Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-)

Nov 8, 20 10:49

Post #1 of 20 (2191 views)

I have really enjoyed watching Chris Froome's rehab over a near death, career defining crash at last years Dauphine. Coming into the Dauphine, he had one three Grand Tours in the previous 24 months (Tour de France 2017, Vuelta 2017, Giro 2018 and then third at TdF 2018. He was a co favourite for the TdF. Life can change so quickly. Watching his rehab, learning againt to walk in the fall of 2019, getting back on the bike, doing his first races at the UAE tour in 2019 was great to watch and putting the love/hate of Sky-Ineos aside, you just want to see an athlete succeed.

After Covid19, he sucked at Dauphine, was excluded from Ineos TdF, given a chance to ride at the Vuelta, proceeded to kind of suck at events like Liege Bastogne Liege and then starting the Vuelta was immediately shed off the back losing 10's of minutes.

But like most of us, trying to make it back, he has not given up, he kept plugging, helping the team where he could, even did some solid pulls later in the Vuelta and was a key helper to almost bring Carapaz to within 28 seconds of the win.

Today he got awarded 2011 Vuelta, the one where he was Wiggins' helper until he was not. Then 2012 Wiggo helper and gettting his own chance in 2013.

Great to see this moment

He won me over winning bonus seconds doing this:

This attack a few days later catching the peloton napping and jumping with Sagan + Bodnar + Thomas

Col de Finistre Giro raid (RIP Nicolas Portal, who architected that)

Losing Vuelta 2016 during the ambush to Formigal by Contador + Quintana

I was never a big Sky fan, but became a Froome fan in spite of the team he was on. Today was the last day there, and now its on to Israel startup nation. Although it is unlikely he will be who he was in 2017/18, I hope he can be a bigger factor, either helping Dan Martin or Dan Martin maybe even helping him. Would have loved to see him and Richie Porte reunited!

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 11:04

Post #2 of 20 (2160 views)

Geraint Thomas talks about that breakaway with Froome, Bodnar and Sagan. He said the power of that group was absolutely unreal.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [turdburgler] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 11:19

Post #3 of 20 (2138 views)

Yeah with the TT horsepower in that group hard for the peloton to close. That day was really fun to watch.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 15:25

Post #4 of 20 (2023 views)

I think Froome is a nice guy. But the 2011 vuelta is like a bad joke. Getting the title due to the winner having suspicious passport data, that is only found 9 years later... when you get away with doubling the allowed salbutamol thresholds just stinks. The yardstick is clearly not the same for everyone.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 15:53

Post #5 of 20 (2003 views)

Interseting article about "The Froome Projet" at Israël Start-Up Nation for 2021 with new coach Paulo Saldanha (in french, Google translate can do a decent job with this one ;-) ):
https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/cyclisme/2020-11-08/le-projet-chris-froome.php

Louis :-)

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [ecce-homo] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 16:27

Post #6 of 20 (1957 views)

ecce-homo wrote:

I think Froome is a nice guy. But the 2011 vuelta is like a bad joke. Getting the title due to the winner having suspicious passport data, that is only found 9 years later... when you get away with doubling the allowed salbutamol thresholds just stinks. The yardstick is clearly not the same for everyone.

The presentation "ceremony" was sort of cringe worthy. Probably better than sending him the trophy in a jiffy bag, but the start of today's stage wasn't the time and place for something like this.

"Human existence is based upon two pillars: Compassion and knowledge. Compassion without knowledge is ineffective; Knowledge without compassion is inhuman." Victor Weisskopf.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 16:48

Post #7 of 20 (1925 views)

Kudos to Froome for rehabbing from serious injury. But, it is his job and he makes a lot of money doing it. I’m thinking that’s a lot of his motivation to continue.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [Alvin Tostig] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 17:06

Post #8 of 20 (1906 views)

Alvin Tostig wrote:

ecce-homo wrote:

I think Froome is a nice guy. But the 2011 vuelta is like a bad joke. Getting the title due to the winner having suspicious passport data, that is only found 9 years later... when you get away with doubling the allowed salbutamol thresholds just stinks. The yardstick is clearly not the same for everyone.

sending him the trophy in a jiffy bag.

+3 pts

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [louisn] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 18:09

Post #9 of 20 (1855 views)

louisn wrote:

Interseting article about "The Froome Projet" at Israël Start-Up Nation for 2021 with new coach Paulo Saldanha (in french, Google translate can do a decent job with this one ;-) ):
https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/cyclisme/2020-11-08/le-projet-chris-froome.php

Louis :-)

Paulo Saldhana was the top Canadian at Nice and Kona circa 1989 and was in the fast lane next to me at McGill Masters Swimming when I swam with them summer of 1989 in Montreal!!!

OK back to the Froome thread.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [louisn] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 18:25

Post #10 of 20 (1834 views)

Summary for the non Frech speakers of what coach Paulo Saldhana is saying:

Froome needed more rehab time
His weak leg is producing 50W less, when he was in shape it was more like 15W
As a result he is tiring faster
Froome can get back there

It is good to see it is a mechanical problem and not a cardio issue. it seems its all orthopedic and lots of magic can happen to orthopedic limitations with time.

"Le physiologiste note un écart important entre la puissance développée par la jambe droite et la gauche.
« Il y a un déséquilibre assez grave dans son coup de pédale. Ça veut dire que ce sont des muscles compensateurs qui le font pédaler. Il se fatigue donc beaucoup plus vite. […] Quand il est en forme, la différence entre la jambe droite et la gauche est peut-être de 15 watts. En ce moment, c’est 50 watts. C’est une grosse différence. »
Froome, qui conclura la Vuelta au 98e rang, à plus de 3 h 30 du gagnant présumé Primož Roglič, devra « peser sur le bouton reset » pour être en mesure de retrouver sa forme d’antan. Saldanha est convaincu qu’à force de travail, il pourra y arriver."

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 19:24

Post #11 of 20 (1796 views)

Anquetil and Fignon admitted doping, perhaps we should remove their victories and give them to the second place athletes, also dopers? They gave the 2006 win to Pereiro, who was later discovered to have the same need for large amounts of "Asthma medication" with convenient benefits like weight loss which Froome was caught with. Riis admitted it, should they take his win away and give it to the doper in second place?

If I understand the criteria WADA apply when making these decisions:

Not asshole, is a complete nobody, wins one race and then quietly goes about his life without making the doping obvious like the rest of them, gets caught 10 years later - If opportunity to give victory to popular athlete still bringing in sponsor money, strip of victory, give to second place doper
Asshole, American, Failed test - Remove all victories, do not award to second place finisher
Not-Asshole, American, Failed test - Give to second place finisher even if second place finisher also doped
Asshole or not asshole, Not American, Failed test - Give to second place finisher even if second place finisher also doped
Admitted doping but at least a decade has passed - Continue hero worship, don't talk about it, talk about how sport is clean now. If possible get admitted doper to run as many teams as possible
Caught doping or admitted doping but not asshole, preferably not American but possibly ok if American, as long as they never really won much of anything - Do nothing, get doper to run as many teams as possible, talk about how clean the sport is now.
Not asshole, wins races due to high power to weight ratio, gets caught taking medication known for causing weight loss with retention of muscle mass - Invent way to get them off the hook for the failed test, continue hero worship, curious silence when athlete rubs everyones nose in getting away with it by posting 7w/kg ftp test on instagram or openly admitting to climbing cols faster than assholes who are American

Curiously, Cobo's story is very similar to Froome's - average rider that out of nowhere becomes the strongest cyclist in the world, except rather than get greedy like Froome and Lance he disappeared and led a quiet life.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [Alvin Tostig] [ In reply to ]

Nov 8, 20 21:51

Post #12 of 20 (1724 views)

Alvin Tostig wrote:

ecce-homo wrote:

I think Froome is a nice guy. But the 2011 vuelta is like a bad joke. Getting the title due to the winner having suspicious passport data, that is only found 9 years later... when you get away with doubling the allowed salbutamol thresholds just stinks. The yardstick is clearly not the same for everyone.

Probably better than sending him the trophy in a jiffy bag, .

Post of the year

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [geotechjohn] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 6:07

Post #13 of 20 (1524 views)

I'll need enigmas help to decode part of your post, but it looks like I will agree. Regarding Cobo, it's not just lack of ambition, apparently he has a very complex personality and was very difficult to keep on track.

It is his coach you have to follow to know where the jiffy bags are going. In Spain they call it the Machin method....

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [geotechjohn] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 6:20

Post #14 of 20 (1510 views)

geotechjohn wrote:

Anquetil and Fignon admitted doping, perhaps we should remove their victories and give them to the second place athletes, also dopers? They gave the 2006 win to Pereiro, who was later discovered to have the same need for large amounts of "Asthma medication" with convenient benefits like weight loss which Froome was caught with. Riis admitted it, should they take his win away and give it to the doper in second place?

If I understand the criteria WADA apply when making these decisions:

Not asshole, is a complete nobody, wins one race and then quietly goes about his life without making the doping obvious like the rest of them, gets caught 10 years later - If opportunity to give victory to popular athlete still bringing in sponsor money, strip of victory, give to second place doper
Asshole, American, Failed test - Remove all victories, do not award to second place finisher
Not-Asshole, American, Failed test - Give to second place finisher even if second place finisher also doped
Asshole or not asshole, Not American, Failed test - Give to second place finisher even if second place finisher also doped
Admitted doping but at least a decade has passed - Continue hero worship, don't talk about it, talk about how sport is clean now. If possible get admitted doper to run as many teams as possible
Caught doping or admitted doping but not asshole, preferably not American but possibly ok if American, as long as they never really won much of anything - Do nothing, get doper to run as many teams as possible, talk about how clean the sport is now.
Not asshole, wins races due to high power to weight ratio, gets caught taking medication known for causing weight loss with retention of muscle mass - Invent way to get them off the hook for the failed test, continue hero worship, curious silence when athlete rubs everyones nose in getting away with it by posting 7w/kg ftp test on instagram or openly admitting to climbing cols faster than assholes who are American

Curiously, Cobo's story is very similar to Froome's - average rider that out of nowhere becomes the strongest cyclist in the world, except rather than get greedy like Froome and Lance he disappeared and led a quiet life.

I do feel in international elite cycling there is a bit of bias working against Americans, dopers or not. Just IMO. And opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and it often stinks.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 6:30

Post #15 of 20 (1501 views)

haha....in Italy, Andy Hampsten is still a god for his heroics on Gavia 1988!

But like anything in life, it helps to get along with everyone involved.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [geotechjohn] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 6:40

Post #16 of 20 (1492 views)

geotechjohn wrote:

Anquetil and Fignon admitted doping, perhaps we should remove their victories and give them to the second place athletes, also dopers? They gave the 2006 win to Pereiro, who was later discovered to have the same need for large amounts of "Asthma medication" with convenient benefits like weight loss which Froome was caught with. Riis admitted it, should they take his win away and give it to the doper in second place?

If I understand the criteria WADA apply when making these decisions:

Not asshole, is a complete nobody, wins one race and then quietly goes about his life without making the doping obvious like the rest of them, gets caught 10 years later - If opportunity to give victory to popular athlete still bringing in sponsor money, strip of victory, give to second place doper
Asshole, American, Failed test - Remove all victories, do not award to second place finisher
Not-Asshole, American, Failed test - Give to second place finisher even if second place finisher also doped
Asshole or not asshole, Not American, Failed test - Give to second place finisher even if second place finisher also doped
Admitted doping but at least a decade has passed - Continue hero worship, don't talk about it, talk about how sport is clean now. If possible get admitted doper to run as many teams as possible
Caught doping or admitted doping but not asshole, preferably not American but possibly ok if American, as long as they never really won much of anything - Do nothing, get doper to run as many teams as possible, talk about how clean the sport is now.
Not asshole, wins races due to high power to weight ratio, gets caught taking medication known for causing weight loss with retention of muscle mass - Invent way to get them off the hook for the failed test, continue hero worship, curious silence when athlete rubs everyones nose in getting away with it by posting 7w/kg ftp test on instagram or openly admitting to climbing cols faster than assholes who are American

Curiously, Cobo's story is very similar to Froome's - average rider that out of nowhere becomes the strongest cyclist in the world, except rather than get greedy like Froome and Lance he disappeared and led a quiet life.

If EVER there was a compelling reason for grammar; complete sentences, and punctuation, the above is it.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 7:44

Post #17 of 20 (1448 views)

Froome seems like a nice guy and all, but it is a bit odd to see him getting this awarded. Cobo's performance was definitely suspect, but reality is that Froome got caught in the exact same scenario that Pettachi got caught and only got away with it because.. well, he got away with it. Can't think of a real therapeutic reason to take 30 puffs of Ventolin.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [Engner66] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 10:00

Post #18 of 20 (1375 views)

Looks like this turned into the Froome hater thread. That's fine, we're all allowed to have different views on what pro cycling (or any real pro sport) is showing over the internet. The Vuelta organizers could have ignored 2011 completely, but maybe it was a excuse for Vuelta organzers to use Froome's presence to get more eyeballs on race stories for their sponsors (or just thank a rider who through his racing has also helped to promote the race). Regardless of the puffs and other team Sky hanky panky (which is why I said, I'm not really a Sky fan), Froome's actions on the road and rehab have been interesting enough for some fans to enjoy. The fact that he got a trophy 9 years later for his first real grand tour success with Sky is kind cool as it book ends the journey with the team (and no doubt what he did on the road helped the team become what it is today).

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 10:23

Post #19 of 20 (1364 views)

Not really a bias against Americans, more like a bias against Lance/USPS (and even there it was partial - the UCI loved Lance and was complicit in enabling some of the stuff he got away with). There was no problem with Lemond. There's no problem with recent riders like Phinney, Kuss or Tejay who are liked and respected, or with EF who are an American team.

Re: Chris Froome's Last day @Sky+Ineos (Vuelta 2011 win) :-) [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 20 12:09

Post #20 of 20 (1318 views)

I think Froome is alright, it wasn't his choice to give himself the 2011 Vuelta win. I just think there are some glaring inconsistencies in how wins are taken away from some riders but not others, and awarded to suspect second place riders in some cases but not others. The race was a decade ago, leave it be.

Our Partners

transition-DOT-area-AT-slowtwitch-DOT-com

Advertise with us

©1999-2024 Slowtwitch, Inc., and Slowtwitch.com
Reproduction of material from any Slowtwitch.com page
without written permission is strictly prohibited.