Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[del1962]

Won the Tour by minutes, could have been more but decided to slow and enjoy the moment with all his team on the last stage. His tactics last year were spot on. Destroy them on Ax-3 and then increase the gap in the TT, everyone else forced to race for 2nd. Also working with Quintana for a while up Ventoux wasn't exactly stupid was it? Meant they both gained even more time.

Waits for Spilak and works with him in Romandie, not bad tactics especially as he could follow him on descent.

 

[maxmartin]

Has there ever been a Grand Tour winner with poorer tactics than Froome? Can't think of one.

Froom's raw power overcomes his tactics shortcoming

 

[SeriousSam]

. His tactics last year were spot on. Destroy them on Ax-3 and then increase the gap in the TT, everyone else forced to race for 2nd. Also working with Quintana for a while up Ventoux wasn't exactly stupid was it? Meant they both gained even more time.

Putting minutes into people in a time trial and just riding away on MTFs? And that worked? What a chess master!

 

[Pricey_sky]

Putting minutes into people in a time trial and just riding away on MTFs? And that worked? What a chess master!

Sorry but your trolling is no use, as has been said he plays to his strengths perfectly well, tactically that means he cannot be the worst! Obviously he's never going to tactically be on the level on a Contador but up until now he's never had to be.

 

[SeriousSam]

Sorry but your trolling is no use, as has been said he plays to his strengths perfectly well, tactically that means he cannot be the worst! Obviously he's never going to tactically be on the level on a Contador but up until now he's never had to be.

I genuinely thought it's you who was trolling, because you brought up dominating the ****ing TIME TRIAL to make a case for Froome's tactical nous. I mean... wtf?

We all know he won. We all know he was much stronger than everyone (as, for instance, his TT and MTFs indicate). The question was whether there has ever been a more tactically inept Grand Tour winner.

 

[kingjr]

For starters, Ullrich was never the brainy sort.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I genuinely thought it's you who was trolling, because you brought up dominating the ****ing TIME TRIAL to make a case for Froome's tactical nous. I mean... wtf?

We all know he won. We all know he was much stronger than everyone (as, for instance, his TT and MTFs indicate). The question was whether there has ever been a more tactically inept Grand Tour winner.

Well if you are that much stronger than your rivals on the TT and with the route that much in his favour last year it made perfect sense to try and win the Tour by week 2 which he did, he did nothing wrong. Certainly not tactically dumb.
To answer your original question if there has ever been a more tactically inept GT winner my answer is I don't know as I haven't watched every single one, have you? Unless your over 100 years old I doubt you've watched every one. it's just more anti Froome trolling.

 

[red_flanders]

Sorry but your trolling is no use, as has been said he plays to his strengths perfectly well, tactically that means he cannot be the worst! Obviously he's never going to tactically be on the level on a Contador but up until now he's never had to be.

Actually his/her post was perfectly on point.

If you're stronger than everyone by a fair margin, beat them in the TT's and on the MTF's there isn't much to call "tactics".

If you watch him race throughout the year, you can see him pull on the front when it doesn't serve him, chase down riders who are no threat, push the pace when it doesn't make a difference, and a host of other dumb moves.

Being 5% stronger than everyone and simply riding faster isn't tactics. He consistently wastes energy. That it doesn't matter is a function of his ridiculous power advantage, in spite of his idiotic tactics.

 

[red_flanders]

Well if you are that much stronger than your rivals on the TT and with the route that much in his favour last year it made perfect sense to try and win the Tour by week 2 which he did, he did nothing wrong. Certainly not tactically dumb.
To answer your original question if there has ever been a more tactically inept GT winner my answer is I don't know as I haven't watched every single one, have you? Unless your over 100 years old I doubt you've watched every one. it's just more anti Froome trolling.

I've never seen a more tactically inept tour winner, and I've been watching since I was a little kid, in the early 80's.

Stop whining about people who know cycling criticizing Froome. It's just defensive and un-informed. People who understand the sport are simply commenting on the obvious. Even he and his own team have pounded us with the idea that the guy is tactically inept. It's not a mystery and it's not anti-Froome. It's just obvious.

Maybe try and learn something instead of calling people trolls and getting defensive.

 

[Cimber]

I've never seen a more tactically inept tour winner, and I've been watching since I was a little kid, in the early 80's.

Stop whining about people who know cycling criticizing Froome. It's just defensive and un-informed. People who understand the sport are simply commenting on the obvious. Even he and his own team have pounded us with the idea that the guy is tactically inept. It's not a mystery and it's not anti-Froome. It's just obvious.

Maybe try and learn something instead of calling people trolls and getting defensive.

Some people will defend their rider no matter what. You are never gonna be able to convince those fanboys. Us oldtimers have favorites too, but we can still observe and discuss their shortcomings.

Guys, even if your favorite isnt perfect you can still be a fan and he can still be awesome. You dont have to be so overly defensive and be obsessed with pakning a picture of your favorite that entails no shortcomings. But, alas, I guess I am talking to deaf ears.

 

[red_flanders]

Some people will defend their rider no matter what. You are never gonna be able to convince those fanboys. Us oldtimers have favorites too, but we can still observe and discuss their shortcomings.

Guys, even if your favorite isnt perfect you can still be a fan and he can still be awesome. You dont have to be so overly defensive and be obsessed with pakning a picture of your favorite that entails no shortcomings. But, alas, I guess I am talking to deaf ears.

It's a good idea for a thread. Favorite riders, what you like and don't like about them. Maybe I'll put that out there.

 

[djpbaltimore]

I've never seen a more tactically inept tour winner, and I've been watching since I was a little kid, in the early 80's.

I would be inclined to agree with that assessment. And it doesn't seem like he is helped very much from the brain trust in the team car. I am firmly rooting for ABC (Anybody But Contador) in this TDF, but even I have grave reservations that Froome can navigate 3 weeks of attacks from his nearest competitors without blowing time somewhere.

But, overall, I thought Froome was really strong on Sunday so maybe brute force will be enough again this year.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Sometimes it seems to me people will always take the chance to knock someone whenever they get the chance, it happens all the time on this forum. If your hated then that's the end of it, and watch out if you dare criticise their favourite!
For what it's worth yes Froome isn't tactically that smart, but the worst ever? I doubt it!

 

[Cimber]

It's a good idea for a thread. Favorite riders, what you like and don't like about them. Maybe I'll put that out there.

And include a discussion about their advantages and shortcomings. Sometimes its the shortcomings that actually makes you a fan (or bigger fan), and sometimes the things they are good at makes you dislike them. But yeah would be a fun thread, but as always there is a risk it will become a bashing party

 

[Pricey_sky]

More of and discussion about their advantages and shortcomings. Sometimes its the shortcomings that actually makes you a fan (or bigger fan), and sometimes the things they are good at makes you dislike them. But yeah would be a fun thread, but as always there is a risk it will become a bashing party

Yes good point, for me I like Froome because he doesn't think too much and just goes for it!

 

[red_flanders]

And include a discussion about their advantages and shortcomings. Sometimes its the shortcomings that actually makes you a fan (or bigger fan), and sometimes the things they are good at makes you dislike them. But yeah would be a fun thread, but as always there is a risk it will become a bashing party

Yeah, absolutely.

 

[ILovecycling]

It's a good idea for a thread. Favorite riders, what you like and don't like about them. Maybe I'll put that out there.

I believe this thread exists,I dont know exact name,but it was discussed there about giro time.

Yes good point, for me I like Froome because he doesn't think too much and just goes for it!

I have to admit that you are by far my most favourite Froome fanboy

 

[red_flanders]

I believe this thread exists,I dont know exact name,but it was discussed there about giro time.

Hmm...can't find it, but if I start one and it turns out to be the same we can have it merged I guess.

 

[ILovecycling]

Hmm...can't find it, but if I start one and it turns out to be the same we can have it merged I guess.

Of course,I just pointed out.Go ahead

 

[Pricey_sky]

I have to admit that you are by far my most favourite Froome fanboy

Haha thanks, to be fair as a Contador fanboy your not too bad either Should be a close battle these next few weeks.

 

[ILovecycling]

Haha thanks, to be fair as a Contador fanboy your not too bad either Should be a close battle these next few weeks.

Yes,but I may get a bit emotional in many threads during 2nd and 3rd week I really want this to be close fight (even more ideal with piti and nibbs) rather than 2+ minutes win.Im not saying I dont want to see Alberto win by a big margin haha,but I would like to rather see a nailbitter max 1 min difference.We need this,its great for cycling (sponsors,new fans,on 1st page in newspapers),close battles are the best

 

[LaFlorecita]

I believe this thread exists,I dont know exact name,but it was discussed there about giro time.

I have to admit that you are by far my most favourite Froome fanboy

Mine too, I like Pricey

 

[Pricey_sky]

Mine too, I like Pricey

Thanks Flo, the feeling is mutual of course.

I echo the point made previously, I hope it's a close race.

 

[del1962]

Come on stop saying how much you like each other

 

[Pricey_sky]

Come on stop saying how much you like each other

I suppose it's a sharp contrast to all the usual hate on here.