Team Sky Sing Duet for Pyrenees

Chris Froome has insisted he would be willing to sacrifice his chances of a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title to help teammate Geraint Thomas achieve victory. Thomas and Froome are first and second in the general classification heading into the final week of the Tour, with Thomas one minute and 39 seconds ahead of his teammate.

Team Sky – and Thomas – had continually insisted that Froome was their team leader, but the tone has shifted in recent days and for the first time on Monday Froome said he would be happy to help Thomas if necessary. Abuse of Team Sky will continue all the way to Paris, warns Brailsford

“As long as there is a Team Sky rider on the top step of the podium in Paris, I’m happy,” Froome said. Asked directly if he would sacrifice his hopes of a fifth Tour crown to help Thomas, Froome simply said: “Yes.”

Froome had said before the Tour he was aiming to come good in the third week, following his efforts in winning the Giro d’Italia in May, but, asked if he had identified places where he might attack and make up time on Thomas, he dismissed the question.

“All this talk of attacking or not attacking … we’re in an amazing position, we’re one and two,” he said. “It’s not up to us to be attacking. It’s for all the other riders in the peloton to make up time on us and dislodge us from the position we’re in.”

There are now only six days until the Tour reaches Paris, but Thomas said he was trying not to shift his mindset despite holding yellow.

“Obviously the closer you get, the more you want to stay on the podium, but I’m still not really thinking about it,” he said. “I’m thinking day by day. The dream was to be in with a shot of a podium and that’s still on the cards. I’m trying to keep the same mindset.”

Thomas and Froome may be in a strong position on the podium, but Team Sky were hurt on Sunday night when Gianni Moscon was disqualified from the race for striking the Fortuneo-Samsic rider Elie Gesbert early on stage 15 to Carcassonne.

“It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing we can do,” Thomas said. “What’s done is done. We just concentrate on the last week. We’ve still got a strong team. We’re a rider down but all the boys are riding well together.”

The team principal, Sir Dave Brailsford, is planning to review whether Moscon should face further punishment for his actions after the Tour, but refused to rule out terminating the contract of a rider who has a chequered disciplinary record.

“Obviously Gianni has left the race, which is very disappointing,” Brailsford said. “He’s really disappointed. He’s let himself down, he’s let his team down and now he’s gone home. From a team point of view, I’m going to keep the focus on the rest of this race here, and then next week I will gather the facts, look at the process and go from there.”

Brailsford accepted Moscon’s actions were unlikely to help Team Sky as they continue to face ill-feeling from elements within the Tour crowd, with Froome having been jostled and spat at, while Thomas has heard boos on the podium when collecting his yellow jersey this week. “I don’t know how people are going to react but it’s not going to calm people down,” he said.

Take me to Paris now - Geraint Thomas

This was clearly not 2015 and despite all the expectations on Thursday at the Alpe d’Huez Stage 12 of the Tour de France. Neither was it a deja-vu for Nairo Quintana or Team Movistar as the Colombian was unable repeat that 10km attack on Chris Froome of three seasons ago. In fact, as they deepened into the stage Quintana went backwards and was unable to muster a response to Team Sky duo of Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome in this key stage. The talented Colombian perhaps now seeing his climbing powers wane and powerless in this decisive Alpine stage on Thursday. A day which saw hm drop to ninth place a trail by 3,56 with only one more mountain stage to finish left in the Pyrenees. 

Over the past two days the Team Movistar attack has been muffled with Marc Soler and Alejandro Valverde making some moves on the way to La Rosiere on Wednesday with little or no impact. Similarly, on the 175,kms stage the next day more shapes were thrown when Valverde joined the second breakaway a few minutes further up the road  - before easing back int the peloton just shortly before the final climb. The logic seemed to suggest then that it was Nairo Quintana and Mikel Landa who were tasked with attack on this third and final climb of the day. But  when it eventually happened  it was rather feeble with Team Sky probably the most surprised of all with it lack punch. 

Then as the stage progressed the lead group  was joined by Vincenzo Nibali of Bahrain Merida  who was looking menacing at one point  and the seemingly every present Tom Dumoulin of Sunweb. As the start of the climb approached it was already clear that the runaway stage leader Kruijswiljk would not take the Maillot Jaune on this occasion and  would be reeled in before the stage was over. Depending on what was left in the dutchman’s tank.  Although the pace he had set in ascent of Col de la Madeleine was starting to fade and the peloton was happy to accept the pace marked by Team Sky. Not ceding the stage yet it seemed to breakaway rider.  This was a  stage famous for hustle and the noisy fans with this year’s event proving  definitively that a long day-on the mountain side sun for many might do more harm than good.

The traditional Dutch Corner passed without incident and it was further up the climb that there were difficulties. One of which forced Nibali to abandon the Tour after a fall caused by some spectator encroachment . Then Chris Froome was hit at one point and soaked up  much booing on his way up the mountain. A general disorder suggesting changes may be imminent in crowd management in the future for the sake of rider’s safety. Notwithstanding, Froome still tested his companions to see if they could match his effort  as they continued along the narrow road gap afforded them by roadside spectators. As they moved up the mountain group reduced to just four on the last sector – Dumoulin, Froome, Thomas and Romain Bardet. 

The Frenchman had attempted to escape for a number of kilometres but to no avail. In the end he settled back into the race for the finish which saw a short discussion take place between  Dumoulin and Thomas. Before the washman set off for the finish line. It was Bardet who came third behind a weaker looking Froome.  A result which puts Sky in control of the race and Thomas with a firm hold on the yellow jersey into next week. Perhaps even Paris depending on the Team Sky’ strategy over the coming days.

Stage winner Thomas said afterwards: “Honestly I'm speechless. I don't know what to say. Not a chance in hell I thought I was going to win today. I just followed Dumoulin, Bardet and Froome were attacking - obviously a bit of bad luck for Nibali, I rode over his back wheel. I nearly came down myself. I don't know what to say.”

“This is just unbelievable, can we just go to Paris now?” continued Thomas, “I said yesterday this race is made for me now, today I can be happy for sure now.

OSMedia

Frosty Reception for Team Sky

If cyclists were to use football parlance then Wednesday at La Rosiere was such a moment for Mikel Nieve of Mitchelton-Scott to feel “gutted” when after a lengthy breakaway on Stage 11 of the Tour de France, his efforts fell asunder. Just a few hundred of metres from the finish line. His former Sky teammates, Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome, flashing past Frosty – as he was named by Sky – to leave the Spaniard fifth despite a hard day’s work. Indeed, leading on his own on the final kilometres of the climb. But such is the sport of cycling that it so often features thankless moments and drains any sentimentality one might feel. Perhaps part of the overall fascination of the sport even amidst the perennial drug allegations. 

The sheer physical demands of the Alpine stages are always full of drama and require super human effort. Which although can offer enthralling spectacle it also means that performance enhancement is part and parcel of it all. A history of the Tour which goes well beyond just Lance Armstrong and a total list that is almost endless: Alberto Contador, Marco Pantani, Pedro Delgado, Thomas Ullrich, Richard Virenque – to just name a few. Curiously, in recent times it is the fate of the one-time domestiques of Team Sky that offer a footnote to these events. As once outside the team and that bubble their air of invincibility as individuals fades. All of a sudden real life embraces them one by one with Nieve experiencing that on Wednesday.

Australian Richie Porte, a one-time favourite perhaps to win the Tour - based on his work at Team Sky - fell victim yet again to injury this year after another accident ending hopes of a Grand Tour victory. In 2015, and indeed 2013, Porte’s hard work were key to Sky victories at the Tour. So, in 2016 when he declared he was leaving for BMC and seen as an ideal replacement for fellow countryman Cadell Evans, a victory was almost expected. Unfortunately, last year a bad fall ended his chances as it has this year on the cobbled roads to Roubaix on Sunday. 

Mikel Landa was another who spent a season as a domestique at Team Sky and fulfilled his fair share of duties at the Giro, Tour and Vuelta for \=Froome & Co. Like a number of the prominent Spanish cyclists he came from Euzkatel-Euzkadi - a Basque team which lost its funding in 2013 - with many promising riders on the books. But last year Landa moved to Team Movistar which placed him alongside Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde. If not as an equal it promised a future more appealing than slaving for Froome or Thomas for yet another season. 

On the way to La Rosiere Landa showed flashes of ambition but under team instruction no doubt remained in the peloton with Quintana as Thomas and Froome raced away. The frustration of not seeing Movistar battle was lessened by the breakaways of Valverde and Marc Soler on Wednesday. Perhaps the team hatching plans for Alpe d’Huez stage on Thursday’s long stage. Which may stifle the criticism of Movistar’s lack of ambition and willingness to compete with Team Sky despite a gala a roster. Although the team showed they have the ability to upset but perhaps lacked the belief on Stage 11. On Wednesday there was a sense of their talent and a possibility beyond just the team prize.

Meanwhile it was left to Nieve to make the run on his own. Another of that Eustakel generation Nieve showed why he nurtured his own ambitions outside the Sky team. The climbing specialist moving to Orica-Scott on a two-year deal in 2018. A reward for the 33-year-old after he assisted Froome in winning the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Tour de France. With a strong CV, Frosty has ridden in 13 Grand Tours and achieved five top 10 placings. At La Rosiere he was unlucky as G forced the issue just as Frosty ran out of steam. Perhaps victim of inside knowledge that only a former teammate of the Spanish rider would have at hand. Leaving him in his wake with Froome, Tom Dumoulin of Sunweb and Damiano Caruso of BMC all taking the first four places on the stage. 

Thursday may haunt Nieve as he wonders about the far-reaching power of Team Sky or Lady Luck. A bit like Porte no doubt. But both riders have had good seasons already and these are just short-term hiccups. In fairness, Nicholas Roche had a short sojourn at Sky and has battled with BMC Racing over recent years more competitively and unshackled. Looking at a top five place at La Vuelta at one stage in 2017. More importantly, enjoying the sport more now with BMC rather than just a being a Team Sky domestique. Viviani signed for Team Sky from Cannondale in 2015, riding the Giro d’Italia in 2015 and 2016 as part of the British team. However, he was reportedly unhappy about not being selected for his home Grand Tour in 2017 and departed despite having one year left on his contract. A move to Quick-Step this season saw him enjoy a very successful Giro D’Italia in Israel.

Obviously the most famous former Team Sky rider, Bradley Wiggins, winner of the Tour 2012 shared his views on the team with Eurosport this week, highlighting the possibility that Thomas might take the yellow jersey in Tuesday’s first Alpine stage, 

“This is where it gets difficult, as we hit the first mountain stage,” Wiggins said. “If Geraint stays where he is and takes the yellow jersey they’ve got a real problem on their hands.

“Both riders have got this joint leadership role, but that’s dangerous. But the quality they have in that team, they could end up first or second.”

Wiggins continued, describing the Team Sky principal, Dave Brailsford, as “divisive” and “self-serving.” He said: “Does Dave B come in and do his usual and be quite divisive and get in each other’s ear and kind of keep them both motivated for the same goal and there be a natural selection?

“Dave will be telling them they can both win it, as a way of motivating them, as a way of playing these cards deep in to the race. He’s quite self-serving. For him it’s about the team winning, it’s not about the individuals or the characters. He will always be in those riders’ ears constantly, and he has been, up till now as you can see.”

Last year Dan Martin revealed he declined a contract offer from Team Sky the British World Tour outfit seeing the Irishman as a replacement for Landa and offered the chance to focus on some events, including one-week stage races, for himself with Team Sky. But when it came to the Tour de France he would then ride for Chris Froome. However, when UAE Team Emirates saw him as outright team leader for the Tour de France it was an easy switch from Quick-Step. In the 2018 Toru Martin has looked strong and clearly hay with his choice.

OSMedia - All rights reserved

Thursday Stage 12

Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arcs > Alpe d'Huez 19/07/2018 - 175,5 km - Mountain

"It's a real scandal. This has to stop." - Bernard Hinault

French retired cyclists Bernard Hinault has aired his thoughts on Chris Froome's win at the Giro d’Italia victory on Tuesday, saying that the Team Sky rider does not belong in the pantheon of cyclist such as himself and Eddy Merckx. In Rome on Sunday, Froome joined those two famous names by winning Grand Tours consecutively, having won last year’s Tour de France and Vuelta a España.

Bernard Hinault completed his wins between the 1982 and 1983 seasons, went as far as saying that Froome should not have even been on the start line  "Froome does not belong on that list," Hinault said, according to Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws. "He returned a positive test at the Vuelta and afterwards his B-sample proved positive, so he has used doping and he has to be suspended.

"He should never have been allowed to start in the Giro. Why do we have to wait so long for a verdict? Those two Italians who had the same thing [Alessandro Petacchi and Diego Ulissi -ed.] were suspended much faster. With what right does Froome get so much time to find an explanation? Is it because Sky has so much money?"

Froome is currently under investigation after an anti-doping test during the 2017 Vuelta a España, which he went on to win, showed him to have double the permitted levels of the asthma drug salbutamol in his urine. It remains for the British rider and his legal team must now prove that he did not exceed the allowed dosage in order to avoid a suspension. As salbutamol is a 'specified' substance on WADA's banned list, Froome is allowed to compete while the investigation is going on. Both Petacchi and Ulissi received immediate bans for elevated levels of salbutamol even though it took nine months for a verdict to be reached in Ulissi’s case.

Last week, UCI president David Lappartient told the emdia that he could not guarantee that Froome’s case would be resolved by the time the Tour de France begins in July. Also, could also not confirm whether or not the results that Froome earns during the time of the investigation will be removed if he is handed a suspension.

"This is all very sad," added Hinault. "Froome is not part of the legend of the sport, because what image does he give cycling? He may also start the Tour later."

"It’s a real scandal. This has to stop."

Bernard Hinault Bio

OSMedia @optimum_sports

Related articles

• Bennett defends his 'Froome did a Landis' comments
• Chris Froome's solo Giro d'Italia victory ignites debate
• Chris Froome determined to keep plugging away in Giro d'Italia
• Giro d'Italia 2018: Stage 10 highlights - Video
• TdF - YOUR PICS - 90+ images & live updates - Day 1
• Team Sky Ride Camps launched with Gullivers Cycling

Froome Recovers Lead as Sunweb Take Stage

Following two frenetic days of racing in the Pyrenees, no one would have bet a cent on a change of leadership on Saturday after Stage 14, a rolling 181.5-kilometre (113-mile) ride with no major difficulty.

But a short and steep climb to the finish in the southern town of Rodez was enough for Chris Froome and his mighty Sky team to recover the yellow jersey they lost two days before in the mountains.

The day's big loser was Fabio Aru, the Astana leader, who cracked in the last 500 meters and relinquished the coveted tunic to the three-time champion.

While the Team Sky train hit the front in the technical and twisting final kilometres at high speed, Aru was at the back and didn't come back before the peloton split in the climb. He lost touch with the leaders in the sharp ascent of the Cote de Saint Pierre and crossed the line 25 seconds behind stage winner Michael Matthews.

Froome was well positioned and had no problem tackling the final climb. He finished hot on the heels of Matthews.

"It's a beautiful surprise today," said Froome, who lost his jersey after enduring a bad day on the road to the ski station of Peyragudes.

Froome said he had no explanation for Aru's breakdown. But Astana team director Dmitryi Fofonov said the Italian climber simply paid for his efforts in the previous days.

"He was on his own, isolated," Fofonov said. "We had crosswinds the whole day, we needed to be up front all the time to avoid the splits. Then the finish was explosive, with sprinters climbing very fast. Not Fabio's favorite ground. Today we lost a battle, but not the war."

Froome, who had a six-second deficit at the start of the stage, is enjoying an 18-second advantage over Aru, who is paying for the weakness of his Astana team. The Kazakhstan-funded team lost key member Jakob Fuglsang on Friday after he broke a wrist and elbow, and Aru had not enough teammates to help him stay at the front.

French rider Romain Bardet, the runner-up to Froome last year, limited his losses to five seconds. He is 23 seconds back from the leader, in third place.

In fourth is Rigoberto Uran, who stuck with Froome on the final climb. He trails the Briton by 29 seconds overall.

Froome could hardly believe he won back so much time on a stage that, on paper, didn't seem set up to pose such difficulties for Aru. He thanked his teammates for their essential role in keeping him at the front, allowing him to pounce on the final climb while Aru was stuck.

In the last frenzied dash, Froome said teammate Michal Kwiatowski was urging him on over their radio system, yelling: "Froomey, go, go, go! There are gaps everywhere!"

Froome remained wary, because the top five were still close to each other. He said he'd always expected this Tour to be very open, with its atypical route over all five of France's mountain ranges, a prediction that is coming true, with just 29 seconds separating the top four.

"Everyone is fighting for every second they can get," Froome said. "The time I made up today could be very vital."

Froome has never faced such a close battle at this stage of the race. In the three Tours he won, he had the race all but wrapped up at this point. He had a lead of 1:47 after Stage 14 in 2016, of 3:10 in 2015 and 2:28 in 2013.

Matthews, who beat Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet in the sprint to claim his second stage win at the Tour, said he'd targeted the stage win all year, and trained specifically for the last climb.

He was so assured of victory that he sat up at the end and cruised over the line. "I've been dreaming of winning like that since I started cycling," he said. "I could sit up and enjoy the win in the Tour de France."

It was the second consecutive win for the Sunweb team, after Warren Barguil's victory on Friday, Bastille Day.

The stage on Sunday will lead the peloton to Le Puy-en-Velay in Massif Central during a spectacular 189.5-kilometer (118-mile) ride on rolling terrain with four climbs that could offer more surprises. But Sky promised they won't be caught off guard.

Froome's teammate, Luke Rowe, said the British squad riders were "very disappointed" when the team leader relinquished the yellow jersey to Aru in the Pyrenees, having worn it for seven days.

"He won't do it again," Rowe said.

#letour