Wiggo no go TdF 2013

[TheLurker]

Probably for the best.  Leaving aside the intra-team competition issues and Wiggo's attitude I think Brailsford's approach of taking only riders who are fully fit and insisting on resting riders who are ill, injured or otherwise not quite up to scratch is good for the sport.  It removes (or at least significantly reduces) the pressure to take ahem "medical shortcuts" to get a rider back on his or her bike.

[matthew]

As mentioned on the radio this morning here's to wiggo focusing on the rainbow jersey for the ITT this year.

[Hot Flatus]

Robert Millar doesn't buy the hurty knee and sniffle story either....

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/robert-millar/tales-from-the-underground-the-honeymoon-is-over-for-sky-and-wiggins

[clarion]

Interesting take, with a fair bit of speculation, but Millar's not often wrong.

[David Martin]

There is enough in that to make one suspect that he is neither fully correct nor fully wrong.

[andrew_s]

Apparently when Chris Froome was considering putting his signature on a new contract to stay with the Brit team after last year's Tour he insisted on sole team leadership and no Wiggins at the 2013 TdF. It was that or hello BMC.

is wrong, as Froome was one year into a three year contract he'd signed after coming 2nd at the 2011 Vuelta

[Ewan Houzami]

Interesting article, yet funny that Brian Smith is implying similar in his Tweets. I wonder who actually got the scoop?

[Exit Stage Left]

Is there anyone on the Sky coaching team now who has ridden a Grand Tour? Can success be achieved just on the numbers?

[Rainmaker]

Posted by: Exit Stage Left Today at 12:08:23 AM
Can success be achieved just on the numbers?

Didn't the Giro answer that one?

[Oscar's dad]

If Sir Wiggo is entering his twilight period I hope he doesn't retire and end up as as sad washed out drunk like Gazza.  I hope he finds a fulfilling life after pro-cycling.

[Ewan Houzami]

If Sir Wiggo is entering his twilight period I hope he doesn't retire and end up as as sad washed out drunk like Gazza.  I hope he finds a fulfilling life after pro-cycling.

I fully expect to see him to perform a Freddy Flintoff inspired sporting volte face and bulk up to play second row for Wigan Warriors.

[Exit Stage Left]

If Sir Wiggo is entering his twilight period I hope he doesn't retire and end up as as sad washed out drunk like Gazza.  I hope he finds a fulfilling life after pro-cycling.

Is this a reference to 'The Thieving Magpie' by Rossini?

http://www.classicfm.com/composers/rossini/music/thieving-magpie/

[RJ]

Meanwhile, in other news, Froome is doing quite well in the Dauphiné ...

[Toady]

Report here suggesting BW's time at Sky may not be long
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-wiggins-marginalised-as-froome-goes-from-strength-to-strength

[Hot Flatus]

....and now, of course, His Bradness is saying that he has doubts he will ride TdF again.

His heart isn't in it (ATM) and that was evident at the Giro.

[mzjo]

In all of this battle of the stars at Sky someone who should be considering what he wants from life is Geraint Thomas. Gold medals not withstanding, if he stays at Sky he will be a slave to Chris Froome's ambitions when he could be developing into a tidy leader in his own right. Time might be coming up to take a place in his old mate Cav's train and get a chance to shine in his own right.