Wiggins Discussion thread.

[Jones123]

I think the reason for Wiggins' dismissal is due to the cobbled stage, Froome is probably worried Wiggins will put a minute or so into him and lose his leadership. Then all Wiggins would have to do is limit his losses in the mountains to around two minutes and he'd win the race in the TT... If there weren't any cobbles I bet he wouldn't have been dismissed... That's my take on it anyway

 

[spalco]

Does anybody here seriously think Wiggins could win this TdF? If your answer isn't "yes, absolutely", then what's wrong with Froome, who undoubtedly does have a chance not wanting him riding in his support? If Contador said he doesn't want Kreuziger on his Tour squad, other than maybe a bad strategic choice, would there be any controversy?

 

[Akuryo]

Sky made a mistake. But good for Wiggins, whom I like a lot. Hope he finds a team which will give the man what he deserves.

 

[darwin553]

I would be very surprised if Wiggins can recover from this. Notwithstanding that the team has been built around Froome as per Froome's wishes, it is a huge blow to his self esteem that the team wouldn't override these wishes and come to the conclusion that a former champion and current Tour of California winner would be a huge asset to Froome in the mountains.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Does anybody here seriously think Wiggins could win this TdF? If your answer isn't "yes, absolutely", then what's wrong with Froome, who undoubtedly does have a chance not wanting him riding in his support? If Contador said he doesn't want Kreuziger on his Tour squad, other than maybe a bad strategic choice, would there be any controversy?

Surely you are not comparing Wiggo with Kreuziger considering the start of the tour is in Britland?

 

[arvc40]

I can't stand the lanky *** but I am surprised he has not got a roll in the team.

Let's face it, despite the bull**** they feed us, these hate each other

 

[coimbrawu]

Best case scenario:
Oleg Tinkov ‏@olegtinkov 1h
How can Bradley Wiggins to end up being in yellow jersey? Sign with @tinkoff_saxo and wear all year long

 

[webvan]

Apparently Wiggins (knowing he wouldn't be at the Tour) has been focussing on the track since California. He's put on 2kg as well so he definitely won't be in contention for the GC at Suisse.

Source ? In any case this is very odd as I'm not sure what there's to focus on "track wise" in the near future? The Commonwealth Games ? And what if something happens to Froome before the TDF starts? "Sorry, too late Dave, I've been piling on the pounds"...

 

[595RED]

Unbelieveable the winner of two years ago is left out, and probably one of the last men to be left standing when the Tour reaches its toughest moments, and probably the potential leader of nearly every other team in the event should he be on another squad.

I must say I am not sitting here wishing SKY 'All the best" I find myself now wishing the opposing teams all the best and SKY a more than challenging three weeks.

For a team that is supposedly all about the numbers this is poor form and weak in management leadership from Brailsford, who is now looking like he has lost control of the team now the lunatics are leading the asylum.

Rubber ball back in the mouth Dave and back in the box until Chris wants his Chamois rubbed down.

 

[JRanton]

It seems a slightly ridiculous thing to say but I think Wiggins lining up for a GB start in Yorkshire would generate more publicity for Sky in Britain than a Froome win in Paris. Of course Sky could have had both. I'd be pretty ****ed off if I was a Sky executive.

 

[Jones123]

It seems a slightly ridiculous thing to say but I think Wiggins lining up for a GB start in Yorkshire would generate more publicity for Sky in Britain than a Froome win in Paris. Of course Sky could have had both. I'd be pretty ****ed off if I was a Sky executive.

Wiggins starting would be far bigger to the public than anything Froome could do throughout the entire race, and if Froome doesnt win Brailsford will get massacred by the media for Wiggins' exclusion.

 

[JRanton]

Source ? In any case this is very odd as I'm not sure what there's to focus on "track wise" in the near future? The Commonwealth Games ? And what if something happens to Froome before the TDF starts? "Sorry, too late Dave, I've been piling on the pounds"...

Yes, Commonwealth Games. He'll ride the road TT too apparently. Source is someone on twitter. He was in the Velodrome in Manchester a few days ago which isn't exactly what you'd do if you were planning on winning Suisse.

Porte is the plan B if something happens to Froome.

 

[penzos]

I'm really surprised by the news.
It looks to me that Froome has a significant influence in the selection. The decision can't be explained by anything else than the team cohesion, imo.

 

[spalco]

Surely you are not comparing Wiggo with Kreuziger considering the start of the tour is in Britland?

So the argument is about PR, not sports?

 

[webvan]

Probably a veto right in the contract he renewed at the end of last year...

@JRanton - ok, so the 2kg has to be a rough estimate too...It would make sense to spend dome time on the Velodrome. I really wouldn't draw any drastic conclusions for the TDS based on that "sighting".

Porte is only "Plan B" if something happens to Froome after the race has started. If it's before, Wiggo is "in", he said so much on the BBC.

 

[pastronef]

I'm really surprised by the news.
It looks to me that Froome has a significant influence in the selection. The decision can't be explained by anything else than the team cohesion, imo.

so, which riders are not going to be selected because the belong to the Wiggo's crew and not to Froome's crew?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

So the argument is about PR, not sports?

The Tour is 50% about marketing and PR.

Think about it......

 

[movingtarget]

If I was providing the financial backing to team Sky and was told that the Tour winner from two years ago could not make their best team of nine riders I would want answers pretty quickly. Looks like a lack of trust in Wiggins and more about personalities. He has shown pretty good form this year. Porte will be given another chance at the Giro so Wiggins is on the outer. Looks like he will be moving on after all.

I also think Wiggins would have made Porte's job easier at the Tour. Wiggins would have friends at Sky as well so I wonder if this decision instead of solidifying the team could cause some issues for other riders as well. I'm sure Froome is not universally liked. But Sutton and Yates are not around to stick up for Wiggins anymore.

 

[595RED]

so, which riders are not going to be selected because the belong to the Wiggo's crew and not to Froome's crew?

Right about now these turncoats will all be part of the Froome crew

 

[Krzysztof_O]

There has been too much bad blood between Wiggins and Froome since 2012. It's possible that Wiggins' presence would cause some conflicts during the Tour, which could influence the race outcome. Sky's biggest mistake was that they didn't predict it earlier and let Wiggins change the team.

 

[pastronef]

There was too much bad blood between Wiggins and Froome since 2012. It's possible that Wiggins' presence would cause some conflicts during the Tour, which could influence the race outcome. Sky's biggest mistake was that they didn't predict it earlier and let Wiggins change the team.

Brailsfod must just kneel and pray all gods that nothing bad happens on the cobbles...

 

[CycloAndy]

Froome hates Wiggins because he didn't let him go for personal opportunities, Froome doesnt want to be a complete hypocrite so allows Wiggins to do the Tour....oh wait. Froome's true colours shining through!

 

[Jones123]

Is there a chance Sky may get booed at the team presentation? Probably not but that would be hilarious!

 

[penzos]

so, which riders are not going to be selected because the belong to the Wiggo's crew and not to Froome's crew?

I'm not familiar with the group dynamics inside the Sky team and I don't think anyone else will be hit by Froome's power display. And that's the most accurate description of the matter, as far as I'm concerned. Froome intervened, put veto, or however you want to call it, just to show who's the boss.
But, you know, there are still four weeks till the Tour, and they're Englishmen not shy of mind games, so...

 

[rainman]

Right about now these turncoats will all be part of the Froome crew

Talk sense FGS. Its not the local park gallop. Being part of the winning team they stand to make maybe 50k euros each. If a rider is picked for the Tour they ride, end of.