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I don't have time to spend researching on the internet, but the only young rider I can think of with more impressive GC results than Pinot or Bardet is a certain Mr Quintana.
Seems like you're trying to bend the stats to fit an unconvincing theory TBH.
Edit - Fabio Aru is arguably a higher achiever too, but on a very questionable team.
(I love france and I have always found the french to be welcoming, I really don't know why people have this negative stereotype)
One issue could be that there are too many teams in France all trying to deliver a winner, as well as the wilcards (same as the giro and vuelta, no issues there) there are quite a few squads but no one dominant team like Movistar in Spain who are all focused on, er, Valverde...
the '40th Anniversary of the Paris finish' was a big talking point but the '30th anniversary of the last french winner' was studiously avoided especially because he's on the podium zipping up froome's jersey! the French public want a winner and who can blame them, the race is still a big part of national identity - if Sky delivered a win I think they wouldn't moan but be glad, L'Equipe would be able to say 'Sky finally win with panache' 😀
It isn't such a stretch to see that the talented French riders have by and large stuck to French teams for whatever reasons, who are typically poorly funded, smaller teams and it might be a contributing factor to the lack of a French yellow jersey winner since Hinault.
One issue could be that there are too many teams in France all trying to deliver a winner, as well as the wilcards (same as the giro and vuelta, no issues there) there are quite a few squads but no one dominant team like Movistar in Spain who are all focused on, er, Valverde...
That is another really good point.
I'm looking forward to the Sky press releaseL'Equipe would be able to say 'Sky finally win with panache'
Team Sky today announced the signing of unknown young French rider Louis Panache. "He's only 19" said Sir David Brailsford "but he shows a lot of promise and we're confident we can win with him in the future".
nice one rusty 🙂 - I can see the phil and paul that goes with it
"And there goes Laurent Pannnatchey" "er thats Ian Stannard"
"Laurent Pannnatchey descends like a demon... he's a former mountain biker you know... looking strong behind the current world champion Rui Costa"
He's done a job lot of work that Rui Costa. They're like that in Columbia.
"Its great to see him up there holding court with the heads of state"
Whereas Mike Starbucks never really cut it in the pro peleton.He's done a job lot of work that Rui Costa. They're like that in Columbia.