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Edvald Boasson Hagen
The 2011 season saw Edvald Boasson Hagen make a significant mark on the world stage, claiming seven victories and playing a key role in the team’s winning momentum in the second half of the year.
The Norwegian proved he could do the business in a bunch sprint at the highest level after holding off his rivals on stage six of the Tour de France into Lisieux, yet equally impressive was his daring breakaway and attack on the descent into Pinerolo on stage 17.
The opportunity to win alone on the grandest stage of them all was a standout moment in a season which saw the popular Norwegian demonstrate his versatility time and again. The ability to win from bunch sprints and breakaways, in addition to working hard for his team-mates and incorporating an ever-improving time trial, have marked Boasson Hagen out as one of the most effective all-rounders in the peloton.
After an injury-effected spring ‘Eddie Boss’ rebounded with a stage victory and two-day race lead at Bayern-Rundfahrt before shepherding team-mate Geraint Thomas to the overall. Further WorldTour wins followed at Vattenfall Cyclassics, as well as overall victory at the Eneco Tour for the second time - complete with an impressive win on the final stage to cap off a successful season.
A fully-fit assault on the Classics in 2012 and more chances to unleash a formidable turn of speed will no doubt strike fear into the Norwegian’s rivals.
He admits: “To get two wins at the Tour was really nice. The start of my season wasn’t all that good but things got a lot better leading into the Tour. I felt good during the opening days and then got my chance on the stage into Lisieux.
“Losing Bradley [Wiggins] the day after was a big blow though, and I was also very disappointed on the 16th stage when me and Thor [Hushovd] went head-to-head and he beat me. Luckily though, I was able to make amends for that the very next day when I managed to break away again and get that solo win.
“Winning one of the spring Classics will be my main early-season goal next season; either Paris-Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders. Milan-San Remo is another big race for me and then after the Classics are over my attention will turn to the Tour de France.
“I’d obviously like to get some more good results there and hopefully take that form through to the Olympics in London. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll be competing in both events there or just the road race, but we’ll have to see how things go.”
