Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[SeriousSam]

Geraint 'The real Brit' Thomas challenging Froome would be hilarious and could salvage this race. I hope it happens.

 

[deValtos]

They wouldn't have just re-signed Froome for what I presume to be a huge amount of $$$ just to screw him over if that was the case ...

But for reals after the 2012 fiasco with Wiggo/Froome I think Sky now run a pretty tight damn ship especially at the TDF. I think it also helps that G seems to get along really well with Froome, and not just Fugl/Aru "friendly with each other" or so so so many duos we have seen in the past, I really think they are good friends.

If anything it's actually the least likely team I expect to have some sort of mutiny at right now.

 

[SeriousSam]

Re:

Well, he's in pole position. Can't see him giving this away. Unfortunately.
Not sure I believe him that he was very cautious. He must have taken more risks than the other contenders, or he was just 10 levels above them. He posted a similar time to many specialists and they surely took risks.

It seems highly irrational for Froome to take greater risks than his competitors when he is the one with the most to lose.

But then it seems undeniable that he took risks even in the Dauphine which makes even less sense, so perhaps a certain recklessness is just his personality. I think Froome feels invincible these days

 

[Galic Ho]

Re:

Anyone ask why Froome went all out today. I actually have an alternate theory which may sound like a conspiracy theory but if anyone knows humans and hidden agenda, one would not dismiss it so soon.

Froome did not support DavidB in his time of crisis, he distanced himself, that is not forgotten. GThomas fully supported DavidB.
DavidB told two folks, GThomas and MikeK to do all that was possible to gain pole position today, Probably said in many coded words much like the way baseball coaches talk to their players during a game. Get the yellow jersey and then he would plan the rest of the squad to work for them to keep the yellow. As awkward as it may seem for Froome, DavidB really does not care. GThomas would also not care less, he has not hidden his ambitions for a GT especially the TDF GT, so far he has come short trying to get the GT in other non-TDF GTs.
So are we back to an Astana 2009? not really but sort off.
Froome suspected that just like Bertie knew if Lance took yellow, it would be difficult to hide the agenda. So he went all out and well..missed.
Now the fun stuff begins...lets see how it will play out. Its all theory..I have no inside track, just from my observations.

By the way, Landa is totally the wrong person to select for this tour to support Froome. Landa and MikeK have one foot at the door. Landa will ride for himself and will want to get at least one stage win. Both want to look good to bargain for the next team. When I hear Wouts was not selected, I said emhh, now thats someone who would ride his heart out for Froome.

A strong Sky in this TDF I expect, but there are a lot of personal agenda's going on. Can Froome like Bertie in 2009 weather all that and come out with the crown?...we'll see

Prologue in 2009, Astana had 4 riders within the top 10.

It was also a short, 15km time trial.

That's the only common theme between 2009 Astana run by Johan Bruyneel and 2017 Sky run by Brailsford?

Unless, teams run by men whose surnames begin with B, happen to fall apart and implode and subsequently most of the riders get a doping ban!!

Nah...you weren't suggesting that were you?

Geraint is quite loyal. But they are all riding for Froome.

If something goes astray, on form, Landa will be the leader because he has made the podium in a grand tour.

Why is it that he races for Sky again?!?!

Be good to see him go to Movistar and take over from Valverde. Landa is a really good.

Thomas? He had a rough time recently; good for him to get a maillot jaune for himself.

Froome certainly has his fair share.

In 2014, I said Sky needed to put Wiggins on their squad. Froome, fell, GC race over after Porte cracked. Wiggins would have at least finished 5th despite having an iffy and very strange 2013 (remember he won every race he entered in 2012!!).

But no...Sky took no backup plan.

Landa is their plan B. There is no Geraint Thomas side show. He doesn't have the cajones to pull off a podium in a GT. Not without crashing this forum.

 

[jilbiker]

Sky just resigned Froome, yah..lock him down for the next 3 years but not as lead rider, which better way to stick it to him.
He did not support DavidB in time of crisis, anyone experience that in their workplace or seen that?
GThomas or MikeK will not get the yellow in the mountains but it is important to get it before that. Especially GThomas since he is the "true Brit" and Sir W may lose his crown.
If the team is pulling for the guy in yellow (GThomas) tell me how Froome will get it? He is not like Bertie who has won GTs with almost zero team support. Perhaps now we will see the if Froome's really good or great.
Any what is this friendship of GThomas and Froome? I am not getting it all. GThomas has tolerated him and when he didn't support DavidB he was really ticked off.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Well, he's in pole position. Can't see him giving this away. Unfortunately.
Not sure I believe him that he was very cautious. He must have taken more risks than the other contenders, or he was just 10 levels above them. He posted a similar time to many specialists and they surely took risks.

Who knows. He probably did, but Porte and Contador were probably also a bit too cautious? Well, we can't say that given the events. Maybe the skin suits that Sky used were giving them, say, 20 secs and then its not unreasonable to suggest Froome should be going a little faster than Lil Richie, Contador and Quintana on thse long flat stretches normally, so thats around 40.

 

[Vasilis]

I think Froome has really worked on his technique, trained to take risks, because of the unpredictable nature of this year's route. He took risks on the descent in the Dauphine, rode an attacking final day, aced the corners today in the wet, I believe he specifically prepared for the technical demands of the Tour this year.

 

[hazaran]

Re:

Sky just resigned Froome, yah..lock him down for the next 3 years but not as lead rider, which better way to stick it to him.
He did not support DavidB in time of crisis, anyone experience that in their workplace or seen that?
GThomas or MikeK will not get the yellow in the mountains but it is important to get it before that. Especially GThomas since he is the "true Brit" and Sir W may lose his crown.
If the team is pulling for the guy in yellow (GThomas) tell me how Froome will get it? He is not like Bertie who has won GTs with almost zero team support. Perhaps now we will see the if Froome's really good or great.
Any what is this friendship of GThomas and Froome? I am not getting it all. GThomas has tolerated him and when he didn't support DavidB he was really ticked off.

Always in July.. since 2012, he has Tour leadership written into his contract. If you need a creative writing outlet, there is the clinic.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

I think Froome has really worked on his technique, trained to take risks, because of the unpredictable nature of this year's route. He took risks on the descent in the Dauphine, rode an attacking final day, aced the corners today in the wet, I believe he specifically prepared for the technical demands of the Tour this year.

Very true and especially with a teammate like Kwia.
In 2012 Froome was the strongest in the mountains but was ordered to support Wiggins. He would have made sure that his subsequent contracts would be written in a way that he would have absolute leadership in the tours that he started. Landa and G could not even rebel if they wanted. Besides they got there chances. What way to reduce the opposition at the Vuelta than by ensuring that Landa supports in the Tour.

 

[Katabatic]

I think it was very smart of him to recon Kiri since they probably put out similar numbers on a TT bike. Going last was also a pretty nice advantage, and he's rewarded with a sizable lead over his biggest rivals.

 

[cantpedal]

Re:

Sky just resigned Froome, yah..lock him down for the next 3 years but not as lead rider, which better way to stick it to him.
He did not support DavidB in time of crisis, anyone experience that in their workplace or seen that?
GThomas or MikeK will not get the yellow in the mountains but it is important to get it before that. Especially GThomas since he is the "true Brit" and Sir W may lose his crown.
If the team is pulling for the guy in yellow (GThomas) tell me how Froome will get it? He is not like Bertie who has won GTs with almost zero team support. Perhaps now we will see the if Froome's really good or great.
Any what is this friendship of GThomas and Froome? I am not getting it all. GThomas has tolerated him and when he didn't support DavidB he was really ticked off.

there is not one statement here that makes any sense. Imagine any sponsor that would allow a team to resign a rider for millions with only what? revenge as a motivation? The fact that they in effect demoted Bradley once it was clear Chris was the better GT rider is all the evidence you need as to their intentions / motivations

 

[spalco]

Re:

Froome suspected that just like Bertie knew if Lance took yellow, it would be difficult to hide the agenda. So he went all out and well..missed.
Now the fun stuff begins...lets see how it will play out. Its all theory..I have no inside track, just from my observations.

It's not completely inplausible, at least that Brailsford might prefer Thomas as their flagship champion to Froome, but do we actually know anything about the personal dynamics in Team Sky? Thomas and Froome might be best friends or mortal enemies for all I know.

 

[silvergrenade]

Re: Re:

Froome suspected that just like Bertie knew if Lance took yellow, it would be difficult to hide the agenda. So he went all out and well..missed.
Now the fun stuff begins...lets see how it will play out. Its all theory..I have no inside track, just from my observations.

It's not completely inplausible, at least that Brailsford might prefer Thomas as their flagship champion to Froome, but do we actually know anything about the personal dynamics in Team Sky? Thomas and Froome might be best friends or mortal enemies for all I know.

From what I've seen, Geraint and Froome are good buddies.
Lots of instances, like when GT was 2nd GC guy at the Tour 2016 he was cool with it and even said that GT deserves to be a protected rider.
Looked from the pictures they had a nice time at Rio too.
Also, fwiw, Froome helped GT prepare for the giro...

But hey, that may all be just eye wash. :lol:

 

[MightyWheelSucker]

So, Thomas can win Tour as easily as Froome and it is only a matter of internal Sky's games who wins it? Would be funny if truth.

 

[miguelindurain111]

Re:

So, Thomas can win Tour as easily as Froome and it is only a matter of internal Sky's games who wins it? Would be funny if truth.

Yeah but they prefer Kenyans.

 

[silvergrenade]

Looked Sketchy but he's okay:
Chris Froome
"No injuries, thankfully. I’ve just lost a little bit of skin on my backside. That’s the nature of the race. We knew that there were slippery conditions, and every time you put your race numbers on you take risks and something could happen. Today there was just a touch of wheels or someone slipped a few wheels ahead of me, and at those speeds you just can’t avoid it. A few of us went down, but thankfully everyone is OK and we got to the finish without losing any time to our rivals. That’s the main thing."

Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky)

"Some riders went too fast into the roundabout, and, you know, with rain all day it was so slippery and everyone was pretty nervous in that moment," Kwiatkowski told NBC Sports. "We all went down, but honestly, we didn’t panic and we easily came back to the front. I hope there is no damage and nobody really got hurt in that crash.

"We didn’t panic, as I said. [Froome] swapped a bike for a second time when we went back to the bunch after the first time, so it was still pretty far rom the finish, and we had great support from Christian Knees and other guys to be back in the front, so no worries."

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Well, they were hammering way too hard it seemed to be that far from the finish. No one was going to attack and get away, so why ride that hard? That was the cause of the crash. But the entire peloton continued to put on full gas after that, causing Froome and Sky to chase like mad to catch back up, which is more taxing than

It's always hard to tell how much a crash affects a rider. There's no possible way Froome or the team are going to give us a hint, one way or the other.

 

[Galic Ho]

Re:

Well, they were hammering way too hard it seemed to be that far from the finish. No one was going to attack and get away, so why ride that hard? That was the cause of the crash. But the entire peloton continued to put on full gas after that, causing Froome and Sky to chase like mad to catch back up, which is more taxing than

It's always hard to tell how much a crash affects a rider. There's no possible way Froome or the team are going to give us a hint, one way or the other.

This.

But the road always tells the story; Geraint Thomas at the Giro showed that. Landa lost far more time on the stage, over 5x more time than Thomas, but he finished the Giro!

Contador at the tour last year is an indicator.

Todays winners are the GC boys who kept themselves upright unscathed. They won.

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

Well, they were hammering way too hard it seemed to be that far from the finish. No one was going to attack and get away, so why ride that hard? That was the cause of the crash. But the entire peloton continued to put on full gas after that, causing Froome and Sky to chase like mad to catch back up, which is more taxing than

It's always hard to tell how much a crash affects a rider. There's no possible way Froome or the team are going to give us a hint, one way or the other.

This.

But the road always tells the story; Geraint Thomas at the Giro showed that. Landa lost far more time on the stage, over 5x more time than Thomas, but he finished the Giro!

Contador at the tour last year is an indicator.

Todays winners are the GC boys who kept themselves upright unscathed. They won.

Nope, winners are anyone in vortex skinsuits

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Anyone ask why Froome went all out today. I actually have an alternate theory which may sound like a conspiracy theory but if anyone knows humans and hidden agenda, one would not dismiss it so soon.

Froome did not support DavidB in his time of crisis, he distanced himself, that is not forgotten. GThomas fully supported DavidB.
DavidB told two folks, GThomas and MikeK to do all that was possible to gain pole position today, Probably said in many coded words much like the way baseball coaches talk to their players during a game. Get the yellow jersey and then he would plan the rest of the squad to work for them to keep the yellow. As awkward as it may seem for Froome, DavidB really does not care. GThomas would also not care less, he has not hidden his ambitions for a GT especially the TDF GT, so far he has come short trying to get the GT in other non-TDF GTs.
So are we back to an Astana 2009? not really but sort off.
Froome suspected that just like Bertie knew if Lance took yellow, it would be difficult to hide the agenda. So he went all out and well..missed.
Now the fun stuff begins...lets see how it will play out. Its all theory..I have no inside track, just from my observations.

By the way, Landa is totally the wrong person to select for this tour to support Froome. Landa and MikeK have one foot at the door. Landa will ride for himself and will want to get at least one stage win. Both want to look good to bargain for the next team. When I hear Wouts was not selected, I said emhh, now thats someone who would ride his heart out for Froome.

A strong Sky in this TDF I expect, but there are a lot of personal agenda's going on. Can Froome like Bertie in 2009 weather all that and come out with the crown?...we'll see

Prologue in 2009, Astana had 4 riders within the top 10.

It was also a short, 15km time trial.

That's the only common theme between 2009 Astana run by Johan Bruyneel and 2017 Sky run by Brailsford?

Unless, teams run by men whose surnames begin with B, happen to fall apart and implode and subsequently most of the riders get a doping ban!!

Nah...you weren't suggesting that were you?

Geraint is quite loyal. But they are all riding for Froome.

If something goes astray, on form, Landa will be the leader because he has made the podium in a grand tour.

Why is it that he races for Sky again?!?!

Be good to see him go to Movistar and take over from Valverde. Landa is a really good.

Thomas? He had a rough time recently; good for him to get a maillot jaune for himself.

Froome certainly has his fair share.

In 2014, I said Sky needed to put Wiggins on their squad. Froome, fell, GC race over after Porte cracked. Wiggins would have at least finished 5th despite having an iffy and very strange 2013 (remember he won every race he entered in 2012!!).

But no...Sky took no backup plan.

Landa is their plan B. There is no Geraint Thomas side show. He doesn't have the cajones to pull off a podium in a GT. Not without crashing this forum.

I do think as long as there's a ITT in GT, G is most likely be the leader or backup plans more than Landa. Ask Dumoulin.

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

Anyone ask why Froome went all out today. I actually have an alternate theory which may sound like a conspiracy theory but if anyone knows humans and hidden agenda, one would not dismiss it so soon.

Froome did not support DavidB in his time of crisis, he distanced himself, that is not forgotten. GThomas fully supported DavidB.
DavidB told two folks, GThomas and MikeK to do all that was possible to gain pole position today, Probably said in many coded words much like the way baseball coaches talk to their players during a game. Get the yellow jersey and then he would plan the rest of the squad to work for them to keep the yellow. As awkward as it may seem for Froome, DavidB really does not care. GThomas would also not care less, he has not hidden his ambitions for a GT especially the TDF GT, so far he has come short trying to get the GT in other non-TDF GTs.
So are we back to an Astana 2009? not really but sort off.
Froome suspected that just like Bertie knew if Lance took yellow, it would be difficult to hide the agenda. So he went all out and well..missed.
Now the fun stuff begins...lets see how it will play out. Its all theory..I have no inside track, just from my observations.

By the way, Landa is totally the wrong person to select for this tour to support Froome. Landa and MikeK have one foot at the door. Landa will ride for himself and will want to get at least one stage win. Both want to look good to bargain for the next team. When I hear Wouts was not selected, I said emhh, now thats someone who would ride his heart out for Froome.

A strong Sky in this TDF I expect, but there are a lot of personal agenda's going on. Can Froome like Bertie in 2009 weather all that and come out with the crown?...we'll see

Interesting theory. Whether true or not, it reminds to be seen. Froome did say that he wasn't involve this year with the team selection. But there's no way Sky will sabotage Froome because they just sign the guy for another 3 years. G on the other hand sign one year with the option of leaving after that. So I would suspect that he has the agenda for next year, not this year. He also said, he would love to have a crack of another opportunity as GC leader next year Giro. Try to keep his stock up if he doesn't plan to stick around for after next year. Anyway, your theory reminds me of Tinkoff last year, everyone had their own agenda.

 

[Tonton]

The plot thickens...

 

[jsem94]

I love this thread now haha.

 

[rick james]

getting as crazy as folk that believe the earth is flat

 

[cantpedal]

Re:

getting as crazy as folk that believe the earth is flat

with the Yeti, Loch Ness Monster and AC's 2014 form