Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[SeriousSam]

Sure, everyone could have chosen the Giro, but 3 out of the Big 4 decided to make the greatest race in cycling their sole target, laying their cards on the table. It would have been the perfect Battle Royal, had the 4th decided to do likewise, but of course you can't fault a rider for doing what's best for his interests.

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Sure, everyone could have chosen the Giro, but 3 out of the Big 4 decided to make the greatest race in cycling their sole target, laying their cards on the table. It would have been the perfect Battle Royal, had the 4th decided to do likewise, but of course you can't fault a rider for doing what's best for his interests.

You're a fool if you think all of 4 of them will make it out of the first week.

When has that happened in the last years? Especially with the cobbles and those stressy last hill stages.

 

[SeriousSam]

Yes, crashes and accidents happen, which is why the chance of there being genuine competition throughout the race, as opposed to the farce we had in 2012, 2013 and 2014 is obviously larger the more big riders there are. And it's exta exciting because these riders are the actual undisputed best GC riders in the world.

Take the Vuelta last year. 3 of the Big 4 were there and it was by far the best GT because even though one crashed out, there was another one there to keep it reasonably competitive.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

Bertie fans don't get up in arms and lose sleep over a defeat. Facts tell the story. Bertie last season decimated your boy "toyed with him"
One stage victory against a obviously not right Bertie is not really much to shout about. The fact that Froome obviously was in good form and Bertie beat him in the ITT and dropped him the day before only proves that Froome cannot match Bertie. You Froome fans are hanging on to a tour win that's nearly 2 years old against no healthy opposition apart from a young Quintana. Your clinging on to some sort of dream that will never happen again unless the opposition is unhealthy again.
Bertie is a multi champion, He has defeated the very best, Froome has a long way to go to match Bertie.
The fact that Froome chickened out of riding the Giro after announcing that he would prefer the Giro as the Tour was to mountainous.
Then changed his mind once he knew Bertie was riding it and opted for his best chance of a GT win against a tired Bertie.
I think Froome needs to worry about Quintana come the tour. Quintana will put some big time into Froome on at least 1 or maybe 2 stages.

Contador has only won one race where Froome has been present, and that was when Froome was coming back from injury and only turned up for some racing days. Failed to beat him in any race in 2013, failed to match him in the 2014 Dauphine until Froome fell, which was the only time both Froome and Contador have been close to top form, and failed to beat him at the Ruta Del Sol. He knows he's got absolutely no chance against Froome in the Tour, so he's using the Giro as an excuse when he does indeed get dropped by Froome at the Tour.

It must have been my imagination, but wasn't Contador coming back from an injury too when he beat Froome in the 2014 Vuelta, with even less time to recover from his than Froome had, AND with his injury being to a part of the body that just might have a greater effect on training and ultimately his performance? Just my imagination I guess.

 

[Ataraxus]

It's quite unfortunate. Froome probably wants to demonstrate his utter beatdown of Contador in 2013 was no fluke and can be repeated even when both are in top form, but Contador's decision to do the Giro, and thereby dull his edge for the Tour, will deprive him of that opportunity this year. By contrast, Contador can quite easily win the Giro against no serious competition, and then at the Tour, if he fails he'll have an excuse but if by some miracle he wins, it would go down as the greatest feat of Grand Tour riding since Hinault's doubles. Unless the other 3 crash out of course.

You know, Froome could also have chosen to do the Giro, right?

You know there are some terms called "normal" and "deviations from the normal"?
The normal thing today is NOT to target on two consecutive GTs. The next normal thing is to focus on the most famous/richest GT of the year. The deviation from the normal here is Contador
I admire Contador's attempt to achieve smth. out of ordinary nowadays. But you simply cannot expect other riders to follow his racing program.

 

[ferryman]

Re:

Sure, everyone could have chosen the Giro, but 3 out of the Big 4 decided to make the greatest race in cycling their sole target, laying their cards on the table. It would have been the perfect Battle Royal, had the 4th decided to do likewise, but of course you can't fault a rider for doing what's best for his interests.

No you can't but you keep trolling..

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

It's quite unfortunate. Froome probably wants to demonstrate his utter beatdown of Contador in 2013 was no fluke and can be repeated even when both are in top form, but Contador's decision to do the Giro, and thereby dull his edge for the Tour, will deprive him of that opportunity this year. By contrast, Contador can quite easily win the Giro against no serious competition, and then at the Tour, if he fails he'll have an excuse but if by some miracle he wins, it would go down as the greatest feat of Grand Tour riding since Hinault's doubles. Unless the other 3 crash out of course.

Yeah, Contador is such a coward for doing Giro-Tour double, I'm surprised he's not doing Vuelta too, he would have much bigger excuse Pretty wierd logic, don't you think?

 

[djpbaltimore]

I remember earlier in the year when many posters were calling Froome a coward (and worse) for not entering the Giro to face Contador mano-a-mano. Saying Contador has a built in excuse if he performs poorly is much different than calling him a coward. Don't you think?

If contador win the giro, he will enter the Tour with no pressure and everything to gain. I think it is a clever tactic. But considering Froome's constitution and riding skills, his decision to skip the Giro is also a smart move.

 

[Ataraxus]

Re: Re:

It's quite unfortunate. Froome probably wants to demonstrate his utter beatdown of Contador in 2013 was no fluke and can be repeated even when both are in top form, but Contador's decision to do the Giro, and thereby dull his edge for the Tour, will deprive him of that opportunity this year. By contrast, Contador can quite easily win the Giro against no serious competition, and then at the Tour, if he fails he'll have an excuse but if by some miracle he wins, it would go down as the greatest feat of Grand Tour riding since Hinault's doubles. Unless the other 3 crash out of course.

Yeah, Contador is such a coward for doing Giro-Tour double, I'm surprised he's not doing Vuelta too, he would have much bigger excuse Pretty wierd logic, don't you think?

Nobody is calling Contador a coward. Where did you find that??
I would have preferred him to race Froome in top shape come the Tour, but that can't happen unfortunately.
And nobody should call Froome a coward as well. Coward for what? For following his team plans and strategies and for NOT agreeing with a bet thrown by a crazy man? That crazy man should learn how to agree with his team first. And the team fans ofc. They're so pissed off lately

 

[SeriousSam]

Re: Re:

Sure, everyone could have chosen the Giro, but 3 out of the Big 4 decided to make the greatest race in cycling their sole target, laying their cards on the table. It would have been the perfect Battle Royal, had the 4th decided to do likewise, but of course you can't fault a rider for doing what's best for his interests.

No you can't but you keep trolling..

You keep accusing me of trolling, the 4th time now by my count. What's actually happening is that I'm having friendly discussions with the occasional lighthearted banter thrown in. I would be utterly shocked if I need to cease and desist this mode of posting when I'm easily more civil than the median poster.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Re: Re:

Sure, everyone could have chosen the Giro, but 3 out of the Big 4 decided to make the greatest race in cycling their sole target, laying their cards on the table. It would have been the perfect Battle Royal, had the 4th decided to do likewise, but of course you can't fault a rider for doing what's best for his interests.

No you can't but you keep trolling..

You keep accusing me of trolling, the 4th time now by my count. What's actually happening is that I'm having friendly discussions with the occasional lighthearted banter thrown in.

Its against forum rules to acknowledge the reality of alberto contador's long steady decline. He will win the triple for the next 3 years for sure! Triple triple! We love you Alberto!

 

[ray j willings]

When Froome saw the tour route he commented on riding the Giro and how the Giro would suit him more
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/chris-froome-giro-ditalia-big-opportunity-141429
Once Bertie decided to ride the Giro, Froome / Sky then opted for the tour knowing that will be their best chance for a GT win even though Froome preferred the Giro Route.....CLUCK CLUCKITY CLUCK Big time Charlie potatoes.

It would be great if Bertie pulls out of the Giro and just aims for the tour. Froome/Sky will then pull out of the tour and aim for the Vuelta, If Bertie then decides to ride the Vuelta then Froome will end up racing me to St Albans. He will need something to show for the year I reckon I could drop him on the climbs into St Albans if I attack from the bottom of the first climb

 

[Pricey_sky]

Let's be honest, Sky was never going to let him ride the Giro instead of the Tour despite what Froome said. Too much pressure from sponsors and Brailsford who seems obsessed with the Tour. I remember not long after that the ego maniac Tinkoff tried to dangle the million pound carrot in front of Nibali, Froome and Quintana to try and boost Contadors chance of doing the double. Let's face it there's almost no chance Contador can win the Tour against a fresh Quintana, Froome or Nibali.

 

[djpbaltimore]

Re:

When Froome saw the tour route he commented on riding the Giro and how the Giro would suit him more
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/chris-froome-giro-ditalia-big-opportunity-141429
Once Bertie decided to ride the Giro, Froome / Sky then opted for the tour knowing that will be their best chance for a GT win even though Froome preferred the Giro Route.....CLUCK CLUCKITY CLUCK Big time Charlie potatoes.

It would be great if Bertie pulls out of the Giro and just aims for the tour. Froome/Sky will then pull out of the tour and aim for the Vuelta, If Bertie then decides to ride the Vuelta then Froome will end up racing me to St Albans. He will need something to show for the year I reckon I could drop him on the climbs into St Albans if I attack from the bottom of the first climb

Your assertion that Froome would intentionally 'avoid' Contador is a little laughable when you consider that Froome has gone head to head against Contador in the last 4 GTs that he has ridden. ('14 TDF, VdE, '13 TDF, '12 VdE).

Sometimes I am mystified at the things that are posted here. I would genuinely like to hear what ferryman thinks about the above quoted post instead of repeatedly trying to pick fights with well-intentioned posters like SeriousSam. JMO.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

I remember earlier in the year when many posters were calling Froome a coward (and worse) for not entering the Giro to face Contador mano-a-mano. Saying Contador has a built in excuse if he performs poorly is much different than calling him a coward. Don't you think?

If contador win the giro, he will enter the Tour with no pressure and everything to gain. I think it is a clever tactic. But considering Froome's constitution and riding skills, his decision to skip the Giro is also a smart move.

It's not a tactic, he's not making excuses for anything, the man is targeting the double, nobody did that for a long time, it's a brave move, very, very brave

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

I remember earlier in the year when many posters were calling Froome a coward (and worse) for not entering the Giro to face Contador mano-a-mano. Saying Contador has a built in excuse if he performs poorly is much different than calling him a coward. Don't you think?

If contador win the giro, he will enter the Tour with no pressure and everything to gain. I think it is a clever tactic. But considering Froome's constitution and riding skills, his decision to skip the Giro is also a smart move.

It's not a tactic, he's not making excuses for anything, the man is targeting the double, nobody did that for a long time, it's a brave move, very, very brave

Nah...
Those who claim he's doing it for the excuse are right.

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

I remember earlier in the year when many posters were calling Froome a coward (and worse) for not entering the Giro to face Contador mano-a-mano. Saying Contador has a built in excuse if he performs poorly is much different than calling him a coward. Don't you think?

If contador win the giro, he will enter the Tour with no pressure and everything to gain. I think it is a clever tactic. But considering Froome's constitution and riding skills, his decision to skip the Giro is also a smart move.

It's not a tactic, he's not making excuses for anything, the man is targeting the double, nobody did that for a long time, it's a brave move, very, very brave

Nah...
Those who claim he's doing it for the excuse are right.

Anyone who has been watching the sport for several years knows that AC has done it all. His palmars are so much more superior to someone like Froome for example, that he has to find something new to do to challenge himself....like the double. Back to Froome; he'll probably be riding two gt's this year as well. He'll do the Vuelta after he gets beat in the Tour.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

I remember earlier in the year when many posters were calling Froome a coward (and worse) for not entering the Giro to face Contador mano-a-mano. Saying Contador has a built in excuse if he performs poorly is much different than calling him a coward. Don't you think?

If contador win the giro, he will enter the Tour with no pressure and everything to gain. I think it is a clever tactic. But considering Froome's constitution and riding skills, his decision to skip the Giro is also a smart move.

It's not a tactic, he's not making excuses for anything, the man is targeting the double, nobody did that for a long time, it's a brave move, very, very brave

Nah...
Those who claim he's doing it for the excuse are right.

Anyone who has been watching the sport for several years knows that AC has done it all. His palmars are so much more superior to someone like Froome for example, that he has to find something new to do to challenge himself....like the double. Back to Froome; he'll probably be riding two gt's this year as well. He'll do the Vuelta after he gets beat in the Tour.

Yeah, yeah... I've read his statement too.

 

[ray j willings]

Re: Re:

When Froome saw the tour route he commented on riding the Giro and how the Giro would suit him more
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/chris-froome-giro-ditalia-big-opportunity-141429
Once Bertie decided to ride the Giro, Froome / Sky then opted for the tour knowing that will be their best chance for a GT win even though Froome preferred the Giro Route.....CLUCK CLUCKITY CLUCK Big time Charlie potatoes.

It would be great if Bertie pulls out of the Giro and just aims for the tour. Froome/Sky will then pull out of the tour and aim for the Vuelta, If Bertie then decides to ride the Vuelta then Froome will end up racing me to St Albans. He will need something to show for the year I reckon I could drop him on the climbs into St Albans if I attack from the bottom of the first climb

Your assertion that Froome would intentionally 'avoid' Contador is a little laughable when you consider that Froome has gone head to head against Contador in the last 4 GTs that he has ridden. ('14 TDF, VdE, '13 TDF, '12 VdE).

Sometimes I am mystified at the things that are posted here. I would genuinely like to hear what ferryman thinks about the above quoted post instead of repeatedly trying to pick fights with well-intentioned posters like SeriousSam. JMO.

What's mystifying ? You saw the link. Froome wanted to ride the Giro. He says he can choose. So what made him change his mind to ride a course that he said would not suit him?

The reason for avoidance this year is the fact Bertie kicked his arse last year and Froome knows he can't win other wise he would have rode the Giro. That's my honest opinion and Froome's choice bears that's out.

 

[djpbaltimore]

“I love the Tour, nothing’s changed,” said Chris Froome.

I did read the article. Froome is very non-committal and he never actually states that he wants to ride the Giro. He does say it is better suited to his abilities but that is not the same thing. It is more mystifying that you think Contador's decision to race the Giro influenced Froome's racing program when there is zero evidence to support this. You're entitled to your opinion, but you are mistaking causation with association. That's my honest opinion.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

“I love the Tour, nothing’s changed,” said Chris Froome.

I did read the article. Froome is very non-committal and he never actually states that he wants to ride the Giro. He does say it is better suited to his abilities but that is not the same thing. It is more mystifying that you think Contador's decision to race the Giro influenced Froome's racing program when there is zero evidence to support this. You're entitled to your opinion, but you are mistaking causation with association. That's my honest opinion.

"The Giro is a truly great opportunity, the route suits me very well, I don't know how many opportunities like this I'll have in the future" says Froome. Well it sounds like he really wants to ride the Giro. After that Contador announces that he will ride the Giro and the Tour, and suddenly Froome changes his mind, doesn't talk about Giro anymore, and Brailsford announces that he'll ride the Tour. There's no straight evidence that Sky and Froome's decision is connected with Contador's announcement, but it clearly sounds like it had some influence

 

[djpbaltimore]

“It’s a joint decision,” Froome said, adding he and the team Sky will define his 2015 schedule by December.

It sounds like he was considering it, but 'changing his mind' implies that he decided to ride the Giro at some point and there is zero evidence to support that in the article. If Froome had said he was going to ride the Giro and later backed out, that would be more suggestive. I think this an example of confirmation bias with posters coming to a predetermined conclusion and looking for evidence to support their assertions. Personally, there is a much simpler explanation. The Tour is the most prestigious race in the world and he wanted to be at his best for the race and his sponsors and team no doubt agreed. How many bonafide Tour contenders have ridden the Giro as a prep race in the last 2 decades?

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

“I love the Tour, nothing’s changed,” said Chris Froome.

I did read the article. Froome is very non-committal and he never actually states that he wants to ride the Giro. He does say it is better suited to his abilities but that is not the same thing. It is more mystifying that you think Contador's decision to race the Giro influenced Froome's racing program when there is zero evidence to support this. You're entitled to your opinion, but you are mistaking causation with association. That's my honest opinion.

"The Giro is a truly great opportunity, the route suits me very well, I don't know how many opportunities like this I'll have in the future" says Froome. Well it sounds like he really wants to ride the Giro. After that Contador announces that he will ride the Giro and the Tour, and suddenly Froome changes his mind, doesn't talk about Giro anymore, and Brailsford announces that he'll ride the Tour. There's no straight evidence that Sky and Froome's decision is connected with Contador's announcement, but it clearly sounds like it had some influence

He was just rocking Olga's and Contador's coward boat.

 

[bala v]

Re:

“It’s a joint decision,” Froome said, adding he and the team Sky will define his 2015 schedule by December.

It sounds like he was considering it, but 'changing his mind' implies that he decided to ride the Giro at some point and there is zero evidence to support that in the article. If Froome had said he was going to ride the Giro and later backed out, that would be more suggestive. I think this an example of confirmation bias with posters coming to a predetermined conclusion and looking for evidence to support their assertions. Personally, there is a much simpler explanation. The Tour is the most prestigious race in the world and he wanted to be at his best for the race and his sponsors and team no doubt agreed. How many bonafide Tour contenders have ridden the Giro as a prep race in the last 2 decades?

He wanted to ride Giro ONLY, not as a preparation race for the Tour, he wanted to avoid Tour because of little TT km, he said that himself, Giro route suits his abilities much more according to him. Then after Contador announce he will ride the Giro, suddenly Froome changes his mind, not a single word about the Giro

 

[ray j willings]

Re:

“It’s a joint decision,” Froome said, adding he and the team Sky will define his 2015 schedule by December.

It sounds like he was considering it, but 'changing his mind' implies that he decided to ride the Giro at some point and there is zero evidence to support that in the article. If Froome had said he was going to ride the Giro and later backed out, that would be more suggestive. I think this an example of confirmation bias with posters coming to a predetermined conclusion and looking for evidence to support their assertions. Personally, there is a much simpler explanation. The Tour is the most prestigious race in the world and he wanted to be at his best for the race and his sponsors and team no doubt agreed. How many bonafide Tour contenders have ridden the Giro as a prep race in the last 2 decades?

I think this post is posters denying the evidential link and cloud the issue of froomes change of mind because they don't want to admit the truth
There was nothing stopping froome riding the giro and tour
Bertie would have relished the challenge
What ever way you look at it, froome chickened out