21'st Century Fox thingy
So what does everyone make of the talk of their being a 21CF development team, with Wiggins as a figurehead.
They've talked about it twice on the Cycling Podcast now and it feels like they've got multiple sources. The idea being Wiggins would have a Sky contract til end of April, then flip over to the development squad.
They've talked about it twice on the Cycling Podcast now and it feels like they've got multiple sources. The idea being Wiggins would have a Sky contract til end of April, then flip over to the development squad.
Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
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Sky do seem to have an issue with young rider development, of all the riders who've turned pro with them it's only really Kennaugh, Henao and Rowe who've found their feet in the pro ranks, but setting up a development squad doesn't necessarily fix that issue.
But first there is the issue of Paris-Roubaix, which Wiggins would have to ride with Sky. So can he legitimately switch over in April (Dennis only swapped post 1 August).
Secondly, who else is going to be in this development squad and what's its purpose? Suits Wiggins to swan in and out when he wants and basically focus on the track. But who else going into it and what races are they going to? For 21/Fox surely they want more than just a GB focus, particularly US but also Italian with that Sky Italia link...
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it makes sense to have Wiggo as a sponsor friendly front for the team and lets him focus on his own goals, but I cant see him being somekind of cycling advice guru for the team.
Can't see Wiggins as a good coach, but then I'm sure they know more than i do.
Why? Because his achievements and his ability to pick goals, focus hard and achieve them can't possibly be transmitted to younger riders? The track squad (not just team pursuit riders) spoke positively about having him around before the Commonwealth Games.
+1
He is a bad role model and not the guy you want to work with however maybe he is great at teaching youngsters? I doubt it.
+1
Graveyard of new talent as I have said on numerous occasions. Dombrowski is leaving them at the end of the year.
Most riders I reckon come from smaller teams rather than development squads. Rabo is the exception I guess but most of those riders amount to little.
It may have been the TOC that kick started the 21st century fox idea.
What a potentially great set up to help talent make the step up.
Bad role model? How do you substantiate this? How would you know as to his coaching skills? But of course he doesn't fit into the Frenchie panache way of riding I suppose.
If he gives the time and effort I see no problem with him.
those in the know? like people who work with him now and want him in the new team.
Your role model, your idol is a drugs cheat.
Wiggins is one of the most decorate British olympians, won the Tour de France and various other prestigious races.
His contract is up for renewal and both him and Sky are working out how to get the best out of the relationship for both of them. And this seems a solution that works for them, with the added bonus that they get a development team with instant prestige and experience (I could also see riders like Pate contributing too).
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Cool news this evening. Exciting times ahead.
Possibly connected?
Didn't Sky buy Wiggins out? The same could happen here.
Anyway, here's Will Fotheringham's take on it;
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/s ... ympics-rio
Seems like a fairly inglorious semi retirement to me.
ETA wonder will he do the Ras?
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Sky are working with 2 big stars and GT who either don't get on, can't get or whatever.
Sky also are linked to BC, so they can't ditch Brad as they want to support him to Rio for his shot at gold.
This way they have both teams each with a big star & they get to keep both happy. Froome can concentrate on what he wants and assume that's GT racing and Brad on Rio and a few other races, plus perhaps will help his image of being a bit "difficult" (not my words) by helping younger riders develop.
In terms of road cycling it is semi-retirement, but isn't that what he wants? He doesn't want to contest stage races, and of the one day races there aren't that many suited to him. He hasn't exactly left a lot of doors open to him. If he's serious about Rio on the track then all he really has to offer is some form of mentorship - whoever he rides for. Everywhere else he's just excess baggage. I can't see him even being able to offer domestique deluxe services if he's properly focused on his own ambitions, not in any race or race situation that didn't conform exactly to his training requirements.
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How many top coaches were truly elite performers in their chosen sport?
Just highlighting a bit in bold there. Want me to show you how long that list is, just at the BC level? It's quite long.
Most coaches at elite level have been there and done it themselves at some point. There's lots of 'coaches' that hire themselves out to amateurs and decent riders because they've done some courses and read some books and convey that to riders.
I'd say it's a pretty poor assessment.