The Sir, the Sir and the Kenyan

“Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on

Just keep on pressing on

Sky is the limit and you know that you can have

What you want, be what you want

Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on

Just keep on pressing on

Sky is the limit and you know that you can have

What you want, be what you want, have what you want, be what you want.”

Deceased gangster-rapper Notorious B.I.G’s chorus, from the song “Sky’s The Limit”, would be quite applicable to Team Sky, were it not for two things, or rather two persons; namely Froome and Wiggins. Or is it the other way around; Wiggins and Froome?

With Sir Brailsford’s recent statement, about Sir Wiggins riding the Paris-Roubaix to prepare for the tour, the stage is once again set for petty squabbles on the mighty Sky team. Or is it?

One thing is certain, and that is the public knows very little about what is going on internally in the Sky team, and even less about how warm the relationship (if any) between the Sir and the Kenyan currently is.

Hate? Possible. Love? Improbable. Friendship? Doubtful. Indifference? Practicable. Trust? Unrealistic. Cooperation? Optimum.

Status of relationship between the two? Unknown.

Consequences for the 2014 Tour? Unknown.

Consequences for Sky? Unknown.

Team Sky in 2014

At least on paper it looks like Sky will once again be the dominant force within the World Tour. Even with Uran leaving – to Omega Pharma-Quick Step – the team looks more than ready for 2014. In fact, Uran’s departure might just strengthen the team, considering one of Sky’s sole problems has been that its many cooks occasionally spoiled the broth.

Depending on the whims and wishes of Brailsford, Sky might just give it a serious go at cycling’s triumvirate, i.e. il Giro, le Tour and la Vuelta. This would most likely involve Porte in Italy, Froome in France, and Henao (though this time with lieutenants, ready to take his place should he falter) in Spain.

Sky might also go for an entirely different approach. In a recent interview with cyclingnews.com Brailsford hinted that the lack of dominance in the 2013 Tour (team-wise) evinced overstretched resources.

"Maybe by creating two Grand Tour teams this year, we diluted the team a little bit. Maybe we will put all of our best riders in the Tour [2014] team. But we do not know yet, it is not even November yet."

If Sky is gunning for a show like that of the 2012 Tour – where they turned the French mountains into English parade grounds – they will need to pile assets; consequently we might see a B team to the Giro, led by Porte, and the A team to the Tour.

Porte, at a publicity event at the recent Saitama Critirium, revealed that this might be the case:

"Obviously the big goal for me next year is the Giro. I have not really sat down and talked to the team about it but I think it is the next step for me. But come July I want to be there in England for the start [of the Tour de France]. I do think I can do a good Giro and come out and be good in the mountains and help Chris there."

Neither the Kenyan nor the Sir

This could leave Froome with two very talented individuals – Richie Porte and Sir Bradley Wiggins – at his Tour disposal, most probably accompanied by a mix of Boason Hagen, Eisel, Henao, Kennaugh, Kiriyenka, Sivstov, Stannard, Thomas and newcomer Nieve.

Porte is known to be the archetypal self-sacrificing indulgent lieutenant.

Wiggins is known to be the winner of the Tour de France, Sky’s team captain and sole leader.

It should not come as a surprise if Froome is already a bit worried (again). However, if this is the case he hides it well. In an interview with cyclingnews.com he said:

“I do not see why we could not ride together. I personally do not know what Brad’s plans are for the future. I have heard he is looking at going back to track cycling, but I do not see why we would not be able to ride something like the Tour together or any race. We are professionals.”

Ok. All things clear.

The whole Froome vs. Wiggins discussion could just be a phantom phenomenon; spawned by the media for its publicity value.

But then again… Who are we kidding?

Sean Yates revealed– in his autobiography – that Wiggins was close to leaving the Tour, after Froome’s attack during stage 11 in the Alps. Wiggins stated that he was so devastated that he refused to watch Froome win this year’s race, and furthermore, that he has never congratulated Froome with said victory. Then there was of course the rejoicing of the British Isles after Wiggins’ 2012 win, and a collective national shouldershrug after Froome emulated his achievement. Add to that all the small stories which have been brought in the medias about their relationship.

One thing is not clear, and that is why Brailsford insists on muddying the waters, by insinuating Tour collaboration between the two, and thereby planting doubt where there should be none. One answer could be that there is something fishy going on in the murky waters behind the scene.

On that note, here are two predictions (with the first admittedly being more likely than the second):

1)   Wiggins will find some excuse for not participating in next year’s Tour.

2)   Chris Froome will leave Sky after his contract expires.

Finally… is Sky the limit?

It might be.

The only problem is, that neither the Kenyan nor the Sir can (in the words of Notorious B.I.G.) be what they want, or have want they want; at least not while simultaneously being the world’s best GT rider, and Brailsford’s most cherished.