Wiggins, a man in love!

[Benotti69]

Wiggins has now blocked Shane Stokes on twitter. His crime? Interviewing Paul Kimmage.

It gets more like Armstrong by the day!

 

[Zam_Olyas]

He does seem rather peurile now doesn't he.

And never stare down a Sicilian.

Uncle Provenazno will be livid if he hears about the stare down

 

[rhubroma]

I have my doubts about Sky, purely based on the evidence of the last 20 years, however Bradley himself I think is playing a blinder with the media. Big report in today's Daily Telegraph (UK) about how Nibali was spouting off about 'respect' and Bradley gave him the two-fingered salute.

That kind of stuff goes down brilliantly with the British. We love to hear the continentals moan and whine about being beaten - if you look at the comments section you can see the glee of the supporters.

I happen to like Wiggins. I hope to god he isn't pulling a fast one on us (ie doping) because he's a character and he calls a cat a cat (as they say in French). The more upset he gets over doping slurs the more inclined I am to believe him.

The British need to get over themselves and give up the superiority complex.

Nibali isn't moaning or whining, he's just naturally p-ssed for having recieved an insolent look from an arrogant and disrespecting colleague.

 

[Square-pedaller]

I have my doubts about Sky, purely based on the evidence of the last 20 years, however Bradley himself I think is playing a blinder with the media. Big report in today's Daily Telegraph (UK) about how Nibali was spouting off about 'respect' and Bradley gave him the two-fingered salute.

That kind of stuff goes down brilliantly with the British. We love to hear the continentals moan and whine about being beaten - if you look at the comments section you can see the glee of the supporters.

I happen to like Wiggins. I hope to god he isn't pulling a fast one on us (ie doping) because he's a character and he calls a cat a cat (as they say in French). The more upset he gets over doping slurs the more inclined I am to believe him.

Correction some of the British. Some of us just find it embarrassing.

I'd really like a British cyclist to do well without being busted for doping/behaving or performing in a way that makes it reasonable to suspect doping/behaving like a complete pr@t.

 

[badboygolf16v]

Obviously I think there is a disproportionate amount of criticism of SKY right now, but as they're a British team under the scrutiny of the British press it doesn't surprise me, it's part and parcel of being successful over here.

They don't get any scrutiny from Fotheringham, Gallagher or Rendell, just a nice rimming (metaphorically speaking in case that wasn't clear.)

 

[Dr. Maserati]

As I said, why should he invite someone into his working environment (especially at the Tour when his head needs to be right). The guy has put himself in a powerful position, agree to it and you have the hassle of someone hanging around who will be scrutinizing you, decline and you're acting suspiciously.

The more I think about it the more laughable it is, sounds like another journo freebie trip to the Tour de France.. Perhaps he might ask for another interview in December or something..

But they had already agreed to it - so that is not the question, it is now why back out?

Also - if not allowing journos hang around why agree to have Lionel Birnie embedded with the team as he did at the Dauphine last year.
And as Kimmage is an ex-pro, he would understand the demands of the Tour and maintain discretion - Garmin certainly had no problems with it and have invited him again.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Wiggins did change his story with regards whether he lost any muscle mass or not. Perhaps someone realised that the figures he was giving made no sense. Compare:



http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/jul/19/bradley-wiggins-tour-de-france

With this later quote:



http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/436524/bradley-wiggins-the-transformation.html

That article also says that he was 82kg when he rode the Olympics. Eighty-two to sixty-nine kilos is a huge difference for someone who has always looked like a stick, regardless of whether it represents fat or fat and muscle. In addition, surely Wiggins' claim that 'One kilogram of body weight over a 30-minute climb is one minute in time' is nonsense. Fifteen seconds perhaps!

And how come so many pros can get almost to the top of the game when that are supposedly carrying more fat than the average UK domestic third category rider?

Thanks for the interesting links - and just to add to that, from Cyclingweekly May 2006:

“We aim to get Bradley to the Tour very lean, around 75 to 76kg. The goal is to come out of the Tour at roughly the same weight he went in. If he comes out only a kilo lighter, that’d be a good job.”

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It's getting late, I totally missed the 2010 part. I don't know, wasn't Bradley on Garmin when Kimmage shadowed that team? That was a huge PR advantage for Garmin, but if Wiggins was there at that time, maybe, in fairness, it's simply the case that he can't stand Kimmage (like his buddy Lance, which I can't resist repeating).

Wiggins rode for Team High Road/Columbia in 2008, only rode for Garmin for one year.

 

[Benotti69]

I wouldn't be surprised if TeamSky have a camera crew shooting this for Sky, they have an inbedded photographer, a guy called Mitchell.

As to Kimmage he would've known when to talk to a rider and when not. He competed in the TdF and rode as a pro for 4-5 years.

He wouldn't have been talking to Wiggins everyday. He would have gone through the whole team at different times. Probably talked to Wiggins a maximum of 4 or 5 times. Before the race starts, 2 or 3 times during, ie the rest days and maybe after a TT and then after the Paris. Hardly in Wiggins face over 3 weeks. Yeah he would be in the bus listening to team talks etc, yeah he would be watch a massage, their at dinner, breakfast etc, but he knows the score. He aint some paparazzo.

 

[Bala Verde]

In terms of transparency, everyone can still have a look at wiggins values from the past:

http://www.slipstreamsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/brad-wiggins-blood-profile-3.pdf

 

[Fight.The.Power]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs?CMP=twt_gu

 

[Catwhoorg]

In terms of transparency, everyone can still have a look at wiggins values from the past:

http://www.slipstreamsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/brad-wiggins-blood-profile-3.pdf

Makes for a fun comparison to Lance's leaked 2008-2011 values.

 

[Raul Ramaya]

Interesting quotes from Wiggins: http://www.cyclesportmag.com/news-and-comment/comment-wiggins-just-being-wiggins/

Especially this section:

"So what changed? “I suppose as I’ve got more successful, I’ve almost got to the point where I don’t care about [doping] any more. Because what I’m doing is so time consuming and intense, I can’t be worrying about all that other stuff."

“I suppose when I was 26 or 27, it was a frustration for me. I felt like if the doping wasn’t going on I could break through. I felt that was the difference, and I could be winning stages and things. It was a frustration and an anger around that time. But the last few years I’ve gone from strength to strength and really developed, and I feel I’ve moved on and that frustration has gone, to some extent."

“You know, I don’t care about it any more. About that side of things. Because I’m alright. I’m doing alright. And I suppose it’s a case of, pull the ladder up Jack and sod the rest, you know? I’m doing alright so I’m not going to worry about who’s tested positive.”

Interesting shift in stance. Find this very hard to square with his comments ala LA though. I mean surely implicit in this statement is that there was a time when he couldn't break through due to doping. If true, how can he not speak out against LA?

Though now that I read it again, perhaps he is saying doping does not make a difference? That he would be where he's at even if everyone else was doping? Yikes...

 

[Bill Murray]

He talks about the article here...

http://soundcloud.com/cycling-central/tour-de-france-stage-12

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Interesting quotes from Wiggins: http://www.cyclesportmag.com/news-and-comment/comment-wiggins-just-being-wiggins/

Especially this section:

"So what changed? “I suppose as I’ve got more successful, I’ve almost got to the point where I don’t care about [doping] any more. Because what I’m doing is so time consuming and intense, I can’t be worrying about all that other stuff."

“I suppose when I was 26 or 27, it was a frustration for me. I felt like if the doping wasn’t going on I could break through. I felt that was the difference, and I could be winning stages and things. It was a frustration and an anger around that time. But the last few years I’ve gone from strength to strength and really developed, and I feel I’ve moved on and that frustration has gone, to some extent."

“You know, I don’t care about it any more. About that side of things. Because I’m alright. I’m doing alright. And I suppose it’s a case of, pull the ladder up Jack and sod the rest, you know? I’m doing alright so I’m not going to worry about who’s tested positive.”

Interesting shift in stance. Find this very hard to square with his comments ala LA though. I mean surely implicit in this statement is that there was a time when he couldn't break through due to doping. If true, how can he not speak out against LA?

Though now that I read it again, perhaps he is saying doping does not make a difference? That he would be where he's at even if everyone else was doping? Yikes...

Chapeau.
That is exactly what i cannot reconcile with his statements.

His outburst after the stage was (IMO) no big deal - it was a loaded question and it allowed him to vent his frustration at those who have made deragatory comments against him.
I do not follow BH on twitter, but I would assume he has been subject to some nasty comments there (the downside of twitter).

However, he should have known that a doping question was to come and been prepared for it (even if he would rather not answer it)
His 'blog' says what I would love to have heard without prompting. Obviously it is ghost written (only one profanity!) - but he appears very much against doping.

He needs to be asked why he 'supported' dopers in the past and how he feels about the ongoing cases in the US and Italy (ie, Scarponi, Mantova)

 

[Bill Murray]

He needs to be asked why he 'supported' dopers in the past and how he feels about the ongoing cases in the US and Italy (ie, Scarponi, Mantova)

I doubt he will comment on ongoing investigations. Or will criticise someone heavily who has been convicted and served their time. He made that clear when vinokourov returned. He believes the authorities should take care of it.

I see his point. As a GC rider you need to stay friendly with other riders. They can't be judge and jury and condem people they work with. If they did it also opens up the judge of hypocrisy - people demanding why they are speaking ill of this rider, but will ride with David Millar at the Olympics, and so on. It's a mine field. But this shouldn't be confused with supporting doping.

 

[The Hitch]

So he doesnt care about doping. Funny, just a couple months ago he was rubbing it into Contador for testing positive and saying Sastre was a doper.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Wiggins and Lance

http://liespotting.com/2011/06/liespotting-lance-armstrong-part-2-expert-analysis/

Posted on the Millar thread but reminded me of Wiggins and his outburst.

 

[Nocontest]

If Wiggins is a doper it is hard to reconcile with this: Probably the most honest statement I have ever heard from a professional cyclist. Pretty hard to backtrack from this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs

 

[hrotha]

Isn't Tom Simpson seen as a hero?

 

[biker jk]

If Wiggins is a doper it is hard to reconcile with this: Probably the most honest statement I have ever heard from a professional cyclist. Pretty hard to backtrack from this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs

As credible as this?

“If you consider my situation: a guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would I then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No. No way.” Lance Armstrong

 

[Kwibus]

If Wiggins is a doper it is hard to reconcile with this: Probably the most honest statement I have ever heard from a professional cyclist. Pretty hard to backtrack from this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs

Interesting read.

Feck all of this. I'm just going to watch the races and try not to think about dope all the time. It's pointless. Allthough I'm really crap at not trying to think about dope when something impressive happens

 

[Kwibus]

As credible as this?

“If you consider my situation: a guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would I then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No. No way.” Lance Armstrong

It's incredible how people can lie like that.
I can't. I'm 100% sure about that.

 

[sniper]

If Wiggins is a doper it is hard to reconcile with this: Probably the most honest statement I have ever heard from a professional cyclist. Pretty hard to backtrack from this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/13/bradley-wiggins-dope-drugs

are you joking?

the statement contains
- no words on LA (if Wiggo used to be so ****ed off for finishing behind dopers, then why no outcry on him missing out on the 2009 podium thanks to one of the biggest dopers of the history of cycling?)
- no words on why he refused to have Kimmage as an intern during the TdF (so much for being "transparent" and "doing everything to convince the fans")
- no words on Leinders

the statement makes my eyes rain tbh.

 

[sniper]

as credible as this?

“if you consider my situation: A guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would i then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No. No way.” lance armstrong

+1 !!
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