Quote:
Originally Posted by boz-monaut
member in yellow...lolQuote:
Originally Posted by parksey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boz-monaut
member in yellow...lolQuote:
Originally Posted by parksey
it gets lost in translation - it meant he got a tow off the team car when he was getting the bottles, i.e. hanging on too long talking to the sporting directorQuote:
Originally Posted by plague
Been getting into my cycling lately. How bout that Chad Froome hey? I can relate to a successful bloke wearing yellow. Ok gotta go, the phones ringing its probably Boof telling me to pack my bags.
Last nights stage up Mont Ventoux has me now convinced that something suspect is going on at Team Sky.
Last night as the gradient went up on Mont Ventoux and the men started to get sorted out from the boys and the numbers in the peleton dwindled leaving the elite Richie Porte took over from his other Sky teammate who had crossed the limits with his pace making. Porte cranked it up a notch or two for 2km. Within a few hundred metres he had dropped a dozen of the best cyclists in the world from his coat tails such was the pace leaving only two alongside him.Froome and Contador.
As soon as Porte reached his limit Froome after enduring that whirlwind speed up the mountain then had the "ENERGY" to turn on the after burners and charge off up the mountain leaving Contador in his wake. The turn of speed Froome had bordered on insane as logic suggests you can't possibly go that fast up a hill.
Not only did he leave Contador for dead but he chased down and over took the little Colombian Quintana who was up the road. All the while continuing his speed and not even slowing down through fatigue. This completely defies logic.
Even being the strongest and quickest their should still be some signs of fatigue and suffering. The fact that one could do that to one of the best cyclists of this generation and barely raise a sweat doing it.:what:
I AM CALLING BULLSHIT
either everyone is off the pace, or froome is ridiculously good - the fact he can do that on ventoux and pull that chrono out against tony ****en martin as well should ring the alarms, who knows
quintana was bleeding from his nose ffs
i find it hard to believe the cadence he is pushing on ridiculously big gears, up big hills and absolutely no-one can go with him, but hey whatever - maybe we are seeing a once in a generation cyclist
the fact his "non-dope" times are right up there with the great dopers of the past doesn't help though
This is the bit I call Bullshit on.Quote:
Originally Posted by q-money
3 Grand Tours 83rd 34th and a DQ. No great history of note at being a successful cyclist.
After a couple of years of mediocrity and anonymity moves to Sky and all of a sudden he has two seconds a 4th and an impending Grand Tour victory. His wins are now coming thick and fast. He blitzes people in Time Trials and he goes up mountains quicker than a mountain goat. Where was this potential/form before??
If it looks like shit smells like shit and tastes like shit then it most likely is shit
unfortunately even a naive optimist like myself has to doubt froome based on last night, but that is the situation that the great dopers of the past have created for the sport (not just armstrong/ulrich etc., the many generations before them as well).
it's going to be a long time before people see a dominant cyclist and not be suspicious!!
the bilharzia thing is where some interesting questions lie - the parasite feeds on RBCs, which you'd think that even when cured would still make it super tough to get maximum aerobic performance - he was smoking blokes without getting out of the saddle on a ****ing 10% grade
his treatment has never been fully explained and seeing as sky do not release any kind of power data, you really wonder what the numbers he is pushing are?
http://www.cyclefiesta.com/multimedi...ris-froome.htm
Article written approx 10 months ago on FroomeQuote:
In July last year only hardcore cycling fans were aware of Chris Froome. However, just over a year on, he is one of the biggest names in the sport, and will be leading Team Sky with ambitions to win the Vuelta a España. The rise is remarkable and, in a sport with the dubious recent history of professional cycling, some might say suspicious.
The rise of Froome has coincided with the rise of Sky to the position of strongest team in the peloton. With Froome's progress, from riding for a new contract in the Vuelta last year to cycling to win it this year, the most dramatic statement of Sky's intent.
Froome was rated by team director Dave Brailsford as one of the weakest members of Sky's team a couple of years ago. He was not deemed to have either the current ability, nor the potential, to become more than a pro-conti tour winner - let alone stand twice on a grand tour podium.
There are several factors that could help to explain Froome's rise, however, with Sky being increasingly secretive about their 'marginal gains' they are all fairly speculative. Here we look at some of the possible reasons for Froome's rise to the top.
Illness
It has been fairly well publicised that Froome was diagnosed with Bilharzia, a disease caused by parasitic worms that has an impact on the immune system. Froome was first diagnosed with bilharzia in 2011, and was believed to have picked it up in Kenya in November 2010; he also suffered again from the disease in early 2012.
Undoubtedly bilharzia could result in a drop in performance for a professional cyclist, but this does not seem applicable to Froome. His results were nothing special before 2011, when presumably he was not suffering for bilharzia, so getting rid of the disease can not alone be seen as the reason behind his surge in form.
Joining the Sky revolution
Froome at BarloworldOne factor that can be seen as key in the rise of Froome is Team Sky. Froome joined Sky from Barloworld in 2010; at his previous team he was not always used in the best way. They often would put him in classics and flat stage races that did not play to his strengths. His best performance with them was a creditable 36th in the Giro d'Italia in 2009. Sky also did not initially see him as a grand tour rider, and were on the verge of cancelling his contract prior to the Vuelta a España in 2011, but perhaps the very hilly course (and time trial) was what Froome needed to display his true talents.
Sky's preparation could also have helped his development. The meticulous attention to detail, combined with altitude training camps in Tenerife, weight loss and windtunnel testing can all help to improve a rider with potential. Also, training alongside more competetive riders can bring out the best in an athlete. Sky have become increasingly secretive about what their marginal gains are. Understandably they do not want to help the opposition, but the bits and pieces of information they are leaking provide no obvious clues.
We know that they have hired a swimming coach who has revolutionised their training; we also know that they ride climbs in an incredibly calculated way. However, it is difficult to know exactly how any of this relates to Froome's development. Marginal gains can certainly give a rider an edge, but Froome's vast improvement in form in comparison to his own team mates suggests that there must be something more than this.
Late developer
Another credible theory is that Froome is a natural late developer. Growing up in Kenya and training in South Africa, could easily have stalled his development, compared to what it could have been if he had been with a top European team from a young age. Froome's breakthrough tour came when he had just turned 26; that is a realistic age for a grand tour contender to break through if they have not had top training since a youngster.
The Sceptics
Bjarne Riis climbing Hautacam, 1996In the recent history of professional cycling, a dramatic improvement in the form of a rider has usually been followed (some months or years later) by evidence that performancing enhancing drugs have been used. To be 100% clear, there is absolutely no evidence that Froome, or any other members of Sky, are using any banned substances. However, in professional cycling there will always be some degree of suspicion.
Sky hiring Gert Leinders seems to fly in the face of the anti-doping rhetoric that they pronounced so strongly when the team was founded. Likewise, the incredible power of Team Sky flying up the climbs in the Tour de France was reminiscant of Armstrong's US Postal train. Also, sceptics question why members of Sky were holed up in Tenerife for several weeks in the off season, as well as how Froome (and Wiggins) have managed to lose weight and improve their time trialling simultaneously. Indeed, several critics have claimed that bilharzia is being used as a convenient excuse to manipulate the biological passport. This is the unfortunate legacy that the EPO era has left cycling with; many fans now see riders like Froome climbing like never before and cannot help but think back to the times they were duped by Riis, Armstrong, Landis and many more.
However, the theories of doping against Sky are all circumstantial at best, and it would be unfair not to give Froome the benefit of the doubt. Indeed, if Sky and Froome have found unique training methods that yielded the best results, they would be foolish to release them into public domain just to fend off some accusations.
The decisive factor?
It seems reasonable to suggest that a combination of factors is behind Froome's rise. It undoubtedly looks like he is a late developer, understandably so given his lack of truly competetive racing in his younger years. Therefore his potential was somewhat hidden; when combined with Sky's analysis and ability to get the best out of a rider, the potential was realised. In addition, clearing him of bilharzia will obviously only have helped to improve his development further.
What we do know for sure is that Froome is now one of the best riders in the world. He will have his work cut out to hang on to Contador in the mountains of northern Spain, but, given how he has ridden in the last year, it should certainly be an exciting three weeks. - See more at: http://www.cyclefiesta.com/multimedi....1drzzpBZ.dpuf
4.15 is definitely catchable if froome has another bad day and bonks in the TT (which looks unlikely)
they cannot beat sky on the hills, saxo & movistar will have to do the business on the descents or on other terrain
18-19-20 are going to be epic if quintana and contador keep attacking till the end
or send out a kamikaze rider and take him out.Quote:
Originally Posted by q-money
http://www.instructables.com/files/d...8UN2.LARGE.jpg
Check their bikes
yeah, although it's a shame that the first thing people jump to is that froome is doping, the way he is riding is almost unbelievable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by parksey
Probably because it is.
Same bloke couldn't beat Contador in last years Vuelta. Now he is not not just beating him but blowing him away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvi3YB8fBCA
gets less and less believable every time you watch it
the best climber in the last 10 years in contador climbing like a regular fred and froome sitting in the saddle and blasting it up in a ridiculously low gear, you'd larf if it wasn't so tragic
maybe all the others were on drugs and now arent.
Just remember that Froome finished 2012 tour 7 minutes ahead of anyone else riding in this years race, and was riding for Wiggins.
That blokes on the gear too.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
Froome didn't race Contador in last years TDF as Contador was out.
When Froome did race Contador in the Vuelta last August Contador smacked his arse big time.
All of a sudden the results are dramatically reversed:whistling::wtf:
Yeah right.
I believe all is above board here.
Just like I believe:
GVE will lead the Jets to the title this season UNDEFEATED and WITHOUT CONCEDING A GOAL.
Middleby will be pilfered and lauded as the greatest CEO of all time by Microsoft
Craig Deans will take over from Moyes at Old Trafford after being head hunted by Manure in one of those Global search things
Sam Galloway will win the Ballon D'or
Armenia will win the 2014 FIFA World Cup
froome having a cry because contador attacked him all the way up and down col de manse
man up m8 it's a bike race
Geez you are a dead set pelican sometimes.Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Merely pointing out to those who think Froome has come from nowhere.
FWIW after the whole Armstrong thing I'm convinced everyone is on drugs all the time.
Except Terry McFlynn cause that guy is just plain shit.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/...718-2q53t.html
froome now having a pre-emptive whinge about the potential danger of the descent tonight if it's wet. baby wants it shortened if it is raining heavily.
he's turning into a bit of a cry-baby this guy.
:rof:Quote:
"He should use his brakes more if he's afraid on the descents. We are going to attack everywhere, whether it is going uphill or downhill."
he is imperious going uphill and a monster on the flats, and pretty much unbeatable on an uphill MTF - if he can hold out until the final climb in the wet he will blow the lighter blokes away as he will get much more traction - check out what he did at the criterium international in the wet earlier this year, but just like wiggo at the giro, froome is not a good descender.
what i wouldn't give for nibali to be in this tour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPXIdGy1iM0
**** this is going to be great tonight
Absolutely rubbish tactics from saxo, burning two domestiques before the first ascent jeez
I hear froome has been docked the monumental amount of 20 seconds for once again blatantly cheating with regards to taking on food. Good to see Rogers in the Top 10, shame to see Porte helping out the dirty British team so much. Cadel looks to be enjoying a leisurely ride through France.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226681750324
best moment of the tour by far. national hero.
hansen is a ledge, ultimate hardman, his win in pescara this year at the giro was epic
SBS to broadcast the TDF until 2023.
Biggest understatement on the internet ever. I am a only a pelican sometimes.:grin::whistling::roflz:Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
Plague you are good value
stuart o'grady has retired.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-2...career/4837304
not a bad career.
what a ledge
ps i totally froomed you all in the fantasy, eat dust losers
man i would have won if i submitted my team on time
you got dropped like big del evans m8 no fault of mine that you can't juice
Quote:
Originally Posted by parksey
Me too. I missed having my team submitted for 4 days :(
i'll be back next year bigger and better than ever
So Q-man. Give me your predictions.
1. What happens to team Sky next year regarding Froome and Wiggins (and even Porte)?
2. Does BMC get turned over to TJ?
3. Does Cadel go again and if so does he warrant a #1 spot on a contending team?
(I'll think of more questions, we've got 12 months).
1. they will run froome at tour again, wiggo should dom for froome at the tour or race the vuelta. wiggo can't descend, ruling out the giro again. however he's racing the tour of poland this week, will be interesting to see how he has recovered. porte not being british won't get a shot imo. he will get offered better money and leave. if greenedge get a couple more decent super domestiques and throw money at porte it would be great, porte is a genuine GC contender if he can really start bossing the TTs.
2. if i were at BMC i'd put cadel as leader at the vuelta and let van garderen have a crack at the tour. cadel is still a great GC rider, as shown at the giro, but two grand tours a year is too much
3. definitely, he still has a lot to offer with the right people around him, BMC probably is not the place for him though
Is Wiggins ego going to be able to cop being a deputy?
He's a Knight after all!!!
Just thinking back to the Contador/Armstrong days.
Imagine them going at each other as teammates next year. That would be great.
i actually quite like wiggo tbh, even though he's boring as batshit as a rider.
he should be kissing froome's arse really for his tour victory, but legit doesn't care. :rof:
froome owes porte some big sloppy gobbies for dragging him through some of those stages, imagine the three in a bizarre love triangle :wub:
Ohhhgrady !!!
can't we just agree that anybody that raced in the 90's and for most of the 2000's was on the gear and move on?