Paul Kimmage has spoken on the Off the Ball radio show about the questions that surround Team Sky and Tour de France race leader Chris Froome. In the interview, he’s asked about the data which has been released about Chris Froome’s performance on the stage to Plateau de Beille. While he doesn’t specifically discuss the data as he acknowledges it’s not his area of expertise, he does talk about ethics and transparency associated with the team.

He also describes Team Sky’s press conference where Froome’s figures were discussed as a “shambles” Regarding Chris Froome’s cycling style, he says “He has an awful ugly racing style, he’s thin and rides at a cadence that makes no sense to anybody.”

Kimmage also says of Froome, “Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the pedigree. This hasn’t been the way since he entered the sport. And this is the big question mark. How has a rider with an ordinary pedigree, well I won’t say that. He’s much better than that, but he hadn’t got a great pedigree. How has this guy transformed into one of the greatest riders of all time, because that is what we’re seeing on the race now?”

“What the sport is crying out for is transparency. Open your doors, show us how you’re doing it and then we’ll all be more than happy to stand up and applaud you for what you’re doing.”

You can listen to it here:

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14 COMMENTS

  1. I guess anyone who wins now post LA will be suspicious. It seems like Froome did not come from nowhere but has worked hard and improved steadily. Sky may have some tricks too. I’d like to see a power expert comment on his files.

    • I agree. But I’d also like to see every other riders data analysed fairly and equally too. It may be that it’s not for the public domain just yet, but the UCI should be able to see if as they do the biological data.

    • Yes. So many comparisons are being made the the 1980s and 90s without taking into consideration that advances in bike design and training have made things different not only for the winners but for the whole peloton. I think the data could support that. And if not, then it would raise some interesting questions… otherwise it’s just grousing.

  2. Have to say that I like Kimmage a lot, but it seems that his frustration at lack of access to Brailsford personally is tainting his view a little. Also, the sport has moved on, and this he acknowledges by stating he knows nothing about power meters or analysis. He pushed aside the idea of a Power Passport, but surely that’s a big plus?
    Brailsford isn’t stupid. Clearly Sky are big budget and have invested a lot to get success, whether that’s diet, fitness, training, etc. why would he want to give all of his data openly to satisfy journalists and allow competitors to benefit from the analysis.
    You don’t see multi-national companies publishing details of patents for everyone to copy.
    A power passport that is published for every rider equally is a good way to begin transparency and allow a level playing field.

  3. Some really crazy comments on this , it’s very simple .How the hell can Froome & others climb faster than riders that where juiced up to their eyeballs ? And don’t use bike design as a answer , that’s why weight limits where brought in . If known dopers are been dropped what does that say about the winner ? Really people open your eyes .

  4. When know dopers are been beaten by a rider who climbs faster than the doping era ??? Do you still think it’s clean

  5. Sky are so far ahead of all the other teams in most regards and I believe it’s down to their attention to detail.
    Diet, recovery, technology, planning/ strategy and most importantly mental focus.

  6. Don’t see anyone throwing jars of piss at Wimbledon or in the European football ⚽ leagues…. Not even at the gaa :-D. Same doctors, same problems… Just others manage to keep a lid on these problems.

  7. Really hard to believe the Froome story, no real quality track record, no early showing of any promise, gets ill, then comes back and wins a couple of TDF. Sounds very similar to the story of a well known American. He was as clean as a whistle too and claimed never to have failed a drug test and wasnt it the new bikes from Trek that helped him to win consecutive Tours. Similar pattern here, also very similar in the down right belligerent way that Froome dominates stages even at the expense of his teammates in the break away when he already has the race sown up. Very similar indeed….

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