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That's a fantastic post which pretty much sums up the internet these days.
Why thank you! 8)
Just take a look at who's been doing the big efforts off the front in the last few days.
Rogers
Cav
Porte
all at critical times for their leaders, all 3 were in the Wiggins/Sky team with Froome. That team would have been mad to have attacked everything, and in fairness there wasn't that much to attack that year. That team together could have decimated the last 3 years but they all went their separate ways for their own reasons. The peleton is much more balanced and the racing shows that.
Whether you like him or not, he has done fantastically well already after 4 days, and looks like he is going to win - it is his to lose now, and I cant see him losing, unless he crashes out - no-one has come close to challening so far, I thought Contador was going for it in Huy, but he faded quickly. Nibali wont be anmywhere near him, it is more likely that a younger rider will be his closest rival.
Not going to get into the big debate here, I actually like and respect them both, and this years Tour is shaping to be one of the finest battles in the 30 odd years I've been watching.
But I did want to add my backing to the Wiggo leading Cav out on the Champs as one of the most smiley moments of my cycle race watching history. Makes me smile just thinking about it, everything was good in that moment and it also served as a bit of a poke in the eye to the Team Sky detractors that had been around at the time.
Proper heart.....one of Cavs most dominant wins imo. And for those who can't resist watching it:
There was the tale from the bus on that one Notter, where Brailsford said nothing stupid just stay out of trouble. Cav said he might like to have a crack having been the bottle carrier for the tour and Brad was the first to put his hand up and say they would get him there.
interesting thread. whilst i love watching the tour I'm actually not sure i like many of the personalities involved at all (or thats its remotely important). froome is a bit blank. never liked cav or boardman. millar is a bit stiff. wiggins had a bit of an edge that made me think slightly differently about him. but ultimately its all pretty humourless. suppose their lifestyles dictate so much discipline, something has to give. total respect and admiration to their skill/fitness/focus though.
But I did want to add my backing to the Wiggo leading Cav out on the Champs as one of the most smiley moments of my cycle race watching history
as one of the vocal wiggins detractors on here I agree, and as mikew says it was Wiggins' who apparently called "we ride for Cav" on another sprint stage where the team management had planned for an easy day.
Part of what makes cycling great- I've really warmed to Griepel having seen him do bottle runs on non-sprint stages, and seeing him absolutely turn himself inside-out on the 20% cobbled gradients of Flanders in support of other team mates was one of my highlights of the Classics.
You mean the "greatest stage racer of his generation"?
you might not like Contador but as Daniel Friebe says it's a fair moniker. Go back to other multiple GT winners and compare. The revered Merckx failed 3 but how often does that get mentioned.
I love watching Froome in full flail mode, he's the peter crouch of bikes, you never know if he's going to smash the stage or headbutt himself in the face.
But yes he is less interesting than Wiggins (and many others), he's a great rider and worthy champion but I think it's pretty obvious why he's not the queen of hearts.
But I did want to add my backing to the Wiggo leading Cav out on the Champs as one of the most smiley moments of my cycle race watching history.
+1
Seems like a good time to post Chris Froome staring at stems:
http://chrisfroomelookingatstems.tumblr.com/
I've really warmed to Griepel having seen him do bottle runs on non-sprint stages, and seeing him absolutely turn himself inside-out on the 20% cobbled gradients of Flanders in support of other team mates was
Amen, love his attacking shenanigans in Flanders over the past few years, Lotto Soudal haven't won that much of late (Monday being a huge turn up for the books) but they're certainly far from boring.
^^ Yep, watching the Ronde made me warm to Andre the Gorilla. Rode his heart out that day and performed well all Spring. Credit to him for peaking again for the TdF. I can't see him staying in Green for much longer though.
Getting back to Froome, I find it a bit ironic that MTB website forumites are criticising him for spinning such a high cadence up hills. Given his background, it's not really surprising is it?
mikewsmith - MemberThere was the tale from the bus on that one Notter, where Brailsford said nothing stupid just stay out of trouble. Cav said he might like to have a crack having been the bottle carrier for the tour and Brad was the first to put his hand up and say they would get him there.
Liking that Mike 🙂
Getting back to Froome, I find it a bit ironic that MTB website forumites are criticising him for spinning such a high cadence up hills
I think a few people are just parroting the criticisms they've seen elsewhere on the web TBH.
Spinning is his "thing" isn't it? Don't knock it if it works.
Getting back to Froome, I find it a bit ironic that MTB website forumites are criticising him for spinning such a high cadence up hills. Given his background, it's not really surprising is it?
A good proportion of the MTBers I ride with these days dismount at any slight rise and start pushing...
Seems like a good time to post Chris Froome staring at stems:
That's a work of genius, "Looking at Brad’s stem when he’s not looking" is my favourite. 🙂
Ah great.
4 days in and someone on an mtb forum says chris has it sewn up....
Guess ill stop watching now.
Well to be fair you should have expected spoilers on this thread
😀
A good proportion of the MTBers I ride with these days dismount at any slight rise and start pushing...
....bit of load bearing exercise, helps with the osteoporosis
This is a golden era for British cycling having been in the doldrums for so long. A you criticise riding style or someones charisma when being interviewed ? And their nationality is an issue when they choose to be British? Thats a great compliment. Rather shallow people on here.
Wiggins is a fighter and has been a great person to get people into cycling
Froome is a fighter but is quieter. But to be attacking this early on in the flat stages. Sure to get the car at the front for the pave but thats good. So what to his riding style, clearly works for him!
Cav great sprinter and a worker.
Armitstead great sprinter and works hard.
Dani King works hard but a little quieter
Is this fascination with charisma and nationality becoming a little too DM for STW?
If everyone were like Jens Voigt then it would be just as boring.
Wiggins with his quips is ideal modern media material but it's on record that he wasn't/isn't easy with the fame and attention that being the first British rider to win Le Tour brought him. In many ways he's similar to Neil Armstrong who struggled with (and really didn't like) the fame of being first man on the moon.
And their nationality is an issue when they choose to be British? Thats a great compliment. Rather shallow people on here.
Only if you think that believing Froome to not be British is a criticism.
I heard the radio 4 Desert Island Disc program with Wiggins and it explained a lot about him. Get it on iplayer, he's a pretty good guy given the pressures placed on him (by his success).
As I recall from the Froome book, as a kid he stole rabbits from the neighboring school to feed some pet snake (allegedly). Its a wonder his not been lambasted by the RSPCA (cuddle bunnies section).
Both are great bike riders and different just as it was in the Coe Ovett (remember them?).
If you think Froome has the tour in the bag now, you really do not know how much certain other riders want to win. Watch Quintana(s).
Its a compliment he would choose to be British. Not sure how you would read this be a criticism
Its a compliment he would choose to be British. Not sure how you would read this be a criticism
You were suggesting that others are criticising him because he is not British. In my case, I offer it as an explanation as to why he receives less coverage than Wiggins.
Point of order: in any sport the solid pillars of which country you can represent are, place of birth and/or parentage. Given his dad is British, any doubts about his eligibility are made by people who are, dumb.
I thought rugby and cricket were 3 year residence based rules not parentage.
Given his dad is British, any doubts about his eligibility are made by people who are, dumb.
Who is questioning his eligibility?
Back in the days when cycling in the UK was quieter and smaller it was easy enough to support the British riders because, first of all, there'd only be one, and second, chances are, you might know him, have raced against him or know someone who had. Hell, I even bumped into Boardman at one point. I cheered for Julian Winn in the the Brit champions jersey as he rode the Giro, knowing that a year or two before I'd been sprawling in the mud at a cx race while he eased past.
And then you could go and watch them in the big races. Wiggins and Cav climbing Constitution Hill behind me on the pavement. Investing time by standing on deserted roads in mid-Wales cheering these people on.
Even these days you can form attachments to Brit pro-riders because they are local, or you've seen them race locally. For me it's G and Rowe who I keep an eye on.
You can't do that with Froome. Sorry, rephrase, I can't do that. I haven't seen him race, haven't seen him coming through the ranks of the local cycling club, haven't parked next to him and chatted while getting ready for a race. I like him. I like his attacking. I hate his ugliness on the bike, but I'll cheer for him. But not because of his nationality. I'll also cheer for Teklahaimanot, or Degenkolb. Froome might be British but he's not local. 😉
(I'm trying to remember the name of the half-British, half-Italian rider from the 90/00s. The one nobody supported because he was Italian.)
I'm trying to remember the name of the half-British, half-Italian rider from the 90/00s. The one nobody supported because he was Italian.
Max Sciandri?
That's him.
Fantastic ride in Atlanta!
A very British heroic failure!
[quote=IdleJon ]You can't do that with Froome. Sorry, rephrase, I can't do that. I haven't seen him race, haven't seen him coming through the ranks of the local cycling club, haven't parked next to him and chatted while getting ready for a race.
Froome also didn't go and ride a 10 together with lots of club riders when preparing for a big event. Just to explain again, this isn't a criticism of Froome, any more than I'd criticise Nibali for not doing that; it's just one of the reasons Wiggo is more loved.
he has done fantastically well already after 4 days, and looks like he is going to win - it is his to lose now, and I cant see him losing, unless he crashes out - no-one has come close to challening so far, I thought Contador was going for it in Huy, but he faded quickly. Nibali wont be anmywhere near him, it is more likely that a younger rider will be his closest rival.
4 days in and someone on an mtb forum says chris has it sewn up....
Guess ill stop watching now
See, it wasnt in doubt from Day 4 until the last climb, even then,when he was struggling, he did enough to keep control. All the others lost the race in the first few days, he only had to defend then, so making it so much easier for him and the team.
You cant win the race in one stage, but you can lose it, which all the others did in the frst week.
Geraint Evans showed that on Friday - looking like a top 5 for 7 days, had one bad day, then dropped to 15th.
Geraint Evans? Is that Cadel Evans and Geraint Thomas' love child???
[img] 
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BBC Article "Chris Froome and the French"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33651540
Evans, Williams, Jones,Thomas they all sound the same to me!
For some reason, I thought I'd put Williams down, but now, just getting mixed with Cadel.
Lets get the British thing sorted, its not like its one of his grandparents is British or claiming under residency, his parents are both English. According to good ol' wikipedia, they moved out to Kenya to run a farm. We've had his aunt in the shop, most of his family still live in and around Tetbury. He has a far better claim to his nationality than certain cricketers playing for England.
Genuine question - has ever actually lived in Britian?
To answer my own question - apparently never. He says he 'feels british' though so he must be. It seems a reasonable reason for a bit of UK wide apathy towards him from the non cycling world as a British sporting icon imo.
Top bloke.
I read an interview with him a while back, and he said he had the choice of riding for either Kenya or Team GB, and with the full Team GB support programme it was a no-brainer for him. Which I can completely understand, though he seems to have kept this quiet in recent times for obvious reasons.
Do they cheer for him in Kenya?
Obviously this has nothing to do with how talented he is at riding bikes, he seems like a good guy and is clearly a very fast rider so it's all good as far as I'm concerned.
Again from what I saw and what the people who met him in December locally said top bloke. Happy that he considers himself british. Not many top international sports people live in the UK or country they represent due to being on the road so much. If my off season was Nov-March I reckon I'd go and live somewhere warm
I've warmed a lot to him during this TdF.
I've said it before, but for me the nationality thing is that he didn't come up through the British cycling scene in the way Wiggins did. Given he's not ridden the national champs or Tour of Britain, has he ever raced here apart from in the Olympics? The cricketers do all play here even when not playing for England.
I watched Chris Froome race the nations in Abergavenny in 2009 whilst in Barloworld colours, so he definitely has raced the national champs!
He even attacked off the front on one of the later laps
Froome is the opposite of Dan Martin. Dan grew up in the Midlands, raced all the local races as a junior but due to not fitting in with the BC track setup became Irish.
Ah, I stand corrected, that must be one of only a handful of races he's done here though. In case it needs repeating, nothing against him because of that, but it makes him a bit less "one of us".
"one of us" 😯 - i'd hate to be one of you.
Aracer , agreed, really warmed to him in the documentary on itv4 and personally don't support sportsmen particularly by their nationality. But he's still not really 'one of us', if that ever matters. Being 'one of us' in British cycling terms normally involves having been inducted to the sport by being cold and wet in a church hall HQ and handed pint mugs of tea by a friendly old dear with a faint whiff of wee about her.
I wonder what some on here think the nationality of my brothers son is? My brothers job has him changing location every 3 to 5 years. His wife is Russian so his son has dual Russian English nationality but has not lived in either country in his 9 years of life so far. Is he Englush? Is he Rssian? If he were to become a world class athlete and compete on the world stage then under what nationality?
I read an interview with him a while back, and he said he had the choice of riding for either Kenya or Team GB, and with the full Team GB support programme it was a no-brainer for him.
He basically says the same thing in his book. He also mentions that if his family had stayed together and his dad had not lost all his money he would have gone to boarding school in the UK like his brother.
Lots of people that have have parents from a country that they have never lived in consider themselves to be of/from that country. In America for example you will find lots of people that would call themselves Italian, Polish, Irish etc. when they have never set foot in those places and in some cases even their parents haven't either.
If you tried to tell them that they were wrong you would have a big problem on your hands.
I really think that the people that pay Froome push him to make a point of identifying himself as British, the potential to make money on a Kenyan tour winner for the companies sponser him is tiny compared to the British market
Whichever one he feels would offer him the most suitable support so he may achieve his potential and goals, I would imagine.
see what I did there?
I don't care where he is from but for me there's nothing that makes me want to get behind him. There's plenty of guys in the peleton I'm equally ambivalent about so it nothing special... just no draw to Froome for me.
I think he's just a bit too safe and possibly PR groomed. There's no chance of him dropping an F bomb on TV or interview. Or, more likely, possibly a bit cold and calculating. He's a very serious competitior and goes about the job to win and nothing else, its just not a very British character trait.
As a bike rider, as a competitor, and as a character, I much prefer him to Wiggins.
I don't see him as PR groomed, I thought the ITV documentary revealed about him, he has a good bunch of friends and that's often the best sign of someones character.
Comes across as I hope I don't sound whenever I talk with someone important, nervous and self conscious. PR grooming is actually what's needed, you'd think Sky would stump up cash for some to drop the annoying 'Ummms' and inject some emotion and humour into answers to appear more personable and human. Learning some French might help too or can he already speak it?
No chance of him dropping an F bomb FFS! Who cares? He is a rider with massive balls and attacks when he can. Wiggins is brilliant too more defensive but a brilliant/beautiful TTer. Wiggins winning the tour was great- it was almost designed for him... not too much climbing and 2 massive tt stages.
I like him because he's super-talented, went out there and won this year's TdF and has the balls of a lion. Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned or something, but I think what you do on the bike says a lot more about your character than what you say off it.
Tinribz, he already speaks French... not sure how fluent, but there are videos floating around of him being interviewed in French.
I like him, seems just like a fairly quiet and polite guy who likes to race his bike to win. I quite like the 'octopus falling out of a tree' style too... makes me think there might still be hope for me as a cyclist!
I like him because he's super-talented, went out there and won this year's TdF and has the balls of a lion.
I can't say I have seen his balls this TdF... were you perhaps thinking of JC Peraud? 😆
That dude also has balls, although I didn't actually see... Wait a minute, did you think I meant literally?
Anyone who has followed the daily threads has literally seen Peraud's balls 😯 😀
Lots of people that have have parents from a country that they have never lived in consider themselves to be of/from that country.
I'm dual nationality and carry both passports and consider myself to be from both of those countries despite having only ever lived in one of them. I'd say if Froome is entitled to the passport because of his parents then he's British.
at least he's not trying to be some wanna be mod, walking round with his tongue up Paul Weller's arse all day
and how come brad got a knighthood after winning one TDF, and Froome didnt
and will he get one now he has won 2 TDF ?
Let me see...
Born in Kenya? Tick
Looks awkward on a bike? Tick
Bit of a Marmite character? Tick
*looks up Dave Brailsford phone number....*
Maybe Froome will get a knighthood, but 4 Olympic gold medals representing Great Britain certainly helped Wiggins get his.
First to do something = instant knighthood.
First to do something twice = instant OBE, eventual knighthood at end of career, depending on "other" work.
Dunno how I feel about Froomey but, then again I felt like that about Wiggo till I had a chat with him at the tour of Britain and Brad a good laugh.
I would like to see Froomey race so, Sir Dave, get him in this years Tour of Britain line up. That Hartside summit will suit him.
I like the guy, quiet and gets on with the job rather than trying to make himself into a brand and milk every £ from it.
Not sure if it was his or sky's decision but putting a muzzle on his wife seems to have helped with people growing to like him.
I like the guy, quiet and gets on with the job rather than trying to make himself into a brand and milk every £ from it.Not sure if it was his or sky's decision but putting a muzzle on his wife seems to have helped with people growing to like him.
This, 100%.
I don't think the wife antagonising the situation between Froome and Wiggo a few years ago did him any favours at the Tour.
I've warmed to Froome. He's polite and fairly humble in interviews, he always takes the time to praise his team mates.
I think he's responded with openness and maturity to the accusations that have been thrown at him. Certainly he is a bit low key compared to Wiggins but so what?
He was the best rider in this years tour, in what was a very strong field, a deserving winner.
Not sure if it was his or sky's decision but putting a muzzle on his wife seems to have helped with people growing to like him.
You'll need to remind me what his wife said
She essentially accussed Wiggo/Sky of taking advantage of Froome's loyalty in 2012 which set off Cath Wiggins and it all got a bit silly...
http://road.cc/content/news/61829-team-sky-wags-show-strain-tour-hots-up%E2%80%A6-twitter
[quote=richmtb ]He was the best rider in this years tour, in what was a very strong field, a deserving winner.
Apart from the chap who was in the wrong place in the crosswinds that is.
I was impressed with his ability to read the race and always be in the right place this year. Seems to be becoming a mature and canny rider.
aracer - Member
richmtb » He was the best rider in this years tour, in what was a very strong field, a deserving winner.
Apart from the chap who was in the wrong place in the crosswinds that is.
If Quintana had been the "best rider", he wouldn't have been in the wrong place, would he?
Indeed. He pretty consistently seems to be in the wrong place in the cross winds...
If Quintana had been the "best rider", he wouldn't have been in the wrong place, would he?
+1:28
The best place on that day was in front. The best place on Alp-d'Huez was about 2:30 in front, Quintana was in neither of those places.
And don't forget Froome won the polka dots, he didn't climb badly, being #2 climber and #1 (of the GC contenders) TT'er would have won him most tours, let alone one that finished on the Alp d'Huez!
I've come to really quite like Froome, very British (stiff upper lip, doesn't complain, overly polite) and really seems to appreciate being in the Team doing some long turns at the front on the TTT, and despite the misjudgement of what Wiggins had left in the tank he did actually go back for Brad on that climb even if he could (potentially) have ridden off and won. But then Brad might have lost time, Froome would have had a 3:00 lead on Niballi who would likely be in 2nd after following Froome's wheel on a close time to Brad, and both Froome and Brad would have been tired the next day, he could have won, but I think he was always 2nd most likely to win after Brad.
Quintana bollocks - It is a deserved win from Froome