2013 TDF

Ed Moss · Post by **Ed Moss** » 06 May 2013 14:50

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/brailsf ... nce-leader

So will Wiggins either be a "bit tired" and pull out of the TDF, support Froome or ride for himself?
Can't really imagine him hammering himself for Froome?

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 06 May 2013 15:28

Sensible decision by Brailsford.

rdleaper · Post by **rdleaper** » 06 May 2013 20:45

Ed Moss wrote:http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/brailsf ... nce-leader

So will Wiggins either be a "bit tired" and pull out of the TDF, support Froome or ride for himself?
Can't really imagine him hammering himself for Froome?

I think he may have to support Froome, at least initially. Mind you Froome lost virtually no time to him in the mountains but couldn't match his TT ability in TdF 2012. If Brad can support Froome in the mountains but still beat him in TTs maybe he could win it anyway?? Depends what his "lieutenant" duties take out of him.

On another point I seem to remember Froome losing a load of time in an early stage (Boulogne?) getting a **flat** just before the uphill finish and losing about 1:40 - if I'm right then without that mishap he'd have finished much closer to Wiggins in GC? Yep just checked and losing 1:41 meant he was 2:07 behind before final time trial, rather than 0:26, and would've led after stage 7.

HAZBRO · Post by **HAZBRO** » 08 May 2013 19:31

Froome can just leave wiggo in the mountains now to suffer pretty much, as Froome had to wait for wiggo on stage 17 when valvede won, its not like wiggo was waiting for porte and co in the mountains, so they just left em, and as froomes the leader, wiggo's just another domestique, so basically hes a slave

On another note theres been a update from Andy Schleck,
check this out,

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/04/ ... ear_280623

sadly he wil not be competing to win the tour

laurence_cooley · Post by **laurence_cooley** » 08 May 2013 22:07

HAZBRO wrote:Froome can just leave wiggo in the mountains now to suffer pretty much, as Froome had to wait for wiggo on stage 17 when valvede won, its not like wiggo was waiting for porte and co in the mountains, so they just left em, and as froomes the leader, wiggo's just another domestique, so basically hes a slave

What about the time trials though? If Wiggins makes up any time he loses in the mountains in those, it's not quite as simple. They can hardly order him to go slower in the time-trial stages, can they?

rdleaper · Post by **rdleaper** » 08 May 2013 22:18

laurence_cooley wrote:
HAZBRO wrote:Froome can just leave wiggo in the mountains now to suffer pretty much, as Froome had to wait for wiggo on stage 17 when valvede won, its not like wiggo was waiting for porte and co in the mountains, so they just left em, and as froomes the leader, wiggo's just another domestique, so basically hes a slave
What about the time trials though? If Wiggins makes up any time he loses in the mountains in those, it's not quite as simple. They can hardly order him to go slower in the time-trial stages, can they?

That's the big question. If he can stick around in the mountains like Froome did last year he could still win as a domestique, effectively. If he can't he could easily lose several minutes on one bad day and be left with no chance.

My gut feeling is he won't quite have it after Giro exertions but it depends on how well he can prepare in the month or so in between the two.

HAZBRO · Post by **HAZBRO** » 08 May 2013 22:29

rdleaper wrote:
laurence_cooley wrote:
HAZBRO wrote:Froome can just leave wiggo in the mountains now to suffer pretty much, as Froome had to wait for wiggo on stage 17 when valvede won, its not like wiggo was waiting for porte and co in the mountains, so they just left em, and as froomes the leader, wiggo's just another domestique, so basically hes a slave
What about the time trials though? If Wiggins makes up any time he loses in the mountains in those, it's not quite as simple. They can hardly order him to go slower in the time-trial stages, can they?
That's the big question. If he can stick around in the mountains like Froome did last year he could still win as a domestique, effectively. If he can't he could easily lose several minutes on one bad day and be left with no chance.

My gut feeling is he won't quite have it after Giro exertions but it depends on how well he can prepare in the month or so in between the two.

Laurence, I honestly think they can just order him to go slower or swing off out the back that's what he's getting paid for its in the contract and anyway, Wiggins can't suddenly decide to win the tour as the other 7 team mates will be all bowing down to Froome , remember Armstrong and Contador, well Armstrong good time trialist, slaughtered in the mountains, that might be the way for Wiggins, as he will be working on the front this time around not Froome I think, and Froome will be allot fitter as Richard said about the Giro so he stands higher as the Giro is a grand tour only tougher than the tour according to BBC, So to battle it out in two grand tours is quite a challenge, so we need to take into account the shear monster the giro is, its not some 'side race' its a Grand tour!!!

laurence_cooley · Post by **laurence_cooley** » 08 May 2013 23:01

I think it's much more likely that Wiggins won't be in contention at the Tour because of his focus on trying to win the Giro than him being ordered not to beat Froome in a TT. In 20 years of watching professional cycling, I can't remember anyone being ordered off of the back. He might be made to do the work on the front and then get dropped, but forcing him to lose time would just be an admission that Froome wasn't as quick as him.

George · Post by **George** » 09 May 2013 08:51

In all probability, Wiggo will be knackered or won't have the form to challenge Froome. If that's the case, I expect him to make a token effort to help in the train, and try to salvage a little glory by winning the TTs. However, if Wiggo arrives at the Tour with some form, it's hard to image him really putting his back into leading Froome up the lower slopes of the big climbs, thus jeopardising his own GC chances, regardless of what the team plan might supposedly be. However, if he tries to freeload on the mountain train and limit any losses to what he thinks he can regain in the TTs, it's bound to lead to recriminations and the team could disintegrate.

It's all a bit unseemly, but fascinating in a voyeuristic way.

Ed Moss · Post by **Ed Moss** » 17 May 2013 08:42

Looks like Froome will have a super-domestique come July, who isn't exhausted from the Giro....The media will have a field day for the next few weeks...

Ed Moss · Post by **Ed Moss** » 27 Jun 2013 15:54

July 18th http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-18

Possible Cav and a few others could finish out of the time limit if it really kicks off on the first ascent?

rdleaper · Post by **rdleaper** » 27 Jun 2013 22:40

Ed Moss wrote:July 18th http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-18

Possible Cav and a few others could finish out of the time limit if it really kicks off on the first ascent?

Well, it'll definitely be a toughie but that's possibly why there won't be any big attacks from GC contenders on the first ascent. The risks of attacking and getting away, and then suffering big time on the second ascent, are too big. And with Sky (amongst others) preferring to pace their way back to breakaway attempts, it'll be difficult to get away in the first place, so Contador et al may save their energy for the end.

Would be good to see though!

HAZBRO · Post by **HAZBRO** » 27 Jun 2013 23:02

Cavs battle hardened now, he's ready for anything, stage 18 from tdf 2011 was quite nasty,

but in the mean time

hello hello hello , whos this, finally decided to show up ey!

he's released a new video as well! check it out here! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Uf1_TUhwc

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