Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.

[bigcog]

Only 43 seconds down, not too bad for a guy who some think will be OTL.

Maybe I was overly pessimistic but he seems to be worse now than last year prior to having his metal work out. I would like nothing more than to be proved wrong and him be competitive in GTs.

 

[Escarabajo]

Only 43 seconds down, not too bad for a guy who some think will be OTL.

Tour is in the bag!

 

[Taxus4a]

Only 43 seconds down, not too bad for a guy who some think will be OTL.

I am happy with this result. Sagan has option in this stage and he lost 7 minutes. Gisbert was behind him as well. I am not sure about the rain, but the forecast was rain. He was very close to the time of the winner in a quite hard stage. The prologue was too bad, but today he shows at least he is maybe progressing. And maybe he was working something for the team,. With good weather I think he could have be in that group of 36.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

If he targets a possible breakaway on Saturday, it wouldn't make much sense for him to be in the first group anyway. I'm not saying that's his plan, or that he could have stayed with the best today either, but he obviously knew prior to the race that the GC wouldn't be an option due to the team bringing Woods and him not being strong enough regardless.

 

[red_flanders]

I am happy with this result. Sagan has option in this stage and he lost 7 minutes. Gisbert was behind him as well. I am not sure about the rain, but the forecast was rain. He was very close to the time of the winner in a quite hard stage. The prologue was too bad, but today he shows at least he is maybe progressing. And maybe he was working something for the team,. With good weather I think he could have be in that group of 36.

No rain today.

He was dropped on the final climb and came in with a good sized group. The climb was not steep, but it was raced at a good pace. A couple of strong sprinters made the front group. It does appear better than the "race of truth" but...I'm not sure this is progress from 2 days ago. If he posts a decent time in the final TT I think one could say progress. That said I thought he'd lose more time today than he did. I guess it's...hopeful...for him.

The last 2 stages will be an easier test to evaluate.

 

[ppanther92]

Indeed better than expected but ofc expectations are also pretty low at the moment. Still something to build upon if he can find another few percentages (if). Also consistency over a whole race is yet missing.

 

[BlueRoads]

This Froome watch is astounding. I am just taking it for granted he's either getting dropped or at least doesn't play any role on stages. That's it. It's okay, I don't have to pay him any money. I don't gloat, neither do I hope. Unless there is any real indication he's getting better I don't see a point in watching his every move.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Yep, Froome was in that second group today, good performance. Stage was more or less ideal for him, to do his thing. As mind and body are now in a correct place, punch that bag and increase the intensity ever so slightly.

P.S. He'll bounce back.

 

[topcat]

It's over. Acceptance is the most difficult lesson in life.

 

[sir fly]

Fingers crossed for further improvement.
This season should give us a hint about the reach of his comeback.
It takes some time even for the most decorated active GT rider to settle in in the new environment, especially after the travails he experienced.

 

[CyclistAbi]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdf5EXo6I68

 

[Taxus4a]

No rain today.

He was dropped on the final climb and came in with a good sized group. The climb was not steep, but it was raced at a good pace. A couple of strong sprinters made the front group. It does appear better than the "race of truth" but...I'm not sure this is progress from 2 days ago. If he posts a decent time in the final TT I think one could say progress. That said I thought he'd lose more time today than he did. I guess it's...hopeful...for him.

The last 2 stages will be an easier test to evaluate.

I say for that maybe, This is not a progress respect any race in the last year, but at least open that possibility, becouse with that bad prologue it appeared he was going worse in level.

 

[Taxus4a]

It's over. Acceptance is the most difficult lesson in life.

When I talked a few years ago with the kenian rider David Kinja, who went with him as a child in Nairobi montains, he told me: Chris didnt look especially good for bike then, yo be a super star, he means, but his determination was impressive to go day by day further and to reach what he had in mind... so he will try for sure till the end. The word over is not for Froomey
For me is interesenting anyway any progression. His level today is among 20 % lower in WT riders..with this level he will striggle to finish le Tour.. but maybe the work he is doing make sense latter, and of he finish Romandie with a good breakaway or top 50, I would say is a step forward.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Stage 4 is likely going to be especially brutal. I mean, here on the forum.

 

[Oldermanish]

He seems to be most out of his depth when there are hard accelerations often on rolling terrain so I would expect him to look at his absolute worse in an effort like today.

The sort of comfortable position that allows most pros to look effortless was never his "style" but; aesthetics aside he used to ride hard. I'd say he needs to find a graceful goodbye.

 

[Froome]

There's some reason for froome gain weight after uae tour? He is more heaviest now than in uae tour.

 

[Savant12]

I'm still reserving final judgement on Froome until the Dauphine. If he can stay with the lead GC riders there then he's progressing but if not, a good Top 10 in the Tour does not look possible. He also still looks too heavy as some have alluded to.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I still say this season is getting back to somewhere like his normal self. Yes he said the Tour was his main aim, but every man and his dog knows that he ain't gonna do anything there apart from the odd breakaway and being a Dom. If everything improves this year, then next year he may target the Tour GC. It looks like his body is telling a different story to his mouth at the moment with his performances. He either needs to come out with some sense or improve drastically soon.

 

[TMJ]

Without the Sky/Ineos science behind him, which ruthlessly exploited TUE's to permit taking fat-burning medicinal products how is Chris Froome going to lose any more weight?

 

[CyclistAbi]

When you are trying to gain muscle you don't burn fat.

P.S. But anyway, enough about Froome for now. He is on the right track and at this point "daily updates" are stupid.

 

[ppanther92]

And back in the gruppetto...

 

[gunara]

at this point "daily updates" are stupid.

But this thread is in top shape, more addictive than ever to some

 

[red_flanders]

When you are trying to gain muscle you don't burn fat.

P.S. But anyway, enough about Froome for now. He is on the right track and at this point "daily updates" are stupid.

And the daily defense? Smart?

19 mins today for those keeping track.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Let's rather join todays and tomorrows stage, to not repeat each other too much. Spoiler alert, basically my answer tomorrow will be he'll bounce back.

 

[topcat]

Only 19 minutes down today. I think it's a basis for cautious optimism that he can put it up to Pog at the tour. Chris informs us that he won't wake up one day and start winning. He obviously isn't reading this forum.