If you were Froome

[hatcher]

Boot on other foot, if I were Sky I'd be looking for Froome to demonstrate he can replicate his Vuelta form in races like Catalunya, and Castilla y Leon etc before I'd enter him as sole leader in a GC. They gave him the big contract, so obviously they believe he can replicate it, but I wouldn't say it was a given.

A lot depends on their plans for the Giro as a whole, and for Uran, Henao, maybe even Lofkvist, and (assuming) Sivtsov as individuals.

 

[Sophistic]

In the end there isnt gonna be much debate when the old Froome shows up next season

 

[Boeing]

all of the above

 

[Catwhoorg]

Interesting discussions.

Thanks all for your input.

 

[greenedge]

Assuming Sky sign Cav and Eisel and G misses the tour their GT squads will look something like the following-

Giro-

Chris Froome
Thomas Lovkvist
Geraint Thomas
Peter Kennaugh
Steve Cummings
Davide Appollino
Alex Dowsett
Ian Stannard
Mark Cavendish


Tour-

Brad Wiggins
Rigoberto Uran
Eddy Boasson Hagen
Michael Rogers
Juan Flecha
Richie Port
Bernhard Eisel
Ben Swift
Mark Cavendish

Vuelta

Rigoberto Uran
Sergio Heano
Chris Froome
Xavier Zandio
Kanstantin Svistov
CJ Sutton
Michael Barry
David Cioni
Juan Flecha

I would like to see EBH do 2 GT's a year once. He can work for Froome and get stage wins ( Vuelta/ Giro ) and then still go to the TDF. Also i would not send Appollino to the Giro. He is not a good enough lead out ( Geraint will be his lead-out at most races )- is still young and the team is packed with enough men to help Cav like Dowsett, Cummings, Stannard and Geraint.

 

[El Pistolero]

Makes sense if he thinks riding the road race could lower his chances for the ITT. Although obviously very, very strong, I think he's replaceable for the GB squad in the RR since the only Briton who can win it is Cav anyway.

No, you have to ride the road race if you want to do the time trial.

 

[Mshengu]

I wish there were other options here. I think Froome should attempt to win some shorter stage races and he prepares for the larger tours, in that way it will be clear as to whether he is fairing better than his compatriot and the sports director can designate him team leader.

Froome def looks like a man who is really hungry for success, and might do great!

 

[Ferminal]

Assuming Sky sign Cav and Eisel and G misses the tour their GT squads will look something like the following-

I can see Porte doing the Giro, if Rogers is in the Tour squad it's for Cav's train.

Sivstov should either (co)lead the Giro or be a superdom/backup at the Tour. Sivstov/Froome at the Giro would be awesome actually.

 

[JRanton]

Interview here: http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2011/froome-preparer-encore-mieux-les-grands-tours/

Says he won't ride the Giro and wants to return to the Vuelta in 2012. The hot weather conditions suit him better.

 

[sky forever]

[Schlecks helped Carlos Sastre when he positioned himself for the win. Not to say Froome would have won, just that he was not given the chance when the door opened.



You do realise that is because he lost 8 minutes or more up to Hautacam.

 

[Swede1]

Cummings signed for BMC. So maybe Pate will replace Cummings on the GT squads.

 

[The Hitch]

Interview here: http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2011/froome-preparer-encore-mieux-les-grands-tours/

Says he won't ride the Giro and wants to return to the Vuelta in 2012. The hot weather conditions suit him better.

Is that Froome in the Zoncolan camp (vs Angiliru)?

Another amazing interview btw ( i mean the way he handles himself). Rapidly becoming my favorite rider.

 

[jens_attacks]

Interview here: http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2011/froome-preparer-encore-mieux-les-grands-tours/

Says he won't ride the Giro and wants to return to the Vuelta in 2012. The hot weather conditions suit him better.

so superdomestique at le tour and leader in la vuelta it is.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Team Sky Tour 2012:

Wiggins
Froome
Thomas
Boasson Hagen
Uran
Porte
Eisel
Cavendish
Flecha

This squad would win every TTT.

Concerning Giro and Vuelta Squads they will be built around Sivtsov and Lofkvist.

 

[ramjambunath]

Team Sky Tour 2012:

Wiggins
Froome
Thomas
Boasson Hagen
Uran
Porte
Eisel
Cavendish
Flecha

This squad would win every TTT.

Concerning Giro and Vuelta Squads they will be built around Sivtsov and Lofkvist.

Thomas has just said he won't ride the Tour and may even skip the classics to concentrate on the Track Olympics.

 

[El Pistolero]

Team Sky Tour 2012:

Wiggins
Froome
Thomas
Boasson Hagen
Uran
Porte
Eisel
Cavendish
Flecha

This squad would win every TTT.

Concerning Giro and Vuelta Squads they will be built around Sivtsov and Lofkvist.

Take a look at the Quickstep squad

 

[maltiv]

Team Sky Tour 2012:

Wiggins
Froome
Thomas
Boasson Hagen
Uran
Porte
Eisel
Cavendish
Flecha

This squad would win every TTT.

Concerning Giro and Vuelta Squads they will be built around Sivtsov and Lofkvist.

I doubt Löfkvist will ever try to go for the GC in a GT again.

 

[Anonymous]

I doubt Löfkvist will ever try to go for the GC in a GT again.

Lofkvist said when renewing that he was happy working for the team. Im led to believe that the Sivtsov deal was four years. Would be surprised, but if so, they clearly expect more from him than domestique duties.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Thomas has just said he won't ride the Tour and may even skip the classics to concentrate on the Track Olympics.

I know but its not definite and I think it will be the best preparation for him for the Olympics.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Take a look at the Quickstep squad

Sky are better

 

[El Pistolero]

Sky are better

Nice argument.

With Grabsch, Tony Martin, Levi Leipheimer, Peter Velits, Tom Boonen, Sylvain Chavanel, František Raboň and Martin Velits/Michał Kwiatkowski Sky definitely wouldn't win every TTT they entered unchallenged.

 

[sublimit]

I'd say Sky are better, obviously Tony Martin makes a big difference but he would probably drop his teamates if he pushes too hard.

 

[El Pistolero]

I'd say Sky are better, obviously Tony Martin makes a big difference but he would probably drop his teamates if he pushes too hard.

Just because someone is great in an ITT doesn't mean they're good at TTT. Chris Froome and Wiggins did a crappy TTT at the Vuelta this year for example.

 

[sublimit]

Just because someone is great in an ITT doesn't mean they're good at TTT. Chris Froome and Wiggins did a crappy TTT at the Vuelta this year for example.

You are right they messed that one up but they've done better in the past though.
Its hard to say what will happen for certain because TTT's tend to be quite short. I dont think there will be too much between the teams.

 

[b.broadhurst]

Nice argument.

With Grabsch, Tony Martin, Levi Leipheimer, Peter Velits, Tom Boonen, Sylvain Chavanel, František Raboň and Martin Velits/Michał Kwiatkowski Sky definitely wouldn't win every TTT they entered unchallenged.

Point proven, compare the names and Sky come out on top and also this would never be a Tour squad, you're just naming QST best TT's.