Wiggins Discussion thread.

[webvan]

The main issue for Sky is Wiggo's popularity in UK (England?). If Froome was very popular, the team would have thrown Wiggo out already imo.

Ah the balance of sporting results versus popularity. Delicate, but I think Froome can solve the problem with a perfect run in to the tour.

Which hasn't been the case exactly so far and he seems to be in some sort of "limbo" at this point...there is a bit of a "curse" on the reigning TDF champ since...hum...2006 I suppose, for varying reasons, but the end result's been the same, no (official) consecutive wins.

 

[Afrank]

To be fair he will be auseful for Froome on the flat and cobble stages if he maintains his P-R form, with them not really competing for the GC spot, I think they can get on fine

His role would be similar to what the role of Stannard or Eisel would be I expect. He's now proven that he can be useful over the cobble stage, and it shouldn't be too much of an ask for some work on the flat land as well. If he can show some decent climbing form (in Cali or Dauphine most likely) he should make the squad easy.

Truth be told, a Wiggins with 2014 cobble/flat land ability with just a little of the 2012 Wiggins climbing form would be an excellent domestique for Froome.

 

[arvc40]

I suppose Wiggins can always go home and look at this trophy:

Yes and remember that he was not the best rider and that money paid for that trophy.

 

[martinvickers]

Yes and remember that he was not the best rider and that money paid for that trophy.

I doubt he gives a sh!t.

 

[Mellow Velo]

There were at least 9 riders with a more important role than Wiggins, so hardly a key role he had. Terpstra, Boonen, Vanmarcke, Cancellara, Sagan, Thomas, Stybar, Degenkolb & Hushovd
Just goes to show how biased some are...

Fortunately, here there were only two.

 

[Netserk]

Fortunately, here there were only two.

So which of those 9 riders did Wiggins have a bigger role than?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Which hasn't been the case exactly so far and he seems to be in some sort of "limbo" at this point...there is a bit of a "curse" on the reigning TDF champ since...hum...2006 I suppose, for varying reasons, but the end result's been the same, no (official) consecutive wins.

yea, the landscape looks a bit muddy, but a perfect run in from here will solve the problem.

TdR
CdD

I think Froome can win these races, unless Nibali steps up particular in TdR with the descending.

 

[thehook]

As much of the fact that I'm not a SKY fan. I thought Wiggo rode a great race.

Tip of the Hat!

 

[red_flanders]

It's not really that bizarre when you look at Wiggins history with GT racing since he won the Tour.

-Said he didn't enjoy winning.
-decided to focus on Giro, left early after some setbacks.
-no motivation to train for the GT's anymore, new focus on worlds TT.
-said he may be finished with GT's in general.
-new focus on one days and track in Rio Olympics.

Since he won the Tour he hasn't really shown anything in stage racing that would make him deserving of a spot on the Tour squad. Plus his history with Froome and history of wanting to be the sole leader in races puts how much he would do for Froome in question.

I expect he'll probably end up on the Tour squad if he really want to race the Tour. But he may have to show that he is willing to work for Froome and that he can handle and do a good job in a stage race first.

It's not that I don't realize how it came to pass, it's just a strange path, one you don't see very often.

My comment is neither critical or complimentary. Just an observation.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I doubt he gives a sh!t.

I think you're right:

 

[Afrank]

It's not that I don't realize how it came to pass, it's just a strange path, one you don't see very often.

My comment is neither critical or complimentary. Just an observation.

I agree to that. Wiggins course has definitely taken and odd turn since winning the Tour.

 

[roundabout]

Wiggins winning the Tour was the point where his course took an odd turn.

It's quite amazing that almost 2 years on the effect of the 2012 Tour is still being felt in the Froome-Wiggins relationship

 

[Pricey_sky]

I doubt he gives a sh!t.

No he really doesn't, he will be too busy trying to make his way through all the Olympic medals in his home!

If he can prove he is still useful in the mountains he will be a good addition to Froome's Tour defence.

 

[willbick]

Because Froome made him look like a sprinter on the climbs and still wasn't too far back from him in the TT's iirc.

A 'sprinter' that none of the other GC contenders could put a single second into on any stage. Get real

 

[arvc40]

A 'sprinter' that none of the other GC contenders could put a single second into on any stage. Get real

Ill say again, just let me know when he wins a race, one which he is the strongest rider and has not paid off the best rider in the world, to babysit him every step of the way round a soft route that must have been designed for him.

In 2013 he bottled the Tour and the rider who could not be bought any more was given leadership of Wiggins Team. That says it all really.

Good effort is 9th in PR though, legendary, epic, lol.

 

[Afrank]

A 'sprinter' that none of the other GC contenders could put a single second into on any stage. Get real

Didn't say I agree with that view. Just giving the most probable reason why some would see him as not the strongest in that Tour.

 

[Jspear]

A 'sprinter' that none of the other GC contenders could put a single second into on any stage. Get real

I don't think anyone was stronger than Wiggins except for Froome. I think a case can be made that he definitely was stronger.

 

[TheBean]

Wiggins' list of accomplishments is impressive for several reasons:

1. He has been at or near the top of his sport for a long time.
2. He has won at the highest level in disciplines that are more varied than most other riders.
3. When he sets a goal, he achieves it more often than not.

Few riders can make those three simple claims.

In P-R yesterday, he was there in the finale. He fizzled a bit (as did everyone else other than Terpstra) in the final 5k, but he was better than 150 or so others, many of whom call themselves cobble specialists.

P-R was such an amazing race this year and Terpstra is a very deserving champion, but it could have easily gone to any of the final group. Terpstra saw it and took it. Still, Wiggo helped make the race what it was, as did so many others who rode brilliantly. Terpstra's victory must be all that much more satisfying knowing the quality of competition he soundly beat.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

if one thing it prooves how ridiuclous overrated cobbled races are. they are the worst placed races of the entire year

 

[movingtarget]

if one thing it prooves how ridiuclous overrated cobbled races are. they are the worst placed races of the entire year

It's the spectacle of course. The link to the old style racing. Even though there are surprise winners, most of the time the winners of the cobbled races are quality riders that also do well in other races. With the right preparation a talented rider like Wiggins should be able to do well in this type of race.

 

[oldcrank]

It's the spectacle of course. The link to the old style racing. Even though there are surprise winners, most of the time the winners of the cobbled races are quality riders that also do well in other races. With the right preparation a talented rider like Wiggins should be able to do well in this type of race.

Yes, my friend, and I think both the King of Kilburn and G
likely have noted that it was another trackie that won.
Hopefully they, and Ian, give it a good go next year.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

It's the spectacle of course. The link to the old style racing. Even though there are surprise winners, most of the time the winners of the cobbled races are quality riders that also do well in other races. With the right preparation a talented rider like Wiggins should be able to do well in this type of race.

they are good riders but definitely not top of the bill imo in what other type of races has boonen ever done well except sprints, which I barely call quality anyway, or knaven, terpstra, ogrady.

and that is just roubaix, which is a far harder race to win than flanders, which is the most overrated.

don't get me wrong. I love watching the races.

 

[Angliru]

Wiggins winning the Tour was the point where his course took an odd turn.

It's quite amazing that almost 2 years on the effect of the 2012 Tour is still being felt in the Froome-Wiggins relationship

Money will do that. I can respect Froome not wanting Wiggins by his side after working for him and then his share of the winnings being held back out of spite.

 

[analogue17]

I'm just wondering who Wiggins will be at the Tour.. Mountain domestic or helper on the cobbles?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

I'm just wondering who Wiggins will be at the Tour.. Mountain domestic or helper on the cobbles?

The could easily be an ambiguous elbow on the cobbles.