AC to Saxo, is Riis better off without the Schlecks?

[hrotha]

He's saying the attack was pointless, chaingate or no chaingate, so there's no need to nitpick. I'd also add throwing away the Ax-3-Domaines stage instead of using every opportunity to put time on Contador, but I don't think the way he climbed the Tourmalet was a mistake; his usual tactic of half-hearted accelerations had failed and he needed a different approach. Judging by what we saw in the ITT and by what's transpired since the end of the TdF, it could have worked.

 

[Publicus]

He's saying the attack was pointless, chaingate or no chaingate, so there's no need to nitpick. I'd also add throwing away the Ax-3-Domaines stage instead of using every opportunity to put time on Contador, but I don't think the way he climbed the Tourmalet was a mistake; his usual tactic of half-hearted accelerations had failed and he needed a different approach. Judging by what we saw in the ITT and by what's transpired since the end of the TdF, it could have worked.

This. Andy was a little cavalier about gaining time on AC. AX-3 is an excellent example of an opportunity lost. Hopefully he continues to grow and mature as a cyclist and truly embraces the notion of gaining time whenever you can on your rivals. You never know when those extra seconds will come in handy.

 

[bridgeman]

I wonder if Barney can get Bertie to stop with that stupid pistol thing?

 

[Publicus]

I wonder if Barney can get Bertie to stop with that stupid pistol thing?

Unless and until whoever it is directed to is out his life or asks him to stop, I'd say expect to see it until he retires.

 

[joeags]

There is also the fact that there is a co-sponsor of the team in Sungard. I think the combination of factors convinced Saxo to return - having a lesser monetary investment (in this day, that has to be at the top of all company's minds) and having Contador on board.

Had the Schleck's still been there, and a Sungard had popped up also, that very well may have convinced SB to re-sign. But since the Schleck's flew the coop early, we'll never know for sure.

... If Saxo Bank resigned because of Contador (which is certainly likely) then then he might rightly feel that Saxo Bank thinks he's second rate, but Riis has nothing to do with that.

 

[No_Balls]

I think I understand, and agree, with you. Andy's already finished second at the Tour to Contador on two occasions, despite AC insisting that he was far from his best form this year; I'm sure Andy would much rather be beaten by a champion at the top of his game than one who reckoned he didn't ride a great race.

Add to that the fact that Andy's presence on the team was seemingly not enough to convince Saxo Bank to sponsor them for another year, while the timing of the announcement suggests that Contador's presence is enough to lead them to do exactly that. Can't help the poor boy's self esteem

No wonder. A whole year of doing nothing for two stage wins in TDF and losing to a off-form AC doesn´t exactly set the world on fire for the guys with the wallet.

 

[EmpressJo]

No wonder. A whole year of doing nothing for two stage wins in TDF and losing to a off-form AC doesn´t exactly set the world on fire for the guys with the wallet.

You could argue then that Contador's not much better, if Saxo Bank are signed (at this stage) for only one year. I'm guessing that it's a 'let's wait and see what happens' scenario from Saxo Bank, but I thought Contador being on board would've given them a vote of confidence to at least go for two years.

Team SBS has to perform in 2011, or Riis is going to have to do the whole sponsorship suck up thing - again - next year.

 

[bjaelkesex]

You could argue then that Contador's not much better, if Saxo Bank are signed (at this stage) for only one year. I'm guessing that it's a 'let's wait and see what happens' scenario from Saxo Bank, but I thought Contador being on board would've given them a vote of confidence to at least go for two years.

Team SBS has to perform in 2011, or Riis is going to have to do the whole sponsorship suck up thing - again - next year.

Or maybe they were only allowed to sign a one year deal because of the problems with money laundry and embezzlement. Some financial journalist was mentioning the possibility this morning that the contract had an option to extend the sponsorship based on the outcome of the investigations against Saxobank.

 

[EmpressJo]

Or maybe they were only allowed to sign a one year deal because of the problems with money laundry and embezzlement. Some financial journalist was mentioning the possibility this morning that the contract had an option to extend the sponsorship based on the outcome of the investigations against Saxobank.

Ah, see, now I thought it was strange that Contador was on board for two years, but Saxo Bank only one. I wondered why they even bothered.

 

[unsheath]

I wonder if Barney can get Bertie to stop with that stupid pistol thing?

Have you seen his bike and helmet lately? The tri colour finger insignia is everywhere. It's his trademark and part of the Contador brand. No way he's ditching it.

 

[El Pistolero]

Have you seen his bike and helmet lately? The tri colour finger insignia is everywhere. It's his trademark and part of the Contador brand. No way he's ditching it.

He has a lot of t-shirts with that pistol gesture on lol. I've noticed that at some post Tour Crits in Belgium and Holland.

 

[Angliru]

You could argue then that Contador's not much better, if Saxo Bank are signed (at this stage) for only one year. I'm guessing that it's a 'let's wait and see what happens' scenario from Saxo Bank, but I thought Contador being on board would've given them a vote of confidence to at least go for two years.

Team SBS has to perform in 2011, or Riis is going to have to do the whole sponsorship suck up thing - again - next year.

That would be an argument lost before it even started. Contador is prolific, winning from beginning of the season till the end of July. Andy shows in the Ardennes and the Tour only. Add to that Contador's record in grand tours and there really isn't much of a comparison to make.

 

[roundabout]

We recognise that the sponsorship has given us a great branding opportunity and increased our name recognition around the world. However, we also have to acknowledge that the sponsorship has not been ideal in reaching our narrow target group. We have to take this seriously and after 2010 we will use our marketing funds differently.

Wonder how Contador is going to help reach that narrow group?

 

[EmpressJo]

That would be an argument lost before it even started. Contador is prolific, winning from beginning of the season till the end of July. Andy shows in the Ardennes and the Tour only. Add to that Contador's record in grand tours and there really isn't much of a comparison to make.

Not quite what I meant.

Ref #81 - the argument was that Baby Schleck's presence wasn't enough to keep Saxo Bank on board; my reply was that Contador wasn't much better than Baby Schleck if he could get Saxo Bank to stay for only a year. It's all about the sponsors.

 

[bridgeman]

He has a lot of t-shirts with that pistol gesture on lol. I've noticed that at some post Tour Crits in Belgium and Holland.

It's going to look even more stupid when he stop winning.

 

[No_Balls]

You could argue then that Contador's not much better, if Saxo Bank are signed (at this stage) for only one year. I'm guessing that it's a 'let's wait and see what happens' scenario from Saxo Bank, but I thought Contador being on board would've given them a vote of confidence to at least go for two years.

Team SBS has to perform in 2011, or Riis is going to have to do the whole sponsorship suck up thing - again - next year.

The difference is that Conta actually won and, added to that, having a very active (and succesful) season pre Tour de France. And you can´t ignore (for marketing that is) that Conta has already five GT under his belt.

Of course Team SBS has to perform, but Contador is a guarantee for that.