[Closed] Bradley Wiggins !

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?

@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?

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?

thing is a GQ rider would always be with a team capable of supporting them.

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