Evans leaves Omega Pharma - Lotto

[Sambee]

The last thing Robbie would want is for Cadel to turn up on the doorstep again.

I agree, Robbie was none too happy (rightly so) when they decided that it was all for Cadel and not to worry about getting the sprint finishes. I personally couldn't see why they couldn't have gone for both...

 

[Nick777]

Hmmmm, he'd already finished 14th in the Giro, 3rd in Tour of Romandie and a few other pretty decent results way back in 2002 when he was at Mapei. Then two years of nothing at Telekom. Maybe Lotto decided to show some faith in the guy and look where it got him.

Given that they had a great 'program' going, it was no surprise that they wouldn't give him a go.

 

[Moondance]

Given that they had a great 'program' going, it was no surprise that they wouldn't give him a go.

Your point?

 

[Anonymous]

Read my post in its proper context. I have never, I repeat, never, claimed that Cadel was anything other than a very talented rider. I was defending Lotto since everyone is so eager to bash them, saying that despite his lack of results and problems he got a fair shot with them and that paid good dividends for both.

The first line about broken collarbones was a response to your post.

The rest was just me continuing on with my rant, apologies for the misunderstanding.

I think you make a good point, which I also tried to include in my post a little. S/L have done A LOT for Cadel, and even for 2010 their GC team gets better and better, which is why I stated he will be making a step down. To be honest, as I've said in other posts, when push comes to shove, the tour de france is an individual effort. At the end of the day, the individual needs to do the time trials, and carry his own body weight up the mountains, so I agree with you that everyone is quick to bash S/L.

I think when people are making comments about S/L, what they mean is compare Cadel to the other 5-6 GC contenders around, and then his team is probably ranked 6th. So rather than meaning to say his team is sh!t and offers no support, they mean relatively compared to other GC teams, they are not the best

 

[Nick777]

Your point?

Evans would have been an ideal team mate for Ullrich, but they wouldn't pick him to race in the tour.
Common sense would tell you why - and it's not because he was a threat.. more along the lines of not conforming.

 

[Moondance]

Evans would have been an ideal team mate for Ullrich, but they wouldn't pick him to race in the tour.
Common sense would tell you why - and it's not because he was a threat.. more along the lines of not conforming.

I thought it was that few people in Telekom liked him personally. BTW, if they were truly afraid of Cadel blowing the whistle on their doping program they wouldn't have included them on their squad at all. Cadel could've done so whether or not he was a member of the Tour squad.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree, Robbie was none too happy (rightly so) when they decided that it was all for Cadel and not to worry about getting the sprint finishes. I personally couldn't see why they couldn't have gone for both...

Actually, in an interview before the Tour (or during, I cant remember) Robbie said that he knew Cadel before 2005 and he encouraged S/L to take him on given his talent. He said that at the time, he was fully aware over a course of 2-3 years, his ambitions with the leadout train would be dimished. He liked Cadel and he wanted S/L to build a team around Cadel and he knew that would mean at some stage he would have to leave. Robbie is a great guy, and he had control of S/L when they signed Cadel, so he couldnt be 'none too happy' when he instigated most of the goings on.

As for going for both. In the modern era - near impossible.

Teams that have joint prospects like that often will get 'good' results, but not the top step.

Garmin - Farrar, okay, GC guys, top 10s
Milram - Ciolek, okay, Gerdemann..hmmm
Columbia - Cav, great, no jersey, GC guys - struggled (same in 2008, stage wins for Cav, but Kirchen was alone)
Cervelo - Thor, awesome, but no support for Sastre

Cycling is so specialised now that having multiple options is okay, but you will never win both. Green and a Yellow in one year is just so rare that I can't see it happen again


Auscycle - as for your AG2R pick - that's quite interesting, they do have decent climbers, but I guess they may not have the money? It definately solves all leadership issues, assuming Valjivec is happy to work for Cadel.. might work actually the more I think about it

 

[Haydos]

Not one mention of BMC....

 

[pedaling squares]

I'll think you'll find a few wins besides a GT......
Overview
Few noticed Cadel Evans in his first Tour de France when in the last week he was photographed on the final climb of the stage alongside the leaders Lance Armstrong and Ivan Basso. But he was determined to succeed, and that year he finished eighth. By 2006 he was fifth overall and in 2007 he lost to Alberto Contador by a mere 23 seconds.

But who is this dedicated sportsman? And what has been his formula for success?

Cadel was first noticed in 1994 when he rode to fifth position in a cross country race. Since his teens he has been a professional cyclist - half his life. He is a competitor who refuses to allow ego to dictate strategy. These days he receives a monthly program that sets out his schedule day-by-day. It outlines in intricate detail the required elements that are to be fulfilled: how many hours, what percentage should be spent at what heart rate, specific cadences and the length of time he should be climbing. Nothing is left to chance. No matter what the weather the regime is followed to the letter.

Cadel gives us a glimpse of the physical and psychological tests that are required to be the best, whilst giving an illuminating and fascinating look at the Tour de France – the teams; the climbs; the politics and the opponents that make it the most renowned cycling race in the world.

Well, to be fair I think any pro cyclist could get a write-up like that. Maybe not with the Tour podiums, but with other races where they hit the top step.

Doesn't Cav have a biography already? Pulished in like, June, this year? Certainly Cuddles is more worthy than Cav at this stage.

I agree. Too early for either book in my humble opinion. I have always thought of biographies as being a wrap-up of one's life, not an ongoing saga.

He could of bought a book out called "It's not about the bike" but that was already taken. This has been a somewhat delayed release(almost 2 years) of a book that is about an aussie finally reaching the podium of the greatest race on the planet. Its about the quest to achieve that goal and life along the way.

Sure he doesn't have the palmares of some riders but he does have an interesting story to tell.

No doubt he does. Hey, are you Cadel's publisher?

 

[Francois the Postman]

Hah! so many rumours surrounding Contador's possible transfer. Meanwhile, Evans has already made his move and none of us had a clue where he's off.....and still don't!

I guess even his rumours come in second!

Good luck to the guy elsewhere, and maybe his recent attack and subsequent victory gives his own ambitions and self-belief a second wind.

But I just can't see the qualities that will make many other (old and new) GT challengers sweat, team support or not. Curious who will end up eating their own words, as I am totally sold on this perception.

Pharma-Lotto is starting to look a bit depleted though, which I regret. Always had a soft spot for this team.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree. Too early for either book in my humble opinion. I have always thought of biographies as being a wrap-up of one's life, not an ongoing saga.

replied here http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?p=105948#post105948
cos i was going well and truly off topic...

but anyway.. cadel..

 

[Willow22]

I guess even his rumours come in second!

LOL! Good one mate. Personally, i hope he goes somewhere based on getting a DS who can get his head working properly. I think Sky would be good for Cadel, especially if he can get Matty Lloyd and Charley Wegellius to go over with him (sorry to a lot of the Brits, i know you probably don't want him!). Also, as much as it kills me to say it, i kinda agree with the comment that going to the shack wouldn't be entirely bad for cadel (bruyneel, for all his other faults, obviously has the experience at managing egos).

Personally i would put a few bucks on lampre if i was a betting man, but this disappoints me cos i think it would be going for the money rather than a geniune shot at results. Whoever mentioned BMC, hadn't thought of them and I can't think it would come off, but as Borat says, "I like, very nice".

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Then I repeat: one of the best kept secrets in cycling - to not have one "rumored to be going to" stories circulating before this is amazing.

The only reason CE is able to get out if his contract is because of his win in the Worlds, so any moves only happened in the last couple of weeks.
I reckon he was approached by another team - and this sowed the seed, ask S/L to cough up a little more or I am off.

It will be interesting to see where he goes because his recent comments suggest he has not given up on going for a win at the Tour - and as much as I might think it is a stretch for him to do, it is better than a lot of riders who appear content to settle for podiums.

 

[Anonymous]

LOL! Good one mate. Personally, i hope he goes somewhere based on getting a DS who can get his head working properly. I think Sky would be good for Cadel, especially if he can get Matty Lloyd and Charley Wegellius to go over with him (sorry to a lot of the Brits, i know you probably don't want him!). .

i dont mind having charlie..

to be honest, if he comes, i will support the team, but if cadel doesnt grow some balls and actually attack, and act like he wants to win races i think the british public will very quickly desert him.. british riders generally have a bit of gung ho about them, we are not really ones to sit in wheels..

its british mentally to try and lose, theres nothing we hate more than someone who doesnt try...

if he comes, tries and fails the brits will love him, if he comes, and hesitates, they will turn on him very quickly... he will also have the british press to deal with who are undoubtedly the most spiteful press in the world.. (bearing in mind how much of the press he owns, cadel could be half safe i guess)

 

[msjett]

i dont mind having charlie..

to be honest, if he comes, i will support the team, but if cadel doesnt grow some balls and actually attack, and act like he wants to win races i think the british public will very quickly desert him.. british riders generally have a bit of gung ho about them, we are not really ones to sit in wheels..

its british mentally to try and lose, theres nothing we hate more than someone who doesnt try...

if he comes, tries and fails the brits will love him, if he comes, and hesitates, they will turn on him very quickly... he will also have the british press to deal with who are undoubtedly the most spiteful press in the world..

dim...you sound almost pro-cadel lol

 

[mherm79]

its british mentally to try and lose, theres nothing we hate more than someone who doesnt try...

noticed that watching the cricket

about time Cadel made the move but I'm very interested in finding out which team, especially given his committed to riding the Tour Down Under and Worlds in Oz (so I get to watch which ever team he brings with him!)

He ran his race with Lotto, and they with him. They'll target more stage wins and classic's and 'hopefully' he'll have a real crack at a GT

 

[Anonymous]

dim...you sound almost pro-cadel lol

nope... if he is the same old wheel hugging, content for second cadel, then i wont like him, and the british wont like him...

if he attacks and approaches races the way he did in the worlds, even if he fails, then the brits will take to him...

its a bit like wayne rooney signing for liverpool.. i cant stand the ugly, granny *****ing, nasty peice of work, but if he did his best for us, and put in the effort then i would support him... (but if he didnt, boy would i and the rest of the liverpool fans turn on him something terrible)

 

[Jancouver]

Taco-Trek is looking for a GC contender since Rassmusen is gone.

Supposedly he got too fat (see picture below) from eating Tacos so he got fired.

In my opinion Taco-Trek is THE best team for Evans.

 

[BroDeal]

I heard he is going to Rock Racing.

 

[hfer07]

i kinda agree with the comment that going to the shack wouldn't be entirely bad for cadel (bruyneel, for all his other faults, obviously has the experience at managing egos).

---------lol----------

 

[luckyboy]

I think it'd be cool to see him at Lampre, but Sky looks the most obvious bet.

Out of the leftfield, maybe Footon will want to challenge next year?

 

[yakko!]

Looks like Silence-Lotto is going to try for Contador:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2117/Silence-Lotto-thinks-of-Contador-to-replace-Evans.aspx

 

[350Watts]

nope... if he is the same old wheel hugging, content for second cadel, then i wont like him, and the british wont like him...

if he attacks and approaches races the way he did in the worlds, even if he fails, then the brits will take to him...

its a bit like wayne rooney signing for liverpool.. i cant stand the ugly, granny *****ing, nasty peice of work, but if he did his best for us, and put in the effort then i would support him... (but if he didnt, boy would i and the rest of the liverpool fans turn on him something terrible)

Well if he's in a GT with AC or Andy he won't be attacking he'll be glad to be able to hold on.

 

[Ferminal]

nope... if he is the same old wheel hugging, content for second cadel, then i wont like him, and the british wont like him...

if he attacks and approaches races the way he did in the worlds, even if he fails, then the brits will take to him...

its a bit like wayne rooney signing for liverpool.. i cant stand the ugly, granny *****ing, nasty peice of work, but if he did his best for us, and put in the effort then i would support him... (but if he didnt, boy would i and the rest of the liverpool fans turn on him something terrible)

To be fair he's been ok in that department this year.

Maybe it was just an unfortunate tangent and he can resume riding second(wheel) next year

 

[FoxForce5]

Sky is the best option. Sunderland is the man to get the best out of cuddles. Gets one chance at the Tour, then will be Wiggo's helper.