Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[roundabout]

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

Henao is a strong rider, but doesn't seem to be capable of cranking the pace up to the point where there would be about 5 riders left in the group.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

Henao is a strong rider, but doesn't seem to be capable of cranking the pace up to the point where there would be about 5 riders left in the group.

Not missing just that he is in a different team. As long as Quintana waits for third week, he will be 2 min down

 

[Poursuivant]

The TT's could be crucial, Froome needs some daylight between him and Quintana, how much will he gain maximum 1"? I would say that is a maximum and not guaranteed at all.

 

[Ataraxus]

Re:

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

Henao is a strong rider, but doesn't seem to be capable of cranking the pace up to the point where there would be about 5 riders left in the group.

As long as Henao is stronger than Valverde (Movi's second best ) I wouldn't worry.
If Froome cannot create the needed gap in Ventoux and ITT he will try in Culoz. And thats where men like Henao will provide useful IMO.

 

[bigcog]

Re: Re:

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

Henao is a strong rider, but doesn't seem to be capable of cranking the pace up to the point where there would be about 5 riders left in the group.

As long as Henao is stronger than Valverde (Movi's second best ) I wouldn't worry.
If Froome cannot create the needed gap in Ventoux and ITT he will try in Culoz. And thats where men like Henao will provide useful IMO.

Poels may come into it like last year if they've got it right. Nieve has also been used in that capacity in the past, like the Vuelta 2014 if I remember correctly.

 

[cineteq]

Re:

You must've missed today's stage, he's still the last man for Froome. I wonder what BMC thinks about not being TJ's last man? #Shameless

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Re: Re:

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

Henao is a strong rider, but doesn't seem to be capable of cranking the pace up to the point where there would be about 5 riders left in the group.

As long as Henao is stronger than Valverde (Movi's second best ) I wouldn't worry.
If Froome cannot create the needed gap in Ventoux and ITT he will try in Culoz. And thats where men like Henao will provide useful IMO.

I don't think Froome actually needs him. Sky got so bored today that they attacked themselves (with Henao). What is Valverde going to do to that train?

And I agree with bigcog that Poels will probably be lights-out in the third week.

EDIT:

You must've missed today's stage, he's still the last man for Froome. I wonder what BMC thinks about not being TJ's last man? #Shameless

Van Garderen was never going to be a podium contender in this race. Only the Anglophone media thought he was. Richie Porte is far-and-away BMC's strongest rider, and I commend him for actually trying today. Froome was stronger, but Porte gave it a go.

 

[cantpedal]

Re: Re:

He is saying he is getting abuse for pushing that fan away

He didn't push, he hit him with a fist in his face. Showing his true nature.

It's not like spectators ever cause unnecessary crashes, so it's totally unreasonable for Froome to be pissed at someone who could potentially end his Tour and all the training he must have put in to get here.

How many times has a spectator caused a crash when they were going uphill? Push them away, don't hit them in the face unless they're actually doing something seriously wrong. The guy was just running besides him.

But hey, we're talking about the guy who stole baby rabbits from a kindergarten to feed his pet snake. Like I said, that's his true nature.

That didn't take long did it?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-george-bennett-earns-cyclingnews-rider-of-the-day-honours/

 

[Tonton]

If someone had told me that I would, in the same day, agree with Lenric (twice) and defend Froome, I would have asked the guy what he's on .

I'm no fan of Froome. Not one bit. But I'm not going to blast him every chance I get. Had the spectator's flag got in Dawg's front wheel, he may have fallen, and the same who are vocals now would have blamed him for poor bike handling. Now he punches the guy and that makes him some sort of mean individual, a psychopath. Come on folks ...you don't have to like him, but come on...

I'm surprised that punches don't fly more often, tbh. I have never liked those morons who run alongside the riders. It's dangerous. All it takes is that the idiot trips on his flip-flops, and down goes a rider. Or more. And although such incidents are rare, I have seen way too many close calls. It's hard enough to climb a mountain: riders shouldn't have to slalom or move over because a knucklehead wants his 15 seconds of fame. I don't like to see anyone being punched in the face (if it's not their job), but I can understand when it happens.

We saw it again. I rest my case.

 

[Irondan]

If someone had told me that I would, in the same day, agree with Lenric (twice) and defend Froome, I would have asked the guy what he's on .

I'm no fan of Froome. Not one bit. But I'm not going to blast him every chance I get. Had the spectator's flag got in Dawg's front wheel, he may have fallen, and the same who are vocals now would have blamed him for poor bike handling. Now he punches the guy and that makes him some sort of mean individual, a psychopath. Come on folks ...you don't have to like him, but come on...

I'm surprised that punches don't fly more often, tbh. I have never liked those morons who run alongside the riders. It's dangerous. All it takes is that the idiot trips on his flip-flops, and down goes a rider. Or more. And although such incidents are rare, I have seen way too many close calls. It's hard enough to climb a mountain: riders shouldn't have to slalom or move over because a knucklehead wants his 15 seconds of fame. I don't like to see anyone being punched in the face (if it's not their job), but I can understand when it happens.

We saw it again. I rest my case.

Yep, it was a proper shoulder block too, thank goodness. Otherwise the idiot fan would have been left standing and Kelderman would have went down, hard. It's only because of the shoulder block that Kelderman isn't sitting in a hospital room tonight.

These idiot fans get what they deserve, if they don't want to get hurt they should stand back like they're asked to do before the riders come through...

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

A win for Froome. One less MTF for Quintana to make up time.

Quintana is waiting on week 4 to attack Froome. you watch. :lol: :lol:

I have a suspicion that Quintana was having a bad day plus their was a headwind on the final climb which was why all of the attacks were short ones. If Quintana loses time to Froome on the Ventoux and in the TT his race is done. At least for yellow anyway.

 

[Sartorius]

I hope Froome will win this TdF. Not because I am his fan, but because I don't want young cyclist generation to mimic Quintana's wheelsucking style...

 

[staubsauger]

Froome ain't got too much of time on his opponents so far. Even his gap on Aru ain't enough if he melts down again in the last week. He really needs to power-up the Ventoux and create a true advantage if he wants to secure a third Tour de France win! His downhill move into Luchon was impressive though and delivered him a nice stage win.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

Froome ain't got too much of time on his opponents so far. Even his gap on Aru ain't enough if he melts down again in the last week. He really needs to power-up the Ventoux and create a true advantage if he wants to secure a third Tour de France win! His downhill move into Luchon was impressive though and delivered him a nice stage win.

He has reiterated a lot this season he's had a lighter approach with his training in order to still be in top form in week 3 which he can carry into the Olympics.

Maybe we won't see him attack properly until week 3? Although I'd be very surprised if he doesn't want to win on Ventoux again. However his best chance of taking a chunk of time would be the TT the day after, so maybe he won't go too deep up Ventoux.

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Froome ain't got too much of time on his opponents so far. Even his gap on Aru ain't enough if he melts down again in the last week. He really needs to power-up the Ventoux and create a true advantage if he wants to secure a third Tour de France win! His downhill move into Luchon was impressive though and delivered him a nice stage win.

He has reiterated a lot this season he's had a lighter approach with his training in order to still be in top form in week 3 which he can carry into the Olympics.

Maybe we won't see him attack properly until week 3? Although I'd be very surprised if he doesn't want to win on Ventoux again. However his best chance of taking a chunk of time would be the TT the day after, so maybe he won't go too deep up Ventoux.

Pricey_Sky, I'm asking in this thread because it's relevant to Froome. As a Froome fan, why do you have that avatar pic?

 

[CTQ]

he had too much fun on Ventoux three weeks ago, i'm sure he will try to win it again

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

Pricey_Sky, I'm asking in this thread because it's relevant to Froome. As a Froome fan, why do you have that avatar pic?

To be honest I've not changed it since the Vuelta 14, I thought I was a good photo with 2 top riders showing respect after a tough 3 week battle. Maybe it's time for a new photo soon

 

[HelloDolly]

Not a fan of Kimmage by any stretch but agree wiht his comments on how anyone can peak in th 3rd week of the Tour..

Quintana to my mind is playing the correct game and wining the psychological game ..Froome cannot shake him and will soon start to worry as Quintana will be best in the Alps...nothing to do with peak...he is just the better climber on the long climbs ....ah well Richie may go after Quintana for Froome

 

[rghysens]

Re:

Quintana to my mind is playing the correct game and wining the psychological game ..Froome cannot shake him and will soon start to worry as Quintana will be best in the Alps...nothing to do with peak...he is just the better climber on the long climbs ....ah well Richie may go after Quintana for Froome

Well, two more flat stages to come, with predicted crosswinds with windgusts up to 60-70km/h and apparently rain for Tuesday afternoon. Then there's still a 37km rolling TT. It wouldn't surprise me if LRP will be Froome's closest "rival" after the TT.

 

[Oliwright]

I think Quintana wasn't able to attack.
Why would movistar send men into the break otherwise?

Also worth noting Froome historicly big wins have always come on really hot days, maybe he goes better win the heat.
Remember Stage 8 and Stage 15 2013, and Stage 10 2015...

 

[Angliru]

Re:

Looks like Sky is missing Porte's as the last man before a Froome attack.

Henao is a strong rider, but doesn't seem to be capable of cranking the pace up to the point where there would be about 5 riders left in the group.

I doubt he's missing Porte. Imagine him in a Sky kit and it would've appeared that he was riding for Froome anyway near the end of the stage.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

Pricey_Sky, I'm asking in this thread because it's relevant to Froome. As a Froome fan, why do you have that avatar pic?

To be honest I've not changed it since the Vuelta 14, I thought I was a good photo with 2 top riders showing respect after a tough 3 week battle. Maybe it's time for a new photo soon

No, you should keep it. It reminds me what a reasonable person you are. It's a nice photo.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Re: Re:

Pricey_Sky, I'm asking in this thread because it's relevant to Froome. As a Froome fan, why do you have that avatar pic?

To be honest I've not changed it since the Vuelta 14, I thought I was a good photo with 2 top riders showing respect after a tough 3 week battle. Maybe it's time for a new photo soon

No, you should keep it. It reminds me what a reasonable person you are. It's a nice photo.

It was also a hell of a race. Froome's efforts showed a lot of heart, the kind that he often forces others to show in the Tour. Outside of his wacky attack on the descent a couple of days ago, his composure in that Vuelta is my favorite Froome moment.

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Pricey_Sky, I'm asking in this thread because it's relevant to Froome. As a Froome fan, why do you have that avatar pic?

To be honest I've not changed it since the Vuelta 14, I thought I was a good photo with 2 top riders showing respect after a tough 3 week battle. Maybe it's time for a new photo soon

No, you should keep it. It reminds me what a reasonable person you are. It's a nice photo.

He'll probably have good reason to change it after the Tour.

 

[Vasilis]

What I've heard quite a lot recently is that Froome may not be as strong as he was in previous years, comparatively at least, because he has taken so little time so far. While that may be true, I also think that the race has just developed differently. There were no splits between the GC contenders in the first week, like Neeltje Jans last year, and we haven't had a mountain stage like the firrst ones in 2013 and 2015. In 2013, Sky could rip it apart on the road to up Ax 3 Domaines, and last year the first mountain test came after the rest day, but Quintana had already lost time, so he wasn't so close anyway. The first day in the mountains finished downhill this year, as did the second. Then on the third day, the breakaway stayed away again and a hailstorm came down, so everyone stayed relatively quiet. I think Mont Ventoux will be the first time we have a stage like the ones Froome won, and so probably the first time he will really go all out. His team will probably chase down the breakaway as well, he never seems to go all out either if there isn't a stage to be won anymore. Do you guys think the ratios between riders are similar to previous years, or that everyone really is much closer to each other?