Team Ineos (Formerly the Sky thread)

[Benotti69]

When in 2011? He's had two years since.....

Gilbert is missing Ibaurguren who went to Quickstep while Gilbert went to BMC


Wiggins 2012 and Fromme's 2013 1st 6 months similar to Gilberts 2011, total dominance in the races they competed with Froome's exception being Tirenno Adriatico where he finished 2nd.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I have no issue with the plummet in form / performance. It would be more suspicious if it was sustained ad nauseum.

The 6 months of racing once a month for total domination in 2013 doesn't qualify as ad nauseum? What about 2012's 7 months including the Olympics?

 

[DirtyWorks]

But these riders drop massively away from their peak level. Not slightly but massively. Strange.

A number of grand tour riders did this in the recent past. It turns out all of them were doping.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Is there even ANY testing that happens in the post-tour Crits?

That's not really the point of post-TdF crits. The finish is fixed.

 

[Benotti69]

That's not really the point of post-TdF crits. The finish is fixed.

I remember reading in Rough Ride Stephen Roche asked a Crit promoter to arrange testing for a crit. Promoter agreed but when it came to the evening no testing.

 

[heart_attack_man]

That's not really the point of post-TdF crits. The finish is fixed.

Oh yeah - I know. I just didn't know if there was any testing that happened these days. I did assume not.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

just read in bloedbroeders that geert leinders founded a company for electric bikes in 2011.

Quoted out of intrest.

Good book? Peter Janssen or not?

 

[Dear Wiggo]

The 6 months of racing once a month for total domination in 2013 doesn't qualify as ad nauseum? What about 2012's 7 months including the Olympics?

I'm responding to the people who are saying, "They were so dominant and now they can't / won't do anything". Read it in the context of that and you will see your question is misguided at best, and ban worthy if I said what I really think.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

After winning a ton and have nothing left to prove that you are no1 it's hard to keep motivation. Also the planning schedule doesn't allow it.

As Sky are clean ofc they can't keep 100% level all year long.

Think at Froome. After 8 months of training and winning everything do you think he has any desire to try hard more ? Everything after TdF is like a criterium for him.

I agree with this. Also, keep in mind, the Worlds profile wasnt suited for climbers/time triallers like Froome. He showed on the Ventoux he is not explosive enough for this stuff.

 

[Cycle Chic]

I agree with this. Also, keep in mind, the Worlds profile wasnt suited for climbers/time triallers like Froome. He showed on the Ventoux he is not explosive enough for this stuff.

Yet it was suited to Valverde, Rodriquez and Nibali Froome had no trouble kicking their asses on any terrain for the last 9 months.

 

[martinvickers]

Perhaps it's as simple as Froome etc don't bother with the altitude training in between races after Le tour.

 

[BroDeal]

Perhaps it's as simple as Froome etc don't bother with the altitude training in between races after Le tour.

LOL. Comedy gold. You cannot make this stuff up.

 

[pedaling squares]

After winning a ton and have nothing left to prove that you are no1 it's hard to keep motivation. Also the planning schedule doesn't allow it.

As Sky are clean ofc they can't keep 100% level all year long.

Think at Froome. After 8 months of training and winning everything do you think he has any desire to try hard more ? Everything after TdF is like a criterium for him.

I think Froome is a better professional than that. I don't think he lacks the desire to train or compete. Let me rephrase your question. After 8 months of training and winning everything do you think he has any desire to risk getting caught taking illegal substances? Remember, everything after TdF is like a criterium for him.

 

[martinvickers]

LOL. Comedy gold. You cannot make this stuff up.

I see the sarcasm radar's on the blink, but never mind.

 

[BroDeal]

I see the sarcasm radar's on the blink, but never mind.

With Sky apologists it is hard to tell the difference between sarcasm and earnest stupidity. I play the odds by assuming the latter.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Perhaps it's as simple as Froome etc don't bother with the altitude training in between races after Le tour.

So, thats why team Sky, uh, team GB, were on the front of the pack for what, 100K? Or, getting third in the team time trial?

But, on the altitude training part: so, not going to altitude means Team Sky/GB cannot compete?

But:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/great-britain-fail-to-finish-a-single-rider-in-mens-worlds

Chris Froome was designated team leader for Great Britain after spending several weeks training at altitude in Colorado. He'd claimed he had an outside shot a medal but was quickly isolated and then was dropped from the front group after 170km. He quickly threw in the towel when he realised there was no way back to the head of the race.

Sometimes it is okay to call out what you see, Team Sky/GB were an absolute disgrace at the Worlds Road Race. A race that often filters the boys from the men.

 

[Pentacycle]

Sometimes it is okay to call out what you see, Team Sky/GB were an absolute disgrace at the Worlds Road Race. A race that often filters the boys from the men.

The failure of the Brits was hardly surprising, considering the hard circumstances and explosive course. They even worsened it by destroying most of their doms thinking it would make for a harder race.

To top that off, their leader doesn't particularly like rain and short, steep hills(just like the San Luca) nor was he in top shape. Every time they did the Via Salviati he didn't have the punch to keep up with the Italians.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

The failure of the Brits was hardly surprising, considering the hard circumstances and explosive course. They even worsened it by destroying most of their doms thinking it would make for a harder race.

To top that off, their leader doesn't particularly like rain and short, steep hills(just like the San Luca) nor was he in top shape. Every time they did the Via Salviati he didn't have the punch to keep up with the Italians.

All true, and dont forget to mention their total lack of tactical knowledge in one day races.

But does that have anything to do with their altitude training camp in prep for this WRR?

So, how come the altitude training on Teide works for GT's and one weeks stage races but training at altitude in Colorado not for one offs like last week [and basicly the total Classics 'Campaign' of team Sky]? How come the guys who rode the Vuelta did so much better last week? They certainly did not need 'the altitude training' of Mount Teide.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Lombardy

Il Lombardia
6 October
Race Home
Team Sky Squad

Dario Cataldo, Sergio Henao, Christian Knees, Salvatore Puccio, Rigoberto Urán, Xabier Zandio

So not one British rider in Lombardy ! since Cookson took over The British riders seem to have all hung up their lycra now sumet stinks there.

 

[Gloin22]

Il Lombardia
6 October
Race Home
Team Sky Squad

Dario Cataldo, Sergio Henao, Christian Knees, Salvatore Puccio, Rigoberto Urán, Xabier Zandio

So not one British rider in Lombardy ! since Cookson took over The British riders seem to have all hung up their lycra now sumet stinks there.

Well for past 3 years at Sky, only one British rider rode Lombardia ( Cummings ) - so your point isn't really valid for this race.

 

[DirtyWorks]

The failure of the Brits was hardly surprising, considering the hard circumstances and explosive course. They even worsened it by destroying most of their doms thinking it would make for a harder race.

To top that off, their leader doesn't particularly like rain and short, steep hills(just like the San Luca) nor was he in top shape. Every time they did the Via Salviati he didn't have the punch to keep up with the Italians.

Huh? This is some kind of reality distortion field.

Revisit that WC road race podium. That's Froome's competition that he continuously destroyed for 6 months racing a few days each month until the TdF where he destroyed them again.

 

[JRanton]

You don't do all of the post-Tour crits, like Froome and Porte did, if you're serious about getting results in the last part of the season. I think people are barking up the wrong tree if they're taking much from this drop in form.

 

[thehog]

You don't do all of the post-Tour crits, like Froome and Porte did, if you're serious about getting results in the last part of the season. I think people are barking up the wrong tree if they're taking much from this drop in form.

How many crits did they ride?

 

[JRanton]

Huh? This is some kind of reality distortion field.

Revisit that WC road race podium. That's Froome's competition that he continuously destroyed for 6 months racing a few days each month until the TdF where he destroyed them again.

Like he did at L-B-L in April you mean?

 

[JRanton]

How many crits did they ride?

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