Politics ?

pinno

Probably been covered.

Without a doubt, Wiggo has Froome to thank for last years tour win.

Wiggo had a sh!t Giro. Is it possible that he wanted another go at the TdF but Froome had been selected and Wiggo owed him the support (al la Lemond/Hinault - 86)?. Even at 95%, Wiggo could have given Froome a massive support role.
Instead Sky are looking vulnerable and after yesterdays stage where Saxo Tinkoff/Belkin attacked on what was supposed to be an inocuous day, suddenly Froome looks a little exposed.
I think its bah humbug from Wiggo.

secretsqirrel

Another kitten bites the dust

ddraver

SecretSqirrel wrote:

Another kitten bites the dust

RichN95.

It just goes to show that you should pick the team after the event, not before.

TheBigBean

Wiggins always strikes me as very selfish and I couldn't see him riding for anyone else*. The only reason he would have ridden the tour would have been for himself and for the win. This is a shame really as he owes Froome both for last year's tour and the vuelta in 2011.

*This is my humble subjective opinion and is not based on a great amount of research or personal knowledge.

ddraver

It also ignores many many more years of riding for others at Garmin, Cofidis and others before he became Sky's GC man. Oh and a few classics seasons riding for Gee, EBH and Flecha too

slim_boy_fat

ddraver wrote:

It also ignores many many more years of riding for others at Garmin, Cofidis and others before he became Sky's GC man. Oh and a few classics seasons riding for Gee, EBH and Flecha too

And busting his balls for Cav at the Olympics.

TheBigBean

The best counter example to my statement would be the Worlds in 2011. He did put in a selfless shift for Cav then, but a lot of that was repayment for the Beijing incident.

I think Millar and Vaughters felt he was pretty thankless for Garmin's efforts in 2009 and at Confidis he rode the time trials and finished in the bus. Maybe he was working for someone then, but Confidis aren't that noticeable.

Bear in my mind I think this attitude is quite common amongst competitors - it's the sort of thing that makes you win.

slim_boy_fat

TheBigBean wrote:

The best counter example to my statement would be the Worlds in 2011. He did put in a selfless shift for Cav then, but a lot of that was repayment for the Beijing incident.

I think Millar and Vaughters felt he was pretty thankless for Garmin's efforts in 2009 and at Confidis he rode the time trials and finished in the bus. Maybe he was working for someone then, but Confidis aren't that noticeable.

Bear in my mind I think this attitude is quite common amongst competitors - it's the sort of thing that makes you win.

I think that is a fair comment. Working for somebody else when you've already claimed the prize yourself might be a very alien concept to a winner.

ddraver

Especially the year after. I think if Wiggo had won in 2011 and Nibbles in 2012 it would have been a bit different

tailwindhome

TheBigBean wrote:

This is a shame really as he owes Froome both for last year's tour and the vuelta in 2011.

Does he though? Would the reported £1million a year pay rise not cover it?

TheBigBean

TailWindHome wrote:

TheBigBean wrote:

This is a shame really as he owes Froome both for last year's tour and the vuelta in 2011.

Does he though? Would the reported £1million a year pay rise not cover it?

That works both ways - for the salary Wiggins is on he should be riding in support of Froome this year. But yes, you can take the view they are both employees and only have a duty to the employer.

rick_chasey

Rob Ruijgh goes all political....