Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[tobydawq]

From inrng.com

What races could he lose?
Under the vanilla application of the rules Froome would lose his Vuelta title but keep his bronze medal from the Bergen worlds.Normally an athlete is stripped of all results but this is the specified substance rules again where the results are lost from the event where he was tested but not subsequent events.

Froome will keep all his results except the Vuelta in the worst case scenario. Why is Vegni crying everwhere?
If Froome completes the Giro he keeps that result.

Wauw, I managed to read the whole article without realising that. Thanks for enabling me.

If this really is true, this changes a lot and makes it much less potentially devastating to have him participate in Giro and Tour without the courts having come to a verdict. As long as they don't reach a such on the penultimate day of either race with him in the leader's jersey...

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

To build trust and bridges instead of adding more fuel to the fire he'd be better served by not racing !

I disagree.

A quiet race without any action is a actually a smarter way of coming back than not doing anything at all.

Of course, he shouldn't be destroying the rest like he usually does.

Slow and steady > not doing racing at all > going all-in in a warm-up race.

Agreed. If he wants to ride the Giro (or the Tour for that matter), he'll probably have to ride before the verdict. There'll be a fuss whether he starts racing in February or March, but by dipping his toes in the water first, it'd lessen the shock. No one wants to see Froome smash everyone right now, but if we at first get used to seeing him race again, it'd be less of a shock when he eventually brings his A game.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

To build trust and bridges instead of adding more fuel to the fire he'd be better served by not racing !

I disagree.

A quiet race without any action is a actually a smarter way of coming back than not doing anything at all.

Of course, he shouldn't be destroying the rest like he usually does.

Slow and steady > not doing racing at all > going all-in in a warm-up race.

Agreed. If he wants to ride the Giro (or the Tour for that matter), he'll probably have to ride before the verdict. There'll be a fuss whether he starts racing in February or March, but by dipping his toes in the water first, it'd lessen the shock. No one wants to see Froome smash everyone right now, but if we at first get used to seeing him race again, it'd be less of a shock when he eventually brings his A game.

Yeah. It's like coming back from an injury, just a social one. Using baby steps in order to take bigger steps down the road.

But let's see how Team Sky will handle this.

 

[Poursuivant]

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

 

[HBA01]

Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Landa and Fuglsang and that's seemingly It among guys that can challenge him

 

[Poursuivant]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Landa and Fuglsang and that's seemingly It among guys that can challenge him

14km TT would seemingly rule Landa out too.

 

[Parker]

Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Valverde will win. He almost always does.

 

[HBA01]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Valverde will win. He almost always does.

He's not gonna be racing RDS

 

[Blanco]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Landa and Fuglsang and that's seemingly It among guys that can challenge him

14km TT would seemingly rule Landa out too.

I don;t think so, he's not that bad lately and he has some serious mountains to compensate losses. I'm backing him for the win.

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Landa and Fuglsang and that's seemingly It among guys that can challenge him

14km TT would seemingly rule Landa out too.

I don;t think so, he's not that bad lately and he has some serious mountains to compensate losses. I'm backing him for the win.

Aye but he’s now ex sky, his TT level will be back down to an irrelevance

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Yeah but he's now on what is most likely the best TT bike

 

[Nirvana]

From inrng.com

What races could he lose?
Under the vanilla application of the rules Froome would lose his Vuelta title but keep his bronze medal from the Bergen worlds.Normally an athlete is stripped of all results but this is the specified substance rules again where the results are lost from the event where he was tested but not subsequent events.

Froome will keep all his results except the Vuelta in the worst case scenario. Why is Vegni crying everwhere?
If Froome completes the Giro he keeps that result.

Actually we can't be sure of that, in the two previous case they applied that rule with Ulissi (was stripped only of the stage where returned positive) but not with Petacchi that was stripped of all result between spring of 2007 and spring of 2008 and even the two stage of the Giro that he won before returning positive.

 

[Parker]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Valverde will win. He almost always does.

He's not gonna be racing RDS

I don't think a minor detail like that will stop him

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Valverde will win. He almost always does.

Since he's not racing it, that would be extremely impressive feat to accomplish.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

Froome hasn't smashed everyone in Feb for a while. Who is going RDS? Porte? Valverde?

Valverde will win. He almost always does.

Since he's not racing it, that would be extremely impressive feat to accomplish.

If anyone can do it, Valverde can .

 

[Merckx index]

I'm surprised that this thread has seen no action in more than a month. I'm not going to try to confirm it, but my hunch is that this is the longest such period since the thread began. There's lots to talk about besides what isn't allowed in this part of the forum. Such as...is he finally feeling his age? He finished more than a minute down on the last stage. He did play domestique for Thomas, but that's because he had already been dropped when GT had his chain problem, and he couldn't stay with him to the finish.. Sure, it's early in the season, and since he's assuming he will be riding the double, his preparation is probably a little different from that of years past, but he really hasn't looked very impressive in either of the races he's been in so far this year.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

I'm surprised that this thread has seen no action in more than a month. I'm not going to try to confirm it, but my hunch is that this is the longest such period since the thread began. There's lots to talk about besides what isn't allowed in this part of the forum. Such as...is he finally feeling his age? He finished more than a minute down on the last stage. He did play domestique for Thomas, but that's because he had already been dropped when GT had his chain problem, and he couldn't stay with him to the finish.. Sure, it's early in the season, and since he's assuming he will be riding the double, his preparation is probably a little different from that of years past, but he really hasn't looked very impressive in either of the races he's been in so far this year.

I'm gonna believe this is the reason why. Watching others try, it seems like you really have to save a TON of energy for later in the season. Especially since the Tour is the 2nd GT...not the Vuelta.

If it was another rider besides Nibbes or Froome, I might think their season is going poorly....with these two riders it doesn't really surprise me, and I always assume they'll be ready come their first real objective.

 

[dutchdescent]

Re: Re:

I'm surprised that this thread has seen no action in more than a month. I'm not going to try to confirm it, but my hunch is that this is the longest such period since the thread began. There's lots to talk about besides what isn't allowed in this part of the forum. Such as...is he finally feeling his age? He finished more than a minute down on the last stage. He did play domestique for Thomas, but that's because he had already been dropped when GT had his chain problem, and he couldn't stay with him to the finish.. Sure, it's early in the season, and since he's assuming he will be riding the double, his preparation is probably a little different from that of years past, but he really hasn't looked very impressive in either of the races he's been in so far this year.

I'm gonna believe this is the reason why. Watching others try, it seems like you really have to save a TON of energy for later in the season. Especially since the Tour is the 2nd GT...not the Vuelta.

If it was another rider besides Nibbes or Froome, I might think their season is going poorly....with these two riders it doesn't really surprise me, and I always assume they'll be ready come their first real objective.

I agree actually, Froome hasn't been truly dominant in the early races for a while now. Last year I honestly started thinking he botched it when he was still somewhat subpar in the Dauphine. Turns out he timed it to 'perfection' with victory in la Vuelta in mind also.
That said, watching his ride yesterday I was somewhat surprised again. This time no yoyo. Just a cold stone drop. We'll see what'll happen come the Giro. I think he will come good. Just not sure anyone will be too happy with that anymore if it does happen..

 

[Red Rick]

I actually think that it takes Froome more energy that he used to to reach a competitive form. He did the slow as molasses build up last year, and wasn't all that impressive in the Tour. It's not like he's doing the super peak thing.

I definitely think he's on the decline, but it isn't very steep yet.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

I actually think that it takes Froome more energy that he used to to reach a competitive form. He did the slow as molasses build up last year, and wasn't all that impressive in the Tour. It's not like he's doing the super peak thing.

I definitely think he's on the decline, but it isn't very steep yet.

At the moment I doubt he's super motivated ! Some people seem to think because he did the double last year he's not declining but the fact is that he struggled in the Dauphine last year and the Tour at least in the mountains and the final margin in the Tour was blown out on the final stage against a non TT rider and someone who basically followed wheels for three weeks and had not performed in a GT for a long time. Also his main opposition in the Vuelta was Contador who was long past his best even though he rode with a lot of panache in the Vuelta. And Froome's team loaded with talent performed very well in the Tour and even better in the Vuelta.

Some think that he does not attack in the mountains now because he doesn't have to. I think it's more because he can't, not if he wants to stay strong in the third week. He was in trouble a few times in the Tour and never looked like putting a serious gap into Bardet. He is riding to his strengths by depending more on his team and why wouldn't he make use of such talent ? Even in the 2016 Tour, Porte looked as good as Froome in the mountains for the most part as did Mollema except for one disastrous stage. I doubt that Froome would have won either GT last season if he wasn't riding for Sky. And the age of declining usually for a GT rider is approaching the mid thirties so Froome fits that pattern as did Contador, even earlier for him. Only Evans lasted a bit longer but then declined quite quickly after his win in 2011. Sastre was the same after his win in 2008. And Chris Horner was an anomaly !

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I actually think that it takes Froome more energy that he used to to reach a competitive form. He did the slow as molasses build up last year, and wasn't all that impressive in the Tour. It's not like he's doing the super peak thing.

I definitely think he's on the decline, but it isn't very steep yet.

At the moment I doubt he's super motivated ! Some people seem to think because he did the double last year he's not declining but the fact is that he struggled in the Dauphine last year and the Tour at least in the mountains and the final margin in the Tour was blown out on the final stage against a non TT rider and someone who basically followed wheels for three weeks and had not performed in a GT for a long time. Also his main opposition in the Vuelta was Contador who was long past his best even though he rode with a lot of panache in the Vuelta. And Froome's team loaded with talent performed very well in the Tour and even better in the Vuelta.

Some think that he does not attack in the mountains now because he doesn't have to. I think it's more because he can't, not if he wants to stay strong in the third week. He was in trouble a few times in the Tour and never looked like putting a serious gap into Bardet. He is riding to his strengths by depending more on his team and why wouldn't he make use of such talent ? Even in the 2016 Tour, Porte looked as good as Froome in the mountains for the most part as did Mollema except for one disastrous stage. I doubt that Froome would have won either GT last season if he wasn't riding for Sky. And the age of declining usually for a GT rider is approaching the mid thirties so Froome fits that pattern as did Contador, even earlier for him. Only Evans lasted a bit longer but then declined quite quickly after his win in 2011. Sastre was the same after his win in 2008. And Chris Horner was an anomaly !

Pretty much. The ones that go forever are usually not the ones with the highest peaks. Valverde is a bit of an anomaly too.

However, the decline usually doesn't start very sharp, so if you have an excess of ability, you can still win.

And I maintain that Contadors rides on the Muchachos and the Angliru were his best climbing since 2015.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

I actually think that it takes Froome more energy that he used to to reach a competitive form. He did the slow as molasses build up last year, and wasn't all that impressive in the Tour. It's not like he's doing the super peak thing.

I definitely think he's on the decline, but it isn't very steep yet.

At the moment I doubt he's super motivated ! Some people seem to think because he did the double last year he's not declining but the fact is that he struggled in the Dauphine last year and the Tour at least in the mountains and the final margin in the Tour was blown out on the final stage against a non TT rider and someone who basically followed wheels for three weeks and had not performed in a GT for a long time. Also his main opposition in the Vuelta was Contador who was long past his best even though he rode with a lot of panache in the Vuelta. And Froome's team loaded with talent performed very well in the Tour and even better in the Vuelta.

Some think that he does not attack in the mountains now because he doesn't have to. I think it's more because he can't, not if he wants to stay strong in the third week. He was in trouble a few times in the Tour and never looked like putting a serious gap into Bardet. He is riding to his strengths by depending more on his team and why wouldn't he make use of such talent ? Even in the 2016 Tour, Porte looked as good as Froome in the mountains for the most part as did Mollema except for one disastrous stage. I doubt that Froome would have won either GT last season if he wasn't riding for Sky. And the age of declining usually for a GT rider is approaching the mid thirties so Froome fits that pattern as did Contador, even earlier for him. Only Evans lasted a bit longer but then declined quite quickly after his win in 2011. Sastre was the same after his win in 2008. And Chris Horner was an anomaly !

Poulidor, Zoetmelk...

Declining, probably. Surely. May be. This bad? He regressed to his pre-Sky level. Did Dawg lose his teeth (which would prove that he's more English than Kenyan )?

???

Or he's holding back. And he'll smack everybody when it matters.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

And I maintain that Contadors rides on the Muchachos and the Angliru were his best climbing since 2015.

Just like everybody today, even his foes wanted Tiger to win. No one gave the memo to the early guys . That's the difference. Contador got a pass, out of respect, good for him. And he was no threat. It was cool though, not that I like him, but I knew that LaFlo would be happy . And I like LaFlo .

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

I actually think that it takes Froome more energy that he used to to reach a competitive form. He did the slow as molasses build up last year, and wasn't all that impressive in the Tour. It's not like he's doing the super peak thing.

I definitely think he's on the decline, but it isn't very steep yet.

At the moment I doubt he's super motivated ! Some people seem to think because he did the double last year he's not declining but the fact is that he struggled in the Dauphine last year and the Tour at least in the mountains and the final margin in the Tour was blown out on the final stage against a non TT rider and someone who basically followed wheels for three weeks and had not performed in a GT for a long time. Also his main opposition in the Vuelta was Contador who was long past his best even though he rode with a lot of panache in the Vuelta. And Froome's team loaded with talent performed very well in the Tour and even better in the Vuelta.

Some think that he does not attack in the mountains now because he doesn't have to. I think it's more because he can't, not if he wants to stay strong in the third week. He was in trouble a few times in the Tour and never looked like putting a serious gap into Bardet. He is riding to his strengths by depending more on his team and why wouldn't he make use of such talent ? Even in the 2016 Tour, Porte looked as good as Froome in the mountains for the most part as did Mollema except for one disastrous stage. I doubt that Froome would have won either GT last season if he wasn't riding for Sky. And the age of declining usually for a GT rider is approaching the mid thirties so Froome fits that pattern as did Contador, even earlier for him. Only Evans lasted a bit longer but then declined quite quickly after his win in 2011. Sastre was the same after his win in 2008. And Chris Horner was an anomaly !

Poulidor, Zoetmelk...

Declining, probably. Surely. May be. This bad? He regressed to his pre-Sky level. Did Dawg lose his teeth (which would prove that he's more English than Kenyan )?

???

Or he's holding back. And he'll smack everybody when it matters.

No he will never regress to his pre Sky level and I don't think he's holding back. Sounds a bit like when Contador was expected to perform in the Tour after 2010 but never hit the podium again for a variety of reasons but his fans kept saying it will happen and it never did but it was probably good that Contador also targeted the Giro and mixed it up a bit. And yes it was a heroic ride in the Vuelta but Sky knew they had time up their sleeves.

Zoetemelk only won the Tour when Hinault was out injured but he had plenty of podiums while Poulidor just never seemed to have the racing savvy of Anquetil even though he was often as strong. Can see why the French got behind him and good to see that he and Anquetil became friends later on.

 

[dacooley]

seems like froome smells the approaching end. wada verdict doesn't bode well for him, pretty much impossible to push oneself really hard in this situation. I don't think he believes he starts the Giro whatsoever.