It's definitely because JV doesn't allow him to ride for green, in spite of his having won it in the past. It's never a good idea to have two sprinters in one team.
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
hrotha said:Cavendish doesn't throw a tantrum because Martin talks about doing a top 10 in the GC. Cunego hasn't even complained about the whole team being built up around Petacchi. For me this is clearly a matter of an inflated ego, nothing else.
max_powers said:It's all about the Benjamins.
The Champ wanted a bonus for winning/wearing the Jersey.
2wheels said:Bonus or no bonus, I think Thor might be justified in wondering why a former green jersey and reigning world champion is doing lead-out work for Farrar, especially since this year's stages seem better suited to Hushovd's capabilities. Any help he gives Farrar just hurts his own chances. As for ego, it seems that most sprinters have that alpha-dog mentality as part of their makeup. Two on one team is usually a recipe for unhappiness.
2wheels said:Bonus or no bonus, I think Thor might be justified in wondering why a former green jersey and reigning world champion is doing lead-out work for Farrar, especially since this year's stages seem better suited to Hushovd's capabilities. Any help he gives Farrar just hurts his own chances. As for ego, it seems that most sprinters have that alpha-dog mentality as part of their makeup. Two on one team is usually a recipe for unhappiness.
Greipel left HTC because he wouldn't get into the races he wanted, let alone get enough support (but at Lotto he doesn't get a full team worth of support, he shares them with the other leaders and has been praised for working his *** off for them too). Hushovd's big objective was Roubaix, and he had support there. He didn't have a Farrar at Cervélo but he still whined about the team splitting their resources between the GC guys and him. That Cav doesn't complain about Martin because he already has enough support was kind of the point - Hushovd complains even when he does have that support. At Garmin, Hushovd gets support in the races that actually suit him, but my whole point is that his attitude isn't new. He had the same problems at Cervélo and, like someone mentioned, at Crédit Agricole, which leads me to think it's primarily a matter of ego.ElChingon said:And where is Greiple now? Not at HTC, why, because they couldn't handle both on the same team due to similar goals. I'm also sure Cavendish has his set of riders for his designated leadout, he also knows Martin is a possible top 10 and if he's not close his duties will be for Cavendish. Hushovd on the other hand does not have any designated domestiques because they're shared with Farrar, even at the same race. Totally not World Champ support.
Cunego, would be happy to have anything distract attention from him as he's been rather bad as of late, his 2004 Giro is starting to be more of a fluke (I won't go into why here, best for the clinc) so if the rest of the team was set up around Petachi he'd go along with it and even take a pull, what choice does he have.
hrotha said:That Cav doesn't complain about Martin because he already has enough support was kind of the point - Hushovd complains even when he does have that support. At Garmin, Hushovd gets support in the races that actually suit him, but my whole point is that his attitude isn't new. He had the same problems at Cervélo and, like someone mentioned, at Crédit Agricole, which leads me to think it's primarily a matter of ego.
Cunego has been one of the best riders in the world in the past 5 years, in case you haven't been paying attention to anything but GTs. He should have quite the status at Lampre, but he doesn't really have any helpers. He shares them with Petacchi. Does he complain? Nope.
Credive said:Well thats irrelevant. Has Cavendish ever been a questioned leader? Not that I can remember. If Cavendish wants Martin to do the lead-out he would have no choice. I don't see any reasons to complain about that.
And who cares about the classic riders? If you have paid any attention to the GT over the last couple of years, tell me what this kind of riders have achieved. Some breaks now and then, but nothing more. Why should Cunego be the leader when he can't win unless he goes in a break?
Gosta1 said:I remember the years at C-A when Hushovd was supposed to do leadouts for O'Grady. It always ended in Hushovd avoiding Stuey at all cost, and both sprinting on either side of the road, finishing well outside the podium. One of the biggest egos in the peloton for sure.
Eric8-A said:It mainly has to do with the bonus. JV's still looking for an additional sponsor to give Thor the World Champion bonus he wants. I think it also has to do with the fact that his spring didn't go according to plan, jealousy with Summie winning Roubaix instead of him. But looking at it from a realistic point of view, will Summie ever win Roubaix again? No. Hushovd has a better classics pedigree than Summie. So he should get that out of his head. The only thing that'll probably keep Thor with Garmin for next season is if he gets that bonus.
From that situation Hushovd would have won as well. But there's a reason he never gets into that situation: he's too good.Ryo Hazuki said:how does hushovd have a better classics pedigree? vansummeren has won p-r and hushovd has won? nothing and he's older than summie
And winning the Worlds counts for... nothing? You're talking out of your ***, as usual.Ryo Hazuki said:it's not about who's better but who has the stronger pedigree. it's summie, cuz summie has actually won.
hrotha said:Hushovd complains even when he does have that support. At Garmin, Hushovd gets support in the races that actually suit him, but my whole point is that his attitude isn't new. He had the same problems at Cervélo and, like someone mentioned, at Crédit Agricole, which leads me to think it's primarily a matter of ego.
theyoungest said:And winning the Worlds counts for... nothing? You're talking out of your ***, as usual.