Anyone been watchin the commonwealth & seen the Bradley interview ?,sounds like he's made his mind up to cease road riding ,& do a few velodrome events then call it it a day ,or someone's made it up for him !!!..
Well he was kinda good at it and he has the focus.
He also has a good training track near his holiday home 😉
Wants to go back to the Velodrome, realises that bulking up will affect his Grand Tour prospects.
On going talks with Sky to see if they can accommodate him on the team to supplement his track training.
He certainly seemed to rule out any further grand tours which is understandable and predictable. Clearly not happy with the "cut-throat" nature of road racing. Fair enough really.
Can't blame him, he seemed to walk right back in the England squad, with more focused training medals in rio a possibility! And team sky seem content leaving him on the sidelines and selecting chris 'stack master' froome for the grand tours!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-to-quit-major-road-racing-in-2014
He's been saying that for a while, I think looking at nibali this year it's clear there's no point unless your on the juice and he doesn't want to do that
and Thibault Pinault is expected to sign for SKY .
what will the doe-eyed mamil sky fans do now? froome is a bit you know ‘foreign’ and mark cavendish rides for some other team now and they are slowly realising that Geraint is never actually going to win anything.
maybe they will start to follow cycling instead?
Don't blame him, crack on big lad!
Strikes me that its all he has. Doesn't seem committed to the road any more and is hoping to stretch the career a bit longer. Must admit that I wouldn't want him on my road team with all the fuss he is making about Rio. Would be surprised if Sky didn't let him go.
Good for him !
He's been there done that , as they say !
Bradley Wiggins. True cycling star / hero in my view. With some proper humour too.
Well done and thanks.
He should stick to the track and quit moaning.
He won the tour on the time trial with Froome dragging him up the hills and now starts crying when Sky pick a team to try and win rather than out of 'loyalty'.
When the going got tough in the Giro he went home crying and he milked every minute of his 'fame' when it suited him. He should drop the beard, forget about Rio, and put his energy into helping younger members of Team GB realise their goals, rather than having a last hurrah at the Olympics and going home with a bronze.
He's done a lot for British Cycling and I recognise that, just reading his books and hearing his interview's I just can't warm to the guy.
I'd say in fairness Sky should have let him go at the end of the season but they seemed to hold him in reserve in case Froome didn't make it or crashed out before the tour. If he had the chance to go somewhere else I reckon he could have been up there in the tour, probably pissed off that he was strung along.
YorkshireRipper - MemberHe should stick to the track and quit moaning.
He won the tour on the time trial with Froome dragging him up the hills and now starts crying when Sky pick a team to try and win rather than out of 'loyalty'.
Yeah, they've been great without him this year. I think I saw Nieve at the front a couple of days back, well, for a few KM.
You post was ridiculous and insulting about a man who won the TDF and the hours not only riding that event, but the training for it too.
Pathetic.
I'll pull my tongue back from the inside of the side of my mouth...
is that the Edinburgh Defense?
No, I stick by my point that I think he's a cock, but I don't for one minute underestimate the achievement of winning the tour.
and the rest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Wiggins#Major_results
He didn't win all that by hanging on to Chris Froome
Sky pick a team to try and win rather than out of 'loyalty'.
Porte is nearly an hour off the pace. Sky's selection has been a disaster and they are leaving the tour with nothing, probably the biggest underperforming team on this years TdF.
Wiggins decision is a pretty straightforward one, if he's not going to get picked in the major events for Sky that's a lot of road training for very little and as posted above track vs road is different training and physique.
He's not crying about being dropped - the full quote says he thinks Sky is right to pick the strongest team for the tour rather than include him purely out of 'loyalty'.
The way it was reported on BBC this morning made him sound much more bitter than appears to be the case. He's just being pragmatic.
Wiggo's never really seemed happy with his lot imo. Excellent Road palmares for a bloke that isn't really that into road racing! Obviously a lot more has gone on behind the scenes than has been aired in public....part of me thinks that if Wiggo weren't a national treasure then there may have been a much more public spat between him and Team Sky/Fenton.
As a trackie his pedigree is second to none really so it seems like a good move for him.....his interviews now remind me of 2010 when he was thrust into taking the road seriously and really didn't deliver, Dr Steve Peter's was brought on board and 2 years later, arguably the most successful stage race season in the history of cycling. Seems like his inner chimp has surfaced again.
I guess that the really unfair thing is that the dithering over whether to put him in the tour team will ahve skewed his training completely - if he has known there was no plan for the tour, then he likely would have aimed to be in peak condition for the spring classics (and they commented last night that he would really love to take them on properly)
I'd love to see him go and do the hour, that would really hold two fingers up at the people who have messed him around!
Dr Steve Peter's was brought on board and 2 years later, arguably the most successful stage race season in the history of cycling. Seems like his inner chimp has surfaced again.
So nothing to do with the superior coaching, advanced training program and sheer hard work then. 🙄
the same people who will help him achieve that?I'd love to see him go and do the hour, that would really hold two fingers up at the people who have messed him around!
Rob Hayles seems to think we haven't seen the last of Brad on the road. Just watching him on the commonwealth coverage this morning talking about Bradley's decision. He seems to think he needs the road racing to keep his strength and conditioning.
I wonder if we'll see Wiggo at a new road team sometime soon . . .
Well said martinhutch - it wouldn't be like the media to want to add their own "spin" to an otherwise sensible and non-headline grabbing comment.
Perhaps one of the contributors on this thread is in the media, or destined for it - the old Brit-media trait of knock the elite when they have an off day or do something "different". In my eyes he has earned the right to do whatever he pleases. I also wouldn't be surprised if the bronze mentioned above turns out to be somewhat shinier - it won't be for the lack of trying!
MrSmith I think we all know that I'm not saying that Wiggo wasn't training better blah blah......dismissing the massive impact Steve Peters clearly had on Wiggo's ability to deliver show's your lack of on real knowledge of the situation though.
Anyway, I've warmed to Wiggo a little, and I think that it's a real shame that he'll now presumably finish his career minus a world champ TT title. He spent a good amount of time as clearly the best TTer but it never seemed to fall in place for the Worlds.
He should stick to the track and quit moaning.
Yeah... renowned for his moaning, is Bradley. FFS. Did you actually see the interview? Doesn't sound like you were watching the same one as me. If you listen to what he says, he's just being pragmatic. And it sounds like going back to the track of his own accord, it removes the sticky 'what to do with Bradley, our former tour winner, and national treasure' from Dave Brailsford and Sky. So it seems like he's doing whats best for everyone. Thats what makes you 'a cock' nowadays is it?
No, I stick by my point that I think he's a cock, but I don't for one minute underestimate the achievement of winning the tour.
Hmmmmm... says more about you, than him TBH. Very magnanimous of you to give him some credit for winning the tour though. But seeing as we're all making confident assertions, I'll make my own point, that you're clearly considerably more of a....
🙄
I think sky dropped the ball with squad selection. So what if it causes a bit of media tension, having two GC contenders is at least a recipie for a 1-2 finish, and you've doubled your chance of having GC contender actually finish the race.... It was stupid to leave wiggo out, and he's doing the right thing going back to track.
In what world was Wiggo going to be a GC contender?!
The way it was reported on BBC this morning made him sound much more bitter than appears to be the case. He's just being pragmatic.
This. The headlines and selective quotes make him appear bitter, but watching the interview he just appears pragmatic and honest. Fair play.
The same world Peraud is?
Big fan of Wiggo, would love to see him put some more beef on and start smashing the track again, be good for him if be attempts Paris-Robaix again too.
I think looking at nibali this year it's clear there's no point unless your on the juice
Oh well, there you go, Nibali's doping.
Unfortunately there are a lot of ignorant people out there who, on hearing pragmatic and honest interviews, just think someone's a moaner.
Sky's latest documentary gives a useful insight into Wiggo's situation there...
(I had a couple of actual LOLs)
He is a bit marmite, and if you don't like him you can read quite a lot into his words and interviews if you want to, that may not actually be there, and vice-versa.
At the end of the day his record is pretty bloody good. I'd love to see him beef up again and drop any aspirations of being a GC contender; there are younger and fitter men than him around now and he's on a hiding to nothing, he wouldn't get any credit for a top 5 or podium finish given his past record.
I don't want him to go all eggs into the track basket yet, 2 years is a long time, BC are an unsentimental bunch, and there's no guarantee he'd be in the first 4 when 2016 arrives. Instead have a last season on the road as part of the process towards Rio, aiming at some of the classics that i think with the right program he could have a chance at. Whether that's with Sky or someone else, doesn't bother me. He's a top level British cyclist, and deserves a chance to go out competing hard in events that suit him and he can train for.
Is Sir Bradley a massive presence in the cycling firmament? Yes
Should Sir Bradley have been Sky's leader at the Tour? No
Was Richie Porte ever a credible number two? No
Was Sir Bradley a credible number two? Yes
Should Sir Bradley have been included in the Sky squad? Yes
Would he have won the tour this year? No
Would he have had a high chance of a podium finish? Yes
Is it the job of management to manage personality clashes? Yes
Simples
Simples
Except:
}Was Richie Porte ever a credible number two? NoWas Sir Bradley a credible number two? Yes
Should Sir Bradley have been included in the Sky squad? Yes
Would he have had a high chance of a podium finish? Yes
These four are debatable.
Either way, I'm with the otherjonv up there and would like to see Wiggins tackle a classics season. Put the weight and strength back on and challenge the likes of Spartacus, Booonen, Sagan et al. He' s maybe thinking that it's too risky an exercise though. A crash on the cobbles and a break could ruin any chances he has of making the team in Rio.
Cycling needs more Bradley's. Heck in fact the world needs more Bradley's.
It's his determination and sheer hard work that has seen him rise to the nights way past most on here could ever in their own lunchtime achieve. You don't slog yourself up mountains 6 times a day in training to blow out of your arse to better the previous climbs time. You don't go training in the depths of winter, out on the moors in the ice and snow, to hack or to pootle, you train and you train bloody hard to beat yourself and your rivals. Training regimes are way beyond folks on here's comprehension, way beyond. Most would give up within a couple of weeks, all within a month, but most wouldn't even bother trying.
Spouting tosh about not being able to control the Media, Phah! Who the bloody hell has? They simply want a sensational story to fill jaded column inches written by scribes who barely know the sport or care less about the subject or the person involved. Very very few scribes have sat on a bike, the Gary's and Chris's and Robs have provided a teeny insight as to the state of mind for a pro cyclist, but if you want a real world view get Malcolm Elliot on. A true honed racing professional who I'm sure would be only to happy to comment on Bradley's state of mind at present, but they won't because honesty hurts and being told the truth doesn't sell black letters on a page.
Unfettered support and admiration for a top athlete is all you should be concentrating on, not speculating whether the guys not doing what You think he should.
More Bradley's please.
Steve Peters clearly had on Wiggo's ability to deliver show's your lack of on real knowledge of the situation though
You read that in a book or you too have friends who work for sky/BC/cycling media?
I guess we know different people in the same organisations to come up with such different opinions 🙄
Either way unless you are the fly on the wall neither of us know the whole story.
^fair point!
I wish people would drop this nonsense about Wiggo having a chance of getting on the podium. He wouldn't have been close! Way more climbing this year than when he won, no real train to pace him like he had in 2012 and whilst he showed well in P-R this year his bike handling skills in the wet are dubious at best! It's not unrealistic to think that he'd have finished around Contador on that stage! Added to the is the fact that he had very little form either....he won the ToC against a weak field due in a large part to his TT-he couldn't even stick with Rohan Dennis on the final climb of the queen stage.
I'm not a Wiggo hater, I just wish that people would be a bit more realistic about where he's at currently. Yes he would have done a job at the Tour, but no way would he have been capable of a podium going by his results of late.
He'd have been closer than Froome or Porte are.
weeksy - MemberHe'd have been closer than Froome or Porte are.
Because he's immune to crashes or illness?
Because he's immune to crashes or illness?
Of course not, it wasn't a guarantee, but in simple terms, Froome ain't there and Porte hasn't turned up, so for Wiggins to be Sky's number 1, wouldn't have been beyond the realms of possibility that's for sure.
Was Richie Porte ever a credible number two? No
Was Sir Bradley a credible number two? Yes
Porte's been ill for a good chunk of the season and struggled in the Dauphine, I thought he might have to miss the Tour but DB knows better. I suppose Froome put pressure on for him too.
No.2 - dunno but good enough to be in the squad surely? Then someone for the TT though Froome is a pretty good TTer and maybe on stage 5 though was wet in the end which might have upset him. Most of the Sky team seem to have been anonymous this year - nice to see G doing well at times though. I wanted to see Swifty there as he's done well this year and could contest the sprints.
Would Brad have ridden no2 for anyone?
I think the Sky team have looked pretty weak this Tour. OK having lost the leader is bound to get you down, but look at Tinkoff Saxo. There seem to have been several very strong teams and with more options than plan A.
Oh and I agree that having Wiggo in would have made no difference.
Does make me wonder how his personality will fit into a team pursuit squad.
The rumor is Richie has been suffering with a chest infection which would explain a lot. He is strong enough to play up in those mountains normally.
Should Brad have been there, yes but as team leader for a team that was behind him, no other team carried a GC plan B.
I know Froome crashed out. But seriously, a pro rider crashing out on a straight flat road. Surely staying rubber side down is a bit of a pre requisit for a pro rider?
Not riding over pebbles whilst eating lunch too - eh Bertie?
Accidents happen.
Peter Kennaugh has more reason to be pissed off than Brad about selection.
Porte on form would be a credible No2. He has had a lot of bad luck this season but we don't know what form he showed in training to earn his position in the team for this year.
Noddy question, and forgive it if it's stupid, but talking about plan Bs, etc. Does any team go in with a rider other than the leader who could win the GC? Clearly, neither Sky nor Tinkoff have anyone capable of challenging once their leaders are gone. Has this happened (in recent memory, when teams, and chief lieutenants seem to "win" their leader the tour)? As I understand it, plan B might be to go for the odd stage win with a climber or a sprinter...fair enough, but having two GC riders? (I accept that if Wiggins had crashed out the year he won, Froome may have won it, but without an equivalent of himself, would he?)
As for Wiggins, my own opinion is that he's been an awesome cyclist for many years and I feel that Sky shat on him a bit this year. I find some of what he says a bit annoying sometimes, but let's face it, he's a sportsman, not a diplomat.
I know Froome crashed out. But seriously, a pro rider crashing out on a straight flat road. Surely staying rubber side down is a bit of a pre requisit for a pro rider?
@chrismac - I think he crashed as his had had been broken the day before when he was taken out in the peleton and he couldn't hold onto the bike properly. I imagine the thought of the cobbles coming up where playing on his mind.
@captain_slow - agreed entirely
Does any team go in with a rider other than the leader who could win the GC?
Well there aren't many top GC riders though Sky of course had Froome and Wiggo in 2012 with many saying Froome was the stronger rider.
Does any team go in with a rider other than the leader who could win the GC?
No, usually teams can only afford one GC rider, occasionaly a super domestique is able to hang until the very end and shortly after they'll leave to be team leader somewhere else. Cannondale had Nibali and Kreuzinger a few years ago who were both coming through strongly at the same time, but neither was a seasoned pro or one of the very top GC riders at the time.
The last time I can remember two riders trying to lead the team it was Contador and Armstrong, which didn't go well for Armstrong.
Well there aren't many top GC riders though Sky of course had Froome and Wiggo in 2012 with many saying Froome was the stronger rider.
Yes, I take your point. Either of them could have won that year having the other as lieutenant. But if Wiggins had crashed out, could Froome have won it on his own? (I suppose this will be down to opinion mostly.)
EDIT: Ah indeed whatnobeer, though I think Armstrong was "joint" leading on reputation only wasn't he? He wasn't in any shape to win that year (all other dodgy goings-on aside of course.)
well of course he could have won it (and should), as he came second! says it all really, although he should have really won it by rights in the mountains himself
though I think Armstrong was "joint" leading on reputation only wasn't he? He wasn't in any shape to win that year (all other dodgy goings-on aside of course.)
Pretty much how most people saw it, but I suspect Armstrong himself didn't see it that way 😛
well of course he could have won it (and should), as he came second! says it all really, although he should have really won it by rights in the mountains himself
Not really. If you take one or other out of the equation at any point it would of effected how the mountain stages played out, one less lieutenant to help out etc . I'd be more inclined to say the Froome could of won without Wiggins than the other way around though.
well of course he could have won it (and should), as he came second!
Could he though? If Wiggins had crashed out on the second or third stage? He'd have had to do a lot on his own. Second place to your team leader does not mean you'd have come first if the he wasn't at the top of the podium. (Sorry, not trying to be argumentative. 😛 )
Nibbles was only a shade under three minutes behind Froome wasn't he? So, I'd imagine if Froome had had to step up after stage 2 or 3, that gap might be a lot closer?
Maybe now he is financially secure he is just doing what he wants to do rather than what he needs/is expected to do?
On a side note, i loved watching Nibbles tramping away from the oppostion in a 'proper gear' as opposed to the 2000rpm you get from Froome which is not at all impressive 8)
Does any team go in with a rider other than the leader who could win the GC?
forgive my vagueness but there was one who raced his team leader against orders and won was it le mond against hinault?
he was racing the team
Look, I didn't want to get personal because all pro cyclists are at a level of athleticism and ability that is to be revered, but surely the sky squad would have been stronger if Sir Bradley and young Kennaugh were there in place of Zandio and Pate?
Sir Bradley could have been managed into being a super domestique with the opportunity to step up as team leader should anything have happened to Froome.
Porte (whilst being a fantastic mountain domestique and deserving the same respect as any other rider) has done nothing in a grand tour to suggest that he is a potential GC winner.
Second place to your team leader does not mean you'd have come first if the he wasn't at the top of the podium.
I'm not sure about that - did Wiggins help Froome? Froome last quite a bit of time in the 1st week due to bad luck and Froome waiting for Wiggo at times so I reckon he was the better rider and maybe could have made up the time he lost if allowed.
Froome was grandstanding when he ‘dropped’ Wiggins, he knew very well that his attack would only last a few seconds before he was told to back off.
forgive my vagueness but there was one who raced his team leader against orders and won was it le mond against hinault?
Possibly, I meant more in recent years, when the concept of lone ranger has kinda long gone. I'm not sure you can win these days without a team to support, ya reckon?
Porte (whilst being a fantastic mountain domestique and deserving the same respect as any other rider) has done nothing in a grand tour to suggest that he is a potential GC winner.
There had been talk of Porte leaving Sky to lead his own team towards the tail end of last year. He had a bad day last year supporting Froome but he looked very capable in the roll of super domestique. He's also won the Paris-Nice and finished 2nd in the Tour of the Basque Country and the Dauhpine. Not bad going. He's obviously ill or something at the moment because he would not normally have capitulated so badly.
Froome was always going to struggle on the cobbles (in the end he didn't even make it to them). He's not a good bike handler (he's crashed a lot this year).
To think Wiggins couldn't offer anything to the team is complete madness. Why take Porte as your plan b/wingman if he's been ill most of the season?
The decision not to take Wiggins by Brailsford reminds me of when Graham Taylor took Gary Lineker off in his last match for England, spiteful and uncalled for.
Bottom line is it doesnt matter if someone gives you a better plan B if they detract from plan A.
I'm not sure you can win these days without a team to support, ya reckon?
It would be very very hard to do so currently but not impossible [ damn close though say England winning the world cup on penalties that level]
thing is a GQ rider would always be with a team capable of supporting them.
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