The UCI WorldTour calendar is relentless once underway, and some of those on duty at the Eneco Tour can count themselves among the peloton’s most dedicated performers.
Geraint Thomas has again rolled out for Team Sky, having found himself selected by Sir Dave Brailsford for almost every race this season, from the Spring Classics to the Tour de France. Is the Welshman on a mileage bonus?
If he is, one who might be demanding similar recompense from his own employer is Garmin-Sharp’s Jack Bauer, back in the red, white and blue of the American team and again in the thick of the action. His daring attempt at a breakaway victory in Nîmes on stage 15 of the Tour de France remains one of the highlights of the 2014 Grande Boucle.
Perhaps significantly, both men followed three weeks of racing in France with a trip to Glasgow and the Commonwealth Games, taking gold and silver respectively in the men’s road race. Is the tradition of racing as training, shunned in recent years by Team Sky in favour of altitude training camps and targeted events, back in vogue?
Photographer Stefano Sirotti is another with a relentless schedule. Our official UCI WorldTour photographer is following the race in the Benelux, and sent these images.
