JRanton said:
Not really. If Wiggins had been strong enough to contend for GC and stronger than Porte then they'd have taken him.
Of course he'd been focussing on Paris-Roubaix for most of the year so it was always extremely likely that he'd be left out of the Tour squad and wouldn't be climbing well enough to justify selection.
They took Thomas despite his focus on classics. Wiggins can do a similar job, with perhaps a TT win possibility too.
Point is SDB made sure Wiggins wasn't in the hunt - no altitude training camps or training with Froome etc.
This wasn't a performance decision - it was a team politics decision. Rather than getting maximum potential out of all riders, SDB concentrated on what Froome wanted. Keeping Porte, as Froomes friend and training partner, as plan B was easy.
Others have managed what SDB refused - Lemond/Hinault for example.
Wiggins needed to be held to his word that he would ride for Froome - which would also mean Porte if Froome failed.
And the Froome camp/Wiggins camp mentality had to be removed.
Not saying it would've worked out like that - but it would've been good entertainment - what pro cycling is about after all..
In the GTs I think Skys success is based as much on the size of its chequebook as on SDBs techniques.