Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[Red Rick]

Cavendish is literally a better bet than Froome right now even if you wanna win the Tour de France instead of stage wins.

 

[Rackham]

From his youtube comment section (in reply to someone who roasted him for not being ready for the Czech Tour despite claiming he was ready for the TdF):

@chris-froome
15 hours ago
The selection was over a month ago. Directly after being told I wasn’t going to the tour I was sent to Israel for a week without a bike, diet went out the window. I then took some time off as I explained in the video and have since had a number of things happen in my life. Unfortunately form doesn’t wait around for a month. I’m not in a great place right now. That’s life.

Fair play to Froome for answering a random youtube comment.

But seriously he shouldn't be doing this to himself anymore. I get the money angle but the human factor (fans, teammates, staff & his boss) are going to be more & more difficult to deal with.

He should cite some back problems or whatever & just retire.

 

[tobydawq]

I think it was Ain, or Route du Sud, in 2020, when Sky‘s Froome and Thomas got dropped, so they weren’t allowed to race the Tour. Thomas recovered and later became third at the Tour again, and second at the Giro… Froomey never fully recovered. It must be something with his crash at the Dauphine. This crash obviously did some damage to his body, and so he now has problems in the races. He became another rider. Hats off, he still tries, and is not discouraged…

What a groundbreaking theory... Brand-new information.

 

[ruamruam]

Cavendish is literally a better bet than Froome right now even if you wanna win the Tour de France instead of stage wins.

Great to see Cavendish going for GC. Could Froome reinvent himself as a sprinter?

 

[ManicJack]

That’s part of his job and mostly a problem if you follow him.

I don't follow him on social media, but the tidbits that are posted here are enough for me to know he full of BS

 

[rallybanana]

Its a circuit they do several times before the finish, I wonder if he and the other DNF's were pulled for being too slow rather than just quitting.

Leopold König gives the answer here

"
He also praised the approach of his former Sky teammate and four-time Tour de France winner. "He was extremely professional. How accommodating he was, it is not usual for a star of this caliber," admitted König.

The British legend rode in the Czech Republic for the first time, but due to health problems, he lagged behind in terms of performance. Froome eventually reached Šternberk, but he did not complete the final circuits on the dice and gave up the race. "He must have been fed up. But he got to Šternberk, so we will forgive him," König laughed, adding that thirty riders did not finish the last stage.

He admitted that he was afraid that Froome would even manage the opening stages and stand at the start of the third royal in Moravská Třebová. "I preferred to be with his team before the start of the race to see if there was a risk that Chris would not go. But they assured me that he was determined to finish the Czech Tour. So the nervousness fell off me a bit," explained the 35-year-old former professional racer, a native of Moravská Třebová.
"

 

[meat puppet]

Remember taxus' jubilant posts ca. 2013-15 proclaiming over and over something to the effect that Contador has no endurance whereas Froome and Landa do?

If anything, it is basic endurance that does not just go away to this kind of an extent. Unless training is simply ceased permanently, but this has not been the case.

Using an amateur analogy, Froome basically went from cat 1 to cat 3-4.

Muscular imbalances are a thing, sure. Joint alignment issues too. But his loss of aerobic capacity would also require a dramatic decrease in blood volume, hemoglobin mass, heart ventricle size, and mitochondrial and other aerobic enzyme content in the legs, etc.

The damage of a training break after the crash was surely big. But it is mostly reversible as long as one continues to put in the hours, which le dawg has done. Becoming a solid stage hunter is the minimum what I would expect from someone who allegedly was an all time great and "a genetic freak" with "crazy adaptive physiology". Cat 1 to cat 2 at most.

In his case all roads really lead to Rome, though.

 

[Taxus4a]

Remember taxus' jubilant posts ca. 2013-15 proclaiming over and over something to the effect that Contador has no endurance whereas Froome and Landa do?

If anything, it is basic endurance that does not just go away to this kind of an extent. Unless training is simply ceased permanently, but this has not been the case.

Using an amateur analogy, Froome basically went from cat 1 to cat 3-4.

Muscular imbalances are a thing, sure. Joint alignment issues too. But his loss of aerobic capacity would also require a dramatic decrease in blood volume, hemoglobin mass, heart ventricle size, and mitochondrial and other aerobic enzyme content in the legs, etc.

The damage of a training break after the crash was surely big. But it is mostly reversible as long as one continues to put in the hours, which le dawg has done. Becoming a solid stage hunter is the minimum what I would expect from someone who allegedly was an all time great and "a genetic freak" with "crazy adaptive physiology". Cat 1 to cat 2 at most.

In his case all roads really lead to Rome, though.

Contador had a good recovery and a good endurance, of course, he was one of the best of his era. What I meant is an attack of contador was really hard, but after 2 km he was decreasing the effort (sorry about my english). Landa is better for a lomg attack (if he is ok) or Froome....and as well Pogacar. Maybe Pogacar is no a super rider form very hard stage with superclimbs, but if he attack at the end of a 10 Km climb he can go solo another 10 Km climb. Landa and Froome as well, contador will put biog time in the first climb, as Pogacar, his attack is quite similar (in mountain stages, Contador cant do what Poggy do at classics)

The rest that you say I am trying to understand everything, but it looks quite interesting. Yes, I think he can get a cat 2...he was close when he got Covid at 2022 Tour...but now I dont know if that if possible in his current team.

I think he should get some decent results before le Tour and no just to say everything is going well looking at le Tour...but the team, except Neilants breaks and Woods stage, I think didnt show more than when he get a third at Alp D Huez or stage close to the best or looking for the break the last stages before to leave that Tour.

 

[ManicJack]

.

I think he should get some decent results before le Tour and no just to say everything is going well looking at le Tour...but the team, except Neilants breaks and Woods stage, I think didnt show more than when he get a third at Alp D Huez or stage close to the best or looking for the break the last stages before to leave that Tour.

You very well may be the biggest troll in the history of the internet, let alone this forum. Jeezuz H.

 

[Taxus4a]

From his youtube comment section (in reply to someone who roasted him for not being ready for the Czech Tour despite claiming he was ready for the TdF):



Fair play to Froome for answering a random youtube comment.

But seriously he shouldn't be doing this to himself anymore. I get the money angle but the human factor (fans, teammates, staff & his boss) are going to be more & more difficult to deal with.

He should cite some back problems or whatever & just retire.

He is a fighter. If Rebellin was competitive (better than the last 3 years of Froome, except 2022 Tour) till50, Froome deserves the right to figh and get a better level than that 2022 Tour level...

I see he admitted he left bike almost a month, so that is a long time to be competitive even againts juniors. Pogacar maybe for his age and characteristics can leave the bicke one month, train one week and win Chezh Tour with this field...But Froome need a longer period just to finish.

 

[Taxus4a]

He should offer to join Tudor Team with Cancellara for almost free, and try to get a good result in an important race. Anyway, when I have talked with Oscar Guerrero, spanish director of Israel, they have confidence to him to come back to his best level.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Equipment issues again impeding to show a result.

It once again proves that one could have the ultimate bike, the best brakes, the last 1x drivetrain, the tightiest face sock or the lightest wheels, but the most prevailing equipment a rider has on the road are his legs.

Though off road, his equipment is his mouth and there are no issues with that.

 

[DaveJones2]

From his youtube comment section (in reply to someone who roasted him for not being ready for the Czech Tour despite claiming he was ready for the TdF):



Fair play to Froome for answering a random youtube comment.

But seriously he shouldn't be doing this to himself anymore. I get the money angle but the human factor (fans, teammates, staff & his boss) are going to be more & more difficult to deal with.

He should cite some back problems or whatever & just retire.

I've been highly critical of Sylvan Adams and his overall responsibility for this farcical situation that his team finds itself in.

But I think it is only fair to point out that Froome throwing his toys out of the pram with apparently training and "diet going out of the window" on his sponsorship jolly to Israel is surely absolutely unacceptable given the money he is now being paid to represent the team at races such as these.....

 

[YavorD]

He should offer to join Tudor Team with Cancellara for almost free, and try to get a good result in an important race. Anyway, when I have talked with Oscar Guerrero, spanish director of Israel, they have confidence to him to come back to his best level.

How about the age factor then? Are they gonna bring a 39 years old body back to his level on 29 or what?

 

[tobydawq]

Remember taxus' jubilant posts ca. 2013-15 proclaiming over and over something to the effect that Contador has no endurance whereas Froome and Landa do?

If anything, it is basic endurance that does not just go away to this kind of an extent. Unless training is simply ceased permanently, but this has not been the case.

Using an amateur analogy, Froome basically went from cat 1 to cat 3-4.

Muscular imbalances are a thing, sure. Joint alignment issues too. But his loss of aerobic capacity would also require a dramatic decrease in blood volume, hemoglobin mass, heart ventricle size, and mitochondrial and other aerobic enzyme content in the legs, etc.

The damage of a training break after the crash was surely big. But it is mostly reversible as long as one continues to put in the hours, which le dawg has done. Becoming a solid stage hunter is the minimum what I would expect from someone who allegedly was an all time great and "a genetic freak" with "crazy adaptive physiology". Cat 1 to cat 2 at most.

In his case all roads really lead to Rome, though.

To be fair, his short TT abilities have almost been the worst of all his skills the last couple of years. So maybe it isn't the aerobic factors that are lacking but something more fundamental. In 2020, he was still somewhat decent (of course not compared to what he was), the same last year in the Tour, whereas now, he would score in the low 50s in PCM in all categories (maybe except for descending skills).

 

[Rackham]

I've been highly critical of Sylvan Adams and his overall responsibility for this farcical situation that his team finds itself in.

But I think it is only fair to point out that Froome throwing his toys out of the pram with apparently training and "diet going out of the window" on his sponsorship jolly to Israel is surely absolutely unacceptable given the money he is now being paid to represent the team at races such as these.....

It's why I said he should retire.

I mean the moment Froome starts saying stuff like "I'm not in a good place right now", it's time to quit the sport. He's 38. He's won all he could, he's made money, he's got no reason to put pressure on himself (or any right to demand anything from his team, for that matter).

I don't get why there's even drama from Froome on this issue. Just quit already. It's worse than Ronaldo throwing a strop at Man Utd last season. At least he was still bankable to some oil states. Froome meanwhile has got absolutely no worth as a pro cyclist anymore, i.e. he's scored 8 UCI points this season.

It's... laughably bad. He could never lose form over the past month because that form didn't exist in the first place.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So Chris still needs more hard miles. He seems to be in some sort of crisis. It's understandable - kinda mental lapse after being omitted in the Tour squad. It's like Pogacar's post-Tour meltdown. But, like all big champions, he'll be back showing the mutants their place in 2024 (If his team is not cruel again).

 

[gunara]

If Taxus and Skijumper RF owned a pro-team, I'm sure they'd offer Froome 15-year contract and build the the team around him fighting the time cut for the hard miles

 

[gillan1969]

Remember taxus' jubilant posts ca. 2013-15 proclaiming over and over something to the effect that Contador has no endurance whereas Froome and Landa do?

If anything, it is basic endurance that does not just go away to this kind of an extent. Unless training is simply ceased permanently, but this has not been the case.

Using an amateur analogy, Froome basically went from cat 1 to cat 3-4.

Muscular imbalances are a thing, sure. Joint alignment issues too. But his loss of aerobic capacity would also require a dramatic decrease in blood volume, hemoglobin mass, heart ventricle size, and mitochondrial and other aerobic enzyme content in the legs, etc.

The damage of a training break after the crash was surely big. But it is mostly reversible as long as one continues to put in the hours, which le dawg has done. Becoming a solid stage hunter is the minimum what I would expect from someone who allegedly was an all time great and "a genetic freak" with "crazy adaptive physiology". Cat 1 to cat 2 at most.

In his case all roads really lead to Rome, though.

to be fair he also went from cat 4 to cat 1 in '11. His current travails lend his career some symmetry, he's regained the form of his early 20s...most late 30 year olds would kill for that

 

[RedheadDane]

But, like all big champions, he'll be back showing the mutants their place in 2024 (If his team is not cruel again).

Their place is at the front, winning.

 

[skippo12]

Three years away from peak Horner age. Vingegaard, Evenepoel and Pogacar aren´t ready for that version of Froome...

 

[rallybanana]

to be fair he also went from cat 4 to cat 1 in '11. His current travails lend his career some symmetry, he's regained the form of his early 20s...most late 30 year olds would kill for that

So you're saying he could still win the Anatomic Jock Race

 

[Taxus4a]

If Taxus and Skijumper RF owned a pro-team, I'm sure they'd offer Froome 15-year contract and build the the team around him fighting the time cut for the hard miles

It would be interesting, but I am not sure, finally is money and I know a lot of cycling and ir is risky... But if I had lot of money of course, and then a normal one to prove my knowledges, haha. it is a beautifull era of cycling and it would be nice to be there.

 

[Taxus4a]

How about the age factor then? Are they gonna bring a 39 years old body back to his level on 29 or what?

Not easy, but maybe is possible to be close. If you see Thomas, he is not so different to his best years... and he is now better than with 29 for GT.

 

[theyoungest]

It's why I said he should retire.

I mean the moment Froome starts saying stuff like "I'm not in a good place right now", it's time to quit the sport. He's 38. He's won all he could, he's made money, he's got no reason to put pressure on himself (or any right to demand anything from his team, for that matter).

I don't get why there's even drama from Froome on this issue. Just quit already. It's worse than Ronaldo throwing a strop at Man Utd last season. At least he was still bankable to some oil states. Froome meanwhile has got absolutely no worth as a pro cyclist anymore, i.e. he's scored 8 UCI points this season.

It's... laughably bad. He could never lose form over the past month because that form didn't exist in the first place.

That's not true. See the result below, from late May. While not earth-shatteringly good, it's certainly nowhere near as bad as the level he displayed in the Czech Tour, which was just a disgrace for any Worldtour pro, let alone a four time TDF winner.

1	CARAPAZ Richard	EF Education-EasyPost	125	75	4:47:59
2	GALL Felix	AG2R Citroën Team	85	55	0:12
3	VAN EETVELT Lennert	Lotto Dstny	70	40	0:38
4	MARTINEZ Lenny	Groupama - FDJ	60	32	,,
5	RODRÍGUEZ Cristián	Team Arkéa Samsic	50	28	,,
6	BERTHET Clément	AG2R Citroën Team	40	24	0:51
7	MARTIN Guillaume	Cofidis	35	20	1:53
8	MEINTJES Louis	Intermarché - Circus - Wanty	30	18	,,
9	ZEITS Andrey	Astana Qazaqstan Team	25	16	1:55
10	MONIQUET Sylvain	Lotto Dstny	20	14	2:24
11	PARRA José Félix	Equipo Kern Pharma	15	12	,,
12	HERMANS Ben	Israel - Premier Tech	10	10	2:51
13	JOALLAND Yaël	CIC U Nantes Atlantique	5	8	3:07
14	FROOME Chris	Israel - Premier Tech	5	7	3:36
15	ZIMMERMANN Georg	Intermarché - Circus - Wanty	5	6	4:20