Over the past two years the HTC team has seen many talented riders leave for new opportunities. 2010 saw the team particularly hard hit, as several key domestiques left the squad to ride for rival teams. Adam Hansen, Marcel Sieberg, Maxim Monfort and Gert Dockx are all gone for 2011, leaving Mark Cavendish with a new and untested lead out train.
New HTC riders for 2011 that will look to help Cavendish to victory include former Saxo rider Alex Rasmussen and the veteran American rider Danny Pate. Pate particularly will likely play a key role as a domestique for Cevendish, using his strong time trialing skills to set a high pace for Cavendish in the final 1000 meters of sprint finishes.
HTC managed to keep a fair share of their talent around for 2011 as well, as Bert Grabsch, Bernard Eisel and Mark Renshaw will once again be there for Cavendish in the sprints. Still, the HTC train is clearly not as strong as it once was, and Cavendish may find himself having to fend for himself in the final meters of select races throughout the year.
Another interesting dynamic for Cavendish is the emergence of the still very young Matt Goss. The Australian seems poised to ascend to a new level in 2011, especially considering that he'll be the number two option behind Cavendish now that Andre Greipel has left the team. Cavendish will need to ride strong early and often to hold off Goss, who has shown over the past two years that he deserves more chances to fight for sprint wins throughout the year.
2011 won't be the first time that Mark Cavendish must adjust to a new team of lead out men. After a banner 2009, 2010 didn't go as smooth for the Brit as he adjusted to the loss of several key helpers. 2011 will likely mirror 2010. Cavendish will experience a tough early season as he adjusts to his new teammates, and by July he'll be flying, ready once again to tackle the best in the fight for the green jersey at the Tour de France.
Posts
2 comments:
I think your prediction is spot on: Like 2010, 2011 will not be as productive for Cavendish as was 2009. He still has enough speed and talented lead out men to keep him close, but other sprinters, like Tyler Farrer, for example, are gaining experience and skill -- and acquiring even better lead outs than before. I think Cavendish gets fewer wins this year than last. The many riders you noted in an earlier post who needed great results on 2011 will see to that.
But, to quote the Bible, "I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet" (Amos 7: 14), so I am often wrong.
Thanks for the article, I had to go look up to see what had happened to Thomas Lofkvist whom used to be with HTC Columbia. Had not seen or heard of any results from him in awhile. I know he was not a lead out man for Cav., but a great one day Classic rider. He showed much promise while on HTC. I see he is now on the Sky team.
Post a Comment