Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[theyoungest]

Sky spent one, arguably two seasons turning Wiggo into a leader. I read that was one of the things that went wrong in his first season at Sky: he didn't communicate like a leader should.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Sky spent one, arguably two seasons turning Wiggo into a leader. I read that was one of the things that went wrong in his first season at Sky: he didn't communicate like a leader should.

and you believe that?

 

[roundabout]

He did tell Lövkvist to go slower on Morzine, so he was communicating ok.

 

[gustienordic]

Sky spent one, arguably two seasons turning Wiggo into a leader. I read that was one of the things that went wrong in his first season at Sky: he didn't communicate like a leader should.

I believe this. Wiggins was not used to this role in 2010. Its quite a big difference in mentality.

 

[cineteq]

I believe this. Wiggins was not used to this role in 2010. Its quite a big difference in mentality.

Yes, after the Tour he has a weak mentality, you're right.

 

[webvan]

The good news for Froome is that he got his first experience as a leader at the Vuelta 2012 so he'll have that to build on at the 2013 TDF. If Wiggo passes the Pyrenees and crushes the Mont St Michel ITT things might be a bit tough for Froome though, thing 1986 TDF for Lemond ;-)

 

[gustienordic]

Yes, after the Tour he has a weak mentality, you're right.

Do you think that can lead to a decrease in performance? I would assume there is quite a big mental proportion for the pros just like there is for us

 

[theyoungest]

and you believe that?

Yes, I believe this. I just need to look at his terrible 2010 season, where he had no bad luck but still he sucked massively. Sky then assessed what went wrong, and this was one of the things.

Wiggo is a bit of a unique character, just like Evans. They're not natural leaders.

 

[webvan]

Froome rises to the challenge http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-ready-to-lead-team-sky-at-the-tour-de-france - not sure his lobbying to take the leadership from Wiggo is very respectful towards the current title holder or smart though...it's not like Wiggo is on his last legs is it? Oh well Giro for Wiggo, TDF with Froome as the main leader but Wiggo obvisouly protected.

 

[The Hitch]

Froome rises to the challenge http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-ready-to-lead-team-sky-at-the-tour-de-france - not sure his lobbying to take the leadership from Wiggo is very respectful towards the current title holder or smart though...it's not like Wiggo is on his last legs is it? Oh well Giro for Wiggo, TDF with Froome as the main leader but Wiggo obvisouly protected.

Hes sidelining wiggins exactly the same way wiggins sidelined him last year - saying the team needs to unite behind just 1 leader "whoever that leader is", knowing full well the leader is going to be - him

 

[webvan]

Really ?!
- Sky had been built around Wiggo
- Froome wasn't exactly the latest TDF winner,
- No one had ever heard paid attention to Froom before September of 2012.

I mean I'm all for Froomey getting a full shot at the TDF, I think he could be handling it differently, because at the end of the day if Wiggo gets ****ed (and he's cleary been a bit ****ed at Froomey since the Peyregarde showboating based on his public interactions with him, on the Champs and at the Olympics particularly) and says he wants to lead Sky at the TDF he will and Froomey will have to STFU and look like an idiot on top of it, he's not calling the shots, DB and Wiggo are.

 

[movingtarget]

Froome rises to the challenge http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-ready-to-lead-team-sky-at-the-tour-de-france - not sure his lobbying to take the leadership from Wiggo is very respectful towards the current title holder or smart though...it's not like Wiggo is on his last legs is it? Oh well Giro for Wiggo, TDF with Froome as the main leader but Wiggo obvisouly protected.

Not really. Wiggins actually declared during and after the Tour that he would be happy to support Froome in the Tour in 2013. Why say it if he doesn't mean it ? Wiggins can't win the Tour anyway, not after the Giro which he probably will win.

 

[Afrank]

Froome rises to the challenge http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-ready-to-lead-team-sky-at-the-tour-de-france - not sure his lobbying to take the leadership from Wiggo is very respectful towards the current title holder or smart though...it's not like Wiggo is on his last legs is it? Oh well Giro for Wiggo, TDF with Froome as the main leader but Wiggo obvisouly protected.

Froome wants to know if Sky is going to give him leadership for the tour so he can know what race he should train for and he's lobbying to be the team leader. You really think wiggin's can win the tour after doing the Giro, with Contador in it, and with the route not being custom made for him? Did you even read what wiggins said about working for Froome at the Tour?

And to the bolded, no one thought Evans was on his last leg after he won the tour either, but his 2012 season didn't go that great, did it.

 

[Ferminal]

Wiggins would have won the Tour anyway.

But he needs to repay Froome for the Vuelta, soon.

 

[Jan the Man]

Wiggins would have won the Tour anyway.

But he needs to repay Froome for the Vuelta, soon.

Agreed with this. Froome would not have been able to make the total time lost in TTs/his puncture up in the climbs. That said, Froome, would have, beyond probability, won the Vuelta if he hadn't had to work for Wiggins before the Angliru stage.

 

[Arnout]

Yes, I believe this. I just need to look at his terrible 2010 season, where he had no bad luck but still he sucked massively. Sky then assessed what went wrong, and this was one of the things.

Wiggo is a bit of a unique character, just like Evans. They're not natural leaders.

His 2010 season was terrible because he was out of form, not because he wasn't a leader.

 

[movingtarget]

Wiggins would have won the Tour anyway.

But he needs to repay Froome for the Vuelta, soon.

Froome won't be at Sky in 2014 if Wiggins is still there. But this sort of rivalry within teams has caused problems in the past. Froome should move on anyway even if he wins the Tour. It usually comes down to team budgets etc and whether or not riders think they are getting the support they deserve. I think Wiggins will help Froome in the Tour but will find the third week hard after competing in the Giro. I would have preferred to see a fresh Wiggins helping Froome but Wiggins wants to chase his dream of winning all three grand tours and he has probably done the right thing going to the Giro where the TTs are too good to resist for him.

 

[SafeBet]

Yes, I believe this. I just need to look at his terrible 2010 season, where he had no bad luck but still he sucked massively. Sky then assessed what went wrong, and this was one of the things.

Wiggo is a bit of a unique character, just like Evans. They're not natural leaders.

Who do you see as natural leaders in the peloton right now?
And do you believe Froome can turn into a leader at some point (if he's not yet)?

I'm not sure leadership is that important in cycling.

 

[sofacycling]

Who do you see as natural leaders in the peloton right now?
And do you believe Froome can turn into a leader at some point (if he's not yet)?

I'm not sure leadership is that important in cycling.

Not Froome , broken by the Spaniards at the Vuelta means he'll get no respect from the others .

Are they still losing the team radios next year ? that'll make a massive difference because then they'll have to think .
The only natural leaders I can see are the three C's .........Cancellara , Cavendish and Contador .

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Yes, I believe this. I just need to look at his terrible 2010 season, where he had no bad luck but still he sucked massively. Sky then assessed what went wrong, and this was one of the things.

Wiggo is a bit of a unique character, just like Evans. They're not natural leaders.

true. that's why also evans with hos talent could've won so much more as a leader. wiggins thought sucked in the 2010 tour because of the heat and he was out of shape that whole season. typical wiggin thinking after one good year he was already there

 

[Angliru]

Not really. Wiggins actually declared during and after the Tour that he would be happy to support Froome in the Tour in 2013. Why say it if he doesn't mean it ? Wiggins can't win the Tour anyway, not after the Giro which he probably will win.

Wiggins didn't specify when he would support Froome, just that he would in "the future", leaving him free to defend his Tour win in 2013 if he chooses to.

 

[cineteq]

I'm not sure leadership is that important in cycling.

Yes, it can be the case. Purito's lost in La Vuelta is a good example on lack of leadership. For both, his team and himself.

 

[Angliru]

Not Froome , broken by the Spaniards at the Vuelta means he'll get no respect from the others .

Are they still losing the team radios next year ? that'll make a massive difference because then they'll have to think .
The only natural leaders I can see are the three C's .........Cancellara , Cavendish and Contador .

Froome's level of respect within the team would not have been effected by his Vuelta performance. If anything he's gained respect. I think it was quite optimistic of many to believe that Froome would win the Vuelta after riding in support of Wiggins at the Tour and finishing 2nd in the gc, in addition to carrying his form from the Tour to a strong performance at the Olympics. That he ultimately grew fatigued as the Vuelta rolled into week 3 should've been expected.

 

[Angliru]

true. that's why also evans with hos talent could've won so much more as a leader. wiggins thought sucked in the 2010 tour because of the heat and he was out of shape that whole season. typical wiggin thinking after one good year he was already there

Additionally after his abysmal 2010 season, he was threatened with being sacked unless he began producing, that being his motivation to not have another lost season as result of his skating on his 2009 Tour performance.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Who do you see as natural leaders in the peloton right now?
And do you believe Froome can turn into a leader at some point (if he's not yet)?

I'm not sure leadership is that important in cycling.

You don't have to have a Hinault-like personality to lead a team at the Tour, or to deal with the pressure of the leader's jersey, if that's what you mean. But you have to have certain qualities.