Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[Pricey_sky]

Not that bad at all.
He won't have a tactical advantage the itt brings, but he's not a tactician at all.
In fact, a route searching for the wind and echelons could compensate the lack of itt kilometers. It's up to him and Sky to exploit the possibilities.
There are the cobbles, off course, but the main fact behind the opinion the route is unfavorable to Froome is that it doesn't handicap his opponents.

I agree it's not that bad but the lack of a decent flat iTT means there is little room for error. I don't think he would do that badly on the cobbles and would at least have a strong team to guide him through. Porte did pretty well with Thomas' help this year and I would think Stannard would be there too. He could actually gain time on the likes of Contador (really struggled on the cobbles this year) and Quintana.

 

[sir fly]

I agree it's not that bad but the lack of a decent flat iTT means there is little room for error. I don't think he would do that badly on the cobbles and would at least have a strong team to guide him through. Porte did pretty well with Thomas' help this year and I would think Stannard would be there too. He could actually gain time on the likes of Contador (really struggled on the cobbles this year) and Quintana.

That's the (missing) tactical advantage I'm talking about.

 

[damian13ster]

He is not obliged but IMO it's a great opportunity for him to win the Giro. Mountains in italy are normally less suited to his style but next year there are a lot of TdF type climbs PLUS a super long flat TT. It's the most difficult GT for a rider like Froome, but next year it's less difficult. Golden opportunity.

Then he can go on and do the Tour. He'll see if he can do 2 GT's at a very high level - if it doesn't go well in the Tour then he'll know it for the future. Valuable experience.

But he will do 2 GTs next season. Giro just isnt one of them.
Plus, is there even route for GT that doesnt suit him? He is one of the best at both TTing and climbing. Would have to be some wicked cobble stages or TT entirely downhill for the route not to suit him.

 

[elfed68]

I find it all so pathetic, he complains of having to shepherd Wiggins and being reigned back in the 2012 campaign yet complains of not having not enough tt miles in the 2015 TdF.

Wasn't he the best climber in the world at some point in 2013?? What's changed?? I'm confused.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I find it all so pathetic, he complains of having to shepherd Wiggins and being reigned back in the 2012 campaign yet complains of not having not enough tt miles in the 2015 TdF.

Wasn't he the best climber in the world at some point in 2013?? What's changed?? I'm confused.

I don't think its so much a complaint, just a question as to why the route is unbalanced. In my opinion he is still one of the best climbers in the world when in form anyway. But a long, flat iTT would give him an extra buffer, especially on riders like Quintana.

 

[elfed68]

At some point or other Team Sky are going to realise they all put their eggs in the wrong basket, doesn't matter when but it'll happen.

Plenty of room for both I reckon, with potential to be pretty devastating!

 

[sir fly]

At some point or other Team Sky are going to realise they all put their eggs in the wrong basket, doesn't matter when but it'll happen.

Plenty of room for both I reckon, with potential to be pretty devastating!

The thing is - they have just one basket.
Otherwise. there wouldn't be a dilemma about the double Froome's going to target.
He wouldn't go for a double at all.

 

[Electress]

At some point or other Team Sky are going to realise they all put their eggs in the wrong basket, doesn't matter when but it'll happen.

Plenty of room for both I reckon, with potential to be pretty devastating!

Not only do Sky have only-one-rider-in-the-basket, it seems to me that they have only one tactic. Their seem to build in zero flexibility in a sport in which demands it more than most others. So many variables change every day, and there are disproportionately numerous ways for your athlete to come a cropper.

Coming from the velodrome has done them no favours in this regard. 2014 found them out and they need to respond next year. Be interesting to see whether Froome can develop some road nouse and Sir D of B. et al. can actually develop riders. Not easy when they've apparently focused on the ethos of 'one rider to rule them all' whilst the rest are bound forever in unquestioning and uncomplaining servitude.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Not only do Sky have only-one-rider-in-the-basket, it seems to me that they have only one tactic. Their seem to build in zero flexibility in a sport in which demands it more than most others. So many variables change every day, and there are disproportionately numerous ways for your athlete to come a cropper.

Coming from the velodrome has done them no favours in this regard. 2014 found them out and they need to respond next year. Be interesting to see whether Froome can develop some road nouse and Sir D of B. et al. can actually develop riders. Not easy when they've apparently focused on the ethos of 'one rider to rule them all' whilst the rest are bound forever in unquestioning and uncomplaining servitude.

I actually think this last season had seen them start to go away from their one dimension route. Sky actually had some half decent results in the one day races for example (podiums at E3 and MSR. Winning Omloop and two in the top 10 at PR. I agree it would be nice to see them bring on and develop some riders as they haven't done a great job with that bar the obvious.

They have a good selection of riders behind Froome for 2015. Konig, Porte (if he can find his form again), Roche and Nieve should be able to compete for some good GC results. Guys like Swift, Thomas, Stannard and Viviani can mix it up too in the one day races. Whether Sky actually let them achieve their potential is another point completely, I at least hope so.

 

[Walkman]

I find it all so pathetic, he complains of having to shepherd Wiggins and being reigned back in the 2012 campaign yet complains of not having not enough tt miles in the 2015 TdF.

Wasn't he the best climber in the world at some point in 2013?? What's changed?? I'm confused.

So one cannot complain on a crappy course?!

15 freaking km?! That, if anything, is pathetic. The Tour should be hold to a higher standard than that.

 

[Taxus4a]

Despite the short ITT, if he put time on Contador, he just need to keep his wheen in the mountaisn, and that is much more easy that try to attack and put time, as he was forced in las Vuelta a España. The same with Nibali.

There are some windy stages and the cobbles to try to put more time on Quintanam and Purito,m, people that could climb some days better than him or even Contador.

The TTT will be importat as well,. and the short climbs.

A Tour winner must be good in ITT, of course, but as well to go well, in the mountains, tactics, downhills...it is a good tour for Nibali in that, and froome need to improve some things, but if he is at this year in daupuiné he will be the best...

It will be an interesting Tour despite de parcours

 

[Netserk]

Even if Froome puts 20'' into Contador in the opening ITT, most of that will disappear in the three hilltop finishes and the TTT. Then there's the lottery of the cobbles, where I don't think it's more likely for Froome to take time on Contador than the opposite, so I think Froome will have to attack and drop Contador for good in the mountains, as Contador should be better in a 500-1000m sprint at the end of the big climbs.

 

[May0maniac]

Despite the short ITT, if he put time on Contador, he just need to keep his wheen in the mountaisn, and that is much more easy that try to attack and put time, as he was forced in las Vuelta a España. The same with Nibali.

There are some windy stages and the cobbles to try to put more time on Quintanam and Purito,m, people that could climb some days better than him or even Contador.

The TTT will be importat as well,. and the short climbs.

A Tour winner must be good in ITT, of course, but as well to go well, in the mountains, tactics, downhills...it is a good tour for Nibali in that, and froome need to improve some things, but if he is at this year in daupuiné he will be the best...

It will be an interesting Tour despite de parcours

I think we might overrate the cobbles stage, it will be easier than this years stage, the last sector will be a lot further away from the finisch line, crashes will be the biggest problem. I just fear that small gaps will create conservative, very tactical racing.

 

[Jspear]

So one cannot complain on a crappy course?!

15 freaking km?! That, if anything, is pathetic. The Tour should be hold to a higher standard than that.

I agree. IMO it asks the question of why even have a TT at all. The differences will be pretty insignificant...it will be a waist of a day. Actually I guess the prologue specialist will be happy for a stage win to contest - that's probably the only upside to the stage.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Even if Froome puts 20'' into Contador in the opening ITT, most of that will disappear in the three hilltop finishes and the TTT. Then there's the lottery of the cobbles, where I don't think it's more likely for Froome to take time on Contador than the opposite, so I think Froome will have to attack and drop Contador for good in the mountains, as Contador should be better in a 500-1000m sprint at the end of the big climbs.

Good post, although Sky could get their **** together and crush the TTT

 

[Netserk]

Good post, although Sky could get their **** together and crush the TTT

Maybe if Wiggo is part of the team. Otherwise I think Tinkoff-Saxo would do better.

 

[peloton]

Maybe if Wiggo is part of the team. Otherwise I think Tinkoff-Saxo would do better.

Highly doubt Wiggo will ever ride as Froome's teammate again, but I could be wrong of course

 

[ferryman]

Despite the short ITT, if he put time on Contador, he just need to keep his wheen in the mountaisn, and that is much more easy that try to attack and put time, as he was forced in las Vuelta a España. The same with Nibali.

There are some windy stages and the cobbles to try to put more time on Quintanam and Purito,m, people that could climb some days better than him or even Contador.

The TTT will be importat as well,. and the short climbs.

A Tour winner must be good in ITT, of course, but as well to go well, in the mountains, tactics, downhills...it is a good tour for Nibali in that, and froome need to improve some things, but if he is at this year in daupuiné he will be the best...

Apologies but I seem to be finishing off/adding to unfinished sentences tonight. My interpretation against yours over the 2014 year Tax would be,
"and froome need to improve some things, but if he is at this year in daupuiné he will be the best...of the rest and possibly trouble Contador and Quintana in his battle with Nibali for 3rd place on the podium"

 

[thehook]

I know this is a Froome thread. But to complain about the lack of TT in the Tour is rubbish IMHO. SKY won there first Tour on a TT heavy tour. Cannot have it both ways? And Froome crushed everyone in the mountains in 13'

Ride the parcours. Beat who shows up. And just call yourself the Champ!

AKA: What Nibs did this year. His win is just as deserved as Froomes. Hard earned & fought for.

And yes I'm an AC fan. Yes Froome wiped the floor with AC in 13' So Froome can get ready to ride the parcours. If that is/was a problem why show up in 14' there were cobbles in it?

 

[Jspear]

Froom talking about the climbing heavy 2015 Tour.

"It’s also going to be important to be as light as possible so our nutrition will play a key role."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-confirms-he-will-target-the-2015-tour-de-france

Surely his isn't planning on getting skinner than past years.

 

[nhowson]

Even if Froome puts 20'' into Contador in the opening ITT, most of that will disappear in the three hilltop finishes and the TTT. Then there's the lottery of the cobbles, where I don't think it's more likely for Froome to take time on Contador than the opposite, so I think Froome will have to attack and drop Contador for good in the mountains, as Contador should be better in a 500-1000m sprint at the end of the big climbs.

The thing is that if Contador has a bad day he'll probably lose more than Froome would, because Froome's help is probably better. Hopefully they both get to 2014 Dauphiné form, when they were both at their best, and it will be tight. 20" is the max Froome will get, but it may be interesting to see what happens at Mur de Huy, it's possible that there will be no gap between them after that.

 

[Electress]

I know this is a Froome thread. But to complain about the lack of TT in the Tour is rubbish IMHO. SKY won there first Tour on a TT heavy tour. Cannot have it both ways? And Froome crushed everyone in the mountains in 13'

Ride the parcours. Beat who shows up. And just call yourself the Champ!

AKA: What Nibs did this year. His win is just as deserved as Froomes. Hard earned & fought for.

And yes I'm an AC fan. Yes Froome wiped the floor with AC in 13' So Froome can get ready to ride the parcours. If that is/was a problem why show up in 14' there were cobbles in it?

This. The Tour route varies, that favours different riders slightly more or less each year. The mood music for some reason from Sky seems to have changed around Froome - is he no longer a climber? Does he suddenly 'need' the ITT buffer? I find it a little odd.

As for the weight - I honestly don't want to see CF any more emaciated. There must come a point when low weight is a detriment for recovery and health reserves. He looks fragile enough at whatever weight he was in 2014.

 

[RiccoDinko]

I don't see how Contador will be much trouble if he rides the Giro to win. It's Nairo with all the climbs, maybe even Purito. Bertie will tire out into the 2nd GT. Froome vs Nairo show for Le Tour

 

[greenedge]

Even if Froome puts 20'' into Contador in the opening ITT, most of that will disappear in the three hilltop finishes and the TTT. Then there's the lottery of the cobbles, where I don't think it's more likely for Froome to take time on Contador than the opposite, so I think Froome will have to attack and drop Contador for good in the mountains, as Contador should be better in a 500-1000m sprint at the end of the big climbs.

I'm not so sure that Sky would go worse than Tinkoff. They have Porte, Konig, Thomas and Kennaugh to support Froome. Contador will have Rogers, Bennati, Tosatto and Kreuziger/Sagan. I know which team I would preffer to have.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm not so sure that Sky would go worse than Tinkoff. They have Porte, Konig, Thomas and Kennaugh to support Froome. Contador will have Rogers, Bennati, Tosatto and Kreuziger/Sagan. I know which team I would preffer to have.

Yeah Dodgers Benna Toso and Sagan of course. Add in Bodnar and Valgren....