Another stat that shows Froome is harder competition than Nibbes.
Again from procyclingstats:
Here is where Nibbes has beaten Froome
1 Vs. 2
Tirreno-Adriatico (2013) General Classification
7 Vs. 12
Critérium du Dauphiné (2014) General Classificat...
5 Vs. 7
Tour de France (2012) Stage 8
and here is where Froome has beaten Nibbes
Tour de France (2012) General Classification
2 Vs. 3
Vuelta a Espana (2011) General Classification
2 Vs. 7
Tour de Romandie (2014) General Classification
1 Vs. 5
Tour of Oman (2013) General Classification
1 Vs. 7
Tour de France (2012) Stage 7
1 Vs. 4
Tour of Oman (2014) General Classification
1 Vs. 12
Tour de France (2012) Stage 11
3 Vs. 5
Tirreno-Adriatico (2013) Stage 4
1 Vs. 3
Tour de France (2012) Stage 17
2 Vs. 7
Critérium du Dauphiné (2012) General Classificat...
4 Vs. 28
Tour de France (2012) Time Trial
2 Vs. 8
Critérium du Dauphiné (2014) Stage 2
1 Vs. 6
Vuelta a Espana (2011) Stage 16
1 Vs. 15
Critérium du Dauphiné (2014) Time Trial
1 Vs. 8
Tour de France (2012) Time Trial
2 Vs. 16
Vuelta a Espana (2011) Stage 8
5 Vs. 6
Vuelta a Espana (2011) Time Trial
2 Vs. 15
Tour de Romandie (2014) Stage 3
2 Vs. 7
Tour de Romandie (2014) Time Trial
1 Vs. 18
Tour of Oman (2013) Stage 4
2 Vs. 5
I rest my case...