Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[Rackham]

130th out of 140 riders in last year's Tour de Romandie prologue (just over 4km), 119th out of 137 riders today.

117	WOODS Michael	Israel - Premier Tech				0:42	46.782
118	NAESEN Lawrence	AG2R Citroën Team				,,	46.782
119	FROOME Chris	Israel - Premier Tech				,,	46.782

Same time as Michael Woods though.

 

[johnymax]

130th out of 140 riders in last year's Tour de Romandie prologue (just over 4km), 119th out of 137 riders today.

117	WOODS Michael	Israel - Premier Tech				0:42	46.782
118	NAESEN Lawrence	AG2R Citroën Team				,,	46.782
119	FROOME Chris	Israel - Premier Tech				,,	46.782

Same time as Michael Woods though.

He beat Nibali and a Champion, too!

 

[TMJ]

No power. What happened to: "We knew he had a big engine?"
Froome. You are absolutely miles away.

 

[AlfaLum]

130th out of 140 riders in last year's Tour de Romandie prologue (just over 4km), 119th out of 137 riders today.

117	WOODS Michael	Israel - Premier Tech				0:42	46.782
118	NAESEN Lawrence	AG2R Citroën Team				,,	46.782
119	FROOME Chris	Israel - Premier Tech				,,	46.782

Same time as Michael Woods though.

Making a serious challenge for the captaincy here!

 

[TMJ]

Chris. I would avoid tweeting stuff like this. It's getting your fans fired up and anticipating a return to glories.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518949994329481219

View: https://twitter.com/chrisfroome/status/1518949994329481219

 

[Nick2413]

Chris. I would avoid tweeting stuff like this. It's getting your fans fired up and anticipating a return to glories.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518949994329481219

View: https://twitter.com/chrisfroome/status/1518949994329481219

It comes across as disingenuous imo.

 

[Sciatic]

It comes across as disingenuous imo.

It should read, “Getting ready for go away (from pro cycling) time.”

 

[Sciatic]

It comes across as disingenuous imo.

Although, in reality, it shows he’s pretty shrewd about understanding the social media landscape, where the most important thing is to appear to be doing something noteworthy or exciting, regardless of whether they’ e actually accomplished anything of the sort. Not sure how this benefits the team though,

 

[red_flanders]

Although, in reality, it shows he’s pretty shrewd about understanding the social media landscape, where the most important thing is to appear to be doing something noteworthy or exciting, regardless of whether they’ e actually accomplished anything of the sort. Not sure how this benefits the team though,

"Shrewd"? I don't know that it takes someone being particularly shrewd to understand that people build brands off of appearances on social media, you just need to be conscious and breathing at this point.

It just means he's comfortable putting out a false narrative. Which is par for the course for his entire career.

 

[Aimar16]

Chris. I would avoid tweeting stuff like this. It's getting your fans fired up and anticipating a return to glories.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518949994329481219

View: https://twitter.com/chrisfroome/status/1518949994329481219

I just noticed that this guy blocked me on twitter Although it's a bit strange because I never followed him.

 

[Sciatic]

"Shrewd"? I don't know that it takes someone being particularly shrewd to understand that people build brands off of appearances on social media, you just need to be conscious and breathing at this point.

It just means he's comfortable putting out a false narrative. Which is par for the course for his entire career.

Yeah, I meant that as false praise. I have found his posts just ridiculous and embarrassing for pro cycling, so thought I would put semi-positive twist on this recent one. But you’re right the falseness just drips off of his messaging, and it’s a good reminder to stay off this thread for awhile!

 

[saunaking]

Yeah, I meant that as false praise. I have found his posts just ridiculous and embarrassing for pro cycling, so thought I would put semi-positive twist on this recent one. But you’re right the falseness just drips off of his messaging, and it’s a good reminder to stay off this thread for awhile!

I think he's trolling his boss haha

 

[Rackham]

I'm wondering whether anyone on team Froome (I mean literally his entourage) has done the maths regarding the impact of his current performances on his post-career, or whether they figure it just doesn't matter? We're talking about a 4 times Tour de France winner who's just languishing at the back of the peloton for 3 straight seasons. It's weird, but no one seems to even care.

Speaking of social media as well, it's not like he's currently an online celebrity or influencer either. For example he made a few 'controversial' remarks a month or so ago about TT bikes & how in his view they should be scrapped & riders should do a TT on a normal bike. No one cared about his opinion i.e. it caused practically zero discussion or reaction.

Compare that to how people hang on every word of certain other former champs (active or retired) & we get pretty clear picture: Froome is Mr. Nowhere Man.

 

[Salvarani]

I'm wondering whether anyone on team Froome (I mean literally his entourage) has done the maths regarding the impact of his current performances on his post-career, or whether they figure it just doesn't matter? We're talking about a 4 times Tour de France winner who's just languishing at the back of the peloton for 3 straight seasons. It's weird, but no one seems to even care.

Speaking of social media as well, it's not like he's currently an online celebrity or influencer either. For example he made a few 'controversial' remarks a month or so ago about TT bikes & how in his view they should be scrapped & riders should do a TT on a normal bike. No one cared about his opinion i.e. it caused practically zero discussion or reaction.

Compare that to how people hang on every word of certain other former champs (active or retired) & we get pretty clear picture: Froome is Mr. Nowhere Man.

He just a bit boring, aint he?

 

[red_flanders]

I'm wondering whether anyone on team Froome (I mean literally his entourage) has done the maths regarding the impact of his current performances on his post-career, or whether they figure it just doesn't matter? We're talking about a 4 times Tour de France winner who's just languishing at the back of the peloton for 3 straight seasons. It's weird, but no one seems to even care.

I think they've done the math on what happened to another multi Tour winner when he pushed it too far by coming back to the sport. Keeping his nose clean and riding within himself I would say is the very conscious strategy.

Speaking of social media as well, it's not like he's currently an online celebrity or influencer either. For example he made a few 'controversial' remarks a month or so ago about TT bikes & how in his view they should be scrapped & riders should do a TT on a normal bike. No one cared about his opinion i.e. it caused practically zero discussion or reaction.

Compare that to how people hang on every word of certain other former champs (active or retired) & we get pretty clear picture: Froome is Mr. Nowhere Man.

I think it was largely ignored because it was just a really dumb take. There's simply no groundswell of support to further restrict bike design in the industry or the peloton, and the reasons given, safety and fair play, resonated with no one.

 

[Rackham]

I think they've done the math on what happened to another multi Tour winner when he pushed it too far by coming back to the sport. Keeping his nose clean and riding within himself I would say is the very conscious strategy.

Good point.

I was thinking in terms of how a man who's won way more than most riders ever will could be forgotten so quickly. I mean usually there's a reason some champions like to "retire on top", i.e. it's not just for glory, it's also for that image of invincibility which lasts into their post careers (like Indurain who refused to ride around even on a large wage at Once because he knew he was past his best).

That other multi Tour winner you speak of made many mistakes: his comeback was a mistake, his feud with El Pistolero was a mistake & his 'past it' performance in 2010 was also a huge mistake. It made him look weak (after he'd carefully crafted an image of strongman invincibility).

The lasting impression people have of Froome is going to be the stuff we're seeing right now, tbh. I think that's always the case when a former champion sticks around for too long, hence why they usually avoid those optics.

I think it was largely ignored because it was just a really dumb take. There's simply no groundswell of support to further restrict bike design in the industry or the peloton, and the reasons given, safety and fair play, resonated with no one.

There seems to be two camps who show interest in Froome whilst everyone else yawns: his believers (he does have them) are in the first camp, whilst people who enjoy a little laugh at his expense are in the second camp.

That's how I'd summarize those who're interested in Froome in 2022. His weird TT remarks satisfied neither group.

 

[dutchdescent]

The forum is a toxic place man. This thread is like the Evenepoel thread but inverted.

Post crash Froome has been judged, juried and is now being executed in spite of his extensive track record. Eddy is praised into the heavens in spite of his limited track record but exciting potential.

Before you lose your sh*t, I'm not comparing these 2 riders, I am comparing the forum dynamics in their respective threads. It's very pick and choose. I am occasionally faulty to that as well, although I try not to, but I despise the dynamics. It's depressingly toxic.

Pity in a way because I love the constructive discussions and analysis and have been following and reading for years.

Regarding CF: Respect is a fickle thing these days.
It's not anymore what you have achieved, but what you do right now.. in Chris's case it's piss poor, but if he enjoys riding his bike and getting paid very well. I'd do the same and let the haters hate.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I started to like Chris Froome after his Dauphiné crash. I did not like him very much before, I admit. But after his crash, IMHO, he became a much weaker cyclist, but a more likeable person.

I like that he‘s still riding, and wish that he continues for a few seasons after 2022.

In the moment, I would say that he has the performance level of a weaker PCT rider or of a very strong CT rider/CT team leader. I cannot explain what exactly happened to him - all I know is, he crashed badly, came back into the peloton, and was (and stayed!) much weaker than before.

I hope he enjoys Romandie (a race he likes very much), and that we see him at the TdF in July…

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Good point.

I was thinking in terms of how a man who's won way more than most riders ever will could be forgotten so quickly. I mean usually there's a reason some champions like to "retire on top", i.e. it's not just for glory, it's also for that image of invincibility which lasts into their post careers (like Indurain who refused to ride around even on a large wage at Once because he knew he was past his best).

That other multi Tour winner you speak of made many mistakes: his comeback was a mistake, his feud with El Pistolero was a mistake & his 'past it' performance in 2010 was also a huge mistake. It made him look weak (after he'd carefully crafted an image of strongman invincibility).

The lasting impression people have of Froome is going to be the stuff we're seeing right now, tbh. I think that's always the case when a former champion sticks around for too long, hence why they usually avoid those optics.



There seems to be two camps who show interest in Froome whilst everyone else yawns: his believers (he does have them) are in the first camp, whilst people who enjoy a little laugh at his expense are in the second camp.

That's how I'd summarize those who're interested in Froome in 2022. His weird TT remarks satisfied neither group.

Good point.

I was thinking in terms of how a man who's won way more than most riders ever will could be forgotten so quickly. I mean usually there's a reason some champions like to "retire on top", i.e. it's not just for glory, it's also for that image of invincibility which lasts into their post careers (like Indurain who refused to ride around even on a large wage at Once because he knew he was past his best).

That other multi Tour winner you speak of made many mistakes: his comeback was a mistake, his feud with El Pistolero was a mistake & his 'past it' performance in 2010 was also a huge mistake. It made him look weak (after he'd carefully crafted an image of strongman invincibility).

The lasting impression people have of Froome is going to be the stuff we're seeing right now, tbh. I think that's always the case when a former champion sticks around for too long, hence why they usually avoid those optics.



There seems to be two camps who show interest in Froome whilst everyone else yawns: his believers (he does have them) are in the first camp, whilst people who enjoy a little laugh at his expense are in the second camp.

That's how I'd summarize those who're interested in Froome in 2022. His weird TT remarks satisfied neither group.

Nobody thinks like that of Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Ronaldinho, Simon Ammann, George Best, Manny Pacquiao, etc. Sport is literally littered with sportsmen who kept going past their best, many for very good reasons, like getting well paid to do something you still enjoy. To suggest that people, in 20 years time, will remember his poor performances at the Tour of the Alps or a Romandie prologue, rather than 4 yellow jerseys is simply incorrect.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Give froome his rim brakes back!

 

[lenric]

The forum is a toxic place man. This thread is like the Evenepoel thread but inverted.

Post crash Froome has been judged, juried and is now being executed in spite of his extensive track record. Eddy is praised into the heavens in spite of his limited track record but exciting potential.

Before you lose your sh*t, I'm not comparing these 2 riders, I am comparing the forum dynamics in their respective threads. It's very pick and choose. I am occasionally faulty to that as well, although I try not to, but I despise the dynamics. It's depressingly toxic.

Pity in a way because I love the constructive discussions and analysis and have been following and reading for years.

Regarding CF: Respect is a fickle thing these days.
It's not anymore what you have achieved, but what you do right now.. in Chris's case it's piss poor, but if he enjoys riding his bike and getting paid very well. I'd do the same and let the haters hate.

while I get the point, Evenepoel's fanboys are the main culprit of how toxic his thread his, whilst in Froome's case is a bit different: it's actually Froome's idiotic comments that spark so much trolling and "toxicity".

 

[red_flanders]

The forum is a toxic place man. This thread is like the Evenepoel thread but inverted.

Post crash Froome has been judged, juried and is now being executed in spite of his extensive track record. Eddy is praised into the heavens in spite of his limited track record but exciting potential.

Before you lose your sh*t, I'm not comparing these 2 riders, I am comparing the forum dynamics in their respective threads. It's very pick and choose. I am occasionally faulty to that as well, although I try not to, but I despise the dynamics. It's depressingly toxic.

Pity in a way because I love the constructive discussions and analysis and have been following and reading for years.

Regarding CF: Respect is a fickle thing these days.
It's not anymore what you have achieved, but what you do right now.. in Chris's case it's piss poor, but if he enjoys riding his bike and getting paid very well. I'd do the same and let the haters hate.

Don’t accept the premise. Froome had been derided as a farce continuously since he started flying up cols in the 2011 Vuelta.

 

[Eclipse]

Froome is an all time great whose twilight years have been obliterated by a horrendous injury, and sadly his status means that everything he does or says is viewed through a multitude of lenses, both cynical and wildly optimistic.

In reality the most likely outcome is that he wants to ride his bike competitively. He wants to get back to where he was, he likes being back on the bike and he can't afford to stop believing there's something there or he might as well not get out of bed in the morning to train.

His status just means that everything he says, does, tweets or looks at (stem and all) is turned into a major thing.

 

[SHAD0W93]

130th out of 140 riders in last year's Tour de Romandie prologue (just over 4km), 119th out of 137 riders today.

117	WOODS Michael	Israel - Premier Tech				0:42	46.782
118	NAESEN Lawrence	AG2R Citroën Team				,,	46.782
119	FROOME Chris	Israel - Premier Tech				,,	46.782

Same time as Michael Woods though.

The extra length meant his endurance was able to kick in plus no uphill drag to the finish.

Maybe he can go in one of the breaks.

 

[Amazinmets87]

The extra length meant his endurance was able to kick in plus no uphill drag to the finish.

Maybe he can go in one of the breaks.

If he's currently at Michael Woods' level that's really not bad. Hopefully it translates to road race stages.