My $0.02
- He has shown the guts to mix it up with the lead pack in elite races
- He's not afraid to go to the front (e.g., in the WC 5K)
- He consistently performs at a high level
- He's able to put together long, long stretches of training injury-free
- He has a superb work ethic
- He has not maxed out on training load, going ≤ 90mpw until this yr.
- He's still very young
- He has a great support system (which, unfortunately, he get's ridden for)
He had a quantum-like improvement his last year as a Duck and surprised everyone, showing closing speed that no one on this board would ever have predicted. As he continues to build strength/endurance, that same speed will eventually show itself in faster-paced races.
Good on him for making the 5K final and placing where he did after running a 10K and 5K heat! He represented well. Farah has 3 yrs. on him., and 3 yrs. ago Farah was good but not great. Galen is on the right track.