Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[DFA123]

Am I right in thinking that Sky haven't won a GT stage this year? Big bosses cant be happy with that.

They were probably focusing on the classics.

Oh...

 

[Richeypen]

They were probably focusing on the classics.

Oh...

They put all their eggs in a Froome shaped basket and got burned.

 

[bigcog]

They put all their eggs in a Froome shaped basket and got burned.

What should they have done then ?

 

[roundabout]

They won the 2nd biggest race of the year by letting the right person focus on it.

 

[fantomas]

It seems an idiot spectator threw a wooden stick at Froome.

http://common.tv2.dk/mpx/player.php/...d13092014.html]http://common.tv2.dk/mpx/player.php/...d13092014.html[/url]

 

[trevim]

I'm glad Contador wasn't dropped but Froome's presence and attacking spirit in the Vuelta truely value Alberto's win. Nevertheless, it's interesting to note that Froome doesn't have any sort of backup plan on the climbs: he just rides as hard as he can, puts in regular accelerations and hopes nobody follows. If someone manages to follow well then it's all over.
I'm happy he's 2nd though, Rodriguez and Valverde lost too many opportunities to bury him (Aralar, Covadonga...) so they just got what they deserved.

 

[Richeypen]

I'm glad Contador wasn't dropped but Froome's presence and attacking spirit in the Vuelta truely value Alberto's win. Nevertheless, it's interesting to note that Froome doesn't have any sort of backup plan on the climbs: he just rides as hard as he can, puts in regular accelerations and hopes nobody follows. If someone manages to follow well then it's all over.
I'm happy he's 2nd though, Rodriguez and Valverde lost too many opportunities to bury him (Aralar, Covadonga...) so they just got what they deserved.

This was a Froome who wasnt in form and clearly couldnt handle big changes in pace. Today was a measured effort, he didnt have a plan B because his condition didnt allow him to have one.

See stage 2 of the Dauphine to see his normal attacking style.

 

[TANK91]

It seems an idiot spectator threw a wooden stick at Froome.

http://common.tv2.dk/mpx/player.php/...d13092014.html]http://common.tv2.dk/mpx/player.php/...d13092014.html[/url]

Despicable fans no doubt they would chucked him off his bike if he was going to win La Vuelta. Froome has shown he as more drive than Wiggo will ever have many were saying Froome will never win another GT lol, Froome is at his peak 2 years younger than Contador.

Froome done very well their was not much init uphill the ITT he lost the most time. Look how different is 2014 was too 2013? A huge diff in his preparation. Should do Tirreno, Cataluna and Romandie before resting for the Dauphinee/TDF.

 

[trevim]

This was a Froome who wasnt in form and clearly couldnt handle big changes in pace. Today was a measured effort, he didnt have a plan B because his condition didnt allow him to have one.

See stage 2 of the Dauphine to see his normal attacking style.

I don't see how Dauphine contradicts what I said but okay. Anyway we can agree that thankfully for Froome he's usually better than the other so he doesn't really have to worry with plan B

 

[Pricey_sky]

Still a great Vuelta from Froome, he made Valverde and Purito pay for not punishing him when he had his bad days. His efforts here will stand him in good stead for next season. Im looking forward to seeing a top from Froome, Contador and Quintana in next years Tour.

 

[Cimber]

Hats off for Froomes determination and effort. He gave it all. But really stupid tactics.

 

[Ryaguas]

We are back to borderline dumb tactics.
Leading out Contador for the win.

He needs to go off the book and learn to attack from far... but well done to him... He tried to win in his way at least

 

[Parker]

We are back to borderline dumb tactics.
Leading out Contador for the win.

Hats off for Froomes determination and effort. He gave it all. But really stupid tactics.

I'm wondering what these two master tacticians would have done.

 

[Netserk]

I'm wondering what these two master tacticians would have done.

Not pulled after Purito attacked for starters.

 

[Parker]

Not pulled after Purito attacked for starters.

He didn't really. He rode tempo. Rodriguez opened up a decent gap and kept it until Froome started to surge.
And even then not riding isn't going to drop Contador.

 

[Cimber]

I'm wondering what these two master tacticians would have done.

Stop worrying about secondary placings. Be ready to sacrifice 2nd place and even the podium. Sit on Bertos wheel and let Valverde and JRod go. Let the leaders jersey do the work.

 

[Cimber]

He didn't really. He rode tempo. Rodriguez opened up a decent gap and kept it until Froome started to surge.
And even then not riding isn't going to drop Contador.

If JRod and Valverde got a big enough gap Contador would eventually have to react and then Froome could counter (just like Berto did - but just counter sooner).

 

[Forunculo]

Purito and JRod aren't a threat being at 1:40 and 2:30. They don't have the pace in a long climb. That plan could be an option with Quintana in the mix.

Riding a high tempo was the better choice IMO. It didn't work because AC was stronger. But Froome was pulling over 6 kw/kg, wasn't easy for AC.

 

[Parker]

If JRod and Valverde got a big enough gap Contador would eventually have to react and then Froome could counter (just like Berto did - but just counter sooner).

So your plan is to wait for those two to get a big enough gap (which never looked likely) and the wait for Contador to close and then try and gain one minute. So when Contador rides enough to close the gap to Valverde to a minute and no more, what do you do then? It's also a tactic which relies on third parties. Try some tactics which don't use the word 'if'.

Froome's only chance was to crack Contador with a long sustained hard ride. It was unlikely to work but it was more likely than anything else. And that's what he did.

 

[Cimber]

Purito and JRod aren't a threat being at 1:40 and 2:30. They don't have the pace in a long climb. That plan could be an option with Quintana in the mix.

Riding a high tempo was the better choice IMO. It didn't work because AC was stronger. But Froome was pulling over 6 kw/kg, wasn't easy for AC.

They attacked early and JRod quickly got 30 secs. Had Froome done nothing Valverde and JRod could get alot of time fast unless Berto started to work. Makes no sense to ride tempo. Force AC to do some work to take his edge off and the counter.

Alternatively, try an early long range attack.

Tinkoff knew exactly what sky would do and all Contador had to do was to folios Froomes wheel. Froome and Sky only seem to know what to do when they have a rider who can drop everyone from his wheel or crush everyone on the TT.

Sometimes you can win eventhough you are not the strongest if you use smart and bold tactics and are prepared to sacririce secondary placings. Just ask Contador. That might be the most vital difference between the two. Its like Hunt and Lauda - just this time the one willing to risk isnt the Brit (-:

 

[kingjr]

Waiting until the gap is big enough, maybe he has only 3 k left then, and it's game over too. Nah, the only way to do it was to try and crack Alberto.

 

[Cimber]

So your plan is to wait for those two to get a big enough gap (which never looked likely) and the wait for Contador to close and then try and gain one minute. So when Contador rides enough to close the gap to Valverde to a minute and no more, what do you do then? It's also a tactic which relies on third parties.
Froome's only chance was to crack Contador with a long sustained hard ride. It was unlikely to work but it was more likely than anything else. And that's what he did.

The gap would go up fast enough unless Berto started to work. Berto wouldnt allow it to grow to 2-3 mins. Let the leaders jersey do the work. Simple really. Then attack with all you got in one massive counter and hope for the best. Alternatively a long range attack. Anthing but what he did today, really. Its fine with a long sustained attack but continue to ride tempo after when Berto wasnt dropped was just stupid

 

[Forunculo]

Waiting until the gap is big enough, maybe he has only 3 k left then, and it's game over too. Nah, the only way to do it was to try and crack Alberto.

Exactly this.

 

[Cimber]

Waiting until the gap is big enough, maybe he has only 3 k left then, and it's game over too. Nah, the only way to do it was to try and crack Alberto.

JRod attacked with over 8kms to go. And Valverde not long after. If nobody would work the gap would rise really fast, and Berto would be forced to react. And then he could crack Berto. Alternatively do a long range early attack

Also, its fine that he made a long sustained attack to try to crack AC but when he coulndt its really mindblowingly stupid to ride tempo, essentially helping him. The attacks were ok, the tempo part less so.

Just ask Berto how to win even when you are not the strongest

 

[Cimber]

Exactly this.

Only it wouldnt take that long if noone worked. Berto would have to work much sooner.