Benotti69 said:
Riis has been a DS in only a PED era, where the PEDs have been central to the performance. He had a bad year this year because of Team Lux going on in the back ground.
His winter training techniques to make the team feel like a brotherhood, yeah if you want to believe that, i bet most would prefer to bond in the cayman islands.
As a DS he didn't handle this year too well. The behaviour of his cyclists in Spain testifies to his DS failing that time. Not being able to hold onto a lot of riders who he supposedly got the best out of. Saxo are/were a decent squad, but i think 2010 was a blot on Riis's CV.
Running Riis out of his position as DS, i can think of a few DS's who i think should go before him.
If I was on a PT team, I'd certainly rather be in the caymen islands than hugging trees on a cold weather backpack into the wilderness.
I'd also agree on not running Riis out. Especially considering race results this year. For example, Saxo's major results and UCI team rankings this year:
http://www.team-saxobank.com/results.asp?year=2010&lang=uk
RACE (RESULT) RIDER
Paris-Nice (6.) Jens Voigt
T.o. Flanders (1.) Fabian Cancellara
Paris-Roubaix (1.) Fabian Cancellara
Amstel Gold (7.) Frank Schleck
F. Wallonne (9.) Andy Schleck
LBL (6.) Andy Schleck
LBL (9.) Frank Schleck
Giro (7.) Richie Porte
T.o. Suisse (1.) Frank Schleck
T.o. Suisse (3.) Jakob Fuglsang
T.o. France (2.) Andy Schleck
San Sebastian (10.) Richie Porte
Eneco Tour (4.) Richie Porte
Vuelta (5.) Frank Schleck
Lombardia (4.) Jakob Fuglsang
2010 World Rankings complete:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2010-world-rankings-complete
TEAMS
1. Team Saxo Bank 1005 pts
2. Liquigas-Doimo 996
3. Astana 986
4. Rabobank 906
5. Team Katusha 900
6. Team HTC - Columbia 855
7. Garmin - Transitions 839
8. Omega Pharma-Lotto 774
9. Caisse d'Epargne 701
10. BMC Racing Team 661
11. Team Radioshack 621
12. Cervelo Test Team 616
13. Euskaltel - Euskadi 595
14. Lampre-Farnese Vini 535
15. Sky 435
16. Quick Step 325
17. Androni Giocattoli 323
18. AG2R La Mondiale 261
19. BBox Bouygues 231
20. Cofidis 227
BUT Riis's inability to hold riders makes you wonder if he should have been training in the cayment islands.