The whole Wiggins is arrogant thing is based on what?
We see, at best, snippets of these riders through press conferences, snapshots and on the television. How can anyone be completely judged on such short, pressurised appearances - viewed from what can only be described as a keyhole?
There will be other perspectives too: Wiggins the friend, Wiggins the father, Wiggins the husband, Wiggins the son etc etc etc etc.................
The above are more likely to know the person slightly better than the armchair viewer who picks up a newspaper and see pics of Wiggo on a night out and think "alcoholic", "wasted talent" or similar.
He might come across as arrogant and short with the press, in some instances, but would it be better if he wasn't honest and merely replied to questions with pre thought out answers? Wiggins, imo, is a breath of fresh air in all sport, not just cycling.
Yep, like the rest of us humans, he has his failings and moments. Much rather that than some bland PR speaking clone, which is what some seem to expect. Message, as above, we're all allowed to be ourselves, get annoyed by stupid questions, foul innuendo by people looking for an "angle" who don't believe plain hard work can deliver results, and be a "character". I can recall a lot "worse"! No names, etc.
I don't know what its like to be in a bike race with microphones stuffed up your nose but I dare say what end's up on air is genuine from Wiggo in those moments and I have a pile of sympathy with him for people wanting to read into those utterances things he doesn't mean. But if you think for one minute that a guy who is managed by Simon Fuller, who goes to the press on a slow news day, doesn't have a script down pat to paint himself in a self-serving way, a script beyond control and indeed blandness.....
From what I see, the evidence stacks up equally for the narrative of Wiggo as victim of Froome's personal distrust, as does Wiggo throwing his toys out of the pram as he ain't got the commitment to be a domestique to Froome in the tour this year. Why I think this is because the only thing to benefit from last week's media round was Wiggo's personal image itself. He ain't got many miles on the clock left and of all the people to cast aspersions on Froome's book as just another cyclist taking the opportunity to cash in on the moment, he's in no position to point the finger at a guy who's won the tour in spectacular fashion but has his first book out... but he does have a specific self interest in his public image.
I think only Brailsford really knows what is going on, only Brailsford actually makes the decisions as to who goes to the tour and you know what, none of us know now what that outcome could be. For sure, Wiggo's public utterances make it no easier for him to be selected and that was his choice.
For these reasons, I specifically consider Wiggo guilty of exhibiting pre-meditated and hence un-classy and un-genuine behaviour off the bike this time, aimed solely at controlling his public image and marketability. That is his weakness, his frailty and a reason in fact to empathise with him.
I do want him to go off and do well at the Commonwealth games and Vuelta. But right now I'm pissed off with him taking something of Froome's limelight, for Froome is the most exceptional GC talent ever to race as a British rider. Not for the first time, it would have been more classy for him to keep his mouth shut off the bike. Unfortunately people don't care. They want a Wiggo story. For that, unfortunately, we are just as unclassy ourselves.
(Note, I may or may not have been under the influence of Belgian Beer while writing this post)...
