Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[Gigs_98]

Great news. Respect to Froome for not doing what would probably give the team more money and more media attention but instead going for the race which would probably make him a modern age legend. Even if he only wins the giro (and although I also don't think he is the outstanding favorite I'm still convinced he is the favorite) he would have won 3 gt's in a row? When was the last time someone did that. Moreover he would join the small list of riders who have won all three gt's and if he really goes on the win the double that would probably make him the rider of the millennium so far.

That said, I really don't think he is the favorite to win the tour. He hasn't been dominant on climbs since 2015 and if he is just that little bit worse (likely considering he'll have the giro in his legs) while his rivals are just a little bit better (which seems likely considering he will face Porte, Dumoulin a hopefully back at his best Quintana and Nibali) I don't think he will win.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

Depending on whether you think Contador has won 9 or 7 gt's I think Froome has already surpassed him or is at least equal. If Froome manages to hold all three gt titles at the same time I think he has surpassed him anyway.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Respect to Froome. Its a good route for Froome, but there are 3-4 tricky stages for him, especially if Landa comes to ride like 2015. Great to see the best riders in the world in this race. I feel like we already need a Giro-contenders thread?

 

[Red Rick]

Great news. Respect to Froome for not doing what would probably give the team more money and more media attention but instead going for the race which would probably make him a modern age legend. Even if he only wins the giro (and although I also don't think he is the outstanding favorite I'm still convinced he is the favorite) he would have won 3 gt's in a row? When was the last time someone did that. Moreover he would join the small list of riders who have won all three gt's and if he really goes on the win the double that would probably make him the rider of the millennium so far.

That said, I really don't think he is the favorite to win the tour. He hasn't been dominant on climbs since 2015 and if he is just that little bit worse (likely considering he'll have the giro in his legs) while his rivals are just a little bit better (which seems likely considering he will face Porte, Dumoulin a hopefully back at his best Quintana and Nibali) I don't think he will win.

The discrepancy between Tour-Vuelta and Giro-Tour is so big it's not even funny.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

Depending on whether you think Contador has won 9 or 7 gt's I think Froome has already surpassed him or is at least equal. If Froome manages to hold all three gt titles at the same time I think he has surpassed him anyway.

Don't understand the obsession with where he stands compared to Contador. There are at least a dozen or so riders ahead of Contador so why pick him of all people and not for example Merckx who is considered the best GT racer ever.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

Depending on whether you think Contador has won 9 or 7 gt's I think Froome has already surpassed him or is at least equal. If Froome manages to hold all three gt titles at the same time I think he has surpassed him anyway.

Don't understand the obsession with where he stands compared to Contador. There are at least a dozen or so riders ahead of Contador so why pick him of all people and not for example Merckx who is considered the best GT racer ever.

Because they have raced against each other for a good amount of years in the same era, the comparison is pretty obvious. Aint nobody compares to Merckx anyways

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

If he does the double, he'll surpass Bertie.

Depending on whether you think Contador has won 9 or 7 gt's I think Froome has already surpassed him or is at least equal. If Froome manages to hold all three gt titles at the same time I think he has surpassed him anyway.

Don't understand the obsession with where he stands compared to Contador. There are at least a dozen or so riders ahead of Contador so why pick him of all people and not for example Merckx who is considered the best GT racer ever.

Because they have raced against each other for a good amount of years in the same era, the comparison is pretty obvious. Aint nobody compares to Merckx anyways

Well, it makes no sense to me, but go ahead. Will never understand this need to compare the achievements of different riders.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Good thing you aren't watching basketball then, that would get you grey hair

 

[b.broadhurst]

I’m a big Froome fan but this isn’t a cycling decision this is a business decision. He is being paid a lot of money to participate in the Giro. Cyclists have short careers and this sort of money sets you up for life. Fair play for putting himself into this position to capitalise on his success.

 

[yaco]

My guess is the money will be shared around the riders who make the team for the 2018 Giro.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Tricky decision for Sky to decide on chief lieutenant for Froome at Giro and Tour.

You would say G for Giro so he could then lead at Vuelta but I think Sky need him at the Tour for the cobbles, TTT and the expected classics style racing.

 

[Netserk]

Because Contador is one of the best stage racers ever, and he is the most recent great (he retired half a year after the second most recent ). Both Merckx and Hinault are both above Froome even if he manages the double, so not really relevant as of now. Coppi is too far back in time to be compared, and like the two previously mentioned he was much more than 'just' a stage racer. That leaves Indurain and Armstrong left as well, but compared to those, I think it's more logical to compare Froome's achievements to those of Contador. Especially since I think Contador is ahead as of now, but that a Giro-Tour double would tip it in Froome's direction.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Because Contador is one of the best stage racers ever, and he is the most recent great (he retired half a year after the second most recent ). Both Merckx and Hinault are both above Froome even if he manages the double, so not really relevant as of now. Coppi is too far back in time to be compared, and like the two previously mentioned he was much more than 'just' a stage racer. That leaves Indurain and Armstrong left as well, but compared to those, I think it's more logical to compare Froome's achievements to those of Contador. Especially since I think Contador is ahead as of now, but that a Giro-Tour double would tip it in Froome's direction.

Why compare at all unless it's a specific point of discussion?

 

[Blanco]

Re:

My guess is the money will be shared around the riders who make the team for the 2018 Giro.

Yeah, but Froome will get 90% at least...

 

[LeChuck]

Wow, I'm really surprised he decided to go for it !
I thought this talk was just something to entertain us cycling fans during the off season.
But glad he did, this could make an amazing year !

 

[Pricey_sky]

I’d hoped this day would happen and it’s great that Froome will ride the Giro in an attempt to hold all 3 GT’s at the same time. It’s going to be tough to back that up at the Tour but he should go all in to firstly capture that pink jersey.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Respect to Froome. Its a good route for Froome, but there are 3-4 tricky stages for him, especially if Landa comes to ride like 2015. Great to see the best riders in the world in this race. I feel like we already need a Giro-contenders thread?

Respect for taking a huge sum of money to ride a race? Ok lol.

 

[PremierAndrew]

If he manages the double, only Merckx has won 4 in a row before

 

[markene2]

Cant see Froome wining the giro, the race is way less controlable then the tour.

 

[arvc40]

Re:

I’d hoped this day would happen and it’s great that Froome will ride the Giro in an attempt to hold all 3 GT’s at the same time. It’s going to be tough to back that up at the Tour but he should go all in to firstly capture that pink jersey.

He will win Giro all being well. If he cant manage to defend Tour title there will be good reason. Just have to win 2019 Tour.

Agree he needs to start Giro in Top shape, they will throw everything at him.

 

[arvc40]

Re:

Cant see Froome wining the giro, the race is way less controlable then the tour.

Just you watch the A TEAM control it !.

 

[hazaran]

The biggest obstacle to Froome winning the Giro will be the Sky curse there.

 

[portugal11]

froome is such a humble guy, he gave up of being a fifth time tour de france winner just to help bernal winning il giro

 

[Rollthedice]

Good choice, it's now or never. I think Giro is easily doable, Tour not so much against Dumoulin, Quintana and Nibali.

 

[Ruby United]

As a cycling fan, I am excited.
As a British fan, not so much.