Well I think he said it was to move him away from the lower gears while doing his normal rides. So it might actually put him in the sweet spot for a 11 or 10 speed cassette which IMO is the 6, 7 and 8 cog. Other's might think different, but that's my thinking and what I look for when in the big ring.

Of course at some point if legs get stronger and knees aren't hurting, then it'd make sense to go back to bigger rings if more average speed is desired.