As the world’s top professional cycling race the Tour de France 2012 moves into the real mountain stages a cloud of controversy seems to be hovering over Team Sky. In the race they are doing great, they have Bradley Wiggins leading in the GC and now in the coveted yellow jersey of race leader for 4 days. Then in the 3rd place on the GC they have Chris Froome so performance wise it would take a lot to be in a better position.
But Team Sky are handling the press abysmally and digging a hole vis a vie the reputation of the team. Moreover they are rumblings of discontent in the peleton with leading rider Vincenzo Nibali coming out saying that Bradley Wiggins is showing no respect to Nibali on the road.
There is more to come as the press have questioned Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford about employing Dr. Geert Leinders on an 80 day contract. Brailsford gave this oblique reply – quote – “I positively, 100% say there is no threat of anything untoward since he’s been with us. But there is reputation threat.” What a dopey reply Sky have spent millions on the team yet they do not employ a street wise PR spokesman.
Dr. Geert Leinders has some very negative history in cycling including working with Rabobank when the team was caught up in a doping scandal. Then Dr. Geert Leinders was the doctor who took care of the disgraced serial doper Michael Rasmussen who is a lowlife with a name as tarnished as Floyd Landis in the sport of professional cycling.
This raises a big red flag where one could adorn the flag with lettering like – ‘Who is doping in Team Sky?’
Team Sky Procycling Factfile
2012 UCI status: ProTeam
Sponsor: Broadcast network
Team Nationality: UK
Website: teamsky.com
Team Manager: David Brailsford
Directeurs sportifs: Steven De Jongh, Rod Ellingworth, Servais Knaven, Marcus Ljungqvist, Nicolas Portal, Sean Yates
Team Sky Wiggins in Yellow Dr. Geert Leinders in Red…
Today sees the final stage of one of professional cycling’s great stage race often referred to as the ‘Race to the Sun’ as the bikers ride south for six days from the cold in Paris to meet the sun in the fabulous playground of Nice in the first spring calendar classic of the racing season.
But today is the last stage and it is very special as Team Sky British superstar Bradley Wiggins ia leading by six seconds overall and is favorite to win. His main challenger 6 seconds adrift is Lieuwe Westra from the Nederlands riding for Vacansoleil-DCM. The last stage is a time trial which Wiggins usually excels in but the stage is difficult as it mainly uphill and all riders have to conquer the slopes of Col d’Eze nine kilometers plus of torture but the Team Sky leader is up for it and had this to say – quote – “There’s no point me sitting on the start line going: ‘I wonder how Lieuwe Westra is today? I wonder if he’s got the legs?’” – more – “It’s every man for himself – you can’t hide on Col d’Èze. ” – more – “My biggest adversary will be myself, how I prepare and how I get in the zone. Other than that, I’m not thinking about anything else.”
Team Sky have been in great form last season and at the start of this season and there will be huge disappointment in the team if they do not pull off victory in Nice. But team morale is high and the management team are very experienced with dome of the best motivators in the business. Hence we forecast Team Sky to win Paris-Nice 2012.
If Bradley Wiggins can win the 2012 Paris-Nice Spring Classic then he will become the first British rider to win the ‘Race to the Sun’ since the late great Tom Simpson in 1967
Bradley Wiggins set to win 2012 Paris-Nice Spring Classic…
2011 has been a great year for British professional racing cyclists the year has seen some great rides by top UK pros Bradley Wiggins – Chris Froome – David Millar and a whole raft of select riders who race for the UK pro team ‘Team Sky’
But at the top of the pile in UK pro cyclists is the new winner of BBC Sports Personality of the year 2011 the UK World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish.
On winning this prestigious award Mark Cavendish said – quote – “I’m absolutely speechless.”
Mark is the 2011 Road World Champion. He is also a Tour de France green jersey winner and was awarded an MBE in November for his services to cycling.
In second place was golfer Darren Clarke, 43.
In third place was runner Mo Farah, 28.
Pro Racing Cyclist Mark Cavendish BBC Sports Personality of the year 2011…
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