Wiggins vs Froome

After both Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome staked a claim for leadership of Team Sky at the Tour de France, we consider all the unlikely scenarios of how this potential team rivalry may play out



Wiggins declares it ‘a big wind-up'

At the pre-Tour team presentation, Wiggins gets Froome in a headlock, messes up his hair and declares, "I was just messing with you, mate. Everyone knows that a Giro-Tour double is impossible these days!" insisting he's taking a backseat... but still quite fancies a podium. A team press-release states the fuss was all part of a Sky strategy to spread confusion and unsettle the team's main rivals.

Entertainment value ***

Likelihood 3%



Richie Porte wins

While everyone's watching Wiggins and Froome's body language, their Australian super-domestique takes a flyer. He has a good couple of minutes' lead and the two best climbers in the race to help him defend it. A team press-release states the fuss was all part of a Sky strategy to spread confusion and unsettle the team's main rivals.

Entertainment value **

Likelihood 2%



Wiggins and Froome fight it out

The Sky duo are neck-and-neck in both mountains and time trials. The team management lets them knock seven bells out of each other and their press conferences become a soap opera. For three weeks, the world is treated to the best Tour de France ever as even the riders can't decide who to back. Bernard Hinault says it's still not as good as his battle with Greg LeMond in 1986...

Entertainment value *****

Likelihood: 11%



Froome forced to play second fiddle

Wiggins knows he has the edge on Froome for the first time trial and assumes leadership for the rest of the race. Froome's scowl and furrowed brow scares local children. Brailsford tells Froome not to worry. He can have a go at winning the race next year.

Entertainment value **

Likelihood: 23%

One of them gets grounded

Tensions mount to such an extent that the team decides it can only take one of them. The excluded rider cites European Human Rights law to get out of contract and joins Omega Pharma-Quick Step in time for the Tour. A whole new war of words flares up with Mark Cavendish.

Entertainment value **

Likelihood 6%



Froome rides away in the mountains

Froome is worried about Wiggins's potential in the first time trial and decides to take no chances. When Nibali attacks in the Pyrenees, Froome ‘follows' the move, Wiggins sits tight and Sky sit up, bluffing the other teams. Froome rides away from Nibali and effectively wins the Tour.

Entertainment value ***

Likelihood: 16%



‘Froomedog' is deaf to team whistles

No matter what has been said in team meetings, what happens in the time trials, and whatever the official Sky party line is, Froome attacks Wiggins and claims later that he had problems with his radio. He also had problems seeing the team car... and understanding what DS Nico Portal was shouting at him... and those hand gestures? No, he had no idea what they meant either...

Entertainment value ****

Likelihood: 14%



Wiggins or Froome crash out

In the run-up to the race or a predictably hectic opening week, one of them gets ill or injured and is obliged to pull out before things get serious. Team boss Dave Brailsford breathes a sigh of relief that can be heard on other continents.

Entertainment value *

Likelihood: 15%

Wiggins's head falls off after Giro

Wiggins becomes the first Brit to win the Giro d'Italia, and decides "that'll do for me, let's celebrate". Instead of carrying on training, he goes on a massive Italian bender with Pauls Weller and Smith. They tour Barolo and Montepulciano vineyards via Vespa museums and fashion houses, flicking a metaphorical V-sign at the Tour.

Entertainment value ***

Likelihood: 10%

Note: Since this article was published, Wiggins pulled out of the Giro. Whether his head falls off remains to be seen

This article was first published in the May 9 issue of Cycling Weekly. Read Cycling Weekly magazine on the day of release where ever you are in the world International digital edition, UK digital edition. And if you like us, rate us!