Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:50 pm  

Haggis Fax wrote:

Next year - I reckon that ASO will want a different Tour. One which sets up a battle between a returning Contador and Andy Schleck.

Isn't it the centenary tour next year? Can see it being a beast of a route.

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:06 pm  

Blimey it's not often I get something right! Brailsford states that solidifying third won't be an option

Blimey it's not often I get something right! Brailsford states that solidifying third won't be an option

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:07 pm  

StuMain wrote:

Isn't it the centenary tour next year? Can see it being a beast of a route.

Agreed. However saying that ASO won't be happy if it plays into Contador's hands

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:09 pm  

John_D wrote:

Froome has the potential to win Grand Tours in the very near future, maybe even this year's Vuelta. Trouble is, if he's going to win the big one he'll probably have to leave Sky to do it.

Unless Wiggo having won Yellow loses his drive and goes on another year long bender! As long as he stays healthy Froome will be Sky's number one pretty soon I reckon

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:21 pm  

vbfg wrote:

Do these pacts ever actually happen? I've seen it for stage wins and one day races and so on but for the latter two weeks of a grand tour?

They could do , but it would be very difficult to do it without it benefitting one rider more than the other. Nibs can't TT anywhere near as good as Cadel so why would he help drop wiggo to put Cadel in the driving seat?

They also have to protect their current postions, so can't blow themselves up trying to drop him knowing someone else could overtake them and make time on themselves.

The only way to beat wiggo now is to ensure that the team have to chase every break early on by big name riders who are GC contenders trying to make a breakaway, causing Sky to burn themselves out chasing them down every day. If the team are cooked then there will be no one to help maintain that hi tempo up the mountain stages which Wiggo needs to stop any chance attacks by Cadel and co. Wiggo can't afford to get in the red chasing the explosive breaks of cadel and nibs etc... Thats the only way to beat him

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:25 pm  

Haggis Fax wrote:

Next year - I reckon that ASO will want a different Tour. One which sets up a battle between a returning Contador and Andy Schleck. Would Wiggins be a player in this kind of battle? Well he'd certainly be a top 5 player based on what I've seen so far.

However a strong Contador would take big chunks of time out of Brad in the serious mountains. Too much for him to take back in a TT.

Is a non beefed up contador going to be the same contador pre ban though? Thats if we are now saying his explosive climbing ability was due to the fact he was doped up! In which case will we see him going for it in the same way or will his efforts be dramatically reduced

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:37 pm  

That's the thing, one or the other could blow up and instead of gaining a place drop two. That's both winnings money for this year and UCI points for next year. There'll come a point where they don't risk that for themselves, never mind a GC contender on another team.

For me now the tactics for Sky have to be to play it fairly tight in the Alps and see how things pan out. I can't see Wiggo or Froome losing much time on those descents. When the Pyrenees roll around send Froome on the attack and get the other GC contenders to kill themselves trying to reel him in, and then Wiggo is set up for the final time trial.

The only worry now is Rogers and Porte getting blown up keeping the other two on pace.

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:29 pm  

The attacks will come from from those with nothing to lose such as radioshack and some of the Belgiums. Cadel has much more to gain by cozying up to some of these riders rather than nibs. Let the likes of radioshack attack and pressure sky. As reward gift them the win which keeps there sponsor's happy. This will help knacker sky out and give cadel that chance to jump if wiggo blows

It seems the weather could be bad going into the mountains. Nibs is an excellent descender and that could open up some time for him

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:34 pm  

Spot the RL connection in this photo from Wiggins' twitter.

Re: Cycling : Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:51 pm  

CM Punk wrote:

Spot the RL connection in this photo from Wiggins' twitter.

His shoe/washbag is a Wigoon one, there was a picture of him doing the JJ sign on there the other day too. Even though he does support the pies he is still awesome!