Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[Netserk]

Re:

Froome the big loser today. Now almost a full percent less likely to win the Tour. Quintana slowly but surely gaining ground.

I'm surprised that whatever Contador's odds increased with, it was so little that it doesn't show. I think he is more likely to beat Froome than Quintana, though Quintana is probably still more likely to beat Contador than vice versa.

 

[SeriousSam]

It doesn't show because I copied the previous value. The bid ask spread for everyone but Froome and Quintana is huge, which means the odds cannot be taken seriously. The volume of new gamblers backing or laying Contador is tiny. The moment that changes for any of the riders (ie they drop Froome), I'm going to update things again.

Why do you think Contador is more likely to beat Froome? It seems to me that Quintana is a stronger climber now, that his team is stronger, and that he can be expected to be a stronger climber in the Alps. Finally, he's a minute up on Contador, and if there is a chance for Contador to take time on Froome, that would almost certainly involve Quintana also taking time.

It's a real shame Quintana lost such a huge amount of time before the first MTF. Without that disadvantage, the Alps might have been really exciting.

 

[Netserk]

Quintana won't risk as much while he is sitting in 2nd place. His only chance to beat Froome is to take 3'+ on the two remaining big MTFs. He'll improve, but I doubt it'll be enough. Contador on the other hand is more of a joker. He has a higher top level and is more likely to go from the penultimate climb, he is a better descender and more willing to take risks. As I said, I still think Quintana is more likely to beat Contador than vice versa, but when it comes to the overall win Contador is more likely (however unlikely that is) to do something so extraordinary that he'll beat Froome than Quintana is.

 

[Poursuivant]

Some of the stages in the Alps could see a team drilling it from the very start and try to isolate Froome, like the day after he won at AX3 in 2013, and no one really capitalised on it. Tour isn't won yet.

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

In the real world Froome was the biggest winner today. One day closer to Paris and a 2nd Tour win.

However he was worse than predicted.

He said after the stage he had a dig to test the others, but because of the conditions (headwind) he saw no point in continuing so just rode conservatively for the rest of the stage.

To be honest if Porte and G continue this form and reel in every attack from his rivals then he is in a perfect position. Another big tick from Froome today as attacks on the final climb aren't going to lose him the yellow jersey. They need to do something very special from long range to gain back 3-4 minutes that they need.

Here is hoping on a long range attack else were in for a rather boring final week. Still I can't imagine Thomas not having a off day.

 

[DBotero]

Only one more target for Froome this Tour,until than he might do a Wiggins.
“If there’s a stage I’d love to win, I’d had to say on L’Alpe d’Huez. It’s the penultimate stage and the last big challenge. In the back of my mind it’s always there,” he said.
“Can I win it in yellow? I have address that one when I get there, but it is one of most iconic stages and so it would be a dream come true.”
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-froome-hits-back-at-doubts-and-innuendo

 

[SeriousSam]

This is great news. Nothing worse than the best climber not going all out at Alpe. It means we'll see whether Froome weakens and is worse than Quintana or Contador because of his suppsedly inferior recovery.

 

[criterion]

Froome, when he exploses he usually does it in a great way. And many times it occur with bad weather conditions. Alps will have those bad weather conditions, and the trend of athletics performance with (specially) Contador and Nairo has inverted...

For me the clue will be how long will Thomas stand with Froome. If he see himself alone with Nibali, Contador, Valverde, Quintana,...his mental stuck is quite probable. He is calm as long as he has Thomas with him.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Froome, when he exploses he usually does it in a great way. And many times it occur with bad weather conditions. Alps will have those bad weather conditions, and the trend of athletics performance with (specially) Contador and Nairo has inverted...

For me the clue will be how long will Thomas stand with Froome. If he see himself alone with Nibali, Contador, Valverde, Quintana,...his mental stuck is quite probable. He is calm as long as he has Thomas with him.

If Froome cracks it will be because his form has tailed off or is having a bad day, it will be nothing to do with his mental state. Froome isn't mentally weak like Wiggins.

 

[Catwhoorg]

The last time Dawg was on the Alpe he cracked, needed sugar and got that time penalty for an illegal feed.

I can see Sky making sure he puts that firmly to bed this time round.

 

[Vino's Mum]

Re:

The last time Dawg...

The dawg is no more. It's Froomerhino now...

 

[Catwhoorg]

He will always be Dawg to me.

 

[Jelantik]

This is great news. Nothing worse than the best climber not going all out at Alpe. It means we'll see whether Froome weakens and is worse than Quintana or Contador because of his suppsedly inferior recovery.

let's hope it rains all day in all 4 days in the alps .. especially on Alpe d'huez. Then maybe Contador or Quintana has a shot..

 

[deValtos]

This is great news. Nothing worse than the best climber not going all out at Alpe. It means we'll see whether Froome weakens and is worse than Quintana or Contador because of his suppsedly inferior recovery.

let's hope it rains all day in all 4 days in the alps .. especially on Alpe d'huez. Then maybe Contador or Quintana has a shot..

Then we won't get to see Pantani's record broken if it rains

 

[Afrank]

Re: Re:

The last time Dawg...

The dawg is no more. It's Froomerhino now...

A guy built like a twig is going to have the nickname of a giant hulking animal?

Call me crazy, but I think Sky might find it difficult to get that nickname to stick.

 

[DBotero]

Re: Re:

The last time Dawg...

The dawg is no more. It's Froomerhino now...

A guy built like a twig is going to have the nickname of a giant hulking animal?

Call me crazy, but I think Sky might find it difficult to get that nickname to stick.

Not a nickname:http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/raci...arello-f8-gets-a-custom-rhino-paintjob-183040

 

[SeriousSam]

Strongest of the GC guys on a finish like this. Froome still going strong.

 

[postmanhat]

Froome, when he exploses he usually does it in a great way. And many times it occur with bad weather conditions. Alps will have those bad weather conditions, and the trend of athletics performance with (specially) Contador and Nairo has inverted...

For me the clue will be how long will Thomas stand with Froome. If he see himself alone with Nibali, Contador, Valverde, Quintana,...his mental stuck is quite probable. He is calm as long as he has Thomas with him.

He was pretty much on his own in the last week of 2013 iirc. Mentally, he seems very strong to me. Maybe physical difficulties have more of an effect on him than others.. if you want to clutch at straws

 

[wendybnt]

It is going to need Quintana, Contador, Van Garderen and Nibali to attack where Sky aren't expecting it, and find a way of shedding Thomas earlier on.

 

[oldcrank]

https://twitter.com/SafariSimbaz/status/621197065784295425/photo/1
The Lion of the Savannah only bared
his teeth once, but that was enough to
establish who is the King of Beasts.

 

[rm7]

Chris Froome just said that someone threw a glass of urin at him and shouted "doping doping!" - that's just disgusting

 

[SeriousSam]

It appears the fans don't have unconditional love for him, although that is just data point and we need to gather further evidence to make that judgement.

 

[Pricey_sky]

He needs to use this anger as motivation over the final week.

 

[Poursuivant]

I wonder if his name was Christophè Froome from Paris, if this delightful creature would have felt the urge to do the same thing.

 

[DBotero]

Froome looked pretty decent today,no problem.Quintana will never bother him with this type of attacks.Next week will be fun,Quintana will attack everywhere.