Two Brits Lead the Tour de France

[Arnout]

I don't care what Dutch commentators say, the Dutch are always crazy about everything that speaks English. The fact is that Sky have brought on a swimming trainer, who clearly has some different ideas about peaking, and apparently those ideas really work. It's not just Wiggo and Froome you know, who are really strong right now. Porte crashed, really bad as well, and whereas the Rabo boys and some others didn't recover at all from that crash, Porte still has the form to seriously hurt the peloton before Froomey and Wiggo take over.

Of course, if Contador were here we'd have a totally different situation, but still Sky as a team are simply a level above the others.

Four riders of Sky. I don't see the rest of Sky doing anything extraordinary. In fact, considering their budget they are underperforming. Guys like Flecha, Zandio, Appolonio never made a step forward (I know some of them are quite old, but so is Wiggins). Does the science not work for them, don't they bother with it or are there other reasons?

 

[stampedingviking]

There is a tear in my eye. But that is just because I haven't stopped laughing since the ITT.

And BTW, a little advice, stop trying to out English the other English trolls on here, leave that to Sunset, Trunnions and the others, you just come across as a complete amateur. Leave it to the experts.

What does "out English the other English trolls" mean?

Just think it's funny that a lot of the 'moral outrage' is from that direction (obviously not everyone foaming at the mouth is from there, locations not always highlighted).

 

[ferryman]

I don't care what Dutch commentators say, the Dutch are always crazy about everything that speaks English. The fact is that Sky have brought on a swimming trainer, who clearly has some different ideas about peaking, and apparently those ideas really work. It's not just Wiggo and Froome you know, who are really strong right now. Porte crashed, really bad as well, and whereas the Rabo boys and some others didn't recover at all from that crash, Porte still has the form to seriously hurt the peloton before Froomey and Wiggo take over.

Of course, if Contador were here we'd have a totally different situation, but still Sky as a team are simply a level above the others.

I'm not sure if you are being serious, sarcastic or have been assimilated into BORG Sky.

 

[ferryman]

What does "out English the other English trolls" mean?

Just think it's funny that a lot of the 'moral outrage' is from that direction (obviously not everyone foaming at the mouth is from there, locations not always highlighted).

Keep going and you will out English them old chap.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think the main reason for their dominance this year is that there is a new generation climbers coming inn that is still a couple of years too young (Pinot) and a generation climbers that is a couple of years to old (Basso). So per now there is only two elite climbers in the whole peloton and noone of them are racing the tour this year, so the lack of real attacks matches atleast Wiggos style of climbing so perfect that it might look easier than it actually is.

Right... because the fact that the parcours seems to be handdrawn to suit Wiggins has nothing to do with that.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Right... because the fact that the parcours seems to be handdrawn to suit Wiggins has nothing to do with that.

+ what you said, but honestly what sounds worse? attacks from Nibali or attacks from Contador?

 

[goggalor]

It is pretty amazing that after 98 editions with not a single Brit ending up on the podium, Sky are now looking to go 1-2.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

agreed, but with a different parcours, and an ITT like the Giro's, Nibali & JVdB (without his mechanical) might have been in front of Wiggins instead of trailing by minutes. Regardless of Contador being present or not.

Also, there are only 3 GC contenders capable and willing of putting up a fight. If Gesink, Mollema & co hadn't crashed out, we might have seen twice as many attacks.

So with all due respect to Sky, they will not do over next year what they are doing now, regardless of Schlecklet and Contador's participation. Their only shot is to go 100% for Froome and even then.

 

[johndouglas]

really amazing. when i started watching le tour in 2004 i don't think there was even a brit in the tour! we had to rely on robbie mcewan and his brit passport for a tenuous foothold in teh pelaton.
there's another young british guy being groomed for GC greatness too.
i wonder what richie port thinks his chance are now of going for GC in a tour.

 

[johndouglas]

i guess next year will be alot different with Contador though. maybe frome will get free rein.

 

[ParfaitAmour]

Exactly, Bertie & Froome could be a good battle.

 

[johndouglas]

yes, it'll be exciting to see i hope. from what itv4 have been saying Froome isn't so great on the confidence/leadership side of things. so a years work on that and a bit more luck staying upright in the first week and he could be Sky's guy for the yellow jersey.
sky have definitely stuck by him with his illnesses, so i can see why he'd want to stick to the team plan this year.

 

[thehog]

Ah true, actually it's the born in Gent, Belgian, Bradley Wiggins winning the tour in front of the in Kenya made Chris Froome

Congrats to Belgium for having a nother possible gt winner

And he's half Australian. He's father was born in Darwin.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And he's half Australian. He's father was born in Darwin.

So basically these Brits have nothing to cheer about! As it's a bunch of aussies (Porte/Rogers) leading them out as well...
And Cavendish is from the Isle of Man.

 

[ParfaitAmour]

Froome reminds me of a big ole spider when he gets out the saddle & lets his arms wave about a bit.

 

[hughmoore]

I dont get the whole British thing? In some sports/competition you are British in others you are English/Scottish.

Who decides whether you are riding for your country or for the combined countries.

Is it based on, if no one from England has been any good, then its British?

Hugh

 

[Tei6chai]

I dont get the whole British thing? In some sports/competition you are British in others you are English/Scottish.
Who decides whether you are riding for your country or for the combined countries.
Is it based on, if no one from England has been any good, then its British?
Hugh

It depends on the particular sport and how it is governed.

In the older major sports, and in Commonwealth competitions, the 4+ nations generally compete separately.

Britain is usually allowed 4+ teams, cos the British codified the sport in the 19th century, a hundred years before many of the younger states existed. In many cases, like football and rugby, the British nations had been competing with one another in internationals for decades before countries like France, Italy and Germany had ever played the game.

In younger minority sports and Olympic sports (like cycling), the default is to compete as the UK, except for the Commonwealth Games.

P.S. I write 4+ so as to cover micro states like Isle of Mann, Channel Islands etc ... as well as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

[User Guide]

I dont get the whole British thing? In some sports/competition you are British in others you are English/Scottish.

Who decides whether you are riding for your country or for the combined countries.

Is it based on, if no one from England has been any good, then its British?

Hugh

A lot depends on wether people are seen as as*hats too, wiggins would be seen as english by scots for instance and Andy Murray seen as a scot by the english (unless either wins big then different matter)
From a fans perspective this is.As has been stated different sports different rules on Nationality

 

[the asian]

agreed, but with a different parcours, and an ITT like the Giro's, Nibali & JVdB (without his mechanical) might have been in front of Wiggins instead of trailing by minutes. Regardless of Contador being present or not.

Also, there are only 3 GC contenders capable and willing of putting up a fight. If Gesink, Mollema & co hadn't crashed out, we might have seen twice as many attacks.

So with all due respect to Sky, they will not do over next year what they are doing now, regardless of Schlecklet and Contador's participation. Their only shot is to go 100% for Froome and even then.

Are you kidding? What we are seeing is a seismic shift in the balance of power in the cycling world. The Brits will go on to dominate the road, the same way they have dominated the Track in the past few years. There program is headed by the same man, and they are using the same innovative training methods & technology.
Contador & Schleck will have no chance against this highly professional, innovative team by riding in teams which have outdated training methods.
Cycling in the next decade will be dominated by riders from the Anglo Saxon countries.
Bradley Wiggins has shown us that by professionalism, dedication & sacrifice, a World Class Track Pursuit rider can become a top notch GC rider.
In the future, the grand tours, and especially the Tour will be won by, not by the likes of Pinot, Rolland, Landa or Quintana, but by the likes of Froome, Kenaugh, Bobridge, Durbridge, Hepburn, Van Garderen & Talansky.

 

[blackcat]

I dont get the whole British thing? In some sports/competition you are British in others you are English/Scottish.

Who decides whether you are riding for your country or for the combined countries.

Is it based on, if no one from England has been any good, then its British?

Hugh

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/tour-de-france-tension-simmers-on-twitter/

Cath Wiggins v Michelle Cound. (Ms Froome squeeze)

Hanbags at 10 paces
zing

 

[hughmoore]

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/tour-de-france-tension-simmers-on-twitter/

Cath Wiggins v Michelle Cound. (Ms Froome squeeze)

Hanbags at 10 paces
zing

Thats Classic!!!



Hugh

 

[blackcat]

rrrwrooooouuuuuuwwwr

<claws>

 

[Wilba60]

The big problem for Sky with such a dominant team is "how do you keep them in the team once their contract runs out". Plenty of teams would be in the market for a top GC rider and if Wiggins wins (not a done deal but likely), then you would assume that he would defend his crown next year. So how do you keep guys like Froome, Porte and Rogers happy? Froome already looks to be chomping at the bit for more freedom in riding his own race.

Porte especially and to a lesser degree Mick Rogers would be a great fit for OGE if they wanted to expand their team to include an experienced GT rider, while they wait for the development of young guns like Meyer, Durbridge, Bobridge, Hepburn, etc.

Interesting dilemna for Sky. I don't know enough about Froome to guess where he would consider riding if he left Sky but no doubt he would have many offers to consider. How long are the 3 of them under contract for? It will be a case of beware the raiders for Team Sky.

 

[the asian]

The big problem for Sky with such a dominant team is "how do you keep them in the team once their contract runs out". Plenty of teams would be in the market for a top GC rider and if Wiggins wins (not a done deal but likely), then you would assume that he would defend his crown next year. So how do you keep guys like Froome, Porte and Rogers happy? Froome already looks to be chomping at the bit for more freedom in riding his own race.

Porte especially and to a lesser degree Mick Rogers would be a great fit for OGE if they wanted to expand their team to include an experienced GT rider, while they wait for the development of young guns like Meyer, Durbridge, Bobridge, Hepburn, etc.

Interesting dilemna for Sky. I don't know enough about Froome to guess where he would consider riding if he left Sky but no doubt he would have many offers to consider. How long are the 3 of them under contract for? It will be a case of beware the raiders for Team Sky.

Rogers and Porte will undoubtedly end up at OGE at some point of their career.
SKY also have Kenaugh who will most likely turn in to a Very Good GC rider. Also don't be surprised if young upcoming British track pursuit stars turn in to top notch GC riders in the future.
Wiggins is old. He may only be team leader for one or two more tours. Froome has a whole career in front of him and he would be a fool to leave such a super strong team as SKY.
They can also keep the riders happy by dividing the GTs among them.

 

[Avoriaz]

I get the impression that next year's tour - the 100th anniversary - is going to be a monster. Went easy this year to compensate and because of the Olympics. If I were Sky I would move heaven and earth to keep Froome and advise Wiggins that it may not suit him. This is his year.

Shades of 85/86 - without either rider actually having the class of Hinault/Lemond before anyone jumps in