Steady Stannard represents stability in shuffled Sky pack
Ian Stannard gives every appearance of dependability and with Team Sky forced into a sudden and radical reshuffle of its pack of riders following Chris Froome’s withdrawal from Tirreno-Adriatico, Yogi looks more valuable than ever. His performance in the Strade Bianche, where he rode in a dangerous mid-race breakaway a week after winning the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad will reaffirmed in the minds of many his suitability for the position of Team Sky’s leader for the Classics.
After his heroic performance in last year’s Milan-San Remo, Stannard would have been an obvious choice for La Primavera in a fortnight’s time. His selection for Sky’s Tirreno-Adriatico squad makes his appearance at this year’s 105th edition of La Primavera almost a certainty. The flattened parcours should suit his diesel engine well, and while the removal of Le Mànie and the Pompieana has placed the race back on the agenda of every sprinter, the ever-present Poggio will give the rouleurs hope. It was here, after all, that Stannard led through the snow with fellow hardman, Sylvain Chavanel, last year.
The climbs of the Strade Bianche may ultimately have neutralised Stannard’s threat: occasionally, he appeared to be labouring at the rear of a breakaway group led in fine style by 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans. While far from flat, the Tour of Flanders does not offer climbs as savage. And Paris-Roubaix, of course, has none at all. E3 Harelbeke and Gent Wevelgem look tailor-made for a rider of Stannard’s abilities.
Perhaps much will depend on Geraint Thomas’ performance at Paris-Nice, a race for which he has been installed at the last minute as leader, and one billed this year by race organisers, the ASO, as a series of Classics, rather than a conventional stage race. Should the Welshman fail to find his best form in France, Sky may opt to back Stannard for the Classics. One thing is certain even at this stage: Stannard, should he ride in coveted position of protected rider, will not fail to give anything less than his all.
