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It is, but he's still the best rider there is.Being part of Team Sky with loads of support from the other riders is a massive factor in his wins
It is, but he's still the best rider there is.Being part of Team Sky with loads of support from the other riders is a massive factor in his wins
Which is a joke. Froome is one of the greatest road cyclists of all time, not just among the Brits.Neither is Andy Murray, but he'll probably get more votes than Froome for SPOTY.....
And all another GC rider has to do is sit on Chris's wheel, being even more protected from the wind, then race over the last mile etc.Sure Chris has to still bring it home, but he's the best TT'er so he knows all he has to do is ride at the tempo he feels will be fast enough to stop his competition but within his own manageable limits.
All that's done by the rider sheltering CF from the wind.
And all another GC rider has to do is sit on Chris's wheel, being even more protected from the wind, then race over the last mile etc.
Yes if they try and force the pace, but I'm talking about towards the finish.But as we see all so often, the moment they do put their noses in front not only are they easily caught, the cumulative damage usually means they end up spat out the back.
Not bad is he.
There's a huge difference between being able to live with the pace and being able to accelerate from others doing the same.Yes if they try and force the pace, but I'm talking about towards the finish.
I do agree with you about the pace - Sky can push more when they feel good, and take it easier when not, but it's often just a couple of domestiques doing the work at the front for Sky, it shouldn't be that hard for other teams to keep up even when they're not feeling great.
Sky clearly have the best team - not just the riders, but also the tacticians, and of course it's a huge help. But as I said during the TdF, Chris would still probably have won if he was in another team.
I think it would be a much better test if there weren't teams, and it was all about individuals.
The big events are more about the strength of a team than the ability of an individual.
There are similarities to Formula One - the best driver gets the best car, like the best rider gets the best team and support. But presumably you have to earn the right to hold that position in the first place.
I get where your coming from, but cycling is a team sport for the individual, if you like. It's how it works and by and large it works well. Team Sky with their big budget, roster of riders, and riding style in Grand Tours does often make for a dull spectacle. They're not the first team to do it though, as others here will quickly point out if I don't mention it.
If we're not going to get a balancing of team budgets, and we won't because cycling as a sport is based entirely on commercial sponsorship, then what we need is smaller team numbers in Grand Tours. Reducing from 9 riders down to 7, whilst not leveling the playing field, will take some of the big team advantage away and should make for more exciting racing.
As for Froome. I'm no Team Sky fan but I do like Froome and a number of their riders. Froome has evolved into a complete rider. He can be exciting to watch when the chips are down or even when on top. He has the heart of a lion and is not afraid to take risks to take time wherever he can find it. Comes across as a humble and all round nice bloke as well. His achievements are all hard earned and thoroughly deserved.
I think it would be a much better test if there weren't teams, and it was all about individuals.
The big events are more about the strength of a team than the ability of an individual.
But it's a team sport. If you want to individuals pitted against individuals then maybe team sport is not for you?
So, if it's a team sport then why does Froome get all the plaudits?
Because it's a team sport for individuals. He's the team leader, and wins stage races by taking the least time overall. He's helped to do this by his domestiques.So, if it's a team sport then why does Froome get all the plaudits?
So, if it's a team sport then why does Froome get all the plaudits?
It comes down to cyclists having a massive advantage following another cycling, in some cases 30% less effort to maintain the same speed as the person in front of you. You could strip teams out of it, and still cyclists would form collaborations and adhoc working together, however ultimately someone does need to cross the line in the least amount of time..