Wiggins Discussion thread.

[Pippo_San]

Hmmm i like that chick

Now really people think about routes, monetization, doping and such.
Wanna make cycling really mainstream? BRING 'EM HOT CHICKS!!! MOAR I SAY!!!

 

[jsem94]

Or claims he's now a cobbles specialist and goes off 'stage hunting' and accidentally gets a GC lead when all the favourites get stuck behind a Franck Schleck special.

Thomas & Stannard should be plenty of support for Froome anyway, but lets be honest, I'm guessing all 8 team-mates will be on strict details that day.

Wiggins getting yellow somehow after the cobbles would be hilarious.

Imagine there being a big crash behind him with lots of GC riders down. Only Wiggo and a small select group of other 2nd tier cobbled riders are in front, powering on.

LOL, I can't contain myself.

 

[wirral]

I have tried to look at the Sky TDF line-up from a variety of angles and I just really can't envisage any kind of plus for Sky from Wiggins being there. He will not ride hard on the front for Froome for any meaningful distance. Since Sky's role at the TDF is for Froome to go for GC, I have to ask why is Wiggins there. If it is a show of respect for Wiggins' victories for Sky, I think it is misguided. If it is for the time trial victory, well then, I believe it is an underused spot in the team of 9. If it is a GC back-up, I would be amazed. Perhaps Wiggins has twisted someone's arm at Sky to get on the team. I cannot fathom it. It cannot be anything but a distraction at best and completely divisive at worst.

 

[Beech Mtn]

^ Wiggins is there because the race starts in Yorkshire, Wiggo is the best-known Brit cyclist, many of the fans who turn out on the roadside will be expecting to see him, and he will be a huge part of the whole PR show. I look for him to be in good form and go for a stage win.

At the end of the day, it's ALL about the publicity, and Wiggo is a huge part of that. Bigger than Froome, even, to the general public, at this time.

 

[Jspear]

Also right now it seems like Sky has several sick riders. Who knows, maybe Wiggins will be even more healthy than Porte, and thus more of a help. We will have to wait and see in July, but right now he seems to be one of the "bigger name" riders who isn't battling with different problems. That right there will give him some value for the TdF roster.

 

[elfed68]

I have tried to look at the Sky TDF line-up from a variety of angles and I just really can't envisage any kind of plus for Sky from Wiggins being there. He will not ride hard on the front for Froome for any meaningful distance. Since Sky's role at the TDF is for Froome to go for GC, I have to ask why is Wiggins there. If it is a show of respect for Wiggins' victories for Sky, I think it is misguided. If it is for the time trial victory, well then, I believe it is an underused spot in the team of 9. If it is a GC back-up, I would be amazed. Perhaps Wiggins has twisted someone's arm at Sky to get on the team. I cannot fathom it. It cannot be anything but a distraction at best and completely divisive at worst.

The thousands of non cycling fans that will be attending the TdF in the UK this year probably won't have heard of Chris Froome, but all will know Bradley Wiggins, and that's who they'll want to see, he's PR gold.
It's probably why he's been sent to the ToC to raise Sky's profile in the USA.

Also, he deserves a place if his form continues to improve, which hopefully we'll see during ToC.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Not only would it be a PR fail of epic proportions if he is not allowed to ride but his form this season so far actually does merit a place on the team. He seems to have got a spark back after his horror show of the last Giro. I don't expect him to climb with the best however he is still very useful in the mountains and also will be valuable to Froome on the cobbled stage.

 

[CycloAndy]

I have tried to look at the Sky TDF line-up from a variety of angles and I just really can't envisage any kind of plus for Sky from Wiggins being there. He will not ride hard on the front for Froome for any meaningful distance. Since Sky's role at the TDF is for Froome to go for GC, I have to ask why is Wiggins there. If it is a show of respect for Wiggins' victories for Sky, I think it is misguided. If it is for the time trial victory, well then, I believe it is an underused spot in the team of 9. If it is a GC back-up, I would be amazed. Perhaps Wiggins has twisted someone's arm at Sky to get on the team. I cannot fathom it. It cannot be anything but a distraction at best and completely divisive at worst.

At the start of the year I would have agreed with you completely. However, his form would probably merit a place as things stand. Handy at getting riders to the start of a climb. Not as a back-up rider, although the PR bots will be playing this up as much as possible.

 

[jens_attacks]

him not being selected for le tour would be a disgrace

i'm pretty sure that he will completely boss california(diablo and mt. high are pretty much perfect for his style). i want wiggo co-leader with froomey for le tour! at least for a week!

 

[Non Grimpeur]

At the start of the year I would have agreed with you completely. However, his form would probably merit a place as things stand. Handy at getting riders to the start of a climb. Not as a back-up rider, although the PR bots will be playing this up as much as possible.

Wiggins is more than worth a place as things stand. But does Froome want him there? I think Froome will want Wiggins there as a last resort, PR issues aside.

I think Wiggins could be one of the big surprises of this year's TDF. If he loses a few kilos then a time trial win and top 10 finish is possible. He is still a very good rider and if his head is in gear is capable of doing a good ride. He could actually end up being Froome's key helper.

People should be asking whether the likes of Porte are worth a place in the Tour line up because on current form he is nowhere near good enough. Froome needs him too.

Sky tour team: Froome, Porte, Thomas, Nieve, Lopez,Stannard, Kennaugh, Kiryenka, Wiggins.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Froome should be mature enough to not only handle Sir Wiggo's inclusion, but also use his presence strategically at the Tour.

As a minimum Wiggo will drive Sky's train on the mid part of the last mountain(s) with such a pace very few will be left for Froome to worry about.

I prefer Stannard as the main cobbles leader as he has more physical presence at the front and can move a couple of smaller guys out of the way if needed. Wiggo could sit just behind Froome and help in case of mechanical problems. Thomas will be the backup plan.

And Wiggo could still end in top 10 in this field.

And then there is the PR upside.

 

[cobbledclassic]

Wiggins getting yellow somehow after the cobbles would be hilarious.

Imagine there being a big crash behind him with lots of GC riders down. Only Wiggo and a small select group of other 2nd tier cobbled riders are in front, powering on.

LOL, I can't contain myself.

I reckon the SKY management should be quite happy with that. Something else for the other teams to have to deal with. Froome can just follow the wheels.

 

[elfed68]

https://www.facebook.com/TeamSky/ph...94104484872/10152522011209873/?type=1&theater

http://www.teamsky.com/gallery/0,27401,30668_9293644,00.html#photo=3

I've just been watching the Giro 2013 review on Eurosport, he seemed to be carrying a bit of weight compared to the two above.

 

[postmanhat]

I'd love it, love it if Wiggo tore The Tour apart to set Froome up

 

[b.broadhurst]

Sky tour team: Froome, Porte, Thomas, Nieve, Lopez,Stannard, Kennaugh, Kiryenka, Wiggins.

I think this squad is pretty spot on, only place that is questionable is Kennaugh's as he has shown no form and he doesn't have as much natural talent as the others to get it back in time for the Tour.

 

[williamp78]

I think this squad is pretty spot on, only place that is questionable is Kennaugh's as he has shown no form and he doesn't have as much natural talent as the others to get it back in time for the Tour.

No EBH; i reckon that says a lot

 

[William H]

I think this squad is pretty spot on, only place that is questionable is Kennaugh's as he has shown no form and he doesn't have as much natural talent as the others to get it back in time for the Tour.

Kennaugh lacks natural talent

As far as the road goes, he was probably the most promising young male talent British Cycling has had.

 

[williamp78]

Kennaugh lacks natural talent

As far as the road goes, he was probably the most promising young male talent British Cycling has had.

About 4 maybe 5 years ago Wiggins said he would be the first brit to win le tour. Plenty of natural talent and seems to be developing well. Though sickness has knocked him back

 

[Pricey_sky]

Kennaugh has done ok this year and did a good job winning Coppi e Bartoli. I'm sure he has time to get back to form. Interesting that Porte and Froome have been up in the high mountains training for the Tour.

 

[JRanton]

Wiggins is more than worth a place as things stand. But does Froome want him there? I think Froome will want Wiggins there as a last resort, PR issues aside.

I think Wiggins could be one of the big surprises of this year's TDF. If he loses a few kilos then a time trial win and top 10 finish is possible. He is still a very good rider and if his head is in gear is capable of doing a good ride. He could actually end up being Froome's key helper.

People should be asking whether the likes of Porte are worth a place in the Tour line up because on current form he is nowhere near good enough. Froome needs him too.

Sky tour team: Froome, Porte, Thomas, Nieve, Lopez,Stannard, Kennaugh, Kiryenka, Wiggins.

Knees isn't riding the Giro so I imagine he has a chance of making the Tour team.

I doubt they'll select any of their Giro riders given how hard the final week is. Boswell, Dombrowski, Edmondson, Earle and Rowe aren't going to be selected for the Tour. Other non-Giro options are Pate, Zandio and of course the altitude native if he can be cleared to race in time.

 

[Grupetto1]

I think this squad is pretty spot on, only place that is questionable is Kennaugh's as he has shown no form and he doesn't have as much natural talent as the others to get it back in time for the Tour.

You mean get it back exactly like he did last year?

 

[RownhamHill]

Knees isn't riding the Giro so I imagine he has a chance of making the Tour team.

I doubt they'll select any of their Giro riders given how hard the final week is. Boswell, Dombrowski, Edmondson, Earle and Rowe aren't going to be selected for the Tour. Other non-Giro options are Pate, Zandio and of course the altitude native if he can be cleared to race in time.

Isn't Henao clear to race anytime he wants? I thought he wasn't under any kind of official suspension or investigation, it's simply a team sky internal investigation?

 

[Jspear]

Kinda interesting....Wiggins is saying his weight right now is the same as when he won the Tour....I thought he wasn't going to be slimming down that much anymore....whatever the case, best of luck to him in Cali. Looks like he'll be tough to beat there. Also if he really is in good form, it's a no brainer for him to support Froomie at the Tour.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-fit-lean-and-ready-to-contend-at-tour-of-california

 

[elfed68]

Kinda interesting....Wiggins is saying his weight right now is the same as when he won the Tour....I thought he wasn't going to be slimming down that much anymore....whatever the case, best of luck to him in Cali. Looks like he'll be tough to beat there. Also if he really is in good form, it's a no brainer for him to support Froomie at the Tour.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-fit-lean-and-ready-to-contend-at-tour-of-california

Very interesting, looks like he's got his mojo back.

Co leader for the Tour, or secret plan B? Or just a domestique if Froome begrudgingly allows him on the team, although James Murdoch might have some input as well.

 

[jens_attacks]

i still think he's not at the same weight and power ratio as in the tour. but he definitely not a lot of extra kilos, very fit and motivated. he should smoke this race and if he will improve, without a shadow a doubt,he should co-lead the team in le tour de france. after the cobbles, things can change