Cavendish to Sky Confirmed?

[Anonymous]

Sky give you info.

Cool.

Have you heard anything about the Henao rumor then?

nah, "anonymous" message that i originally wrote off as speculation.

As far as I know Henao deal is done. Hes been quoted in two interviews now as joining sky for 2012

 

[rickshaw]

Just wondering

Why hasn't this been moved to the "Transfer / rumours" thread? Isn't that what this is, a transfer rumour?

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I don't think Dimspace (aka TeamSkyFans) will be overly pleased. I am not sure it is Sky's smartest move. If this proves to be correct then what will happen with the Gilbert deal?

I think the scary part is that Cavendish's salary when doubled at Sky will equal Wiggins'! Say what?

Plus the CN article was saying, regarding Sky's goal of winning the Tour in 5 years, that:

after a difficult first year, the British team has now set wider goals

We all know that it's difficult, but not impossible, to carry a GC contender and Sprints contender to the Tour at the same time. The old Telekom with Ulle and Zabel seemed to do well enough at it, but since then teams have left their prized sprinter (and/or sprinter leadout guy) at home in favor of a squad more suited to supporting their GC leader.

 

[kurtinsc]

I don't see the problem with Cav and EBH on the same team. EBH is extremely talented, but I don't think his future lies in being a field sprinter, and I don't think he does either.

I see him as a challenger for GC in a lot of stage races, a great threat in 1-day events and a protected rider who isn't required to do leadouts and can try his own luck with late attacks. The only time I think he should lead out for Cav would be in GT flat stages... if the two share the road in other races then he should be excused from that for the most part... especially in a tougher stage where Cav making the finish is somewhat questionable.

 

[sky forever]

Nonsense. What has he won of note?

A train of, for example, Thomas, Henderson, EBH, Cav would be a cast iron guarantee of GT stage wins.

EBH in a free role or working for Wiggins guarantees absolutely nothing.

It's a great move for Sky and a great move for EBH, because he'd be involved in a team that wins regularly again. My only reservation is for Cav himself - he's spoken in the past of how Brailsford's methods don't really suit him.

I don't think you know why EBH left HTC. He left to gain more opportunities to ride for himself and try to win races. If Sky sign Cav, then him, Lofkvist and Henderson will be back to square 1 and probably leave the team.

If you take EBH out of the train and allow him to do what he wants, then there is a chance that they would keep him.

 

[kanari]

I 100% agree with kurtinsc. Let's not forget that his best season yet was in HTC with Cav. Having Cav in the team will also take some pressure off his shoulders which is good.

 

[Jamsque]

I don't think you know why EBH left HTC. He left to gain more opportunities to ride for himself and try to win races. If Sky sign Cav, then him, Lofkvist and Henderson will be back to square 1 and probably leave the team.

If you take EBH out of the train and allow him to do what he wants, then there is a chance that they would keep him.

Henderson is old and slow and almost certainly going to GreenEdge anyway, and if Lofkvist left Sky he would probably end up with fewer leadership chances than he has now. Those two are not the ones I would worry about if Cav goes to Sky. It's the young riders that might end up losing out, EBH and G particularly since they have huge motors that are perfect for lead-out trains.

 

[just some guy]

Henderson is old and slow and almost certainly going to GreenEdge anyway, and if Lofkvist left Sky he would probably end up with fewer leadership chances than he has now. Those two are not the ones I would worry about if Cav goes to Sky. It's the young riders that might end up losing out, EBH and G particularly since they have huge motors that are perfect for lead-out trains.

But for Thomas next year he will be at the track with eyes at the Olympics so it´s 2013 things maybe different 2013

 

[Mambo95]

I don't think you know why EBH left HTC. He left to gain more opportunities to ride for himself and try to win races.

EBH left because Sky offered three times as much money.
His future isn't as a bunch sprinter, but I'm sure he's not adverse to helping out in bunch sprints, just as he's not adverse to towing the bunch up a mountain in the Dauphine.

A sample Sky Tour team could look like this (ignoring any Olympic commitments):

Wiggins, Cavendish, Uran, Henao, Siutsou, EBH, Renshaw, Thomas, Eisel (if all the rumours come true)

A really strong, balanced team. Enough to support both Wiggins (or Uran) and Cav and allow EBH a good deal of freedom on suitable stages.

 

[sky forever]

Henderson is old and slow and almost certainly going to GreenEdge anyway, and if Lofkvist left Sky he would probably end up with fewer leadership chances than he has now. Those two are not the ones I would worry about if Cav goes to Sky. It's the young riders that might end up losing out, EBH and G particularly since they have huge motors that are perfect for lead-out trains.

But EBH wants chances to be the leader himself, I don't think for sprints. But GC in short stage races or the classics. If you have him doing the same role as he did at HTC, then I almost guarantee that he would leave after 1 season of being lumbered with Cav again.

My thing with Lofkvist wasn't about the opportunities he has had, it was about the time when he was on HTC. I am glad he has been given the Giro and give him a few years, then he "could" challenge the Top 10 at Grand Tour.

 

[sky forever]

EBH left because Sky offered three times as much money.

I don't think that was why, I'm not gunna find the article but I am pretty sure that he left for opportunity and not the money. Hes not a footballer.

 

[Mambo95]

I don't think that was why, I'm not gunna find the article but I am pretty sure that he left for opportunity and not the money. Hes not a footballer.

And when was the last time you heard a footballer say he moved for the money? It's always about the 'opportunities' and 'ambition' of the new team.

90% of the time, the main reason a cyclist moves teams is money.

 

[Archibald]

I'm still not convinced this is going to happen but I won't be surprised if it does.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, but it depends on how Sky deals with it. They have a lot of talented young riders and I think everyone here agrees that it would be a great shame if guys like Swift and EBH are given fewer leadership opportunities. Still, the GreenEdge exodus is going to hit Sky hard so they will probably not have as many sprinters next season even if they do add Cav.

He's obviously going to be the number one leader at every flat race, whichever team he rides for, I just hope Sky doesn't become Team Cav.

with Wiggins still there, they'll be quite torn in terms of who to support and for which events, especially the Tour. It's not like Cav can ghost through a pack to finish by himself like McEwen when sharing with Evans at Lotto...

on that note, and the withering prospect of HTC's survival, would they team up with Lotto?

 

[Captain_Cavman]

This makes sense for Cavendish for so many reasons, his love life to name one that hasn't been mentioned so far.

It makes sense for Sky to have the world class and potentially all time great cyclist on the team.

The only people who it doesn't make sense for are those who are not good enough to compete for a sprinting spot or who are yet to fulfil their potential and haven't secured a role within the team.

Ignoring the first group, the second group isn't that big, EBH and Swift are the only real members of it. To be the number 2 sprinter behind Cavendish is plenty good enough for Swift at this stage, which leaves us with the perennial 'What are we to do with Edvald?' problem which would still be there if Cavendish came or not.

So all in all a fantastic move.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

SO basically Cav has said, " I am going to Sky but I don't really want to talk about it now, I am annoyed it got out and I don't want HTC to be ****ed with me going into the tour".

He could of categorically denied it and then signed with Sky like Wiggins but he has chosen the more moral path by not denying it but not saying he is going (even though it is obvious he is).

To be fair to Cav - he is a free agent after this year so obviously he is going to be talking to a lot of teams (including Sky) so there is little to deny.

I don't see the problem with Cav and EBH on the same team. EBH is extremely talented, but I don't think his future lies in being a field sprinter, and I don't think he does either.

I see him as a challenger for GC in a lot of stage races, a great threat in 1-day events and a protected rider who isn't required to do leadouts and can try his own luck with late attacks. The only time I think he should lead out for Cav would be in GT flat stages... if the two share the road in other races then he should be excused from that for the most part... especially in a tougher stage where Cav making the finish is somewhat questionable.

Agree.
The only races where there may be a conflict would be Milan-San Remo and Ghent Wevelgem. But EBH should be looking beyond those type of races and IF Cav signs then it would take the pressure off him.

However if Cav signs for Sky then they have abandoned their GC hopes - which is realistic, but it shows the stupidity of buying Wiggins on a long contract at a top wage.

 

[luckyboy]

I don't think Dimspace (aka TeamSkyFans) will be overly pleased. I am not sure it is Sky's smartest move. If this proves to be correct then what will happen with the Gilbert deal?

I think the scary part is that Cavendish's salary when doubled at Sky will equal Wiggins'! Say what?

The best sprinter in the world, who is British, signs for the British ProTour team. I don't know how all the guaranteed big wins he will get for them and the fact he is a big name isn't a good move.

And I wouldn't say it was a shock he would be paid the same as Wiggins.

HTC is likely going to disintegrate due to financial trouble... You want Germany's biggest talent to stay at a doomed team?

Whatever happens with sponsors, HTC aren't going to fold. Bob Stapleton is a billionaire. If the worst comes to the worst it will just be Highroad next year.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

It's not like Cav can ghost through a pack to finish by himself like McEwen when sharing with Evans at Lotto...

Why does somebody bring up this myth every time Cav's name in mentioned? I guess if people say it often enough it becomes true in their minds.

 

[Jamsque]

Why does somebody bring up this myth every time Cav's name in mentioned? I guess if people say it often enough it becomes true in their minds.

He isn't hopeless without a lead-out by any means, but I do think he is far weaker on his own than the likes of Friere and McEwen. He may get better at that with age.

 

[zigmeister]

Well, something has been up this week with him in the Tour Suisse.

He hasn't made any attempt at a sprint or effort.

Wouldn't be surprised if he is distracted by contract negotiations...he seems psychologically delicate in that way.

 

[zigmeister]

He isn't hopeless without a lead-out by any means, but I do think he is far weaker on his own than the likes of Friere and McEwen. He may get better at that with age.

Maybe that is Cav's case. But he better have a lead out guy, because young guns like Sagan have nothing but themselves, and are doing quit well. I don't think Cav is the fastest sprinter. He relies entirely on some kind of lead out it seems, without a train and sombody to launch him, he is just back in the pack with Farrar who is often in the same boat, no good lead-out guy syndrome.

 

[jobiwan]

Maybe that is Cav's case. But he better have a lead out guy, because young guns like Sagan have nothing but themselves, and are doing quit well. I don't think Cav is the fastest sprinter. He relies entirely on some kind of lead out it seems, without a train and sombody to launch him, he is just back in the pack with Farrar who is often in the same boat, no good lead-out guy syndrome.

So I guess you didn't watch last years stages to Bordeaux and Paris.
Cav, with no Renshaw and no leadout, still blows everyone away.

 

[Jamsque]

I don't think Cav is the fastest sprinter.

You think wrong.

 

[Winterfold]

Cav not the fastest

Last year's Champs Elysses win was just incredible.

Obviously it was all Renshaw's doing.

Sky can put together a very very good train for Cav, almost good enough that it might just be as predictable who wins as now - but hopefully not.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

I don't think Cav is the fastest sprinter.

I can understand the rude, arrogant, can't get over a hillock, even fat abuse/nonsense, but that's just silly. On top form, he's several km/h quicker than everyone else. It's really not close.

Actually, he usually gets some help, even if he isn't always delivered to the front with 250m to go - he got a lot of help from Martin in Paris last year to get him close to the front, for example, without giving him a lead out, per se. Although as pointed out, the Bordeaux sprint showed what can happen when he gets next to nothing in the way of a lead out. I don't think I can remember a GT sprint stage ever being won so easily. Check some of his early wins too.

 

[Winterfold]

A sample Sky Tour team could look like this (ignoring any Olympic commitments):

Wiggins, Cavendish, Uran, Henao, Siutsou, EBH, Renshaw, Thomas, Eisel (if all the rumours come true)

A really strong, balanced team. Enough to support both Wiggins (or Uran) and Cav and allow EBH a good deal of freedom on suitable stages.

This - and next year being Olympic year I expect Wiggo and Thomas wont be that interested in being top dog in July.

Stage wins for Cav with Uran and EBH free agents.

Get the wins in.

Ive said it before, I am sure News Intl can spin Cav winning in Paris to be winning the Tour to most of the British public.