maybe one of the summer 1 weekers?
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    He will never win the Tour. I don't think he wants to either.

    He can't TT with the best if them. He cant climb with the best of them. Both are crucial.

    Good and exciting rider though. Definitely been riding long enough to go after a heavyweight win. Depends on that stupid team will let him and support him.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Who are you talking about FF, Thomas or Kennaugh?
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Geraint. Peter not sure about him - all hype but no show.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Geraint. Peter not sure about him - all hype but no show.


    So this would be the same Geraint who last year:

    won the Tour of Romandie Prologue
    came 2nd to Phinney in the Giro Prologue
    came 2nd to Pinotti in the Giro TT

    Right. Cant TT. OK.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    He can TT but he can't TT with the best of them consistently all the way through a GT. The Giro performances were decent but he hasn't got that many of them.

    You have prologues speciliast and TT specialists because a prologue requires different talents to win.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    There are times when you need to admit you're wrong. I know its tough, very tough, but sometimes occasions call for a bit of man-up.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Thanks but coming from you I'll stick quite easily to my guns on this one. Especially given your poor insight and knowledge on a few other matters.

    You need to work harder to convince me that I'm wrong on this one, not just try and fend me off with no facts.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Whevs. Really whevs.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    'Whevs' - is this playground speak?
    Contador is the Greatest
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Whevs. Really whevs.

    Are you a hipster?

    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=whevs

    Finding so much about you of late...

    :D
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Whevs. Really whevs.

    Are you a hipster?

    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=whevs

    Finding so much about you of late...

    :D


    The first 9 months since I joined was like a Prologue... :)

    I'll throw in the odd thing now and again to help you keep building the picture... :wink:
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    I sincerely doubt that Thomas has really ever focused on TT,ing so who knows. Anyone with a track (no pun intended) record like his in team pursuit must be a shoe-in for prologue victories if he was looking to win a stage race. I woudln't write him off against the clock just yet.
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • ozzzyosborn206
    ozzzyosborn206 Posts: 1,340
    I think the whole thing about sky 'advising' their riders not to go to Delhi was a mistake in the same way as sending Brad off at a different time to get better weather conditions. I was impressed by Tom Black in that race too, and by Luke Rowe you pulled a big turn for Cav, imagine if G and PK had been there, you have been a different race. heyho
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    frenchfighter wrote:
    He can TT but he can't TT with the best of them consistently all the way through a GT..

    this really is a load of cobblers - if you have been riding on the front all through a 2/3 week tour in service for your protected rider do you really think that you are gonna storm the last TT even though you are mid table with a large portion of the season to come????
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... anent.html
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight

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