New Team Sky signing Edvald Boasson Hagen has impressed greatly thus far in his career and, according to Kurt Asle Arvesen, the Norwegian is capable of taking a major one-day victory in 2010.
“He can win one of the great Classics like Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders and Milan San Remo in 2010, although there will be no pressure on him,” his new team-mate said to TV2 Sport. “He was a helper in the big Classics this year and that was a mistake. Physically he was just as ready to win as those he rode for.”
Boasson Hagen scooped sixteen victories for Columbia HTC this year, including single day wins in the Gent Wevelgem Classic and the Norwegian time trial title.
He showed his stage race pedigree with dominant performances in the Tour of Britain (four stages, the overall and points classifications), the Eneco Tour of Benelux (two stages, overall and points classifications), as well as individual and team time trial stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, plus two stages in the Tour of Poland.
He’s been widely tipped as one destined for greatness in the sport. His palmares thus far helps that belief, but the expectation is mainly due the fact that he has won so much despite his youth. He's just 22 years of age, but riders tend to improve until their late twenties.
For now, Boasson Hagen won’t make any outright declarations that he is heading to those races to win. “I am pleased to ride Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The goal is to ride as well as possible…that is always the objective,” he states.
He also confirmed that he hopes to ride his first Tour de France in 2010. “It is mostly to get experience and the goal is to complete the race. I also hope to take a stage win.”
The six-foot Norwegian is expected to make his debut for Team Sky in the Tour of Qatar.