yaco said:
dirkprovin said:
yaco said:
Orica hasn't ridden in America for three years, and its likewise for the Women's team - They aren't riding the Tour of Guangzi or Turkey - Orica have already announced their team for the Hammer Series next month and Edmondson is backing up from the Giro - Apparently Edmondson was only notified on Saturday he was riding the Giro - This indicates that Cort was riding the Giro, hence his leading out Ewan in Stage 1 of the Giro.
Had to chuckle at Fotheringham's interview of A.Yates - The brothers are difficult interview subjects - It'd be interesting if the brothers ever rode the TDU.
Can't, for the life of me, see any rational reason WHY either Yates would/should ride the TDU. They've already done the big PR gesture by sending Chaves (who's the one with the fan following) this year so they can get back to commonsense next season.
Maybe Cort has already signalled that he will be leaving at the end of this year but I really can't see any other reason why he should be playing servant to Ewan on anything other than a race circumstantial basis. It may prove useful experience for Edmondson but if ORS are willing to 'shaft' Cort (a rider who's characteristics are far more compatible with the teams current/future direction) in favour of Ewan then there is some really screwed up thinking in that organisation. As regards the latter's Giro prospects, yes he could snag a victory or two in the first week and a bit .... but this would most likely be due to mistakes by other better-supported/stronger sprinters rather than any dominance on his part.
Ah - You've read a few things into my post - Think Orica would love to have a Yates for the TDU, seeing its an important race in their calendar, though the Yates boys are not publicity friendly - Then again the Ashes Cricket is on this summer, so there could be motivation for the boys - I don't understand how you have your knickers in a knot over Cort - The expectation was Kluge would ride the Giro, seeing he has forged a good relationship with Ewan, so it was surprising to see Cort leading out Ewan at Yorkshire - Then combine that with Edmondson getting a start at the Giro, as late as last Saturday - You put two and two together, and it seems Cort was riding the Giro - Cort leading out Ewan in a race has no relationship with Cort staying or leaving Orica - After all, Cort and Ewan have had one race together - I'd be surprised if Cort leaves Orica, seeing he is developing well as a rider, and is given opportunities in races.
Oh, I very much understand the situation re PR for ORS when it comes to the TDU ......... hence they brought out Chaves this year. It certainly "ticked that box"; as to whether it proves counter-productive to his season remains unanswered but if it does; at least they then know .... DON'T damned well do it again !! The Yates realistically don't have that level of following so there isn't that impetus. In any case, at least for next year they have the "Little Aussie Superstar" to soak up all the adulation :twisted:
I have no issue with Cort being called on to pull a lead out for Ewan IF it is decided on the road that he was going to be "the man" on that given day ... hence I said "race circumstantial". I would not agree with him being sent to a GT as designated lead out man for Ewan. I think he deserves better than that. I very much hope that Cort DOES stay at ORS as I rate his potential and I feel he, along with Edmondson, are likely to be the brand of quick men that the team can easily accomodate given their classics potential plus their greater utility to a GT team.
Ewan, to all intents and purposes, looks primarily a bunch kick man and I don't see that as being particularly compatible with ORS going forward .... which is the primary reason why I feel that he (and his management) should already be looking for a WT team where such pursuits ARE a primary focus. At such a team, he may very well prosper ..... and fair play to him if he does. There would no doubt be 'hue and cry" at ORS allowing that to happen but in cold reality, its almost certainly a favourable outcome for both parties