Wiggins Discussion thread.

[biopass]

seriously?

Yes, seriously.

 

[Eshnar]

Yes, seriously.

That very Vuelta showed that Cobo is stronger than Froome too. So will you bet upon him next year?


And the Tour 2011 showed that Voeckler can beat Contador. Why is everyone saying next Tour will be between Froome and Contador. It'll be between Cobo and Voeckler!

 

[cineteq]

And the Tour 2011 showed that Voeckler can beat Contador. Why is everyone saying next Tour will be between Froome and Contador. It'll be between Cobo and Voeckler!

Not sure if biopass will get your parable. Good one!

 

[biopass]

That very Vuelta showed that Cobo is stronger than Froome too. So will you bet upon him next year?


And the Tour 2011 showed that Voeckler can beat Contador. Why is everyone saying next Tour will be between Froome and Contador. It'll be between Cobo and Voeckler!

For your information, Wiggins, unlike Cobo, has continued to progress after the Vuelta 2011. Including another win over Nibbles at the Tour.

But honestly, can anyone tell why it is dumb by Wiggins that he wants to defend his tour title? Can anyone blaim him for saying that?

Who is it thats gonna make him suffer in the Giro 2013? It aint Nibbles for sure, the last two GT clashes between them has showed that.

 

[Eshnar]

For your information, Wiggins, unlike Cobo, has continued to progress after the Vuelta 2011. Including another win over Nibbles at the Tour.

FYI Nibali was clearly off-form during that Vuelta (perhaps you noticed that he got beaten even by Monfort). So that race didn't show anything, except the fact that Wiggins doesn't need to be at 100% to beat an off-form Nibbles.

But honestly, can anyone tell why it is dumb by Wiggins that he wants to defend his tour title? Can anyone blaim him for saying that?

Who is it thats gonna make him suffer in the Giro 2013? It aint Nibbles for sure, the last two GT clashes between them has showed that.

I do believe that if he race the Giro in top form he'll win it. As simple as that. BUT I'm not so sure he could win it while not in shape. The Giro features harder stages and less time trials than the only GT Wiggo has won.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I do believe that if he race the Giro in top form he'll win it. As simple as that. BUT I'm not so sure he could win it while not in shape. The Giro features harder stages and less time trials than the only GT Wiggo has won.

Giro '13 will be much harder to control with a train concept compared to TdF '12. There are 10+ stages where GC riders can gain time/bonus secs in the Giro. Naturally Wiggins opposition must also be sharp to make it fun, but still.

 

[Dedelou]

In soccer (which is a team sport) when Messi scores 3 goals and wins the match for Barcelona, it isn't (only) Messi who won it is Barcelona.

In cycling (which isn't a team sport) When Contador won the tour, he is the winner of the tour and his team mates (in 09 Armstrong amongst others) didn't win the tour.

Cycling is a sport unlike others where individual can only win if they are part of a team. No single rider can ever enter a race and if the best rider in the world is part of a low team he may not be able to participate in some major events. Why compare cycling to other sport in order to define it?

 

[Afrank]

But honestly, can anyone tell why it is dumb by Wiggins that he wants to defend his tour title? Can anyone blaim him for saying that?

Who is it thats gonna make him suffer in the Giro 2013? It aint Nibbles for sure, the last two GT clashes between them has showed that.

IMO its dumb because he is once again sidelining Froome and putting Froomes schedule and preparation in doubt, because he is going back on his word that Froome could be leader in the Tour, and because he won't have nearly as much chance to win the 2013 tour as he would at the Giro.

Nibali, Purito, Sanchez, Pellizotti, Pozzovivo, and whichever Colombians show up I could see making Wiggo suffer. Plus as others said, it will be a harder race to control.

 

[Cavendash]

If Wiggins has some brains he knows he has no chance to win against Contador at 100%, not even against Contador at 95%. I think not even one of us will give him more than 1% chance.

British newspapers (according to hitch) think he's the best GT rider of this moment.

Besides a lot of people are already bashing him for the Froome-stuff. That will only get worse.

Sky might risk in losing Froome whois the real future for Sky. So will Sky risk it to **** of Froome?

Giro is right now perfect. And he can use the excuse of trying to become a 'legend'. And beating Nibali is way easier than handling with Contador.

If Wiggins thinks having Froome in your team is stressful than what about Contador? You've never EVER done with this dude. If he's 10 seconds behind on the last stage I'm sure he'll attack on the champs-elysee.

Smart choice is obviously riding the giro.

Obviously I hope he goes for the tour. I don't think I need to explain why

Im English , The papers do love Wiggins , and rightfully so, he is adored now and as much as i loathe the press in this country they are not completly stupid on the Cycling , they know Contador is force along with the other main men.

 

[Cavendash]

Not entirely. The newspapers too, but when it comes to thinking Wiggins is king for good, its mainly what the fans say.

At the olympics i head numerous people expouse confidence that Wiggins will easily retain the tour next year. 1 group i was sitting next to on the train expressed their regret at not making it to Paris for his win but decided they would definately go for it next year as no one could challenge him.
Another group at box hill were trying to calculate how many years until the next non British winner because from what they saw at the Tour no one can challenge Froome or wiggins for a while

And on the newspaper message boards ive been laughed at for saying wiggins will struggle to beat Contador next year because Contador off drugs will be struggling to finish the race.

Some of those "journalists" who write major op ed pieces about cycling now despite only knowing about 1 sport - football (eg martin samuel, supposed "sports writer of the decade" who made a laughable comparison of Hinaults and Lances alpe d huez climbs saying that a non dopers limit should be beating Hinault by 3 minutes maximum - ergo anything under 45 minutes on alpe - is doping), some of these journalists will express confidence that Britain will now dominate the Tour de France and hence cycling, but i think the ones who actually know a little about cycling know not to put too much pressure on their friend and just celebrate Wiggins recent win.

Urgh , that fat ******* is the lowest of the low , a scumbag of the highest order , probably the biggest **** spouting hypocrite amongst the lot of the rats.

 

[Cavendash]

This seems to be typical Wiggins believing his own press and opening his mouth before thinking. He should listen to the team and go to the Giro and then as backup for Frome in the tour.

If you listened to what he said that is exactly what he says he will do , he said its Daves problem to sort out.

 

[Cavendash]

Froome should have stabbed him in the back when he had the chance. I just hope he rides for himself this year no matter what the team say.

I dont get why people think its a stone cold fact that Froome would of just ridden off into the sunset from Brad , whos to say he wouldn't of cracked just like he did numerous times in the Vuelta and got reeled back in ?

And even if he did gain some time i doubt it would of been enough to win , we will never know.

 

[Boardslide]

If you listened to what he said that is exactly what he says he will do , he said its Daves problem to sort out.

Sorry what I meant to say is listen to his coach Shane Sutton. The way I understood his comment was "I'll do what I want and Dave can deal with the flak"

 

[biopass]

IMO its dumb because he is once again sidelining Froome and putting Froomes schedule and preparation in doubt, because he is going back on his word that Froome could be leader in the Tour, and because he won't have nearly as much chance to win the 2013 tour as he would at the Giro.

Thats your interpretation of Wiggos words. I cant see why Froome should have a different schedule and preparation just because Wiggo says he too wants a shot at the Tour.

Nibali, Purito, Sanchez, Pellizotti, Pozzovivo, and whichever Colombians show up I could see making Wiggo suffer. Plus as others said, it will be a harder race to control.

Its not like they suddenly will unite force and all ride as super domestiques for Nibbles, J-Rod or each other. I agree that they will try to crack who ever has the pinkt jersey, but not at the expence of their own chances. They too have their own ambitions in the GC.

 

[bigcog]

I dont get why people think its a stone cold fact that Froome would of just ridden off into the sunset from Brad , whos to say he wouldn't of cracked just like he did numerous times in the Vuelta and got reeled back in ?

And even if he did gain some time i doubt it would of been enough to win , we will never know.

We will never know but to judge him on his performance in this years Vuelta is a bit laughable. He'd just ridden the TDF and Olympics. He was obviously fatigued but he still gave it a go and attacked when he could. He's damn more entertaining to watch than wiggo, unless you have a passion for TT's and boring parcours.

 

[Ferminal]

Are you on crack? Sky at the giro would be the train neutralizing the stelvio, tre cime and especially galibier as wiggins takes 4 minutes in the tt. Who at the giro could fly away from the sky train? At least in the tour wed have Al and Andy and maybe gesink or quintana or pinot.

This way someone like henao or uran can have a go at the giro and we could see a good one.

Sky ride faster than any other mountain train. They would cause a lot more damage than Amadio's faux-train.

 

[Ferminal]

except the fact that Wiggins doesn't need to be at 100% to beat an off-form Nibbles.
.

lol!

/thread

 

[Afrank]

Thats your interpretation of Wiggos words. I cant see why Froome should have a different schedule and preparation just because Wiggo says he too wants a shot at the Tour.

It's not my interpretation of his words at all. He is now saying he wants to win the Tour, Froome would have been the leader at the Tour but now that Wiggins is saying he wants to win it again that put Froomes schedule and preparation for the Tour in doubt. Froome wants to go into a GT in top form, and be leader of the team. And if Wiggins says he wants to win the Tour again, then Froome may not be given the leadership he wants.

I guess Froome when they call him back to help Wiggins will just have to pretend his radio was broken.

Its not like they suddenly will unite force and all ride as super domestiques for Nibbles, J-Rod or each other. I agree that they will try to crack who ever has the pinkt jersey, but not at the expence of their own chances. They too have their own ambitions in the GC.

No, they won't be uniting against Wiggins. But they will attack each other, and Wiggins doesn't like it when someone changes the pace with an attack. Enough attacks and he will be put into difficulty, and lose time to the other guys that can handle the Giro climbs better then him.

 

[biopass]

It's not my interpretation of his words at all. He is now saying he wants to win the Tour, Froome would have been the leader at the Tour but now that Wiggins is saying he wants to win it again that put Froomes schedule and preparation for the Tour in doubt. Froome wants to go into a GT in top form, and be leader of the team. And if Wiggins says he wants to win the Tour again, then Froome may not be given the leadership he wants.

I guess Froome when they call him back to help Wiggins will just have to pretend his radio was broken.



No, they won't be uniting against Wiggins. But they will attack each other, and Wiggins doesn't like it when someone changes the pace with an attack. Enough attacks and he will be put into difficulty, and lose time to the other guys that can handle the Giro climbs better then him.

Even if Wiggo is given the leadership at the tour, it doesnt mean that Froome will not prepare himself 100% for the tour. Tell me the name of someone who finished second, that didnt want a shot the following year?

And yes GT contenders who are climbing specialist will jump around in the Giro to make thing difficult for their rivals. And yes Wiggo will not respond to attacks and will instead ride his own pace. But thats not because he cant respond to those attacks, thats because hes riding with Rotor Q-Rings, or whatever his funny looking chainrings are called.

 

[Afrank]

Even if Wiggo is given the leadership at the tour, it doesnt mean that Froome will not prepare himself 100% for the tour. Tell me the name of someone who finished second, that didnt want a shot the following year?

And yes GT contenders who are climbing specialist will jump around in the Giro to make thing difficult for their rivals. And yes Wiggo will not respond to attacks and will instead ride his own pace. But thats not because he cant respond to those attacks, thats because hes riding with Rotor Q-Rings, or whatever his funny looking chainrings are called.

Yes, Froome will prepare for whichever GT they send him to and try to be in form for it. But if Wiggins is given leadership over him then he won't be supported as much. As an example: this year Froome flatted on a stage (I forget which stage) and he lost something like 2:00 minutes. If Sky had sent some people back for him, he probably wouldn't have lost nearly as much time. But they didn't because they had to stay with the leader of the team, Wiggins. Froome wants to win the Tour and do so with the full support of the team.

I'd say it's more because he's not as good a climber as others then it is the gear he uses.

 

[movingtarget]

If Wiggins has some brains he knows he has no chance to win against Contador at 100%, not even against Contador at 95%. I think not even one of us will give him more than 1% chance.

British newspapers (according to hitch) think he's the best GT rider of this moment.

Besides a lot of people are already bashing him for the Froome-stuff. That will only get worse.

Sky might risk in losing Froome whois the real future for Sky. So will Sky risk it to **** of Froome?

Giro is right now perfect. And he can use the excuse of trying to become a 'legend'. And beating Nibali is way easier than handling with Contador.

If Wiggins thinks having Froome in your team is stressful than what about Contador? You've never EVER done with this dude. If he's 10 seconds behind on the last stage I'm sure he'll attack on the champs-elysee.

Smart choice is obviously riding the giro.

Obviously I hope he goes for the tour. I don't think I need to explain why

Wiggins should do the Giro I agree. What happened to his dream of winning all three Tours. Probably pressure from management and the sponsors have driven him back to defend the Tour. Giro suits him much better. Otherwise Tour could be interesting and messy with a potential Lemond/Hinault situation developing at Sky plus having to beat Contador. Can't see Froome waiting for Wiggins in the mountains anymore or doing a lot of work on the front of the Sky train.

 

[webvan]

How much work did he do last year anyway? 12/15 km ? And he had to let Wiggo take over twice, it was more like moral support (well not so much now that we know how Wiggo felt about his showboating) and in case of a mechanical. If he hadn't been there Wiggo would still have won easily. Froome has everything to prove and I'm not sure he has the brains to pull it off, his bitc*y GF certainly won't help.

 

[Ferminal]

Wiggins also has to prove he can be a teammate.

 

[argyllflyer]

Yes, Froome will prepare for whichever GT they send him to and try to be in form for it. But if Wiggins is given leadership over him then he won't be supported as much. As an example: this year Froome flatted on a stage (I forget which stage) and he lost something like 2:00 minutes. If Sky had sent some people back for him, he probably wouldn't have lost nearly as much time. But they didn't because they had to stay with the leader of the team, Wiggins. Froome wants to win the Tour and do so with the full support of the team.

Stage 1 I think.

 

[webvan]

And it was more like 1 minute.