One to watch

Having earlier picked Omega’s Jean-Christophe Perraud as one to watch this season, another ride to track is FDJ’s Yoann Offredo. Peraud’s early season success continued since I tipped him and it now looks like he could be riding the Tour de France.

But Offredo’s season is more dependent on the coming weeks. You might have seen Offredo on the attack in Milan-San Remo, leading the race over the Cipressa and onto the Poggio. But you probably didn’t see he was caught out in a split earlier in the race, on La Manie, and bridged his way back to the front of the race, a huge effort in itself. The attack didn’t work but it took a lot of watts to stay out in front alone, a 23 year old capable of this should be capable of winning other races in time.

Offredo’s move saw team management criticise him in public, their view being that he could have helped Geslin to a better finish. But let’s be honest, Geslin can be strong in the finish of a race but he’s not a winner capable of worrying Freire. But Offredo might be up there in the classics in April.