Sir Bradley Wiggins says he is "gutted" at the prospect of missing this year's Tour de France, which starts in Yorkshire four weeks tomorrow. Wiggins, who in 2012 became the first Briton to win cycling's biggest race, told BBC Breakfast that "as things stand" he will not be at the start in Leeds – a situation that will change only if illness or injury prevents defending champion Chris Froome from racing.
Speaking to the programme’s presenters Charlie Stayt and Sally Nugent, Wiggins said: “As it stands I won’t be there.
“The team is focused around Chris Froome, the defending champion, who’s got a great chance of winning his second Tour, and it’s been decided that as things stand they’re going to base the team around him.
“So unfortunately I won’t be there but there will be plenty to cheer about – Mark Cavendish has got a great chance of taking the yellow jersey on day one, and it’s going to be a huge celebration.”
Stayt asked Wiggins, given his accomplishments, why Sky wouldn’t want him in the team.
“A lot of it is you have the leader, then eight guys supporting that leader,” Wiggins said. “A lot of times the guys who support the leader are almost good enough to win in their own right, as we saw a couple of years ago with myself and Chris.
“Chris has gone on to win the Tour and as defending champion has a say in who he has around him and he’s had guys who go to all his training camps and build-up races throughout the year, his group of riders.
“I’ve been following a different path, I went to Paris-Roubaix earlier in the year and tried to attempt something different there, I went to the Tour of California a month ago and won there.
“So we’ve been on different paths and as it gets closer to the Tour, Dave Brailsford, the manager, decides who’s best fitted to do that job.
“Myself and Chris haven’t raced all year together," he added.
Stayt put it to Wiggins: “You’re being very diplomatic about this but it’s hard to think from the outside you’re not absolutely gutted?”
“I’m gutted. I’ve worked extremely hard for this all winter, and right through the summer up to California and winning that, I feel I’m in the form I was in two years ago at the 2012 Tour de France.
“But I also understand that cycling is a team sport and at the end of the day about the team winning and that team is Team Sky and Chris is the defending champion.”
“There is this race on now in France and barring any injury to Chris there if he crashes or whatever then there will still be a chance I could come into the team, as the set-up of the team changes.
"But as it stands, Chris staying fit and healthy, then the team will roll out of Harrogate [sic].”
Asked if he was angry at Froome, whose autobiography is published this week, questioning his mental strength at the 2012 Tour, Wiggins said: “Not really. Books get written all the time particularly in this day and age in cycling and there seems to be a different book out every week.
“It’s two years ago now, everyone has a different view on how things happened.
“I think one of the things with the Tour de France is you’re on the road for one month with a group of guys and you’re going to have different emotions, different days, different mood swings.
“A very good friend of mine from the rugby world summed it up, he said ‘I don’t know how you do it, I can do it for 90 minutes, I can’t do it for four weeks’ – so I think that sums it up for me,” he concluded.
Wiggins’ contract with Sky expires at the end of the season, a fact not lost on others within the sport.
How can Bradley Wiggins to end up being in yellow jersey? Sign with @tinkoff_saxo and wear all year long 🙂
— Oleg Tinkov (@olegtinkov) June 6, 2014
116 thoughts on ““Gutted” – Sir Bradley Wiggins confirms he won’t ride Tour de France”
This is an unbelievable
This is an unbelievable shame. He deserves more respect than this. Put me in the ABF camp (Anyone But Froome).
I’d love to see Brad at Garmin next year.
Pauldmorgan wrote:This is an
Can I sell you some time shares in the Ukraine please?
This is simple to decipher. Sky has picked Froome over Wiggo to be the GC contender. They pay the salaries and they have the numbers so that’s their choice to make. Wiggo could be in that set up. The fact is that he’s a prima donna. And he won’t ride for Froome. He’s almost certianly been asked over and over to join that TdF team. If anything happened to Froome he would be a good replacement.
I will always repect Wiggo and remember him fondly for winning the TdF. Joining a cyccling club and racing in the 70’s the idea that British rider could do anything more than maybe win a stage or two was too much even to hope for. So chapeau to Wiggo for that. But his behaviour since has been less than exemplary. Especially in relation to Froome.
As for the interview and the comment “as it stands” he’s clearly still hoping to change a performance based decision with an appeal to public opinion. Clever and political but not the stuff of champions really is it?
Pauldmorgan wrote:
I’d love
More chance of me riding for Garmin than Wiggins.
Don’t forget that he left them for Sky having described them as “Wiggan to Sky’s Man Utd”
David Millar retires this year but is still a co-owner of Garmin and they have a history, Wiggins being critical of Millar’s doping past without recognising the effort he has put in to make amends (ok, it’s still a fair point) even though Millar sacrificed a portion of his salary so they could give Wiggins the pay rise he demanded following his 4th in 2009.
Bradley is being very hard
Bradley is being very hard done by. Is it too late for him to ride for another team this season I wonder ?
I hope Froome gets his arse kicked in Le Tour.
Good on him for taking it on
Good on him for taking it on the chin, no throwing his toys or whatever. I can’t help thinking though that all this achieves is that one of the world’s best won’t be at the biggest race.
I hope this has been a purely rational decision made by DB and not a call made by CF as a result of all the digs at each other.
notfastenough wrote:Good on
This interview is him throwing his toys out of the pram.
He looks absolutely gutted.
He looks absolutely gutted. Who wouldn’t be when you’ve been dumped on and Sky have dumped on Wiggins just like they did Cav, but Cav got out. Wiggins should shave seen the writing on the wall and got out last year irrespective of contract.
Airzound wrote:Sky have
No they haven’t, they’ve selected the best team to win the Tour. It’s not a popularity contest or a parade of the riders you happen to like.
You choose the best team to win based on the parcours, the team commitments throughout the year, the racing history of each rider and the chances they have to contribute and commit to the goal of getting the team leader to the finish in yellow.
Is your name Dave?
Is your name Dave?
Can not Believe that Sir Brad
Can not Believe that Sir Brad is not going to the Tour. Absolutely ridiculous. I think the power has gone to Brailsfords head. Still plenty of other teams out there for Sir Brad.
Gotta love that tweet from
Gotta love that tweet from Oleg Tinkov. But this shame tho as the public love Sir Wiggins and to not race on home soil is a blunder for the sport. This is Wiggins choice I’m sure of it, as he will not be the team leader. I hope he doesn’t cry so much when he is racing for that Australian team.
“To an outsider, unfamiliar
“To an outsider, unfamiliar with how teams work, it probably seems bizarre that a rider would have to persuade his team to try to allow him to win the biggest race in the sport.”
~Chris Froome
Tinkov might have a point,
Tinkov might have a point, Rogers, Roche, Majka etc al Wiggins looks a good team to me. Contador may go for the Giro next year, Wiggins has one more road year in him before RIO, which will prob see him refocus on track. Maybe he still got the Vuelta this year if he’s up for that along with the Worlds.
Im gutted for Wiggo!
Its a
Im gutted for Wiggo!
Its a massive shame that he wont be there on the start line on home soil for both himself and the public who wanted to see him race the tour!!
For me, Sky and the TDF will
For me, Sky and the TDF will be a lot less interesting this year. So many of us tend to support riders, not teams. Would be good to see Froome win again of course but for whatever reason 2013 was nothing like seeing Wiggins win in 2012, that was just magical.
Obvious choice by the
Obvious choice by the management at sky. It is all about having one leader and team he trusts completely. Given froome and wiggins don’t get on and it is all about froome winning then leaving him out is key to this success. It doesn’t matter how good brad is, if he isn’t a team player in that team, then he is not helping overall success. I think the spats between them in the past, such as taking about year to pay froome his share of tour winning spoils, shows the relationship. What goes around comes around too. Makes complete sense, you don’t want a team full of captains and leaders.
I honestly dislike Froome’s
I honestly dislike Froome’s attitude towards Bradley since two years ago. He seems to have an ego that damages those around him. I know many will disagree, yet I feel Sky could have done better with Wiggo. Hope he finds a team that supports him, Tinkoff-Saxo or any other. Just as mentioned before Cav struggled at Sky and he seems to be happy now at OPQS, hope Brad can do the same.
Matt_Z wrote:I honestly
Cav only struggled at Sky because Sky are a GC team not a sprint team. You can only have one leader and Sky have decided that leader should be Froome. I also think that Froome is a better prospect for Yellow than Wiggo.
It’s a shame for the
It’s a shame for the publicity of the tour – Wiggo is a legend!
But, as others have said, it’s about Froome having the best possible team to go up against Contador (Who is looking dangerous!) and Wiggo obviously isn’t seen by Froome and Brailsford as being the man – simple as.
Personally i think Sky will be missing a trick, with the TT being the penultimate stage (if Froome has a poor show, could be taken advantage of by Contador et al) Wiggo could have been Sky’s saving grace due to his quality TT skills. But, if DB and CF are confident in the rest of the squad then fair enough!
Still going to be a great tour.
P.s. Wiggo could be in with a
P.s. Wiggo could be in with a great chance in the Vuelta this year anyway!
JackBuxton wrote:P.s. Wiggo
Totally agree with you there mate, i think Brailsford has said “your not doing the tour but we want you to lead the team at the Vuelta” which for any rider would be a massive buzz being team leader at a GT.
Christ, some of the comments
Christ, some of the comments on here are so bloody childish. Look at what Wiggo said in his interview. He is undoubtedly gutted but he is being very professional about it. Froome is the guy who has been the focus of the team and you don’t win the TdF without a damn good team and Wiggo has clearly stated that if he was to be part of that team now, it could throw the whole team dynamics out of sync.
I don’t see how Sky have done
I don’t see how Sky have done anything other than make a very rational decision based on team dynamics and performance. Wiggo is a great rider but would have been an unsettling force within the team despite all the reassurances to the contrary.
Sky dumping on Cav? How does that work out? He was paid handsomely, was let off a break clause that could have cost millions and then went on to make a great deal of money at OPQS. He knew exactly what Sky’s focus would be in the tour as they clearly stated GC as their main objective when they setup in the first place. The problem with many riders (like many top sportsmen/women) is their fragile egos and it takes a lot of adjustment going from The Mr Big to A.N.Other Mr Big.
In Brailsford I trust. He’s
In Brailsford I trust. He’s the boss. Wiggins is a difficult character who obviously hasn’t been willing to become a team player. Cycling is a team sport as he says himself.
given all team sky’s work on
given all team sky’s work on extracting every possible gain, I would have thought they would have looked at everything with regards to assembling this team, they obv don’t feel its the best fit in the team dynamic – brailsford understands wiggins and has a long term working relationship with him so probably knows him far better than the people on this forum and has an understanding about who he would impact the TdF sky team; so all this talk of keyboard warriors suggesting Braislford is making a huge mistake, as if he hasn’t given this full thought is a little rediculous.
As a casual observer, there is plenty of stuff to suggest he is a good enough rider but also to suggest Wiggins will choose who he rides and commits to/for, as seen at the worlds champs last year as opposed to 2011 WC – so within the team management envirionemnt this may be even more preverlent.
It is and was supposed to be about the team and team leader and plenty of people who supported wiggins and have been team mates for him seem determined to turn themselves inside out for both froome or wiggins so you have to suggests froome isn’t that bad of a person/team mate, and neither is wiggins – though it appears froome and wiggins are like oil and water.
Quote: This interview is him
I disagree. Have you seen the interview? He was answering the questions put to him calmly and without placing blame anywhere. No toys visible.
I feel that this interview was either;
a) Just a part of his contract / TDF team negotiations with Sky. (is he still managed by that company he signed up to early last year?)
OR
b) Wiggins trying to set the expectations with media and public before the TDF team is announced. Better a nice friendly chat with some (non cycling specific) journalists where he can tell his story rather than having to deal with it all over the Tour Swiss
OR
c) Both of the above
Must be Mad wrote:Quote: This
Agreed, talk of Wiggins throwing his toys out of the pram is utter nonsense. He’s been calm, polite and professional about this and is possibly going to come out of this looking the better out of the two in many peoples eyes.
This is going to play out to many casual observers that the first British rider to win the Tour De France is being shunted out of a British team on the year the Tour comes to Britain by a Kenyan. Depressingly red top fodder.
I think Froome is the best candidate for Sky in terms of a GC winner, but the way this has played out isn’t really pleasant, a lot of fans are going to feel somewhat cheated by Wiggins’ non-appearance but Sky need to keep winning races, not popularity contests so these decisions need to be made.
It’s a pity there is no way he could sign to another team, even on a short term loan deal as I also would love to see him ride the tour again.
Actually, if we are heading in to fantasy land, I wish there was some sort of loop hole that ASO or the UCI had missed that would allow him to ride as a touriste-routier. The idea of Wiggins riding the tour on his own, blagging help from the other non-Sky teams along the way would be magical. Ridiculous and in no way possible on any level, but magical none the less.
Must be Mad wrote:Quote: This
One thing about interviews with any kind of celebrity is that they have a choice. Wiggo could talk to the cycling and sports press and that filters into the main news. It gets filtered through the prism of analysis by specialist journalists. Or you can go on breakfast telly and talk straight to the public about “as it stands I am not in the team and I am gutted.” and then we are talking about Wiggo
No need to do that interview at all inless you wanted to create a “Wiggo for the TdF” bandwagon.
Here’s the code “as it stands” means “not a done deal if I can help it”.
It differs substantially from. “That’s the final decision”.
See?
Wouldn’t it be a good idea to
Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have Wiggins as a backup for Froome? Everyone knows how quickly a race can be over due to crashes or illness. Perhaps the choice was made over relationships and potential tension in the group rather than racing ability, which would’ve maybe have had negative knock-on effects on performance? Either way, I’m very impressed with the way Wiggins spoke in that interview. You could tell he was gutted but he stayed professional. A great role model for the sport!
It does look as if Wiggins is
It does look as if Wiggins is a difficult character or ‘mercurial’. Rod ellingworth’s autobiograhoy is worth a read about the how they flexed british cycling/sky’s systems for him. Looks like they have reach the point in his career and they see they have other riders that they dont need to accomodate hims anymore if they cant trust hes 100% behind froome.
having said that though I am still suprised based on form, hes probably been one of skys best riders this year, has consistently said he would work for froome and could realy do a job towing the train on the lower slopes and flats (and cobbles!) this year, esp. with Stannard injured.
the 2013 Brad i would have had no sympathy but 2014 Brad i am suprised and dissapointed for him.
I am amazed at how
I am amazed at how anti-wiggins so many of these comment are.
Based on what?
Pre-madonna… How and when?
I personally think Wiggins has been royally done over by Sky since his tour win.
I get it, from a sporting perspective, the safe bet is Froome. In that case, why not just be upfront and get rid of Wiggins? Seems to me they have had him hanging on in the sidelines in case it all went tits up with Froomedog.
Britains first TDF winner deserves more than he has received in team support.
As for being a pre-madonna, if by that, you mean trying to assert himself as a leader, then yeah maybe… for instance, how dare he get upset that one of his deputees ignored team orders after all…
… but imagine, you’ve just won the biggest annual sporting event in the world, and then your bosses say ‘thanks for that, now could I have two sugars in my tea please, tea boy?’
Its not right.
Jimmy Ray Will wrote:I am
+1
Jimmy Ray Will wrote:
I get
You’ve sort of answered your own question there haven’t you?
It’s not just about the tour. They might rate a team built around Froome without Wiggins a better bet for this particular race than one including him but that doesn’t mean they suddenly have no use for Wiggins or that they don’t rate him at all.
As pointed out above, Brailsford’s job is to arrange his squads the best way he can to do well in the events they’re targeting, and that’s it.
BTW folks. If you’re going to
BTW folks. If you’re going to start calling someone a ‘prima donna’, please learn how to spell it.
andyp wrote:BTW folks. If
Yeah, I was wondering what Madonna had to do with this. Didn’t think she was into cycling.
stenmeister wrote:andyp
Has she been into any cyclists? Who knew?
OldRidgeback
Has she been into any cyclists? Who knew?— andyp
Perhaps that would explain the fingerless gloves in the 80s?
OldRidgeback
Has she been into any cyclists? Who knew?— andyp
The question is, have any cyclists been in her…
Anyway. Wiggo; Vuelta = much awesome, many wow!!! Vuelta is the most exciting GT by far, and the prospect of him going for it there is making me forget all about July.
andyp wrote:BTW folks. If
Thanks for that… genuinely I’ve always wondered, and now I know. And who says forums aren’t useful!
andyp wrote:BTW folks. If
If you mean me ( I think it was me that made that comment first) it was spelled correctly.
After that a person commenting on my comment mis spelled it.
Ipso facto I called Wiggo a prima donna and spelled it right. The person saying i was was wrong about that spelled it wrong.
And he is both a great cyclist, a great character but also a bit of a bike thrower and a prima donna.
I refer you to exhibit A
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/prima-donna?showCookiePolicy=true
“2 (informal) a temperamental person”
Sorted
Might just have been playing
Might just have been playing the ironic card, clearly as Bradley is a Mod there is no question about The Who part, well pre-dating her Madge, don’t you recognise the cunningly worn Parka. Mark my words he’ll be signing for team Lambretta in a couple of strokes.
ABF? ABS.
Terrible, terrible
ABF? ABS.
Terrible, terrible decision. Hope that someone buys out his contract and lets him ride.
‘obviously hasn’t been willing to become a team player.’
That being levelled at Wiggins, rather than Froome, is hilarious.
I am as sad as most people in
I am as sad as most people in this thread that Wiggo is very unlikely to make the team this year. However, Sky’s intention has been very clear from its inception: to win the TdF.
As stated elsewhere in this thread, the team is not there to provide a parade of the most popular riders, and Sky has demonstrated clearly that it will do what it believes will give the best chance of winning, irrespective of who likes it or not.
Given what these guys put themselves through, it seems entirely reasonable to ensure the team leader feels 100% comfortable that every other man is working entirely for him, has complete confidence in their support, and has good understanding of how they tick and of their capabilities. The last thing the team leader needs is any niggling doubt about one of his most vital support men. If Wiggo wanted to be CF’s primary support for the TdF this year, I would have thought it would have made sense for him to be training shoulder-to-shoulder with CF throughout the year to instil in him a deep confidence that he would be his right hand man, no matter what.
It would be fantastic to see Wiggo in this year’s TdF. It would be great for the sport (esp. in the UK), and for the UK fans. And despite his behaviour in the last couple of years, I am still more of a fan of BW than CF, who I can’t quite warm to.
However, as a Brit, I will continue to support Sky throughout the TdF this year. I will still avidly following each stage and hope to see CF on the top step in Paris (or one of his lieutenants if some unfortunate accident were to befall him on the way).
I hope that Wiggo wins Tour of Switzerland, and has the opportunity to go on and win the Vuelta.
Good luck team Sky.
Tjuice wrote: The last thing
Yeah, I guess Wiggo felt the same way before Froome attacked him in the 2012, then denied that was what had happened, before revealing in his autobiography excerpts that it was pre-planned and that he and Michelle were poring over his contract to see whether it would be allowed?
Both Wiggins and Froome seem awkward characters, but it is obvious that Froome now controls what is going on at Sky. In a choice between an on form Wiggins and one legged Porte then best-mate Richie will always get the nod.
For me, Sky and the TDF will
Exactly.
It ‘d be BMC, done deal
It ‘d be BMC, done deal surely? 🙂
Quote: I think Froome is the
It is rather interesting that Froome seems so ….. threatened by Wiggins this year??
The decision not to ride
The decision not to ride Wiggins is ‘business’, not ’emotion’. Its about selcetcing a team that can get Froome to win. its a shame he isn’t riding but Sky are just making a logical rational decisionm; could you imagine them doing anything else?
One day it will be Froome who is seeemingly ‘dumped’ when a younger, better rider emerges: that may not be for five years; it could be next. This professional sport; everyone gets ‘dumped’ in the end.
Personally, I’m disappointed,
Personally, I’m disappointed, it won’t be as good a Tour without him (for me).
Also is it not a missed marketing opportunity for sky. With Froome and Wiggins in the team, irrespective of what’s going on in the actual race, ‘Sky’ would be in the headlines every day over how the state of their special relationship is progressing. Unless it’s all part of the master plan, and he’ll get miraculously drafted at the last minute in a whirlpool of drama and intrigue.
Here’s hoping.
Pre-Madonna ? would that be
Pre-Madonna ? would that be Diana Ross, Cher and Tina Turner 😉
The tour would be better to
The tour would be better to watch with Wiggo in it, but only if they let him compete. Watching Froome supported by Wiggo isn’t really what I want to watch anyway, I’d much rather see them go head to head next year along with all the other contenders that no doubt will give Froome a good run for his money this year.
Chris Froome is a great bike
Chris Froome is a great bike rider but he needs to keep it shut now and concentrate on riding a bike.
Wiggins is showing a different side to his character which is good.
He needs to leave SKY, ride the tour next year which would be great to watch, ride Rio, then retire.
Froome definitely need to
Froome definitely need to shut it now and get on with it. Great bike rider, but I don’t have much respect for those who try to belittle others.
peteforde wrote:Froome
So you have come on and made the most random comment ever …..
At what point in wiggos interview has froome belittled him? 8}
What a ruddy shame. It could
What a ruddy shame. It could have been awe inspiring watching them ride together, pouncing on each others weaknesses, fake smiles and pats on the back. I think it makes Sky look really ruddy terrible not allowing a Tour De France winner ride. Balls to them
Why has Wiggo got a
Why has Wiggo got a stethoscope round his neck in the picture… 😕
Because he’s a MOD of course,
Because he’s a MOD of course, they all had Stethoscopes in Quadrophenia. 😉
I am currently massively
I am currently massively gutted about this but have since cheered up thinking that he will lead the squad in the Vuelta D’Espana.
You cant comfortably have two GC contenders in a team, just think of the Armstrong/Contador controversy at Astana.
Hopefully Froome will Pi$$ off in search of more dollar next year.
I don’t think he’ll be able
I don’t think he’ll be able to get more money anywhere else in the peloton, unless Alonso’s team have Qatari royalty backing them!
I’m not sure you’re right
I’m not sure you’re right unclebadger.
SKY were first and second with these two riders in 2012.
And Hinault and Lemond were first and second respectively in 1985 and then the other way around in 1986.
So it can be done.
The surprising thing is that Brailsford has let Froome pick the team, by in effect giving him a right to veto Wiggins.
I reckon that Michelle Cound
I reckon that Michelle Cound should put her legs where her mouth is and get herself a bike and get into the Sky squad for the tour. Brailsford will probably let her have a go. Last ‘man’ in the string before Froome!
Seriously though, the Cound is most likely to be the stealth-bomber behind all the unrest at Sky, rather than Froome himself.
Wiggo, get out of Sky as soon as you can and try to take your loyal lieutenants with you.
I wonder why this interview
I wonder why this interview wasn’t on Sky news
😕
Brailsford will live to
Brailsford will live to regret this I think. As much as Brad is a bit of a bellend, he’s clearly back to near top form at the moment and would bring more to the team than a lot of the other rumoured squad. Letting personal politics get in the way of taking the best team possible to le tour is a mistake. Either Brailsford is loosing his touch, or Froome has him so tightly wrapped around his finger that he’s been able to veto riding with Brad through fear of an internal challenge for ‘his’ malliot juane.
Having watched the video I
Having watched the video I think he comes across well. He is polite, sensible and seems to be honest about the situation. As for Froome, I don’t see any issue with him. He seems a little less interesting a character than Wiggins but that’s by the by, as for exciting racing. I think his attacks on the hills last year were far more interesting than watching the whole Sky team ride tempo up the hills to keep Wiggins safe from attacks.
I like his anorak
Stay tuned
I like his anorak
Stay tuned for more insightful cycling analysis from me – coming up after this short commercial break.
Anybody else noticed that
Anybody else noticed that Sergio Henao is currently listed in the Sky Team start list for TdF?
http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Tour_de_France_2014-Startlist
Is he back on the roster?
So you spelled it correctly,
So you spelled it correctly, but another person spelled it incorrectly and you think for some reason that the spelling correction was aimed at you?
I bet you think Carly Simon wrote a song about you.
farrell wrote:I bet you think
She was also pre-Madonna 😉
wwfcb wrote:farrell wrote:I
Oh, is that joke ‘coming around again’?
farrell wrote:wwfcb
Oh, is that joke ‘coming around again’?— farrell
Ouch
I think Wiggins is playing
I think Wiggins is playing this really well. I’ve noticed, though, that he keeps chucking in (including on the BBC this morning) the comment that Froome has the right to be there and lead as defending champion. Now, we all know how things panned out in the end last year and with injuries and what not Wiggins wasn’t in a position to go to the TDF and defend, but there was no way Froome was going to afford him the same right.
I think Froome has pushed it too far in (what I believe is) his attempts to ensure the team is his call, i.e. not including Wiggins. I’m all for backing all the Brits but he’s making it bloody hard this year to back him.
spin sugar wrote:I think
Froome may now have a UK passport, but has he ever actually lived in Britain?
Regardless of whether you
Regardless of whether you prefer Wiggins or Froome, this is a potential PR disaster for Team Sky.
People keep on saying its just business – but this is about as personal as it gets. Cycling is about marketing, and there are many many fans of Wiggo who will be disappointed by this.
Cycling is about the fans and Froome and Team Sky clearly aren’t giving them enough consideration.
I doubt this will go away. TDF history will say that Froome didnt let Wiggins ride the tour.
chapod wrote: TDF history
If Froome wins I don’t think it will.
Chuck wrote:chapod wrote: TDF
Serious fans are interested in more than just who won.
chapod wrote:Chuck
Serious fans are interested in more than just who won.— chapod
Oh, are they? Thanks for letting the rest of us tourists know.
Anyway, rather patronising comment aside you’re right of course, but if Froome wins then I still think that will eclipse internal Sky wranglings- this is a long way from a sort of legendary rivalry IMO.
Tbh considering that less
Tbh considering that less than a week ago db put it to media that nothings set in stone around the tdf squad of 13/14 provisional riders then I think this is def a case ,like 2013, of wiggo taking himself out of the squad because he will have to ride for froome, all be it this time a lot more diplomatically than back then when he really did throw his toys out and didn’t want to ride for anyone other than himself
I just can’t believe what I
I just can’t believe what I am reading, if anything happens to Froome where is the ‘Ace in the Hole’ ?
I just can’t believe what I
I just can’t believe what I am reading, if anything happens to Froome where is the ‘Ace in the Hole’ ?
Zzzzzzzzzz.
Zzzzzzzzzz. (|:
I don’t really care about the
I don’t really care about the theological arguments about personalities, I’m just very sad that one of our greatest cyclists will not be participating in the greatest road race when it is spending a rare few days in England.
Taken the gloss off the TdF for me.
Bollox….. Sky have lost a
Bollox….. Sky have lost a massive PR hit there and it’s a bit of a kick in the nuts for all the fans going to Yorkshire, me included :”(
Oh well, come on Bertie B-)
Regardless of the team
Regardless of the team strategy, leaving out a long serving iconic cyclist who’s in great form just because the team captain doesn’t like him is bad form and reason enough for me to hope team Sky fails miserably.
I’m disappointed, was looking
I’m disappointed, was looking forward to seeing him ride after his ToCali ride, where he looked to me very strong with what seemed a weaker team than would have been expected.
I’m sure there are a lot of other teams who will be happy he won’t be in the Sky team for the tour.
Poor man management is all I
Poor man management is all I can say. The fact that petulant behaviour has been tolerated and sniping has gone on for so long means that here could only be one choice and here we have it. Quite frankly it’s a PR disaster.
Wiggins is and always will be the bigger draw to the crowds as the first British winner and his prior achievements need no introduction. Whatever Froome does achieve (fine cyclist that he is) denying the public why they want to see will be a massive long term own goal for which he will pay over the long term. That said, given he lives in Monaco and doesn’t really pay any tax, he’s probably not too worried about that.
Perhaps we have this all wrong and Brad wouldn’t really play second fiddle. Anyway, it’s a rubbish outcome and not seeing the best riders in the biggest race is crap.
I’m gutted wiggo is not in
I’m gutted wiggo is not in the tour. The door to cycling in this great country has taken a long time to re-open. To win the start of the tour in Yorkshire was and is huge, huge news. To not see britains biggest cycling personality riding it is crazy. This could be have been stratospheric. The shine has gone : ( for me and I bet many others too. I’m too sad to type anymore…
How I would love Brad to ride
How I would love Brad to ride next year and win le tour leaving his African competitor in his wake. Sky have lost my support for treating the first and only british resident to win tour, so badly.
Good point, Beefy. But then,
Good point, Beefy. But then, Brad hasn’t done himself too many favours over the past couple of years. The reports that his team-mates had to wait nine months or more for their money after he won Le Tour don’t sit too well with his ‘man-of-the-people’ image. Nevertheless, I hope he has a good season and that, next year and with a new team, he does even better. What’s more, he will always be the first Englishman to win Le Tour.
I don’t think Wiggins has the
I don’t think Wiggins has the same chance as Froome. Froome can TT nearly as fast and is a class apart on the mountains. He also can look after himself a little more when it comes down to small groups in the mountains which makes the team’s work a little easier.
It is disappointing for Wiggins’ fans not to see him in Yorkshire, but for the team winning is more important and they presumably see themselves as having a stronger line up to support Froome without Wiggins. For once, the PR seems to have taken a back seat to the performance of the team.
I do assume that every one
I do assume that every one above works for Sky and is the person who actually knows all of the facts.
Nope . Guess work and personal preference takes the stage.
A very dignified response
A very dignified response from a Knight of the Realm. Cool, calm and collected.
There’s more to come from Sir Bradley, I’m sure.
Perhaps Froome was worried
Perhaps Froome was worried that Sir Wiggins would come second just one second behind, demonstrating that Sir Wiggo could easily have won.
Well, that has rather spoiled
Well, that has rather spoiled my Saturday morning!
For a a team operated by one of the slickest media operations in the world, this is a shambles. Team Sky should be announcing the TDF squad, not Sir Brad. I never thought I would hear myself say this but I am now going to be pulling for one of the European squads, rather than Sky. Who would I rather see win the GC? A plastic Brit who lives in Monaco (I would much prefer the Brit who lives in Lancashire if I am honest) or the likes of Contador, Nibali et al? My interest has now shifted to the points category and the battle between Cav, Kittel and Sagan.
Wiggo has been very diginified about the way this has been handled and although I have purchased several books about British cycling. I know which one I will be giving a miss.
Perhaps Wiggo will be giving Mr Tinkov’s tweet a second thought! Either that or Alonso, Movistar, Orica’s overtures.
I think it’s those commenting
I think it’s those commenting on how the public will perceive this, particularly with the Tour starting in the UK this year, that have correctly understood the impact of this decision. It seems to me to be a bit of a PR own goal.
As I follow the sport, I understand the team dynamics of cycling and the reason why Wiggo isn’t riding, Joe Public doesn’t and so wonders why the most prominent Britsh rider of recent years isn’t participating in the biggest event in the sport. That’s exactly why he appeared on a mainstream forum like BBC Breakfast to explain what was what.
The fact is that Froome just doesn’t have the same level of non-enthusiast public support as Wiggins does, and I suspect there will be some who won’t now watch the Tour as a result. Niche sports like cycling need their personalities to remain promiment at the highest level to keep the public interested, which in turn helps to keep the public on bikes themselves. I’m sure plenty of kids got into cycling too off the back of 2012 because they wanted to be “just like Bradley Wiggins”, I just don’t think the same can be said about Froome, even if he were to win again this year.
parksey wrote:As I follow the
A few years ago at the final stage of the Tour of Britain in London, some bloke wandering past asked me if Chris Hoy was riding 😀
So disappointing, can’t
So disappointing, can’t believe this is not entirely Froomes input, seeing how Brad rode the time trial in the Tour of California, it looks like he is as fit as he has ever been. Not to decry the other team members selected, but really, what? they all rank better than Wiggins….I don’t think so.
I hope for Brailsfords and Froomes sake he wins, or you’ll never hear the end of it.
I have tried to like Froome, and found it very difficult as he seems to have the same type of cariama as Andy Murray, I’m afraid I won’t be cheering the South African (passports don’t count) on during the tour.
An excellent and entertaining race spoiled. X(
What was the original reason
What was the original reason for Wiggins being on the show?
This is purely wiggos take on
This is purely wiggos take on the provisional squad talks DB hasn’t announced it yet so there was every chance he could have been included if he performed at the TdS , however he has now probably crippled his chances by saying he is gutted blah blah blah.
Froome is and should be the main gc contender as this TdF route is better suited to him wiggo simply doesn’t want to play second fiddle to anyone hence his diplomatic way of removing himself from the selection process .
And to those of you who were going to cheer SKY if wiggo rode and are now saying you won’t because froome is the no.1 , why? Because you all believe wiggo has a God given right to lead? Laughable….
The more I think about this
The more I think about this the angrier I get. Our top cyclist, first ever British winner of the Tour de France which is starting in the UK, back in the shape of his life and he’s not riding? Are you kidding me? Brailsford you have seriously lost the plot.
Froome had better win if he ever wants to set foot in this country again, not that he will
I think it’s time to start a
I think it’s time to start a petition ~X(
davidtcycle wrote:I think
Will it be to suggest that all the armchair experts give it a rest? If so, I’ll sign.
It amazes me that so many numpties on t’internet seem to have a far better idea of what to do than the people that are employed by the team. 😕
I feel for Bradley, the first British Tour winner, multi-Olympic medallist, it must be tough for him. However, the team must be selected to give what they consider the best chance of winning. I’m sure many, many hours will be put into it, checking the parcours, exploring options and possible outcomes. I wouldn’t relish the responsibility.
I cannot see what all the
I cannot see what all the hooha is about. Team sky are all about winning the Tour, end of. They will pick the best team for that, without the chance of any unrest in the team during the race. Wiggins could not win this years tour, he wouldn’t have won last years even if he was fit, Froome did & will have a better chance than wiggins this year. It’s hard enough to win with a full team behind you without wondering if one will shaft you at some time.
Fatbagman wrote:I cannot see
Maybe so, but their losses from this debacle are already substantial.
Brailsford needs to learn that ‘winning’ is a long-term business, and this smacks of mental frailty on both his and Froome’s part, combined with a staggering complacency regarding those from whom their support comes. There has been many a successful team containing players who frankly hate each others’ guts: Ribery & Robben at Bayern Munich is but one example.
At the end of the day, cycling (like football) is frippery, an entertainment, albeit a wonderful one, and for Froome/Brailsford to think otherwise is arrogant in the extreme.
Great summary by Robert
Great summary by Robert Millar
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/robert-millar/robert-millar-blog-man-down
It’s really sad that he won’t
It’s really sad that he won’t be riding the tour on British soil.
Our (joint) most decorated Olympian, a knight of the realm, a genuine Tour champion, a magnet for the media and an inspiration to many. In a sport that loves it’s own history, it seems strange that sky can’t see the value of all this to the team and the brand.
A team that once could not put a foot wrong seems to have lost the plot and it’s Brad and the fans that suffer.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/robert-millar/robert-millar-blog-man-down
When Bradley won the tour in
When Bradley won the tour in 2012 I thought it would be a nice gesture if he helped Froome win it in 2013 but if Froome has purposely prevented him from taking part then it seems clear to me that Froome is just a a$$hole and a weak minded one at that.
Brad is our first winner of the Tour and he has never had the opportunity to defend his title.
Do Sky believe all 8 of the other riders in the team are stronger than a previous tour winner? Brad needs to get himself out of Sky at the first opportunity.
Good article in The Guardian
Good article in The Guardian about it all.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jun/06/sky-limit-sir-bradley-wiggins-tour-de-france-yorkshire-british-cycling
I still can’t work out why people are getting so emotional about it all. You pick the best team to do the job. Same in any walk of life.
What I don’t understand is
What I don’t understand is why Wiggins was allowed, if indeed he was, to go to the media to tell of his omission before any teams have been announced. Odd that it’s about the same time as Froomes book is due out.
Perhaps all the froome haters
Perhaps all the froome haters should read this thread and take note of what DB said …..proves my earlier point that wiggo is diplomatically spitting the dummy out ….again!
http://road.cc/content/news/120735-geraint-thomas-says-he-doesnt-envy-brailsford-having-make-wiggins-tour-de-france#comment-262160
chiv30 wrote:Perhaps all the
The only thing that has been proven by all of this is that some people prefer Chris Froome and some people prefer Bradley Wiggins.
If anyone from Sky starts telling you it’s daylight, you’d better pull back the curtains and check for yourself.
The tdf is devalued without
The tdf is devalued without Wiggo in it!
Duncan Farrell wrote:The tdf
It really isn’t is it ….that is the strangest comment yet ….wiggo isn’t bigger than the tdf
Duncan Farrell wrote:The tdf
I don’t think so, there’s no point in him going just to make up the numbers, and we all know he couldn’t beat contador or nibali regardless of how good his form is. Besides, from the recent brailsford quotes it looks like he’s opted to take himself off the team, chucking his toys out the pram again. Here’s me thinking it was just the footballers that were prima donnas when it came to team selection & bitching about other team members.
Hmm? I suspect that there is
Hmm? I suspect that there is more to it than a straight out “We don’t need you” from Team Sky.
Are we sure that Wiggo won’t be there soley because CF does not want him there, or because Wiggo is also not quite towing with line?
Perhaps the good knight asked that (like LA on his comeback on the same team as Contador?) he not be required to *solely support* but also be allowed to go for the win if in the lead.
I know that Wiggo said he would support CF, but 100%? Any past winner of the tour would find a 100% support role a little irksome methinks.
Even Wiggo is not pledging 100% servitude, personally I wish that like the LA/Contador thing they allow a bit of friction in Team Sky, because I love Wiggo.
If it should transpire that it is really just a case of CF saying “No Wiggo, not even as my slaverider (soigneur?),” then I guess that even us Brits will hoping he gets loads of flat tyres! Boo!
‘If you mean me ( I think it
‘If you mean me ( I think it was me that made that comment first) it was spelled correctly.’
so perhaps I meant someone else? Not a difficult one, that.
‘I still can’t work out why
‘I still can’t work out why people are getting so emotional about it all. ‘
Yeah. Sports fans getting emotional. What’s all that about. Anyone would think they enjoyed cycling rather than just treating it as a business.