2014 Pro-cycling season thread

Prominent Irish cycling journalists also worship the ground he walks on so that's a bonus.

Hope Dave's done the due diligence on the pro-conti breakout performer of the year with no bio-passport.

There is certainly room for a classics specialist. They'd be well supported, in an English speaking team, twice the budget of other teams, based in classics country?

That's before money...

You mean Konig? He's already on it, all pro-conti teams are covered by it.

It's continental level teams, which Endura were when JTL was riding for them, which aren't covered.

I think a lot depends on where Thomas decides his future lies. Can he develop in a GC rider? I'm not convinced, and putting his all eggs into the Classics basket might mean he could develop into the 5 star rider mentioned, rather than buying in the talent. He certainly likes getting stuck in, just needs to fall off less.

I'm bored of talking about Thomas' classics potential, he's hardly a neo pro. He's never going to be a 5 or even 4 star classics rider - which is not to say that he isn't an amazing athlete, but that he lacks specificity (other than being specifically good at doing a bit of everything) and it's almost too late for him to develop it.

Which is not to say there is anything wrong with being an excellent all round rider. Not everyone has a specialism.

I tend to agree, Dan. His versatility is his downfall.

Poor old Geraint, earning £££££ and riding his bicycle in the sunshine every day. My heart bleeds ;)

Porte should ride for him at the Tour Down Under. Thomas would beat Cadel and never be allowed back.

His performance in PR and Stage 5 of the TdF suggests that if he stays upright he could be a genuine contender. Not sure what star that makes him. Personally I'd prefer for Sky to throw themselves behind a big tilt at the classics with him that simply buy in a ready-made like Vanmarcke.

Speaking from a fan's point of view.

I want Wiggins to win Paris-Roubaix, speaking from a fan's point of view, but I don't think it's going to happen.

fiver he'll take it next year

The heart wants what the heart wants....

How exactly do they do that? You can't control those races - it's on the individual to get into the right moves, or force them. Falling off or not, he just doesn't seem to either be strong enough or have the right nouse.

As Kwiatkowski ably demonstrated on Sunday, it's about spotting your chance, taking it and having the strength to see it through.

As much as I think Thomas is talented, he doesn't seem to have that extra edge which will see him convert a promising position into a winning one.

Hellooo, it finishes in a velodrome.

I'd prefer an Aussie to win P-R, there's been enough Belgian victories in recent years. I would like Wiggo to smash the Hour record though.

^^ lol

Gerrans? He's supposed to win everything isn't he?

I think there's about as much chance of me winning P-R as there is an Aussie doing it, based on the current crop.

Get out of my head, Andy

Enough of this realism @andyp ENOUGH !!!

Sorry, I'll stop delaying this piece of work and get on with it.