Wiggins Discussion thread.

[elfed68]

I don't think Bradley Wiggins is for sale...

 

[Pricey_sky]

Another impressive ride form Wiggins there, I thought his jersey might be under threat but he held off Dennis quite easily in the end. Seems like he is really pushing himself this year again.

 

[webvan]

Yep, impressive, seems to be as strong as he's ever been...

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Starting to look a viable candidate for last man and a placing in the lower reaches of the top 10 this July - would be a great comeback all things considered.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Solid performance. Key man for Sky in the tour no doubt. Froome should use the situation to his advantage.

 

[Netserk]

Sir Bradley Wiggins targets Tour de France after first win of season

 

[webvan]

"Chris (Froome) wants to win his second Tour and, as the defending champion, everyone understands that, including myself," he added.

Makes sense...as it would have made sense for the 2012 TDF defending champion to at the very least be entitled to be part of the team...but Michelle Cound informed the world via her "Wiggins on the TDF team...I don't think so" Twitter early in 2013 that this would not happen. Oh well...water under the bridge I suppose. It's also unlikely that Wiggins would be indulging in the Froome 2012 showboating (Toussuire and Peyragudes) even if he were able to. On the other hand if Froome finds himself in a "spot of bother" DB and the gang would only be too happy to have a plan B handy.

 

[elfed68]

We're still not 100% sure of Froome's form this season, there might still be some surprises to come.

Wiggo for yellow!

 

[Afrank]

We're still not 100% sure of Froome's form this season, there might still be some surprises to come.

Wiggo for yellow!

Did you not watch Romandie? Compare What Wiggins did in California to what Froome did in Romandie, then come back and tell me if you still think Wiggins has the slightest chance against Froome.

 

[elfed68]

Did you not watch Romandie? Compare What Wiggins did in California to what Froome did in Romandie, then come back and tell me if you still think Wiggins has the slightest chance against Froome.

Just look at the Giro with Purito and Dan Martin crashed out, makes sense to have a strong plan b.

 

[Afrank]

Don't disagree with that. But as we saw in Romandie, there's nothing wrong with Froomes form this year.

Only scenario where they would have to go to Wiggins as a plan B is if Froome crashes out or has problems on the cobbles or somewhere else and loses like 10 minutes (yes, it would have to be at least 10 minutes to Wiggo, anything less Froome will easily make back up. )

 

[elfed68]

Don't disagree with that. But as we saw in Romandie, there's nothing wrong with Froomes form this year.

Only scenario where they would have to go to Wiggins as a plan B is if Froome crashes out or has problems on the cobbles or somewhere else and loses like 10 minutes (yes, it would have to be at least 10 minutes to Wiggo, anything less Froome will easily make back up. )

I doubt he'd have ten minutes on Wiggins.

 

[karlboss]

If 2012 Wiggins turned up to the 2013 Tour, failing misfortune and team orders, I think he'd have fought for the podium, definitely top 5. He looks good this year, not as good as 2012, but building.
I'd take him to the Tour for sure, even if he works in his own self interest, fast steady climbing, he'll be useful. I mean he's only a threat if he attacks, and I can't recall a single one. I'd even give him and Porte the freedom in most situations not to have to wait if Froome crashes/punctures.
Froome is number 1, but number 2 is murky atm.

 

[oldcrank]

The King of Kilburn is still a bigger star in the UK than
the Froome Dog Millionaire, he also speaks French and
is known for being much more 'quotable'....so if Wiggo
can take a bit (or a lot) of the media pressure off
Froomey, he could be a big asset for the team in their
quest for a third consecutive Tour de France victory.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Where would Wiggins sit in the train? Would he be Froome's last man or is that still likely to be Porte (I'm assuming of course that all three have form and health going into the Tour).

 

[Pricey_sky]

Where would Wiggins sit in the train? Would he be Froome's last man or is that still likely to be Porte (I'm assuming of course that all three have form and health going into the Tour).

Thomas, Kennaugh/Kiri, Wiggins, Nieve, Porte, Froome would be my choice.

This of course could change as Wiggins has shown much more than Porte and Nieve so far.

 

[Peter von]

Where would Wiggins sit in the train? Would he be Froome's last man or is that still likely to be Porte (I'm assuming of course that all three have form and health going into the Tour).

i think purely to have that second GC option they should start out with Porte-Wiggo-Froome and see how it goes, from there. Porte in himself could also become a second GC option, but the respect a former tour winner commands could be crucial for Froome to have at his side in the GC.

Edit: since the first tough finishing climb is La Planche des Belles Filles, SKY might want to make it Nieve as the last man before Froome for that one.

 

[wirral]

Will Wiggins and Froome be roommates at the Tour as they are the two previous winners on the squad?

 

[b.broadhurst]

Will Wiggins and Froome be roommates at the Tour as they are the two previous winners on the squad?

No, Froome and Porte always room together

 

[b.broadhurst]

I think the first 8 places on the Tour team picks itself now:

Froome Wiggins Porte Nieve Lopez Thomas Kiryienka Stannard

and there is 1 place left for the following:

Kennaugh
Knees
EBH
Eisel
Sivtsov

 

[King Of The Wolds]

I think the first 8 places on the Tour team picks itself now:

Froome Wiggins Porte Nieve Lopez Thomas Kiryienka Stannard

and there is 1 place left for the following:

Kennaugh
Knees
EBH
Eisel
Sivtsov

My take...

Definites - Froome
Almost definites - Thomas, Stannard, Nieve,
Probables - Wiggins
Maybes - Kiriyenka, Lopez, Kennaugh, Knees, Henao
Unlikelies - EBH, Eisel, Sivtsov
No Hopers - The other guys

 

[elfed68]

My take...

Definites - Froome
Almost definites - Thomas, Stannard, Nieve,
Probables - Wiggins
Maybes - Kiriyenka, Lopez, Kennaugh, Knees, Henao
Unlikelies - EBH, Eisel, Sivtsov
No Hopers - The other guys

No Porte? Out of form or ill maybe.

 

[del1962]

My take...

Definites - Froome
Almost definites - Thomas, Stannard, Nieve,
Probables - Wiggins
Maybes - Kiriyenka, Lopez, Kennaugh, Knees, Henao
Unlikelies - EBH, Eisel, Sivtsov
No Hopers - The other guys

Definates : Froome
Probables : Porte, Wiggo, Thomas, Nieve
The rest likely from : Knees, Swift, EBH, Stannard, Kennaugh, Lopez, Kiri, Edmondson

 

[Gloin22]

Definite: Froome, Porte, Wiggo, Thomas, Nieve, Stannard, Kiyrenka are 100% definites.

Both Froome and Wiggo love Kiyrenka and the job he do for them, can't see him missing out out too.


Last Two Spots: Knees, Kennaugh, Henao, Lopez

Kennaugh will be there unless he can't still recover. Henao signed the new contract with mind he will ride Tour, if gets cleared he will do Tour. These two will make last two spots.

If Kennaugh doesnt recover and Henao problems wont be solved, Lopez and Knees get the spot.

 

[postmanhat]

Has anybody heard any news about Stannard?

Am assuming if he can't make the Dauphine or Rundfahrt team, then he won't be fit enough for the Tour