Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[samhocking]

Froome was in the bunch pretty much the whole race, but upto that point, the way the favourites teams raced suggested they thought Froome was strongest. Several times you saw Froome having to wave Nibali, Rodriguez & Valverde past as he let a 10m gap open up. You don't experience that unless riders think you're stronger than them and you see it happen with Sagan regularly.

 

[Campervan man]

Re:

I wonder if Froome will still do the Vuelta now. I think a few riders will be thinking the same thing.

I'm not so sure he will, what could he achieve in that race? Maybe 3-7 but he'd be so deep by the back end. Sky obviously would know what to think but realistically he can't be a threat to the fresher guys can he.

 

[DBotero]

Despite the fact he was struggling yesterday and did worse than i expected i think he'll ride La Vuelta.Low chances to win it but a podium might be possible.He loves this race,he should be there at the start.

 

[HelloDolly]

Despite the fact he was struggling yesterday and did worse than i expected i think he'll ride La Vuelta.Low chances to win it but a podium might be possible.He loves this race,he should be there at the start.

Froome will ride the Vuelta ...not because Froome wants to but because Brailsford wants him to...Brailsford says yes he will -Froome said will see after the Olympics

I'd say Froome would be happy riding Tour of Britain...he has hadly ever ridden British races ...its Brailsford pusing the double

Also think Froome knows he won't win the Vuelta ...he already has 2 seconds so what is the point

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Froome was in the bunch pretty much the whole race, but upto that point, the way the favourites teams raced suggested they thought Froome was strongest. Several times you saw Froome having to wave Nibali, Rodriguez & Valverde past as he let a 10m gap open up. You don't experience that unless riders think you're stronger than them and you see it happen with Sagan regularly.

Yes, perhaps the others thought he was the strongest, but the race clearly showed he wasn't. He didn't fail to win because he was marked, he failed to win because he wasn't strong enough.

 

[rick james]

Despite the fact he was struggling yesterday and did worse than i expected i think he'll ride La Vuelta.Low chances to win it but a podium might be possible.He loves this race,he should be there at the start.

Froome will ride the Vuelta ...not because Froome wants to but because Brailsford wants him to...Brailsford says yes he will -Froome said will see after the Olympics

I'd say Froome would be happy riding Tour of Britain...he has hadly ever ridden British races ...its Brailsford pusing the double

Also think Froome knows he won't win the Vuelta ...he already has 2 seconds so what is the point

Don't think that is true. Froome has said many times the Vuelta is his favourite race after the tour

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Froome surprised me today. I expected he'd do better. It seemd like he ran completely empty at the end, as Alaphillipe did make it to the front group and he got dropped by Costa in the end.

I have no idea what this could mean for the TT though. I have to say he was definitely better than Tom Dumoulin today

He was here to win and he sprinted and won a faster man as Dan Martin for 12th. Watchinng the kind of names at the end, to be there with a Lieje ad Lombardie winer is good. I expected a different race, but the climb was no so selective, the first part of the race was most important.

Agree, this was a very impressive result by Froome. For a rider with absolutely no one day pedigree, it is a pretty big achievement to finish 12th on such a demanding course. Obviously it seems a bit disappointing because he was made one of the favourites pre-race for some reason, but if you ignore the hype and look at his one day palmares and racing style, this was a very good ride from him. He's still in great form.

 

[Taxus4a]

He will ride the Vuelta and even not very fresh, I think he will win.

 

[Hollystripes]

Froome, without radio help - no radio at Rio - and established homework, does not perform. Lacks histinct. Which makes me like him even more more. He did good considering all factors. Great race and amazing tatics by the Italian team, controlling the race from the start.

 

[Red Rick]

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

 

[ciranda]

It was a good day for the yellow jersey. Breaks went away and contested the win but Froomey was best in the GC group and could even ride carefully on the difficult descent.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

Froome did some good result in some day races before to be more know after his Vuelta 2011.
he said in 2008 he suited better for Tours than one days races, and that is true, but he got some good result for a rider not good in one day races that later lot of people said he didnt know...

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=8201

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=10914

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=12105

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=10559

Even this is a good result for a man who is starting in cyclcing:

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=16757


Froome did a very well Td F in 2008, but for one reason or another, he wanst so good in next too years Giro, maybe the weather, some previous crash, too much work at the begining for Soler, but he has improved a lot as it was expected in Tours, but although he is not a rider for one day races, he has not improved respect those result really, although olimpic games is a much mor eimportante race thann Laiglegia, of course, but it was as well a best race for him and now he has people to work for him.

 

[cantpedal]

Re: Re:

Froome was in the bunch pretty much the whole race, but upto that point, the way the favourites teams raced suggested they thought Froome was strongest. Several times you saw Froome having to wave Nibali, Rodriguez & Valverde past as he let a 10m gap open up. You don't experience that unless riders think you're stronger than them and you see it happen with Sagan regularly.

Yes, perhaps the others thought he was the strongest, but the race clearly showed he wasn't. He didn't fail to win because he was marked, he failed to win because he wasn't strong enough.

definitely not the strongest but once it became clear he was not going to bridge the gap did he back off knowing he had a TT to fight for in a few days?

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

He didn't want to risk a DNS on wednesday by going full gas down that descent when Nibali attacked. The main surprise was that he didn't follow Purito's attack. Whether that was because he realised the race was over for him or because he wasn't strong enough, idk. I definitely expected him to be a lot stronger though, which doesn't bode well for the Vuelta.

At this point, another Vuelta podium is useless. He has to go for the win, which looks unlikely

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

He didn't want to risk a DNS on wednesday by going full gas down that descent when Nibali attacked. The main surprise was that he didn't follow Purito's attack. Whether that was because he realised the race was over for him or because he wasn't strong enough, idk. I definitely expected him to be a lot stronger though, which doesn't bode well for the Vuelta.

At this point, another Vuelta podium is useless. He has to go for the win, which looks unlikely

That is my point ...why do 3 weeks ...hard weeks in Spain for a podium

As for him saying race X or race Y is his favourite....they all say that to whatever race they are invited or riding ...its PR

The thing for me about Froome yesterday
1. Thomas& Cummings should have been leaders..wasn't his type of race and all on here saying 'didn't he do well' NO he didn't ...he came 12th when one of the others could have won a medal
2 He should have climbed off early and saved himself for TT - where he has (had?)a good chane of a medal ....maybe gold...

Now he is just abit more knackered sprinting for 12th place

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

He didn't want to risk a DNS on wednesday by going full gas down that descent when Nibali attacked. The main surprise was that he didn't follow Purito's attack. Whether that was because he realised the race was over for him or because he wasn't strong enough, idk. I definitely expected him to be a lot stronger though, which doesn't bode well for the Vuelta.

At this point, another Vuelta podium is useless. He has to go for the win, which looks unlikely

I agree but he seems to like riding the Vuelta before his next Tour. Maybe he thinks it helps with his off season where his condition does not deteriorate too much or something. Even if Froome and Quintana are not in the best condition it could still mean some entertaining racing but I can't see either of them winning. I am more interested in seeing how the Giro riders go against Contador. TJVG will probably still be quite fresh as he did nothing in the Tour but he and Talansky usually fall short of the podium. Gesink is also past his best. I would have liked to see Rodriguez miss the Tour and finish his career in the Vuelta where he usually does well.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

He didn't want to risk a DNS on wednesday by going full gas down that descent when Nibali attacked. The main surprise was that he didn't follow Purito's attack. Whether that was because he realised the race was over for him or because he wasn't strong enough, idk. I definitely expected him to be a lot stronger though, which doesn't bode well for the Vuelta.

At this point, another Vuelta podium is useless. He has to go for the win, which looks unlikely

I agree but he seems to like riding the Vuelta before his next Tour. Maybe he thinks it helps with his off season where his condition does not deteriorate too much or something. Even if Froome and Quintana are not in the best condition it could still mean some entertaining racing but I can't see either of them winning. I am more interested in seeing how the Giro riders go against Contador. TJVG will probably still be quite fresh as he did nothing in the Tour but he and Talansky usually fall short of the podium. Gesink is also past his best. I would have liked to see Rodriguez miss the Tour and finish his career in the Vuelta where he usually does well.

Teejay won't even finish the race

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

There's only a few explanations that make sense to me, and the no radio etc don't make a lot of sense to me. He got dropped like a stone in the final. That's not lack of tactics, its a lack of legs. Considering he hasn't done too well in one day races in the past I'm starting to think that - either he doesn't recover very well from efforts over threshold during a race, or he just needs the few extra days of a GT to have a great day and can't just be sublime out of nowhere.

He didn't want to risk a DNS on wednesday by going full gas down that descent when Nibali attacked. The main surprise was that he didn't follow Purito's attack. Whether that was because he realised the race was over for him or because he wasn't strong enough, idk. I definitely expected him to be a lot stronger though, which doesn't bode well for the Vuelta.

At this point, another Vuelta podium is useless. He has to go for the win, which looks unlikely

I agree but he seems to like riding the Vuelta before his next Tour. Maybe he thinks it helps with his off season where his condition does not deteriorate too much or something. Even if Froome and Quintana are not in the best condition it could still mean some entertaining racing but I can't see either of them winning. I am more interested in seeing how the Giro riders go against Contador. TJVG will probably still be quite fresh as he did nothing in the Tour but he and Talansky usually fall short of the podium. Gesink is also past his best. I would have liked to see Rodriguez miss the Tour and finish his career in the Vuelta where he usually does well.

Teejay won't even finish the race

Well he is in the right form then to achieve that ! But he might actually try is what I meant he might go for a stage win. Anything would be good.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Considering that in the women's race Mara Abbot was the strongest climber and in front, Froome should have managed it. But his condition appears to have evaporated after TDF. probably too many parties. Thomas should have been the leader.

 

[rick james]

Well done Chris Froome, no shame in getting beat into 3rd by Spartacus and Dumoulin

 

[JRanton]

I think he'll be very happy with that. He always said his goal was to win a medal in Rio so mission accomplished.

 

[Valv.Piti]

He was probably a bit overrated going into Rio considering he was a tied favourite for the ITT and 2nd/3rd favourite in the RR, but all things considered, not too bad.

I really hope he will be good in La Vuelta, otherwise, it might prove to be a walk in the park for Contador. Quintana probably won't be and then you have Chaves.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

He was probably a bit overrated going into Rio considering he was a tied favourite for the ITT and 2nd/3rd favourite in the RR, but all things considered, not too bad.

I really hope he will be good in La Vuelta, otherwise, it might prove to be a walk in the park for Contador. Quintana probably won't be and then you have Chaves.

I think he would have done a lot better if the Olympics road cycling was at the end of July like it was 4 years ago

Btw, Yates and MAL should provide some decent competition for Contador

I do wonder if Froome's priority was the Olympics or the Vuelta

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

He was probably a bit overrated going into Rio considering he was a tied favourite for the ITT and 2nd/3rd favourite in the RR, but all things considered, not too bad.

I really hope he will be good in La Vuelta, otherwise, it might prove to be a walk in the park for Contador. Quintana probably won't be and then you have Chaves.

I think he would have done a lot better if the Olympics road cycling was at the end of July like it was 4 years ago

Btw, Yates and MAL should provide some decent competition for Contador

I do wonder if Froome's priority was the Olympics or the Vuelta

You just come out of the Tour and try and hold shape for as long as possible. Olympics were always gonna be somewhat decent, unless he totally broke down at the end of the Tour. Vuelta is gonna be a whole other story

 

[PremierAndrew]

Olympics were certainly the more realistic goal, and he's been very disappointing by his standards. I really don't think Dumoulin's performance was that special in the end, and that without his wrist problems, he would certainly have challenged, and tbh probably have beaten Canc

Then again, maybe Dumoulin peaked too soon as well, and shouldn't have been capable of two stage wins at the Tour