Team Ineos (Formerly the Sky thread)

[B_Ugli]

Re: Sky

:lol:

:lol: :lol:

Bjarne: Yes I was Mr 60%
Dave: Well I am Mr 100%
Bjarne: Says who?
Dave: My Riders
Bjarne: How so?
Dave: They are all tweeting that they are 100% behind me
Bjarne: Blimey so they are, you must have them on one hell of a program Dave
Dave: I am the man oh yeah the Mr 100% of pro cycling, laters Bjarne.

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

Tao Geoghegan Hart‏ @taogeoghegan 39m39 minutes ago

It's been a great start to the year & I couldn't be prouder to race in @TeamSky colours under our incredible boss.

Hart being well smart and not naming Brailsford

I like the choice of words:

incredible ɪnˈkrɛdɪb(ə)l/
adjective
adjective: incredible

1. impossible to believe.

2. difficult to believe; extraordinary.

Boy done good

:lol:


Sky's biggest mistake is they made it too **** obvious.
They went full genius from the vuelta 2011 on.

Never go full genius.

All good actors know - "never go full genius".

didnt hurt Trump, then again, not exactly Stanislavski

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

Sky riders busy tweeting their support of Brailsford.

Is this in the same way that the Prime Minister usually states 'I have full confidence in Whathisname'. Then you know he / she / it has a matter of days.

Can't help but wonder what they'll need to assure his silence though. I anticipate a senior role in UK sport at some point.

never believe something until it is officially denied.

 

[ontheroad]

Read the cycling news article which was posted up today at around 4.30pm where an 'unnamed sky rider' spoke to the press and then shortly afterwards a flood of tweets arrived pledging support for the boss. I think it's just Brailsfords way of trying to discover who the judas is.

 

[carton]

Re:

Read the cycling news article which was posted up today at around 4.30pm where an 'unnamed sky rider' spoke to the press and then shortly afterwards a flood of tweets arrived pledging support for the boss. I think it's just Brailsfords way of trying to discover who the judas is.

Let's help him out. As of thirty to midnight, CET:

Tweeted: Thomas, Van Poppel, Viviani, Rowe, Moscon, Kwiato, Kennaugh, Golas; Poels, Rosa, Dibben, TGH, Nieve, Doull & Puccio

Silent: Knees, Froome, Lopez, Landa, Intxausti, Henao & Henao

Haven't tweeted in ages: Deignan; Stannard; Kiri, Wisniowski

I'd think it would be someone in that first bucket, just so as not to be obvious. Thoughts?

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

Read the cycling news article which was posted up today at around 4.30pm where an 'unnamed sky rider' spoke to the press and then shortly afterwards a flood of tweets arrived pledging support for the boss. I think it's just Brailsfords way of trying to discover who the judas is.

Let's help him out. As of thirty to midnight, CET:

Tweeted: Thomas, Van Poppel, Viviani, Rowe, Moscon, Kwiato, Kennaugh, Golas; Poels, Rosa, Dibben, TGH, Nieve, Doull & Puccio

Silent: Knees, Froome, Lopez, Landa, Intxausti, Henao & Henao

Haven't tweeted in ages: Deignan; Stannard; Kiri, Wisniowski

I'd think it would be someone in that first bucket, just so as not to be obvious. Thoughts?

michelle is the brains behind chris right?

 

[carton]

Re: Re:

michelle is the brains behind chris right?

You think? I think "Chris" is savvier than he lets on. A little whipped, seemingly, but (appearances can be deceiving and) then again spend your life killing yourself on a bike and I don't think you have that much energy left over to fight with the missus. YMMV.

Anyway, forgot to put Bos on the silent camp.

 

[Pantani_lives]

I think it's Froome. Last year they asked him whether he still supported Brailsford and he declined to answer.

 

[blackcat]

Re:

I think it's Froome. Last year they asked him whether he still supported Brailsford and he declined to answer.

FreddytheFrog just linked to the DailyMail article which pointed to Froome not yet offering up support

they will turn on themselves.

<popcorn gif>

 

[thehog]

Re: Re:

I think it's Froome. Last year they asked him whether he still supported Brailsford and he declined to answer.

FreddytheFrog just linked to the DailyMail article which pointed to Froome not yet offering up support

they will turn on themselves.

<popcorn gif>

Dawg is upset because he had to buy his own drugs and program in 2012 at top dollar in Monaco. Whereas Wiggins got the government tax-payer funded special deal on his gear.

 

[The Hegelian]

I'm liking the Dawg now.

He's becoming a bit of a patron; and there's a touch of the Indurains about him. Keeps it polite, diplomatic....but that belies a ruthless edge. DB is in the way of a 4th Tour - he must be taken down early (now).

Initially I hated Sky because of Froome's rise - but now the play between them is intriguing; he seems more like the outsider who has played his hand to perfection.

In all of this, there's nothing on Froome! It's brilliant, and one must say, chapeu.

 

[Sorped]

I tend to agree it's Froome; we know he's not too keen on Brailsford in the first place, and it could be his (slim) chance of getting out of this debacle if it turns out it's him continuing his call for cleaner cycling (...) or at least that's what I think he thinks or Michelle thinks or whadevadefuzz...

 

[blackcat]

Re:

I'm liking the Dawg now.

He's becoming a bit of a patron; and there's a touch of the Indurains about him. Keeps it polite, diplomatic....but that belies a ruthless edge. DB is in the way of a 4th Tour - he must be taken down early (now).

Initially I hated Sky because of Froome's rise - but now the play between them is intriguing; he seems more like the outsider who has played his hand to perfection.

In all of this, there's nothing on Froome! It's brilliant, and one must say, chapeu.

you reckon Wiggins wont leak like a sieve against him. 2013 Ventoux? A rider using a motor. He better hope Wigans has no suspicion Froome used it in Wigans 2012 year.

 

[blackcat]

Re:

I tend to agree it's Froome; we know he's not too keen on Brailsford in the first place, and it could be his (slim) chance of getting out of this debacle if it turns out it's him continuing his call for cleaner cycling (...) or at least that's what I think he thinks or Michelle thinks or whadevadefuzz...

keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

An expedient sacrifice of Brailsford, you can bet that the leaks on Froome will start immediately. If Brailsford and Wigans have their assets and payout secure, will they not start whispering campaigns against Froome. You know Lance would do that. So, why are Brailsford and Wigans above being Froome's greatest enemies. This is the calculation Michelle and Dawg need to make. And it is like Nash' Game Theory, not easily formulate, prisoner dilemma. Would Brailsford mitigate damage to Wigans. And mitigate damage Wigans may do if he goes nuclear. What happens if both get scapegoated and go nuclear and attempt to bring Froome too. Would Wigans be less dangerous if Brailsford takes the fall too. Froome must be pretty nervous.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re: Sky

the tingling . ... on the nips.

#crawfish.

 

[Sorped]

Re: Re:

I tend to agree it's Froome; we know he's not too keen on Brailsford in the first place, and it could be his (slim) chance of getting out of this debacle if it turns out it's him continuing his call for cleaner cycling (...) or at least that's what I think he thinks or Michelle thinks or whadevadefuzz...

keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

An expedient sacrifice of Brailsford, you can bet that the leaks on Froome will start immediately. If Brailsford and Wigans have their assets and payout secure, will they not start whispering campaigns against Froome. You know Lance would do that. So, why are Brailsford and Wigans above being Froome's greatest enemies. This is the calculation Michelle and Dawg need to make. And it is like Nash' Game Theory, not easily formulate, prisoner dilemma. Would Brailsford mitigate damage to Wigans. And mitigate damage Wigans may do if he goes nuclear. What happens if both get scapegoated and go nuclear and attempt to bring Froome too. Would Wigans be less dangerous if Brailsford takes the fall too. Froome must be pretty nervous.

Whichever way things are tangled up, Freeman is a goner and I think Brailsford will be sacrificed too. His incessant attempts to convince us of that dog he doesn't own, it will be enough for someone at some point. I mean DB can only get more ridiculous from here.

 

[Electress]

Whilst I believe Froome would happily feed Brailsford to the snakes, I think he is sneaky and more likely to stir discontent amongst younger and more insecure riders who will do the dirty work for him. But then, I despise Froomie and so am not the best judge.

Brailsford will play hardball to negotiate a return for his departure but ultimately he's got a lot still to lose and probably will come back in another role if things don't get worse, so I think he'll keep Schtum. Wiggo would defo be an issue for Froome as there's already no love lost, but so is Freeman, also Sutton, also Cope. Moreover, there's clearly a mole / source at the heart of the team. Got to wonder what more revelations there are to come.

Nothing will convince me Hart didn't choose his words very carefully. He'd be a candidate for me.

 

[DamianoMachiavelli]

Re: Re:

Perhaps Sky can merge with Vaughters' team

This is a great Idea. Maybe Bobby J. and Lance A. can be the DS and Assistant DS.

On a more pointed part. Where is Greg, Betsy, and the rest of the gang stand on all this. USA cycling fans would like to know. So far all I hear are Parakeets.

Betsy and the Greg have been busy spreading lies about Lance using a motor. The real question is where is Race Radio and his imaginary tail winds? You know, the ones RR made up because admitting that Sky is doping would make Lance just one dot in a long and continuing line of drug users.

 

[thehog]

Re: Re:

Perhaps Sky can merge with Vaughters' team

This is a great Idea. Maybe Bobby J. and Lance A. can be the DS and Assistant DS.

On a more pointed part. Where is Greg, Betsy, and the rest of the gang stand on all this. USA cycling fans would like to know. So far all I hear are Parakeets.

Betsy and the Greg have been busy spreading lies about Lance using a motor. The real question is where is Race Radio and his imaginary tail winds? You know, the ones RR made up because admitting that Sky is doping would make Lance just one dot in a long and continuing line of drug users.

There were tailwinds, Leinders is not Ferrari, there's no hospital room, comparing frrome's time up Ventoux to Mayo's ITT and so on. It was Grade A trolling, made worse by lobbying mods endlessly to ban members whom disagreed with the magical mystery tail wind theorem. And who could forget lunch with Richie Porte looking him in the eyes and declaring he wasn't a doper.

Looking back, seeing the way Cookson and Sky have conducted themselves Lance is looking more and more civil.

 

[The Hegelian]

Re: Re:

I'm liking the Dawg now.

He's becoming a bit of a patron; and there's a touch of the Indurains about him. Keeps it polite, diplomatic....but that belies a ruthless edge. DB is in the way of a 4th Tour - he must be taken down early (now).

Initially I hated Sky because of Froome's rise - but now the play between them is intriguing; he seems more like the outsider who has played his hand to perfection.

In all of this, there's nothing on Froome! It's brilliant, and one must say, chapeu.

you reckon Wiggins wont leak like a sieve against him. 2013 Ventoux? A rider using a motor. He better hope Wigans has no suspicion Froome used it in Wigans 2012 year.

Well yes, if Wiggins goes out Landis style - and starts speaking about epo etc - then the whole Sky well and truly falls in and we get another four asterixed TDF's.....with Nibali of **Astana** standing firm as the one clean win of the era - there would be a certain perverse beauty in that I suppose. Vino for clean cycling.

But I forsee a political impulse to save good old Wiggo - he is after all a sir, a national hero and super popular. But they need a famous head to cut off, and jettison away - the poisoned source, after which, the brand can re-emerge in a new form.

That head has to be Brailsford. Just like Hird at EFC. There needs to be a head on stake; and we will all feel sorry for him when he ends up where he ends up.

 

[yaco]

The tweets from Sky Riders have substantiated Benson's article. Only one or two tweets from Sky riders at PN.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

flash memory: How did they do that?
:Question:

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

I'm liking the Dawg now.

He's becoming a bit of a patron; and there's a touch of the Indurains about him. Keeps it polite, diplomatic....but that belies a ruthless edge. DB is in the way of a 4th Tour - he must be taken down early (now).

Initially I hated Sky because of Froome's rise - but now the play between them is intriguing; he seems more like the outsider who has played his hand to perfection.

In all of this, there's nothing on Froome! It's brilliant, and one must say, chapeu.

you reckon Wiggins wont leak like a sieve against him. 2013 Ventoux? A rider using a motor. He better hope Wigans has no suspicion Froome used it in Wigans 2012 year.

Well yes, if Wiggins goes out Landis style - and starts speaking about epo etc - then the whole Sky well and truly falls in and we get another four asterixed TDF's.....with Nibali of **Astana** standing firm as the one clean win of the era - there would be a certain perverse beauty in that I suppose. Vino for clean cycling.

But I forsee a political impulse to save good old Wiggo - he is after all a sir, a national hero and super popular. But they need a famous head to cut off, and jettison away - the poisoned source, after which, the brand can re-emerge in a new form.

That head has to be Brailsford. Just like Hird at EFC. There needs to be a head on stake; and we will all feel sorry for him when he ends up where he ends up.

then someone will get Nibali for using a motor at the Giro last year. I dont think merely 800ml refill of packed cells in the rest day can describe his turnaround.***

***this is the reason the sport has lost legitimacy, he may not have used a motor, but the sport is so bereft in trust and truth, we immediately think #conspiracy as default.

So, can you really blame Greg and Andreu for believing a motor story spun to them? I don't think they are lying, I think they are dead wrong, but I don't think they are lying. They are just factually incorrect, I think they have a deepseated view that what they are saying is correct. It aint, but they are entitled to the opinion. I dont think it stands the test of scrutiny.

so what about my Nibali theory? Well, I already put the caveat out there, I am convinced in nothing. Nothing would surptise me. Well... if he did not have a rest day refill, now that WOULD indeed surprise me.

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

Well yes, if Wiggins goes out Landis style - and starts speaking about epo etc - then the whole Sky well and truly falls in and we get another four asterixed TDF's.....with Nibali of **Astana** standing firm as the one clean win of the era - there would be a certain perverse beauty in that I suppose. Vino for clean cycling.

But I forsee a political impulse to save good old Wiggo - he is after all a sir, a national hero and super popular. But they need a famous head to cut off, and jettison away - the poisoned source, after which, the brand can re-emerge in a new form.

That head has to be Brailsford. Just like Hird at EFC. There needs to be a head on stake; and we will all feel sorry for him when he ends up where he ends up.

ptII

maybe the journos and the cycling team are bit players, as I said, tiddleywinks.

Rupert and James Murdoch are operating on a much different scale. Who knows what they decide. But one thing will be certain, #TeamSKY and Sky Cycling, will not come between Newscorp/Foxentertainment/NewsInternational getting their hands on outright control of Sky Broadcasting the company. Only the regulators can prevent Rupert. Rupert deals with Merkel and May and EU regulators, this cycling thin is sandpit stuff. Murdoch can afford to pay off Wiggins, Froome, Brailsford, give them enough money for them to STFU, and Froome to move to the Emirati team.

We saw Team Coast die about this time in 2002ish, then re-form in the new iteration of Bianchi, without Tricki Beltran and a few others, think Steinhauser stayed on with Jan.

I would love to be a fly-on-the-wall and eavesdrop what is going on in the emails and phones between the big boys.

 

[Digger]

Re: Re:

Perhaps Sky can merge with Vaughters' team

This is a great Idea. Maybe Bobby J. and Lance A. can be the DS and Assistant DS.

On a more pointed part. Where is Greg, Betsy, and the rest of the gang stand on all this. USA cycling fans would like to know. So far all I hear are Parakeets.

Betsy and the Greg have been busy spreading lies about Lance using a motor. The real question is where is Race Radio and his imaginary tail winds? You know, the ones RR made up because admitting that Sky is doping would make Lance just one dot in a long and continuing line of drug users.

There were tailwinds, Leinders is not Ferrari, there's no hospital room, comparing frrome's time up Ventoux to Mayo's ITT and so on. It was Grade A trolling, made worse by lobbying mods endlessly to ban members whom disagreed with the magical mystery tail wind theorem. And who could forget lunch with Richie Porte looking him in the eyes and declaring he wasn't a doper.

Looking back, seeing the way Cookson and Sky have conducted themselves Lance is looking more and more civil.

Many won't remember this but in the 2015 tour, forget what stage, Thomas rode tempo all the last climb in the rain - Quintana was even struggling to hold his wheel. Rasmussen pointed out how nuts it was. initially so did RR - 20minutes later he went back on this...clearly he got a few responses from sky fans, made an excuse for Thomas being so strong and reneged. It was pitiful.
But look he's spoken to multiple riders about this - and met porte for lunch...the behaviour of some people who weren't willing to go after sky, because they didn't want to upset their followers, who were also riders, was so transparent.