CHRIS FROOME RUBBISHED suggestions that he had a say in Bradley Wiggins’ omission from Team Sky’s Tour de France roster.
As it emerged that Wiggins is in talks with Garmin-Sharp about joining the United States-based team in 2015, Froome denied it was his decision that the 2012 Tour de France champion did not get a spot this year.
Wiggins won the 2012 Tour thanks – in large part – to Froome’s power as a support rider, while the latter was given the chance to lead Sky last year on his way to yellow jersey success when the former missed the race through injury.
While Wiggins and Froome have not raced together in over a year, the latter argued he plays no role in selection.
“Just to make it absolutely clear, I do not have a role in selection,” Froome said. ”I do speak to [Team Sky principal] Dave Brailsford about generally the group of guys I’ve been racing with, but, if you look at how a Tour team is generally selected, the guys doing a Tour will be doing altitude camps together, racing together as a group.”
Wiggins and Froome’s rivalry has been well-documented and the omission of the former from Le Tour looks to have been the last straw for the 34-year-old.
Garmin-Sharp team manager Jonathan Vaughters confirmed to Cyclingnews he has spoken to Wiggins, although nothing can be agreed into cycling’s official transfer window opens at the start of August.
“Brad and I have had a couple of friendly chats,” Vaughters said. ”They were nice conversations but I have to stress that Sky have the first priority in this matter and we can’t negotiate or sign contracts until the UCI’s transfer window opens on August 1 and we’re going to follow the rules strictly.”
Vaughters added that he believes Wiggins’ time trial ability would suit Garmin-Sharp.
“Brad and I, our objectives are aligned,” he said. ”We both want to work with strong team time trial teams and we share other ideas too. There have been no negotiations at this stage though and we won’t and can’t make a move until Team Sky make a decision.”
