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Michael Barry, Steve Cummings, Juan Antonio Flecha, Simon Gerrans, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Thomas Löfkvist, Serge Pauwels, Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins
First of all I'm really pleased that Michael Barry is finally going to get to ride in the tour. He's a consummate professional and one of the hardest working, most respected, and well liked guys in the peleton. He's a domestique if ever there was one but there are few who are better at that job and he's also a very strong rider on his day.
Popular opinion around here seems to be that Wiggins just won't have what it takes to hang this year. I'm not sure I agree.Yes there are a few more tough climbs this year that could put him in trouble but I think a few of them actually suit his style quite well (long climbs with few steep sections). I think he'll he'll be coming well prepared for them and although there is only one real time trial it'll be enough to take some time back from the likes of the Schlecks and other pure climbers.
The team could use a few more pure climbers to support wiggo when things get really steep. The exclusion of Froome and Augustyn (both South Africans I believe) is somewhat curious as they're both climbing specialists. Perhaps Yates decided Wiggins would be better served with a team full of punchy rolouers and veteran riders who know how to keep him out of trouble. That's certainly what they've ended up with.
Overall a good team. But is it enough to compete in what is sure to be a very talent rich TdF?
First of all I'm really pleased that Michael Barry is finally going to get to ride in the tour. He's a consummate professional and one of the hardest working, most respected, and well liked guys in the peleton. He's a domestique if ever there was one but there are few who are better at that job and he's also a very strong rider on his day.
Popular opinion around here seems to be that Wiggins just won't have what it takes to hang this year. I'm not sure I agree.Yes there are a few more tough climbs this year that could put him in trouble but I think a few of them actually suit his style quite well (long climbs with few steep sections). I think he'll he'll be coming well prepared for them and although there is only one real time trial it'll be enough to take some time back from the likes of the Schlecks and other pure climbers.
The team could use a few more pure climbers to support wiggo when things get really steep. The exclusion of Froome and Augustyn (both South Africans I believe) is somewhat curious as they're both climbing specialists. Perhaps Yates decided Wiggins would be better served with a team full of punchy rolouers and veteran riders who know how to keep him out of trouble. That's certainly what they've ended up with.
Overall a good team. But is it enough to compete in what is sure to be a very talent rich TdF?
