Olympics - this particular bit of moronic expectation is getting on my nerves

axisus

Twice on TV news reports yesterday I saw a reporter saying "we could get our first gold tomorrow with Chris Froome in the Men's road race", and today the BBC web site is leading with 'Can Froome take gold in todays road race"

The fact of the matter is that he is NOT the type of cyclist to win a road race. He can win a 3 week stage race, and he can do well in a time trial, but he is not the sort of cyclist to get in a breakaway on a flat course, and will not be anywhere in a sprint finish. Geraint Thomas, maybe, Cav if he was there ... a strong possibility in a sprint. Also, you can throw into the mix the fact that a cycling road race is one of the most random events possible in the Olympics, anyone could win. Having said that .... yes, there is a tiny percentage chance that Froome could win but the expectation is DUMB. It is getting on my t*ts to be honest.

Rant over, I'll get back in my cage now.

stimpsonslostson

Wisdom'd. Well said. 

bingefeller

I'm guessing the journalists don't have the same insight you do though....

littlegreenman

True, I'd say a Froome win is pretty unlikely.

Gee or Steve-O are much better prospects imo, but I'll not be holding my breath.

Still wide open as we speak.

littlegreenman

Nasty crash for Richi Porte, broken collar bone?

Still not over yet!

littlegreenman

Oof! Nibali and Henao down!

littlegreenman

Thomas gone too!!!

littlegreenman

Van Avermaet looking good for it!

littlegreenman

littlegreenman said:

Van Avermaet looking good for it!

And takes it!

littlegreenman

Brilliant, beautiful scenery. Dramatic racing, and if you can win Classics and Tour stages, you can win at  the Olympics!

thumpingrug

Watched nearly all of that on the red button.  Great race and great way of seeing Rio,  

Bygone_Tones

axisus said:

Twice on TV news reports yesterday I saw a reporter saying "we could get our first gold tomorrow with Chris Froome in the Men's road race", and today the BBC web site is leading with 'Can Froome take gold in todays road race"

The fact of the matter is that he is NOT the type of cyclist to win a road race. He can win a 3 week stage race, and he can do well in a time trial, but he is not the sort of cyclist to get in a breakaway on a flat course, and will not be anywhere in a sprint finish. Geraint Thomas, maybe, Cav if he was there ... a strong possibility in a sprint. Also, you can throw into the mix the fact that a cycling road race is one of the most random events possible in the Olympics, anyone could win. Having said that .... yes, there is a tiny percentage chance that Froome could win but the expectation is DUMB. It is getting on my t*ts to be honest.

Rant over, I'll get back in my cage now.

 
Yeah, a better headline would be "Froome is NOT the type of cyclist to win a road race, but hey everyone please watch it and show your support anyway".

thermionic

Overall, I'd tend to agree with the OP. But, a hilly course means a climber like Froome can stay in contention until near the end, and we know how he can gain valuable seconds on a descent. So their assumptions were not unreasonable.

Looks like the deep gutters on the side of narrow roads caused problems to several European pros more used to Alpine or Pyrenean descents.

sweepy

The BBC commentators said from the off that Froome was a rank outsider and our best was Geraint Thomas, at least it was more exciting than the utter ball kicking pain that was the Opening Ceremony 

ennspek

I don't know anything about this but I did watch and interesting film about Bradley Wiggins earlier.