So offensive, makes my eyes hurt!!!

[wallymann]

How can someone so strong look so bad on a bike??!!

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11887930_10153280330993369_2320423092284006628_n.j pg?oh=27a5cf5c683da6e9ba9fe5e38207bc29&oe=563FDA0D

[don compton]

How can someone so strong look so bad on a bike??!!

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11887930_10153280330993369_2320423092284006628_n.j pg?oh=27a5cf5c683da6e9ba9fe5e38207bc29&oe=563FDA0D
I am surprised that some rocket hasn't written a report explaining that Froome's position is the ultimate.

[Shortsocks]

It just doesn't make any sense.

[ergott]

It just doesn't make any sense.

Former mountain bike guy. Used to wide bars.

[zoose]

Former mountain bike guy. Used to wide bars.

I did not know he was a mountain bike rider. Would have never guessed based on his handling skills.

[cloudguy]

Plenty of other former pro MTB riders that have switched to road...but none of them look like that.

[seanile]

jeebus, how long are his humerus bones?

[dpk501]

I agree! He looks so horrible without his rapha jersey. sacrilegious. can't watch. haha.

[aramis]

You need the specialized wind tunnel guys to tell us how many meters he loses in a sprint. :p

[JAllen]

It is pretty hideous.

[jimoots]

Anyone who criticises froome's position (or handling) should post photos of themselves riding in the hurt locker.

I mean... We all know froome can look awkward on a bike, but we'd love some new subject matter to criticise ;)

[seanile]

Anyone who criticises froome's position (or handling) should post photos of themselves riding in the hurt locker.

I mean... We all know froome can look awkward on a bike, but we'd love some new subject matter to criticise ;)
how's this? no aerodynamic advantage spared.
https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/923005_593277534069461_1929513915_n.jpg?oh=d9f1814 c990a4027cfe80771649cfb03&oe=56745671

[Peter B]

how's this? no aerodynamic advantage spared.
https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/923005_593277534069461_1929513915_n.jpg?oh=d9f1814 c990a4027cfe80771649cfb03&oe=56745671

that hat! :fight:

[slinkywizard]

I think he looks quite cute actually...anyway he could kick anyones ass here so who cares...

[mg2ride]

How can someone so strong look so bad on a bike??!!



Because it is still more about your position in the race and not your position on the bike.

Maybe you should watch figure skating instead.

[soulspinner]

how's this? no aerodynamic advantage spared.
https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/923005_593277534069461_1929513915_n.jpg?oh=d9f1814 c990a4027cfe80771649cfb03&oe=56745671

:)

[oldpotatoe]

Because it is still more about your position in the race and not your position on the bike.

Maybe you should watch figure skating instead.

Need a thumbs up little doohicky, thing. :banana:

[dustyrider]

Man! I feel hungry just looking at that poor body.
Truly an amazing feat to put yourself out there like that.

[MattTuck]

I'm going to take a stab at this one.

I think he does that, keeps his elbows out like that, for one single purpose.
And that purpose is to create stability so his upper body doesn't rotate. He is, in essence, creating a much more solid element between his hips and his shoulders that really resists any torsion. This, in theory, should allow him to deliver power to the pedals with higher force while still keeping his pelvis stable.

He doesn't have that position when he's JRA. Only when he is at maximum or near maximum output.

[charliedid]

[QUOTE=wallymann;1809960]How can someone so strong look so bad on a bike??!!

Are you serious?

[JAllen]

how's this? no aerodynamic advantage spared.
https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/923005_593277534069461_1929513915_n.jpg?oh=d9f1814 c990a4027cfe80771649cfb03&oe=56745671
Found him!

Isn't he supposed to be more hidden than that? That was too easy. :p

[phcollard]

Because it is still more about your position in the race and not your position on the bike.

Maybe you should watch figure skating instead.

But but but... Don't you love to watch a pro rider go up a hill with style? I certainly do. I find Contador pretty awesome when he stands up uphill. Quite an inspiration.

[phcollard]

how's this? no aerodynamic advantage spared.

That's some bad hat Harry.

[happycampyer]

I'm going to take a stab at this one.

I think he does that, keeps his elbows out like that, for one single purpose.
And that purpose is to create stability so his upper body doesn't rotate. He is, in essence, creating a much more solid element between his hips and his shoulders that really resists any torsion. This, in theory, should allow him to deliver power to the pedals with higher force while still keeping his pelvis stable.

He doesn't have that position when he's JRA. Only when he is at maximum or near maximum output.
Perhaps you're onto something, but I think his arms act like flying buttresses to prevent his chest from caving in.

[wallymann]

blabbdy-blah-blah. my eyes. they bleed!

what's the point of being pro if you dont look pro?!?!

;-)

Because it is still more about your position in the race and not your position on the bike.

Maybe you should watch figure skating instead.


yes indeed. required study: http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

;-)



Are you serious?

as the cannibal shows, even if you're on the rivet there's no reason to look like poo.

http://laconjuration.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/eddy-merckx.jpg

[benb]

I'm amazed he hasn't f'ed his wrists riding like that.

[FlashUNC]

Does he make the same face when getting his EPO injections?

[false_Aest]

I think it might be more beneficial to start a thread that addresses fat middle-aged men on poorly fitting, expensive, lightweight bicycles . . . and why they insist on sporting "pro kits" on the Friday Morning ride.

Probably does more collective good to address that than threads about Skeletor's failure to properly wield the Havoc Staff.

[93legendti]

Looks like the end of a stage where he is about to "throw" his bike over the line. Not a big deal.

[FlashUNC]

He's still not the ugliest rider ever on a bike. Gonna take more work to unseat to Guiseppe Guerini. He always looked like he was trying to drown a cat in a bathtub with his arms while fending off a crazed ferret with his feet. No part of his body seemed like it had any communication or sense of what the other bits were doing.

He could climb though. Maybe that's the common rub...

[beeatnik]

Anyone who criticises froome's position (or handling) should post photos of themselves riding in the hurt locker.

I mean... We all know froome can look awkward on a bike, but we'd love some new subject matter to criticise ;)

I go for that Wiggo look. I'm a belly breather, yo!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/749/20725465322_d3d7ec6174_o.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/20708537326_064e434d5e_o.jpg

[velomonkey]

I recall reading an interview with LeMond where he was racing Fignon and Laurent's coach was LeMond's previous coach.

LeMond said he had a habit of rolling out his heel when he got tired and the coach knew it. Fignon had Lemond on the ropes, one more attack and LeMond said he wouldn't be able to hold his wheel . . . in the interview he talked about the pain both physically and mentally he endured to ensure he didn't roll his heel.

I'm not saying all the old racers had souplesse - but in this day and age of power meters and race radios this is what you get.

I blame the Schlecks on this, those 2 are responsible for all the bad form!!!!!

[benb]

I think it might be more beneficial to start a thread that addresses fat middle-aged men on poorly fitting, expensive, lightweight bicycles . . . and why they insist on sporting "pro kits" on the Friday Morning ride.


The problem with that is the Paceline & especially across the hall have done that so many times it's boring.

This is fun to talk about.. and given personally I think Froome is going to get busted like Armstrong I always liked watching Armstrong more.. he didn't look like this, and he had some awesome bike handling moments. At least Froome doesn't crash constantly like Tyler Hamilton and Jan Ullrich.

[velomonkey]

At least Froome doesn't crash constantly like Tyler Hamilton and Jan Ullrich.

Huh . . . Froome crashed out of last years tour with a broken wrist. Jan, best I recall, never crashed out of a tour (Tyler did, twice). Jan went off the ledge that tone time, probably cause he wasn't paying attention knowing he was soundly beat - yet again.

[benb]

Ah.. Ulrich had a crash in a wet TT that allowed Armstrong to pass him. But I can't remember if it actually mattered.

But you got me on Froome's broken wrist, I forgot about that. He's not "constantly" crashing though as he has managed to win the TdF twice.

[velomonkey]

Ah.. Ulrich had a crash in a wet TT that allowed Armstrong to pass him. But I can't remember if it actually mattered.


Yea, that was 2003, the best the tours by -7. It was the TT and it was raining and, well, if you're in 2nd like Jan - you gotta take risks. He did, he crashed on a corner, remounted and finished - -7 was already ahead of him in GC and, best I recall, -7s TT wasn't so stellar (probably cause unlike Jan he didn't need to take a risk).

To be fair, when Froome cashed it was bad weather and cobbles. Jan was always a decent rider with good form.

[wallymann]

here's how you do it...150 watts, all day long...sooo pro. ;-)

http://brown-snout.com/cycling/misc/sooo-pro.jpg

guerini didnt look froomie-bad. just some *really* narrow shoulders.

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/tour04/stage16/GUERINI.jpghttps://farm1.staticflickr.com/152/414720104_7168c5b5d1.jpg

He's still not the ugliest rider ever on a bike. Gonna take more work to unseat to Guiseppe Guerini. He always looked like he was trying to drown a cat in a bathtub with his arms while fending off a crazed ferret with his feet. No part of his body seemed like it had any communication or sense of what the other bits were doing.

He could climb though. Maybe that's the common rub...

[93legendti]

Fernando Escartin :

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8pbqQ9ZVlkUA7.yKnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIzN2 ZiaWFrBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM1YzRhYTg0MzM2Yjc1 Y2M2NmRlZTViZTE2YzFmNWM4NgRncG9zAzY2BGl0A2Jpbmc-?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearc h%2Fimages%3Fp%3DFernando%2BEscartin%26fr%3Dipad%2 6nost%3D1%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D66&w=600&h=397&imgurl=perlbal.hi-pi.com%2Fblog-images%2F204641%2Fgd%2F1237670759%2FFernando-Escartin.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphilibert.sportblog.fr%2F708484% 2FFernando-Escartin%2F&size=138.8KB&name=%3Cb%3EFernando+Escartin%3C%2Fb%3E+%28+Images +des+courses+%29+posté+le+samedi+21+mars+2009+...&p=Fernando+Escartin&oid=5c4aa84336b75cc66dee5be16c1f5c86&fr2=&fr=ipad&tt=%3Cb%3EFernando+Escartin%3C%2Fb%3E+%28+Images+d es+courses+%29+posté+le+samedi+21+mars+2009+...&b=61&ni=108&no=66&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11nej9tef&sigb=132fouf4p&sigi=128g4dkaj&sigt=12hsth030&sign=12hsth030&.crumb=L2yJlwVGKbz&fr=ipad

[OtayBW]

As I recall, Froomer has a pretty nice looking gf. I would presume that his position and handling skills are not exactly offensive to all....

[sandyrs]

I go for that Wiggo look. I'm a belly breather, yo!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/749/20725465322_d3d7ec6174_o.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/20708537326_064e434d5e_o.jpg

I rock that jersey too. I think someone around here is supposed to tell you they like your style!

[Waldo]

Huh . . . Froome crashed out of last years tour with a broken wrist. Jan, best I recall, never crashed out of a tour (Tyler did, twice). Jan went off the ledge that tone time, probably cause he wasn't paying attention knowing he was soundly beat - yet again.

Best crasher I've ever seen was Alex Zulle. At the slightest hint of moisture on the road you could make money betting that Alex would go down. Often mere fog sufficed, as his glasses had a massive prescription and his poor vision, coupled with fogged up lenses, made him a very nervous descender.

[FlashUNC]

here's how you do it...150 watts, all day long...sooo pro. ;-)

http://brown-snout.com/cycling/misc/sooo-pro.jpg

guerini didnt look froomie-bad. just some *really* narrow shoulders.

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/tour04/stage16/GUERINI.jpghttps://farm1.staticflickr.com/152/414720104_7168c5b5d1.jpg

Guierini always looked worse in motion. Every highlight from the late 90s, he looks like a marionette puppet whose performer is having a stroke.

His photos weren't that bad. Italian style counts for something I guess...

[false_Aest]

The problem with that is the Paceline & especially across the hall have done that so many times it's boring.


Meh,

I get bored by us mortals/fatties ····ting on pros because they're not fast enough, elegant enough, etc.

····ing damned in you do, damned if you don't.
Damned if you dope, damned if you're clean.

[Black Dog]

Guierini always looked worse in motion. Every highlight from the late 90s, he looks like a marionette puppet whose performer is having a stroke.

His photos weren't that bad. Italian style counts for something I guess...

I think that people are confusing Guierini with Escartin.

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/1217966-jul-1999-fernando-escartin-of-spain-and-the-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=OCUJ5gVf7YdJQI2Xhkc2QBmB%2bp6t0EAFBcFUj7J2HtC2R7 PAaEgBYwSuTo8Yvs1j6eP%2bNFGKeCGGzHeLcoBu%2bg%3d%3d

[majorpat]

Zulle did look like a monkey humping a football on the bike.

And, I know, he was and will always be faster than me...

[93legendti]

Rominger didn't look so good, but he sure could climb and TT:



https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8p7JhdZVZ28AjV2KnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTI0cH BxMm9jBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAMwZGRmZTE4OTlhMGI4 ODJlYTg3NTVjYWVlODRlYTVhNQRncG9zAzIxMgRpdANiaW5n?. origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearc h%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dtony%2Brominger%26fr%3Dipad%26fr2 %3Dpiv-web%26nost%3D1%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D212&w=594&h=389&imgurl=cache2.asset-cache.net%2Fgc%2F542863359-der-schweizerische-radprofi-tony-rominger-gettyimages.jpg%3Fv%3D1%26c%3DIWSAsset%26k%3D2%26d %3DX7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXvX2aSZI6UqRz1%252f6N%252fr VzASasQfQ41AgfE04TBRshjYZ0BxgBpwKei8lc3Pn8hAy1g%25 3d%253d&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gettyimages.com%2Fdetail%2Fn ews-photo%2Fder-schweizerische-radprofi-tony-rominger-beim-giro-ditalia-news-photo%2F542863359&size=147.4KB&name=Der+schweizerische+Radprofi+%3Cb%3ETony+Romin ger%3C%2Fb%3E+beim+Giro+d%26%2339%3BItalia+1995+.. .&p=tony+rominger&oid=0ddfe1899a0b882ea8755caee84ea5a5&fr2=piv-web&fr=ipad&tt=Der+schweizerische+Radprofi+%3Cb%3ETony+Rominge r%3C%2Fb%3E+beim+Giro+d%26%2339%3BItalia+1995+...&b=181&ni=21&no=212&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13tm75ta5&sigb=13bm7ueqa&sigi=16js4cjm3&sigt=12g8jskjc&sign=12g8jskjc&.crumb=L2yJlwVGKbz&fr=ipad&fr2=piv-web

[FlashUNC]

I think that people are confusing Guierini with Escartin.

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/1217966-jul-1999-fernando-escartin-of-spain-and-the-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=OCUJ5gVf7YdJQI2Xhkc2QBmB%2bp6t0EAFBcFUj7J2HtC2R7 PAaEgBYwSuTo8Yvs1j6eP%2bNFGKeCGGzHeLcoBu%2bg%3d%3d

Nope, Guerini. Escartin was also awful. Something about Guerini I just found so gawky and awkward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dBvJkqv0DM

[wallymann]

...that was voeckler!

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Thomas_Voeckler_dans_Aspect.jpg

[Elefantino]

Jeez, if these guys all have non-aesthetically pleasing form then I must look like the Wicked Witch on a crooked broom.

[Fivethumbs]

Does he make the same face when getting his EPO injections?

*like*

[wallymann]

rominger has the same hump that -7™ does. did they share the same doctor?

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Tour+de+France+2009+Stage+Eighteen+Individual+CQmJ aQRhhUPl.jpg

Rominger didn't look so good, but he sure could climb and TT:

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/542863359-der-schweizerische-radprofi-tony-rominger-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXvX2aSZI6UqRz1%2f6N%2frVzASa sQfQ41AgfE04TBRshjYZ0BxgBpwKei8lc3Pn8hAy1g%3d%3d

[bontie]

Froome a MTBer...another lie of his upbringing.
I recently read someone describing him "looks like a spoder dry humping a paperclip"

[dpk501]

Remember the sparks flying off his Bianchi as he crashed? Oh ulrich...

Ah.. Ulrich had a crash in a wet TT that allowed Armstrong to pass him. But I can't remember if it actually mattered.

But you got me on Froome's broken wrist, I forgot about that. He's not "constantly" crashing though as he has managed to win the TdF twice.

[dpk501]

Agreed! Bad tan line game. tsk tsk tsk

[QUOTE=wallymann;1810876]rominger has the same hump that [I]-7兌/I] does. did they share the same doctor?

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/542863359-der-schweizerische-radprofi-tony-rominger-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXvX2aSZI6UqRz1%2f6N%2frVzASa sQfQ41AgfE04TBRshjYZ0BxgBpwKei8lc3Pn8hAy1g%3d%3d

[dpk501]

What a second?!!!!?!?!?!

Is that Chris Froome's "O" Face? O O O O O O No!!!!!!

Charly Mottet was always the smoothest rider IMHO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfITu-M5QvY

[wallymann]

on the flat, yes. climbing not so much...he was a proto-voeckler climber!

Charly Mottet was always the smoothest rider IMHO


well, i will say that despite the lack of a classy position on the bike...froomie does give it his all!

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11745671_10206317263642359_2294196625293825312_n.j pg?oh=ec18eece13f077e2d5780dd937c25951&oe=566AE498

[cmg]

i thought Voeckler looked pretty good.

[dpk501]

Bugno was solid and smooth on the climbs.

Cince Ret? does all of sky's fit I wonder if they show any of Froome's pics on their site?

on the flat, yes. climbing not so much...he was a proto-voeckler climber!




well, i will say that despite the lack of a classy position on the bike...froomie does give it his all!

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11745671_10206317263642359_2294196625293825312_n.j pg?oh=ec18eece13f077e2d5780dd937c25951&oe=566AE498

[beeatnik]

Chris Froome, I like your I win when it counts style.