Sky: mixed feelings

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Comments

  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    Depends what you're referring to as boring.

    Consistently winning can become boring as in the case of Schumacher in F1, Sampras at Wimbledon, Tiger Woods etc.

    But if you're claiming that the manner in which they're winning stage races is boring then I completely disagree. With Wiggins as leader they rode defensively to nullify any attacking racing on the climbs. But with Froome, Porte, Henao they've been attacking the other GC riders and winning mountain top finishes.

    If you're waiting for the kind of racing we saw through the 90's and early 00's then you'll be waiting a long time.
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    Almost uniquely among Pro teams Sky treat the media, and through them the fans, with utter contempt. Rarely a day goes past without their shambolic PR department masterminding yet another fiendish plot to hide The Truth.

    Contador: I'm where I want to be
    "When you're here in the race you want to win but the plan that I put in motion two months ago is still the plan that I've got at the moment, so I'm where I want to be. Okay, when I'm in race I want to go as quickly as I can, but at the moment the plan is going well,..."

    Alberto Contador 'World Exclusive' as told to Cycling News: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-im-where-i-want-to-be
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    I don't mind the way they ride. It is efficient and gets results. They've also brought the best out of some riders and given them a chance to shine which they didn't have on other teams (Porte).

    As some have pointed out it's nothing new in cycling. Merckx's teams dominated in much the same fashion and he took all of the spoils for himself.

    They are not invincible, ask Nibali.
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    You put a mountain, with a very even, medium gradient, at the end of 120kms of flat and, chances are it's going to be boring. French climbs are best suited for train running purpose.
    Yesterday, until 1km to go, we had had a bunch of blokes riding bikes; nothing to see.
    Anyone claiming that there's excitement to be had, was watching riders, not the race.
    However, it's effective, a logical tactic and, as Lance's legion showed for half a decade, the way to
    win big races.
    So, we are stuck with it and the real question becomes: "At what point do I switch on the tv?".


    Now, one for Frenchie.
    The last "exciting" Dauphine was the 2009 edition, which saw Cadel Evans attacking from all over the place, while Contador and Valverde did all the wheel sucking. :)
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    RichN95 wrote:
    ThomThom wrote:
    Surely not in terms of winning them (without having checked the all results, admitted)

    Well here's an analysis of their results, this year and last. Make of it what you will. I'd say they are up on last year. Their improvements have been in big races, while the lesser results are outside WT. Stage wins are down, but that's expected due to Cav.

    askystage.png


    Oh, I loves me a table of data, I do. Cant argue with that.
  • mroli
    mroli Posts: 3,622
    Interesting from CyclingNews
    However, the Australian has told Cyclingnews that the move was simply down to financials, with Saxo-Tinkoff offering him a more lucrative two-year deal
    So, if you believe that, Sky aren't the all conquering financial beast that they are made out to be. In fact - Saxo-Tinkoff can outspend them if they wish!
    http://www.georgesfoundation.org
    http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.com/
    http://www.12on12in12.blogspot.co.uk/
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    oneof1982 wrote:
    Not as boring as this thread is going to be..

    Yaawwnnnn

    A lovely big cupcake for you - I agree. Besides, SKY don't have it all their own way - look at the Giro for proof.
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    mroli wrote:
    So, if you believe that, Sky aren't the all conquering financial beast that they are made out to be. In fact - Saxo-Tinkoff can outspend them if they wish!

    I just finished reading 'SKY's the Limit' and interestingly, the SKY annual budget barely puts them inside the top 5 spending teams.
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    The Mad Rapper wrote:
    mroli wrote:
    So, if you believe that, Sky aren't the all conquering financial beast that they are made out to be. In fact - Saxo-Tinkoff can outspend them if they wish!

    I just finished reading 'SKY's the Limit' and interestingly, the SKY annual budget barely puts them inside the top 5 spending teams.


    Said it before...BMC, Astana, Katusha - all have bigger budgets
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Said it before...BMC, Astana, Katusha - all have bigger budgets

    You are very wise and learned.
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    The Mad Rapper wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Said it before...BMC, Astana, Katusha - all have bigger budgets

    You are very wise and learned.


    *bows head graciously*

    :wink:

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