Pro-cycling thread

Interesting thought from Rouleur

How’s this for a silly season transfer suggestion: Geraint Thomas should move to Quick Step. We should point out that we have heard no
rumours that this is likely, or that an offer has been made, and is
purely wishful thinking on our part. But it would be good, wouldn’t
it? With his Tour de France victory should come an unlocking of the
next (and presumably last) few years of his career. Sure he could
chase another Grand Tour, even another Grand Boucle, but lightening is
unlikely to strike twice. With so few chances to do so left, Chris
Froome is sure to have dibs on a fifth Tour to elevate him to legend
status and will, unlike this year, throw everything at it. So Thomas
would either be banking on getting his chance again, or have to settle
for the Giro himself. We know how well that went last time. Besides,
he’s never shown any particular interest in becoming a multiple Grand
Tour winner. He’s got one now, proven he’s up there with the best. So
what’s next?

We know he can ride the cobbles with the best of them - he won the
Junior Paris-Roubaix back in 2004 and always seems to enjoy the pavé -
so why shouldn’t he make the jump to the number one Classics team
around and try to bag a Monument as well? It’d be a risk, but it’d be
an adventure too. Plus Bradley never managed it.

Thomas could stay where he is and name his price but Team Sky will
never commit to the Classics in the way Quick Step do. On the other
hand, the Belgian team don’t do leaders like the big money Brits. But
give Geraint Thomas a guaranteed start at both Flanders and Roubaix
and, with such a strong squad beside him, it’s easy to imagine him
winning either one or the other. Although it’s been said that few
riders who leave Team Sky go on to bigger things, even fewer who land
at Quick Step fail to succeed.

It would likely mean a pay cut but is he really that motivated by
money? Brian Holm said last year Thomas is the one rider he’d love to
sign. Have a word, Brian.