Denver Post reporting...

[Jayarbie]

Supporting Tyler Farrar in the sprints would seem to be at odds with Contador's stated goal of 100% support for him. Can't recall a team offhand that has won GC and field sprints in a modern Tour; I think it would be difficult to do.

Telekom won both the maillot jaune and maillot vert in both 96 and 97 and supported both Ullrich and Zabel for many years.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

I think he just wants a team backing him up. The language they speak is secondary.

Maybe, but I think a spanish team would be more comfortable. He would feel at ease with fellow countrymen, his leadership would be uncontested and welcomed. National solidarity in the TdF is still quite vivid. This would guarantee that no misunderstandings would be there, either, with the staff and the teammates.

EDIT: Didn't see I was very late with this comment. Duh.

 

[richwagmn]

They were close to signing him before the Tour, so that makes it seem that they've seen his biological passport and they were ok with it.

Yea, I don't know how many more times this has to be said. Garmin had Contador sewn up if Astana fell apart.

 

[Oldman]

Telekom won both the maillot jaune and maillot vert in both 96 and 97 and supported both Ullrich and Zabel for many years.

Also quite possibly the most Toxic team to race bikes.

 

[mrbadog]

Telekom won both the maillot jaune and maillot vert in both 96 and 97 and supported both Ullrich and Zabel for many years.

Thanks for the reminder. How many team mates helped Zabel back then? Riis probably didn't need much help

 

[BroDeal]

It will be great if Contador goes to Garmin since Bruyneel has a running feud with the team. It's going to be the Hatfields and the McCoys.

 

[Parrot23]

It's going to be the Hatfields and the McCoys.

LOL . At least they will be fairly even in the TTT's, so Bertie can put even more minutes into Lance on the climbs and his supporting cast of likely senior citizens on strollers.

On the negative side: if Columbia has their knife in for Garmin, this can't be helpful to Conti if at Garmin.

Coldwildcat: culturally, yes it does seem a odd fit, though Garmin is now fulltime in Girona. Maybe that will offset this a bit at least. But still a little weird place for him to feel at home.

 

[colwildcat]

Please god no. Garmin doesn't win a lot of races, but they seem to be a tight knit group. Having been at a couple of their team events here in Boulder, I don't see how Contador fits in at all. Not a whole lot of Spanish speaking on the team, and I don't see him going out of his way to fit in to the team.

And that's all we need, an argyle version of that hideously stupid pistolero hat.

 

[hfer07]

It was already in the works, prior to the tour--If it's done deal-Radio shack/lance is in serious trouble....

 

[The GCW]

TRDean,

TRDean,

Thanks for posting this info from the Denver Post.

I'd like to see Wiggins take it one day at a time next season against Contador and the rest of the over all leaders.

So I hope Contador goes elsewhere.

It is better to split up the overallers for the sake of a better race.

On the other hand, Contador can not go wrong joining Garmin.

 

[The GCW]

Consider this,

Consider this;

Wiggins indicated He's staying at Garmin.

But if Contador joins Garmin that could change things.

Wiggins honestly should look for the podium in next year's Tour and may be placed in a supporting role if Contador joins Garmin.

Also at issue is for other racers to see how the Contador / Armstrong relationship played out... Wiggins may want to avoid that whole scene.

 

[The GCW]

Wiggins reaches for the SKY

I forgot to point out, Wiggins may move to Sky if...

 

[Publicus]

Consider this;

Wiggins indicated He's staying at Garmin.

But if Contador joins Garmin that could change things.

Wiggins honestly should look for the podium in next year's Tour and may be placed in a supporting role if Contador joins Garmin.

Also at issue is for other racers to see how the Contador / Armstrong relationship played out... Wiggins may want to avoid that whole scene.

Wiggins could make podium with Contador on his team. Look at Armstrong.

 

[The GCW]

Publicus,

Publicus,

I was thinking that too.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

I forgot to point out, Wiggins may move to Sky if...
Reply With Quote

Sky buys out his contract? Does that happen in cycling?

 

[tifosa]

Buying out his contract could happen, if the team and/or Doug Ellis has the money.

If Contador signs with Garmin, then Wiggins will move to SKy.

 

[Parrot23]

Wiggins could make podium with Contador on his team. Look at Armstrong.

Yes, I don't think Wiggo has any delusions about his ability to win the Tour (said his goal is to MAYBE get onto the podium; elsewhere he said he MIGHT now be able to target Tirreno, etc., for a win).

 

[Clemson Cycling]

If Contador signs with Garmin, then Wiggins will move to SKy.

Do you have a link or an inside source

 

[hulkgogan]

I don't get it from both ends. Why Garmin would think he's a good fit - they got a pretty anglo vibe, and why Contador would wanna jump right back into the fire with a bunch of Yanks?

For Vaughters the upside is limited - he'll now be expected to win the Tour and for the first time he's also faced with the prospect of having a rider on the team that's bigger than him. I dunno if he's thought it through. Either that or the pressure is coming from elsewhere. Maybe the money guys think only a Tour win really cuts it in the States?

There's something more behind this.

Also, Vaughters was saying on Eurosport the other day that he told Wiggo to wait until after the Tour to renegotiate his contract. The idea being Wiggo will be paid appropriately cause they both felt he was up for a good one. However, I'm now thinking that Vaughters was still thinking about signing Bert, and it was a stalling tactic.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

Rumor was before the tour the Herbalife would come on if they could land Alberto Contador

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

Garmin going after Contador...interesting.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_12919159

interesting...........


but don't you have to be "clean" to ride on this team?

It will NEVER happen

 

[Clemson Cycling]

but don't you have to be "clean" to ride on this team?

Don't you have to be clean to ride on every team in any race?

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

Don't you have to be clean to ride on every team in any race?

yes that is true but Garmin has a much stricter code
will be interesting to see

 

[Jayarbie]

I don't get it from both ends. Why Garmin would think he's a good fit - they got a pretty anglo vibe, and why Contador would wanna jump right back into the fire with a bunch of Yanks?

You're missing the forest through all the trees on this one. It makes sense from a Garmin standpoint because who wouldn't want the best cyclist in the sport (and potential many year Tour winner) on their team? If you can get a guy like Contador, who cares if he is English or American or Spanish or Zimbabwean or whatever? Is there a downside to having Contador on the team (assuming they have done their doping due dilligence background check)? I can't think of any.

The motive for Contador is a little weaker because national/cultural issues are probably more important for an individual rider than a team, but for him, Garmin offers a team with potentially Wiggins, VdV, Millar, Zabriskie, D. Martin, Danielson, etc. on it. That's a team with enough talent to support a Tour winner in the mountains, on the flats, in the TTTs, and anywhere else. What is the X factor in that analysis is that, if Contador can find a Spanish team that is also strong enough to control a Tour, then Garmin might not be the best fit for him.

 

[Jamsque]

I'd would basically lose all faith in JV and Garmin if they hired Contador.