The Pro Road Cycling Thread

[Shands]

Is there a non-pro road cycling thread? Or is it all just discussed in here?

It's mainly about what's happening with the pro's, but there's other day to day cycling stuff discussed too, so if there's something you're wanting to raise then yeah just pitch it in here.

 

[Shands]

Good find that Rascal, he always gives very interesting and forthright interviews doesn't he.

Yeah he is a fascinating fella, very charismatic. Exactly the opposite to Froome really, who appears polite nd circumspect.

I'm a Wiggo fan boy, love the bloke, much prefer my sportsfolk to have an edge. Good find Rasc.

I find it interesting looking at them both from a team leader standpoint and seeing how different styles can be effective.

I don't think either will be especially engaging with their team members i.e not as an example like a Rodriguez who apparently keeps things very relaxed and always laughing and joking with all the team, or a Contador who is in the trenches with them encouraging, offering advice and driving them on. Wiggins though does have an air of charisma about him, and I think if I was a domestique he'd be the type of guy I would end up really burying myself for and want to support, almost to prove myself to him. Froome I think has less of a natural leader about him, and I wouldn't find him an inspirational figure character wise, but I guess his level of performance is enough to garner him the support he needs.

Of the rest of the Sky crop attitude wise Thomas looks a certain team leader in waiting to me, provided he finds the performance level obviously.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Yeah he is a fascinating fella, very charismatic. Exactly the opposite to Froome really, who appears polite nd circumspect.

I'm a Wiggo fan boy, love the bloke, much prefer my sportsfolk to have an edge. Good find Rasc.

I find it interesting looking at them both from a team leader standpoint and seeing how different styles can be effective.

I don't think either will be especially engaging with their team members i.e not as an example like a Rodriguez who apparently keeps things very relaxed and always laughing and joking with all the team, or a Contador who is in the trenches with them encouraging, offering advice and driving them on. Wiggins though does have an air of charisma about him, and I think if I was a domestique he'd be the type of guy I would end up really burying myself for and want to support, almost to prove myself to him. Froome I think has less of a natural leader about him, and I wouldn't find him an inspirational figure character wise, but I guess his level of performance is enough to garner him the support he needs.

Of the rest of the Sky crop attitude wise Thomas looks a certain team leader in waiting to me, provided he finds the performance level obviously.

Absolutely, Wiggo must have an awe about him to his team mates for all he has achieved, someone they can look up to, much more of a leader than Froome, who is just the best of the riders. GT has shown he has the heart and determination this tour, maybe a future leader but obviously needs to improve. Cant see anyone but Froome leading the tour for Sky for the next 3. I dont think Wiggo will ride with him again, maybe never again on a grand tour. Got nothing to prove to anyone and not willing to make the sacrifices anymore.

 

[Shands]

I'm a Wiggo fan boy, love the bloke, much prefer my sportsfolk to have an edge. Good find Rasc.

I find it interesting looking at them both from a team leader standpoint and seeing how different styles can be effective.

I don't think either will be especially engaging with their team members i.e not as an example like a Rodriguez who apparently keeps things very relaxed and always laughing and joking with all the team, or a Contador who is in the trenches with them encouraging, offering advice and driving them on. Wiggins though does have an air of charisma about him, and I think if I was a domestique he'd be the type of guy I would end up really burying myself for and want to support, almost to prove myself to him. Froome I think has less of a natural leader about him, and I wouldn't find him an inspirational figure character wise, but I guess his level of performance is enough to garner him the support he needs.

Of the rest of the Sky crop attitude wise Thomas looks a certain team leader in waiting to me, provided he finds the performance level obviously.

Absolutely, Wiggo must have an awe about him to his team mates for all he has achieved, someone they can look up to, much more of a leader than Froome, who is just the best of the riders. GT has shown he has the heart and determination this tour, maybe a future leader but obviously needs to improve. Cant see anyone but Froome leading the tour for Sky for the next 3. I dont think Wiggo will ride with him again, maybe never again on a grand tour. Got nothing to prove to anyone and not willing to make the sacrifices anymore.

Just read on text that Froome commented today that Wiggo hasn't been in touch to congratulate him on the Tour victory; still no loved lost it would seem and yep the chances of them riding together, in stage races anyway, must be slim now.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

I find it interesting looking at them both from a team leader standpoint and seeing how different styles can be effective.

I don't think either will be especially engaging with their team members i.e not as an example like a Rodriguez who apparently keeps things very relaxed and always laughing and joking with all the team, or a Contador who is in the trenches with them encouraging, offering advice and driving them on. Wiggins though does have an air of charisma about him, and I think if I was a domestique he'd be the type of guy I would end up really burying myself for and want to support, almost to prove myself to him. Froome I think has less of a natural leader about him, and I wouldn't find him an inspirational figure character wise, but I guess his level of performance is enough to garner him the support he needs.

Of the rest of the Sky crop attitude wise Thomas looks a certain team leader in waiting to me, provided he finds the performance level obviously.

Absolutely, Wiggo must have an awe about him to his team mates for all he has achieved, someone they can look up to, much more of a leader than Froome, who is just the best of the riders. GT has shown he has the heart and determination this tour, maybe a future leader but obviously needs to improve. Cant see anyone but Froome leading the tour for Sky for the next 3. I dont think Wiggo will ride with him again, maybe never again on a grand tour. Got nothing to prove to anyone and not willing to make the sacrifices anymore.

Just read on text that Froome commented today that Wiggo hasn't been in touch to congratulate him on the Tour victory; still no loved lost it would seem and yep the chances of them riding together, in stage races anyway, must be slim now.

Really? Wow I thought he would have said well done to whoever won, being the winner the year before. Wiggo is Wiggo though, knows his mind, fuck anyone who disagrees, he will do it, but in his own time and way i reckon, they'll have training camps together after all. Unless Wiggo retires completely or leaves Sky.

 

[Shands]

Absolutely, Wiggo must have an awe about him to his team mates for all he has achieved, someone they can look up to, much more of a leader than Froome, who is just the best of the riders. GT has shown he has the heart and determination this tour, maybe a future leader but obviously needs to improve. Cant see anyone but Froome leading the tour for Sky for the next 3. I dont think Wiggo will ride with him again, maybe never again on a grand tour. Got nothing to prove to anyone and not willing to make the sacrifices anymore.

Just read on text that Froome commented today that Wiggo hasn't been in touch to congratulate him on the Tour victory; still no loved lost it would seem and yep the chances of them riding together, in stage races anyway, must be slim now.

Really? Wow I thought he would have said well done to whoever won, being the winner the year before. Wiggo is Wiggo though, knows his mind, fuck anyone who disagrees, he will do it, but in his own time and way i reckon, they'll have training camps together after all. Unless Wiggo retires completely or leaves Sky.

Even if they both remain on Sky they may not have as much contact as we'd expect to be honest. I think the only race they've done together this year is Oman. If say Wiggo decided he wanted another crack at the Giro, or the classics perhaps, then they wouldn't be training together at all. Apparently while the rest of the team did a pre tour training camp Froome did his own prep back in Kenya, so even in that instance contact time would be limited. The only time they may overlap I guess would be for the worlds with GB maybe? Having said that I don't think Brad is long for team sky/road cycling anyway now.

 

[Rascal]

Just read on text that Froome commented today that Wiggo hasn't been in touch to congratulate him on the Tour victory; still no loved lost it would seem and yep the chances of them riding together, in stage races anyway, must be slim now.

I think the Vid i posted explained the dynamic between them really well. They work together they are not friends. I can understand why Brad and Chris arnt friends too, they are different people totally. When i worked out of the 100 or so people i worked with there was 2 i would socialise with. You pick your friends not your work mates.

Im sure next time they are in work together Brad will congratulate him, but if Chris is a bit miffed that Brad hasnt congratulated him its maybe becuase of Brads aura and a need to feel loved by the proper superstar.

It would not suprise me that if the Parcours suited Wiggins next year for the TdF that he would be named Leader and Froome would ride for him after doing the Giro.

Brad is Skys superstar, he sells and everyone knows him and commercially for Sky another Sir Brad win would be icing on the cake.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Just read on text that Froome commented today that Wiggo hasn't been in touch to congratulate him on the Tour victory; still no loved lost it would seem and yep the chances of them riding together, in stage races anyway, must be slim now.

Really? Wow I thought he would have said well done to whoever won, being the winner the year before. Wiggo is Wiggo though, knows his mind, fuck anyone who disagrees, he will do it, but in his own time and way i reckon, they'll have training camps together after all. Unless Wiggo retires completely or leaves Sky.

Even if they both remain on Sky they may not have as much contact as we'd expect to be honest. I think the only race they've done together this year is Oman. If say Wiggo decided he wanted another crack at the Giro, or the classics perhaps, then they wouldn't be training together at all. Apparently while the rest of the team did a pre tour training camp Froome did his own prep back in Kenya, so even in that instance contact time would be limited. The only time they may overlap I guess would be for the worlds with GB maybe? Having said that I don't think Brad is long for team sky/road cycling anyway now.

Yeah if they both go to the worlds, Wiggo TT and Froome road, then probably will be training in a camp together before those. Who knows for sure. I'm sure Wiggo will congratulate him at some point. What has Wiggo got left to prove? Cant top the year he had last year really, he's not going to be number 1 at Sky, I cant see he signing for anyone else. He might bow out after the worlds.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Just read on text that Froome commented today that Wiggo hasn't been in touch to congratulate him on the Tour victory; still no loved lost it would seem and yep the chances of them riding together, in stage races anyway, must be slim now.

I think the Vid i posted explained the dynamic between them really well. They work together they are not friends. I can understand why Brad and Chris arnt friends too, they are different people totally. When i worked out of the 100 or so people i worked with there was 2 i would socialise with. You pick your friends not your work mates.

Im sure next time they are in work together Brad will congratulate him, but if Chris is a bit miffed that Brad hasnt congratulated him its maybe becuase of Brads aura and a need to feel loved by the proper superstar.

It would not suprise me that if the Parcours suited Wiggins next year for the TdF that he would be named Leader and Froome would ride for him after doing the Giro.

Brad is Skys superstar, he sells and everyone knows him and commercially for Sky another Sir Brad win would be icing on the cake.

Wiggo has made a number of comments about not being sure if he can commit to the sacrifices he has made in the past, ie leaving his family for extended periods, that you have to make for a grand tour. It would have to be him driving carrying on not Sky for him to be successful IMO

 

[Rascal]

Wiggo has made a number of comments about not being sure if he can commit to the sacrifices he has made in the past, ie leaving his family for extended periods, that you have to make for a grand tour. It would have to be him driving carrying on not Sky for him to be successful IMO

Obviously financially he is now made for life. But the reason i think he may want one more go is what i will call the City effect. We won the title when Brad won the TdF and we both had poor seasons after to be fair. But sportsman are winners by nature. At the end of this cycling season if Brad has won the TT jersey he will surely want to wear it in races next season an by nature his sporting juices will be sated as i think our players will be for next season.

Brad always says he is a huge cycling fan. Imagine him not wanting to wear the World Champs jersey at a TdF time trial. No Brit has ever done that and little things trigger ambition.

He may of course retire knowing his place in history is secure and he is a British cycling legend.