The Ineos grants all the power to the Colombian to reconquer the Tour and dispenses with the British, who is relegated to the Vuelta.
Froome and Bernal in the last Dauphin.
Never be the same again. Joseba Beloki and other victims of cruel falls ventured that the consequences suffered by Chris Froome (35 years old) in that brutal accident at the Dauphin in 2019 would be an unbearable burden for the British. The return to competition of the four-time Tour de France winner has given reason to those who displayed their catastrophic suspicions. The veteran rider’s performances have been mediocre and yesterday Dave Brailsford, Ineos’s highest authority, confirmed what seemed inevitable. Chris still needs a little time to get back to his best level, clarify. Froome has been excluded from the list of the next Tour (August 29-September 20) and his objective will be the Vuelta a Espaa. I feel that now I cannot contribute what is needed in the team for the Tour. The Vuelta is a more realistic goal, said the British-Kenyan. The gals Geraint Thomas (34 years old), who will focus on the Giro d’Italia, has also been removed from the Grande Boucle. The long-awaited trident is already utopia.
The poor form of both riders is the official explanation for one of the cycling news of the year. With a stroke of the pen, the British squad has buried five victories in the Tour de France. Behind this decision lies a power struggle for the hierarchy of the team, a rejuvenation of the group, the fear of Jumbo’s push and an early retirement of the last icon in the conquests of the generals of the great rounds. Strange atmosphere in the undisputed dominating formation of recent seasons and the great reference in the adaptation of technological advances for the benefit of cyclists. Already surprised that Froome announced the team’s departure to commit to the modest Israel Start-Up Nation. Goodbye to a lifetime with Brailsford. The aspiring to collect five titles in the Tour was not willing to remain in the shadow of Egan Bernal, the young (23 years) and brilliant winner of the last edition. The Colombian felt that he had earned the stripes on the road and that his cycle of gregariousness was over. Not a step behind Froome and Thomas.
Last week’s Dauphin dispersed uncertainties and put everyone in their place. Bernal was with the best until he retired due to back pain. Froome and Thomas, with an anodized performance, were surpassed by their squires, finishing ranked 71 and 37, respectively, more than an hour behind the winner, the Colombian Daniel Martnez. On the contrary, in this singular start to the season, the figure of Richard Carapaz, winner of a stage in the Tour of Poland, has stood out. The Ecuadorian, just arrived in Ineos, has earned a place for the Tour. The same has happened with the Costa Rican Andrei Amador. The South American sector grows in the British team, which now fears losing notoriety due to pressure from the enemy Jumbo, led by de Primoz Roglic, Tom Dumoulin and Steven Kruijswijk. Never has the Brailsford squad (dominator of all the Tour de France since 2012), shown as much weakness as in this campaign. At the helm, old men Froome and Thomas have been injured, who consider that they deserve better treatment after the services rendered.
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