Confirmation: Wiggins out of TdF

BillN_33

BillN_33

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Pity, but I suppose that it was inevitable……… I am surprised that Wiggins reaction has been so "calm" …….. maybe he feels his "career" has moved on?

I'm not a fan of Froome, IMHO he has such a "grey" personality, but no-one can dispute his cycling talent

I do not think that he will ever by supported in the way Wiggins was and will always to me, be "Africa's first winner of the TdF"

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cycling/28052516
 
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Wiggins achievements can't be denied, but if he climbed out of his own bottom once in a while it might make him more likeable.
 
viv1969 said:
Wiggins achievements can't be denied, but if he climbed out of his own bottom once in a while it might make him more likeable.
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Very true, but the same could be said of any number of British sporting greats - Mark Cavendish, Nick Faldo, Chris Eubank, Ronnie O'Sullivan. Even the great Daley Thompson used to be criticised because of his "attitude".
 
If Wiggins and Froome could ride in the same team you have two potential podium finishers. Sky would have "cover" as accidents do happen in the TdF and I would have thought that in theory at least there is a strong argument to include both if Wiggo is in form.
I suspect that Wiggo and Froome will never ride again for the same team as their relationship seems incompatible as Wiggo has a strong personality and Froome appears to be the cold calculating type, (but maybe I'm wrong). …….. Basically they can't stand each other. How you win is important and although the peloton is naturally very competitive, I'm doubt that Froome commands the "personal" respect that Wiggo had, (with all his faults).

It will be interesting to see how the Sky Team perform this year and I suspect that they will have a tough time.

Without thinking, I'm not sure that many remember that Froome won, even though it was only last year. We all remember Wiggos year.

Presumably Sky are still paying BW
 
BillN_33 said:
If Wiggins and Froome could ride in the same team you have two potential podium finishers. Sky would have "cover" as accidents do happen in the TdF and I would have thought that in theory at least there is a strong argument to include both if Wiggo is in form.
I suspect that Wiggo and Froome will never ride again for the same team as their relationship seems incompatible as Wiggo has a strong personality and Froome appears to be the cold calculating type, (but maybe I'm wrong). …….. Basically they can't stand each other. How you win is important and although the peloton is naturally very competitive, I'm doubt that Froome commands the "personal" respect that Wiggo had, (with all his faults).

It will be interesting to see how the Sky Team perform this year and I suspect that they will have a tough time.

Without thinking, I'm not sure that many remember that Froome won, even though it was only last year. We all remember Wiggos year.

Presumably Sky are still paying BW
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Gotta say I disagree with just about everything written there.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Gotta say I disagree with just about everything written there.
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Difficult to discuss the subject when you and your "likers" are not specific …….. presumably you agree with Ricardo Viv?

Which of the following points do you disagree with as you "disagree with just about everything written there". I have listed them in reverse order as the was the easiest why for me to copy them from my posting.

1). "Presumably Sky are still paying BW"

2). "Without thinking, I'm not sure that many remember that Froome won, even though it was only last year."

3)." We all remember Wiggos year."

4). "It will be interesting to see how the Sky Team perform this year and I suspect that they will have a tough time."

5). "I suspect that Wiggo and Froome will never ride again for the same team as their relationship seems incompatible as Wiggo has a strong personality and Froome appears to be the cold calculating type, (but maybe I'm wrong)"

6)." …….. Basically they can't stand each other."

7). "How you win is important and although the peloton is naturally very competitive, I'm doubt that Froome commands the "personal" respect that Wiggo had, (with all his faults)."

8). "If Wiggins and Froome could ride in the same team you have two potential podium finishers."

9). "Sky would have "cover""

10). "accidents do happen in the TdF and I would have thought that in theory at least there is a strong argument to include both if Wiggo is in form."
 
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Well in my opinion Froome's victory was more memorable than Wiggo's. In effect Wiggo was gifted the 2012 victory because the stronger Froome was forbidden from taking too much advantage when the much weaker Wiggins cracked in the mountain. This was the start of the breakdown in their relationship.
It's almost impossible for a team to have two leaders. There are not enough domestiques to aid two different team members, shield them from the wind, cover attacks etc.
The comment that Froome doesn't command respect from the peloton is just rubbish. The strongest competitor in this years' race looks to be Contador. He always speaks about Froome with a huge amount of respect.
Not long to go now. Bring it on!
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Well in my opinion Froome's victory was more memorable than Wiggo's. In effect Wiggo was gifted the 2012 victory because the stronger Froome was forbidden from taking too much advantage when the much weaker Wiggins cracked in the mountain. This was the start of the breakdown in their relationship.
It's almost impossible for a team to have two leaders. There are not enough domestiques to aid two different team members, shield them from the wind, cover attacks etc.
The comment that Froome doesn't command respect from the peloton is just rubbish. The strongest competitor in this years' race looks to be Contador. He always speaks about Froome with a huge amount of respect.
Not long to go now. Bring it on!
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Froome cracked on a mountain stage last year, and it was only because Richie Porte cheated and supplied Froome with a drink/food that Froome was able to continue. Richie Porte could have easily attacked Froome that day but chose not to.
 
andy700 said:
Froome cracked on a mountain stage last year, and it was only because Richie Porte cheated and supplied Froome with a drink/food that Froome was able to continue. Richie Porte could have easily attacked Froome that day but chose not to.
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Porte obeyed team orders in a way that was beyond Froome in the previous year

As I said accidents will always happen in the TdF and if Sky want to win the GC and Team they may have to rethink their strategy of previous years………….even in the recent TdD there was a slight problem for Froome because of an accident

"Dangermouse" Brad, as he has been called, could have added spice to a few of the stages and attacked potential competitors of Froome - I never said that there should be two Team leaders or suggested that Brad should lead the Team ………. but as I said I suspect that there is more to it than Brailsford omitting Brad ……… and I would think that Brad would not play "second fiddle" to anyone. As I indicated I doubt if they will ever race together in the same team which is a pity as both have a lot to offer.
Anyway it seems as if their respective wives keep sticking their oars in to "help" the relationship
Brad has just beaten Geraint Thomas by almost a minute to win the British National TT on Thursday……. he is probably still the best TTer around, certainly one of the best and he has ability in the mountains.

Froome has the potential to win more Tours on his riding ability but other factors always come to play in professional sport.

From a marketing standport I feel that Sky have missed a trick by not including BW in their "team" - as presumably for Sky promoting their brand is why they are in cycling and Brad is very well supported and liked by the great British public.

It is quite unusual for a recent TdF winner to drop out of the race so quickly after his win and IMHO it is a pity for the race.
I watch the Tour each year and for me it will be very interesting to see how the Spaniards attack Sky this year.

The TdF is one of the greatest "sporting" contests of all time and we should not argue about such a magnificent event ……. as said "bring it on" - I watch most of the stages in the afternoon with my French neighbour!!!

IMHO - before Ricado disagrees - and my tip for the Tour would be a Spaniard and I hope, (some hope), that a Frenchman gets on the Podium …… again IMHO
 
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BillN_33 said:
The TdF is one of the greatest "sporting" contests of all time and we should not argue about such a magnificent event ……. as said "bring it on" - I watch most of the stages in the afternoon with my French neighbour!!!

IMHO - before Ricado disagrees - and my tip for the Tour would be a Spaniard and I hope, (some hope), that a Frenchman gets on the Podium …… again IMHO
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I agree with all of that! Don't we always want to see Voeckler on a podium?
 
Ricardodaforce said:
I agree with all of that! Don't we always want to see Voeckler on a podium?
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Voeckler - We do and I always think that it is a bit unfair that unless you are really really good in the mountains you just don't have a chance these days - that's why I think the few Spaniards, even though they are riding for different teams, will be quite impressive, as they always are - the Vuelta prepares them and has really tough mountain stages.

There was a young French guy in 2013, forget his name, who did really well on one of the tough TdF mountain stages …………………I say that about the mountain stages but they are always great to watch as there is more to see than the "bang wallop" of the sprint stages.

They are all "men of steel" - IMHO of course
 
I'm not biting, Billyboy ;-)
I merely don't believe Mr Wiggins is much of a team player, and always comes across as a bit of a sulky-arsed misery.
 
viv1969 said:
I'm not biting, Billyboy ;-)
I merely don't believe Mr Wiggins is much of a team player, and always comes across as a bit of a sulky-arsed misery.
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totally agree within that ……… apart from "always" and "sulky-arsed" …….. that why he has won so many individual Gold Medals
 
ha ha so may likes in this thread.

been into le tour for so long, my 2 pence.

1. a team needs to have one leader, lance arsmstrong proved this, no room for drama.
2. you can lose a tour on one bad stage, froom craced two years ago and the food incident saved him.
3. Sky have the tech and the ego to go forward.
4. depends if they can motivate there people to die on the hills for froom this year.
 
"Chris Froome: Tour de France champion out after crashing twice"

As I said in my earlier posts "accidents will always happen, cover is needed and Sky need to rethink their strategy"

Can't help thinking that there could be a smile on a few faces

what now Mr Brailsford?

Ask Michelle?
 
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BillN_33 said:
"Chris Froome: Tour de France champion out after crashing twice"

As I said in my earlier posts "accidents will always happen, cover is needed and Sky need to rethink their strategy"

Can't help thinking that there could be a smile on a few faces

what now Mr Brailsford?

Ask Anne?
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And now Porte steps up to the plate and takes over as team leader. He's well placed too, less than 2 minutes down and ahead of Contador and Valverde.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
And now Porte steps up to the plate and takes over as team leader. He's well placed too, less than 2 minutes down and ahead of Contador and Valverde.
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I saw that ……. and he was a good rider last year …….. but we all know that it is a big ask …….. will he be able to cope with the Spanish rider teams, IMHO no…. but yesterday's stage was a "crazy" stage

Brailsford and Sky deserve deserve a lot of credit for the achievements in British cycling ……….. but I think Brailsford has now gone "off message" in some of the "quotes" that I have seen reported plus he has clearly mis managed the BW/CF situation which is unusual for him……… but hindsight is always a great thing………. I have not seen many Sky dishes in France apart from the subscription free set ups that some Brits have managed to achieve.

Could be the beginning of the end?
 
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Ah I see the armchair experts are on one over here too. Cycling is getting worse than football for this just recently..

Fact is as much as i love Wiggo he wasn't as on form as froome coming in to the tour. And I seem to remember Wiggo saying openly the he couldn't (wouldn't?) work with froome. If that's the case they would've torn the team apart.

Really, what was brailsford supposed to do when his (arguably) best options won't play nicely other than put his strongest rider as team lead. Accidents always happen in TdF and they will have planned for the eventuality which has seen Porte take over as team #2. It might be a long shot but I don't think that's a bad option, the work he did last year for froome was exceptional.

The last couple of days were unfortunate. Very frustrating that froomes demise was at the hand of another rider.
 
neil_g said:
Ah I see the armchair experts are on one over here too. Cycling is getting worse than football for this just recently..

Fact is as much as i love Wiggo he wasn't as on form as froome coming in to the tour. And I seem to remember Wiggo saying openly the he couldn't (wouldn't?) work with froome. If that's the case they would've torn the team apart.

Really, what was brailsford supposed to do when his (arguably) best options won't play nicely other than put his strongest rider as team lead. Accidents always happen in TdF and they will have planned for the eventuality which has seen Porte take over as team #2. It might be a long shot but I don't think that's a bad option, the work he did last year for froome was exceptional.

The last couple of days were unfortunate. Very frustrating that froomes demise was at the hand of another rider.
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Exactly this. A Froome/Wiggins combo was never a possibility and could never have worked. Porte has been a great lieutenant for both, and now he has the opportunity to go for it.
 
neil_g said:
Ah I see the armchair experts are on one over here too. Cycling is getting worse than football for this just recently..

Fact is as much as i love Wiggo he wasn't as on form as froome coming in to the tour. And I seem to remember Wiggo saying openly the he couldn't (wouldn't?) work with froome. If that's the case they would've torn the team apart.

Really, what was brailsford supposed to do when his (arguably) best options won't play nicely other than put his strongest rider as team lead. Accidents always happen in TdF and they will have planned for the eventuality which has seen Porte take over as team #2. It might be a long shot but I don't think that's a bad option, the work he did last year for froome was exceptional.

The last couple of days were unfortunate. Very frustrating that froomes demise was at the hand of another rider.
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Read post #4 etc., before you come to conclusions

Murdoch is not in there for the love of Cycling, he are in there to promote Sky
 
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neil_g said:
wasnt necessarily aimed at your comments, just a general rant on what's been posted online about CF/BW/DB/Sky
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I would have thought that for the good of Sky and the members of the Sky cycling team it should have been essential for Brailsford to "manage" the situation between BW and CF better than he has, letting the wives get publicly into the argument was really bad.
Even thought he had decided that BW should not ride, (he is not in bad form - I think he won a few races recently), if possible a place in the team management or whatever could have been considered for Brad …….. OK one may not be possible and maybe Brad would have turned it down …… but an offer by Sky would have helped their PR ………. another PR accident was just waiting to happen
From a BSkyB marketing standpoint the situation cannot be any worse.
Whether Team Sky figure in the Team overall win or Porte performs in the mountains remains to be seen, but the team are now one member down which is not great and we have gone from the last two years when British riders figured well in the TdF to this year when we have only one left, (?), sorry two

It is disappointing for British viewers, armchair or not.

Murdoch is also very active in Premier League football
 
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i dont think the wives are contractually obliged to sky though :D

arguments (between riders/wives) aside i dont think Brailsford could've handled the placements within the team any differently personally.
 
neil_g said:
i dont think the wives are contractually obliged to sky though :D

arguments (between riders/wives) aside i dont think Brailsford could've handled the placements within the team any differently personally.
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maybe Brailsford could/should have done something about the following and the TV programme …….

http://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-part-1-30391816.html

not good for the Team, (BW is still employed by Sky), or the Sport or BSkyB

Maybe had CF been "knighted" he would not have fallen off, but as they say "third time unlucky" (most riders haven't fallen off 3 times in 5 stages),……… me being sarcastic
 
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neil_g said:
Ah I see the armchair experts are on one over here too. Cycling is getting worse than football for this just recently..

Fact is as much as i love Wiggo he wasn't as on form as froome coming in to the tour. And I seem to remember Wiggo saying openly the he couldn't (wouldn't?) work with froome. If that's the case they would've torn the team apart.

Really, what was brailsford supposed to do when his (arguably) best options won't play nicely other than put his strongest rider as team lead. Accidents always happen in TdF and they will have planned for the eventuality which has seen Porte take over as team #2. It might be a long shot but I don't think that's a bad option, the work he did last year for froome was exceptional.

The last couple of days were unfortunate. Very frustrating that froomes demise was at the hand of another rider.
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OK, this from an "armchair expert".
Wiggins stated early this year that he WAS prepared to support Froome at the TdF if required.
Wiggo WAS on form coming into the TdF, because he had already won the Tour of California, and he took the national time trial championship in torrential rain and slippery roads, against the likes of Alex Dowsett and David Millar in the week before the Tour. Another surprise exclusion from the Sky team was Peter Kennaugh, who wone the National road race champioship just a week before the Tour.
When it all started to get "toxic" in 2012, it was down to Froome's partner, Michelle Cound, who was tweeting during the Tour, making particularly nasty comments about Wiggins.
I am even more surprised that Brailsford did not include Wiggins, given the fact that the Roubaix/cobbled stage was included in the Tour.
Having read extracts from Froome's book, and reading the Paul Kimmage interviews with Froome and his pet legal advisor (Michelle Cound), I am certainly not unhappy about the events yesterday.
I don't personally think that Porte will do much, but will be glad if he does make a Tour breakthrough. I would like to see Geraint Thomas try for stage wins and a top twenty finish overall.
 
BillN_33 said:
maybe Brailsford could/should have done something about the following and the TV programme …….

http://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-part-1-30391816.html

not good for the Team, (BW is still employed by Sky), or the Sport or BSkyB

Maybe had CF been "knighted" he would not have fallen off, but as they say "third time unlucky" (most riders haven't fallen off 3 times in 5 stages),……… me being sarcastic
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Thanks Bill.

Here is part two of the interview.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-part-2-30394950.html
 
it is a "buggers muddle" and British Cycling has been the one to suffer ……. and it will take a few years to recover ……… Brad is down to be part of the Sky UK "track team" …….. how can they both be part of Sky?

I for one am sad, but I live in France and can agree with Brailsford who, it was reported, said only a few weeks ago that he would like to see a French winner of the Tdf and that Sky would be happy to promote this……… at least that would keep all my neighbours happy and the wine, steak and cold meats would once again flow in the early evening.

Real shame …. and I think that it is all down to the mis management of two exceptional cyclists …. bout we only know what we hear on the TV and read in the papers/internet
 
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I think that Romain Bardet (AG2R) was the top French finisher last year in 15th @ around 26 minutes. For a long time, I thought that Tommy Voeckler was going to get a podium, but he seems to have one or two really bad days (usually after an heroic long break in the mountains).
I think that much of these problems in sport nowadays, are caused by the release of books and the constant tweeting. I wish that they would just get on with training and competing and leave the gossip until after they have retired - by which time they will probably have forgotten most of it.
 
Allez la France ........... but maybe not for long, but good to see a French Rider win a Stage

another wet day

The Australian is doing well but he seems to have the personality of Froome ......... a man of a very few uninteresting words

Pity Yates could not hold on
 
Great race for Italy, Spain, France and the spectators

hasn't Brailsford done well, failing on all fronts
 
Moved

Sir Brad has started gradually to let his views be known - subtly of course ……. always love what he has to say
 
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BillN_33 said:
IMHO it has been a wonderful Tour this year

every day has been interesting

Vincenzo Nibali has been outstanding, the young French guys inspirational and no one Sprinter has really dominated

Looking forward to watching, (on TV), the final 30 minutes in Paris on Saturday ……… hope the sun shines for everyone

The riders really need to be congratulated, "men of steel"

Sir Brad has started gradually to let his views be known - subtly of course ……. always love what he has to say
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There is a Tour de France thread....

No Froome or Contador means Nibali has had it easy. I'd prefer to see a fight for the maillot jeune, not a fight for second.
 
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