Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[staubsauger]

I thought Froome wanted to focus on the Tour with a long-time peak towards the Vuelta afterwards?

Would've expected a lighter program after Tirreno in that case. I fear it's a bit too much to hold it up until September.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I thought Froome wanted to focus on the Tour with a long-time peak towards the Vuelta afterwards?

Would've expected a lighter program after Tirreno in that case. I fear it's a bit too much to hold it up until September.

I can't see Froome doing the Vuelta, unless something goes wrong again in July (crash/injury) like last year.

 

[MatParker117]

I can't see Froome doing the Vuelta, unless something goes wrong again in July (crash/injury) like last year.

Yeah Roche will lead Sky in Spain.

 

[inthepink]

I thought Froome wanted to focus on the Tour with a long-time peak towards the Vuelta afterwards?

Would've expected a lighter program after Tirreno in that case. I fear it's a bit too much to hold it up until September.

I don't understand why its too much for Froome to hold form to September when Valverde & Purito will along with other leaders. And Roche (if he leads in Vuleta as he is riding every race with Froome except T/A instead doing P/N)

I think if he wins the Tour Froome won't do the Vuleta ...but too much to hold form when other riders have to?...and it can be even more streesful at times being the Dom in the Tour everyday riding in the wind to maybe the last 2km
Of course you don't have the pressure of leader but you still have to have form, take responsibilty for alot, protect the leader

Cycling is a hard sport iMO and harder sometimes if you are not the top dog

 

[JRanton]

I read on twitter that Froome confirmed he'll ride Catalunya.

Yes, you're right. Confirmed by Biciciclismo website this morning.

 

[Pricey_sky]

For Uk viewers: Sports life stories this week features Chris Froome. ITV4 tomorrow night at 10pm.

 

[Vasilis ho Megas]

In 2012 Froome did both a good Tour and Vuelta. He was running empty in the Vuelta but still finished 4th. I think he can do it. True, in 2012 he didn't win the Tour and was out to prove he could have, but he always seems to go quite well at the Vuelta. Maybe he has something to prove this year, which is that he, like Contador, can do back to back Grand Tours, but he has the security of doing the most important one first and so freshest.

 

[Angliru]

In 2012 Froome did both a good Tour and Vuelta. He was running empty in the Vuelta but still finished 4th. I think he can do it. True, in 2012 he didn't win the Tour and was out to prove he could have, but he always seems to go quite well at the Vuelta. Maybe he has something to prove this year, which is that he, like Contador, can do back to back Grand Tours, but he has the security of doing the most important one first and so freshest.

Fourth place and a couple of minutes back of the leader is different from the 10 minutes he ultimately finished behind the eventual overall winner. Froome has admitted himself that he doesn't believe that he can competitively do 2 grand tours back to back. His attitude may change and may in a couple of years start looking for new challenges, as Contador has done. I think he would, if Sky would allow him, do the Giro/Tour over the Tour/Vuelta primarily because of the added prestige of the former.

 

[staubsauger]

In 2012 Froome mainly ran out of gas, because of Contador's relentless attacks. I doubt Froome would've been that shelled if it had been just against Purito and Valverde. They prefer to play their stupid games rather than to put in some deep digs. The question is whether fresher guys like Majka would be able to scalp Froome at the Vuelta.

I don't see Roche leading Sky at the Vuelta, at all. He's a good domesique, that's it. Maybe he will be co-leader. I wouldn't be suprised if Pete Kennaugh earns his chance to be Sky team leader in Spain this season. He looks to get in great shape and he would've led the 2014 Giro campaign already without his illness!

 

[grizzlee]

In 2012 Froome mainly ran out of gas, because of Contador's relentless attacks. I doubt Froome would've been that shelled if it had been just against Purito and Valverde. They prefer to play their stupid games rather than to put in some deep digs. The question is whether fresher guys like Majka would be able to scalp Froome at the Vuelta.

I don't see Roche leading Sky at the Vuelta, at all. He's a good domesique, that's it. Maybe he will be co-leader. I wouldn't be suprised if Pete Kennaugh earns his chance to be Sky team leader in Spain this season. He looks to get in great shape and he would've led the 2014 Giro campaign already without his illness!

Yeah maybe Roche and kennaugh to co lead, Roche has already showed he can top 5 a GT and has said he should get his opportunity at the Vuelta as long as his form holds after the tour. I do agree that Kennaugh deserves his chance, though im not sure if his form will hold for a 3 week GT. Only one way in finding out though.

 

[inthepink]

I don't see Kennaugh leading a GT at this stage ....He is untested as a leader of three weeks Tour and has abit to go ... As for Roche being just a Dom...He already got a top 5 in GT ...of course he didn't do too well last year at TCS but that is a different story...

There are also Poels & Henao for the Vuelta who for me would be better prospects than Kennaugh as co leaders at this stage

I do however think Kennaugh is a very good Ardennes classics prospect at the moment and has the best potential of the British riders for future GTs ...even better than Thomas

 

[oldcrank]

For Uk viewers: Sports life stories this week features Chris Froome. ITV4 tomorrow night at 10pm.

Fans in other parts of the world may be
able to enjoy the program on-line at:
http://www.filmon.com/tv/itv4

 

[hayzer114]

I don't see Kennaugh being leader at the Vuelta for a number of reasons despite thinking that he is an excellent all-round rider, excellent engine and can be both aggressive and set a high tempo in the mountains.

1: He doesn't have the experience of being a sole-leader at a Grand Tour just yet so I think it would be more likely that he would get the chance to work as a co-leader and go for a decent overall placing as well as assisting a leader.

2: Im not too sure he would be as strong in a second Grand Tour if he does the Tour which I think he will given he is having a strong season so far. That could prove another problem, he has been on the road since Australia it will be hard to keep form right up until September. Shane Sutton has also mentioned his name for the Team GB track squad so by then he could be changing focus to the track again/

3: Roche has shown that he performs well post-tour and has a Vuelta top 5 on his palmares already. Given where he has come from I think he will want to ride at least one grand tour as a leader having helped Froome in the Tour. Personally I think Roche deserves the opportunity to ride the Vuelta as leader as he has done well in the race over the years with a top 5 and top 6 and has never finished outside of the top 20 added to his stage win and leading the race in 2013. Having the likes of Sergio Henao and Kennaugh would be great additions to the Vuelta line up also.

In relation to the Giro, what are people's opinions re Porte / Konig and the leadership debate. Porte is a solid stage racer but aside from his first giro attempt he has very little track record at Grand Tours (I recognize he has been riding for Wiggins and Froome) but last year he fell away when he got his chance in Froome's absence. I personally think Konig would and will be the better option come Giro time given that he has performed excellently in his two Grand Tour starts to date with Nett-App.

 

[inthepink]

Emmm...Porte definitely thinks of himself as leader for the Giro and his form is very good at present ...Konig in one article is cited as being co leader ...in another working for Porte

I expect Porte will be leader and Konig protected ...But races never work out as everyone expects ...who knows what might happen...If both SKY riders are high up on GC then they coud at least put the rest under pressure with maybe one sacrificing his place for the other .....
Not sure what his form is like but Henao might prove an option

If Kennaugh is going back for the Track in Rio wouldn't he want to be doing so this summer ??

 

[Jspear]

IMO, they will go into the Giro with Porte as the leader, Konig protected. After about a week and a half Porte will explode, and Konig will carry things along from there.

 

[Bexon30]

Fans in other parts of the world may be
able to enjoy the program on-line at:
http://www.filmon.com/tv/itv4

What an appalling show. Fans may want to hear truth rather than this tripe on ITV. I'm shocked as to how no research was carried out before this programme aired. Froome's second GT the Vuelta 2011?!!! I mean come on.......... Giro 2009 (shhhhhh) and le Tour 2010 also? Why the lies? Why, makes no sense unless trying to fool people. I guess I best pop into the clinic now.


ITV hang your heads in shame. Poor poor programming.

 

[ILovecycling]

IMO, they will go into the Giro with Porte as the leader, Konig protected. After about a week and a half Porte will explode, and Konig will carry things along from there.

You couldnt been more precise

 

[movingtarget]

You couldnt been more precise

Porte has only really had one crack as team leader and he was sick. He had one bad day in the 2013 Tour and it was no surprise with the work he was doing for Froome. I would like to see a healthy Porte as team leader before writing him off for all future GTs.

To my eyes the Sky team is looking better this year. Early days but it's looking good so far. If Porte fails badly I hope they just don't keep putting him in GTs for a top 10 result. They are better off having him ride alongside Koenig or Froome as their mountain domestique and letting him target races like Paris-Nice which he can win.

 

[ILovecycling]

Thats true,Sky had bad year last year,this time it looks very decent.otoh I still dont believe Porte is capable of really good result in a GT,or at least Konig has more chance to do it.Thats why I really dont understand how Porte can be a leader

 

[pastronef]

Porte has only really had one crack as team leader and he was sick. He had one bad day in the 2013 Tour and it was no surprise with the work he was doing for Froome. I would like to see a healthy Porte as team leader before writing him off for all future GTs.

To my eyes the Sky team is looking better this year. Early days but it's looking good so far. If Porte fails badly I hope they just don't keep putting him in GTs for a top 10 result. They are better off having him ride alongside Koenig or Froome as their mountain domestique and letting him target races like Paris-Nice which he can win.

2015 is the last contract year with Sky for Porte. I think they still agreed with "leader" at the Giro, but then, while the Tour and the contract negotiations are on, he will be back to domestique role.
That's why they hired Poels, he will be Froome right hand man after Porte signs elsewhere in 2016.

 

[movingtarget]

2015 is the last contract year with Sky for Porte. I think they still agreed with "leader" at the Giro, but then, while the Tour and the contract negotiations are on, he will be back to domestique role.
That's why they hired Poels, he will be Froome right hand man after Porte signs elsewhere in 2016.

Apart from GreenEdge I am not sure where Porte would sign and they may not be able to afford him. Maybe one of the US based teams but I don't think it will be BMC. Maybe Radioshack as their GT ranks look thin. Lotto have Wellens but I guess they are a possibility. Katusha also might be possible. But I would probably say GreenEdge at this stage and they are developing some good riders for GTs like Chaves and the Yates brothers.

 

[thehook]

Can't see Porte as a possible signing for Trek. Mollema is there young GC threat. And Jungels is showing promise. Look for them to develop them. If I'm a DS I would not sign Porte. Coming from SKY I have serious questions. Not sure of his age. But I don't think he is young. OGE has a few young riders they are developing. I can see a tough market for Porte. Maybe a Lotto Jumbo? Bellisol?

 

[pastronef]

Can't see Porte as a possible signing for Trek. Mollema is there young GC threat. And Jungels is showing promise. Look for them to develop them. If I'm a DS I would not sign Porte. Coming from SKY I have serious questions. Not sure of his age. But I don't think he is young. OGE has a few young riders they are developing. I can see a tough market for Porte. Maybe a Lotto Jumbo? Bellisol?

OGE gladly signed Hayman who was coming from Rabo+Sky
so they will have no problem to look for a deal to get one of the best Aussies riders around

 

[MBotero]

Can't see Porte as a possible signing for Trek. Mollema is there young GC threat. And Jungels is showing promise. Look for them to develop them. If I'm a DS I would not sign Porte. Coming from SKY I have serious questions. Not sure of his age. But I don't think he is young. OGE has a few young riders they are developing. I can see a tough market for Porte. Maybe a Lotto Jumbo? Bellisol?

Richie Porte is 30 years old and i hope your joking about teams like Lotto Soudal or Jumbo for him.Young GC threat for Trek Mollema is 28
Sky should try to extend Porte contract,he's their best rider after Froome since Wiggo is done after Roubaix.If he doesn't want to extend OGE,BMC or Katusha would make a good deal by getting him.
I really hope that Sky learned something from the losing of Rogers and do their best to keep Porte.

 

[grizzlee]

Ive asked this already in the riders schedule thread but I might get a better answer here. Nico Roche was due to do Paris Nice and he is on the start list on the official Paris Nice site. But on the latest press release he is missing and Nordhaug has been added to the sky roster. Has his schedule been changed recently? I havnt been able to find out anywhere. One thought is maybe he has been requested to ride with froome now at Tirreno. Thoughts anyone?