Jakob Fuglsang: “I’m not certain that I want to be here right now”

[gregrowlerson]

The article doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Jakob seems to simply be complaining about the merger, but I don't believe that the merger will have too much impact on his career. Horner may only ride one season and Kloden two more. And they are the only 'captains' that have come across.

Unless one of these riders has suddenly decided to focus their season on the Giro then I don't see an issue. Kloden may try for Pais Vasco and the TDF, the latter of which he'll probably be just a domestique. Horner will do likewise at the TDF, and also try to win Cali. How does this effect Jakob?

If Frank has now been thrown into the Giro ring, then I think that the team can still race with he and Jakob as GC riders. Certainly Shack's FOUR co-leaders last year was perhaps a little extreme, but I've struggled to understand why you can't begin a race with more than one leader. Then you let the race give a natural selection on who the leader ends up being. A call may have to be made halfway through a grand tour by the DS, that now one rider has to work for the other. But with this Giro, the first main stage isn't until stage 14, so why would there need to be a definitive leader announced before then?

Back on topic; Fuglsang will be more in competition for leadership opportunities in the future with Monfort than Kloden and Horner.

 

[Mellow Velo]

The Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen?
Yum yum, right up Jak's gade.

 

[Angliru]

The article doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Jakob seems to simply be complaining about the merger, but I don't believe that the merger will have too much impact on his career. Horner may only ride one season and Kloden two more. And they are the only 'captains' that have come across.

Unless one of these riders has suddenly decided to focus their season on the Giro then I don't see an issue. Kloden may try for Pais Vasco and the TDF, the latter of which he'll probably be just a domestique. Horner will do likewise at the TDF, and also try to win Cali. How does this effect Jakob?

If Frank has now been thrown into the Giro ring, then I think that the team can still race with he and Jakob as GC riders. Certainly Shack's FOUR co-leaders last year was perhaps a little extreme, but I've struggled to understand why you can't begin a race with more than one leader. Then you let the race give a natural selection on who the leader ends up being. A call may have to be made halfway through a grand tour by the DS, that now one rider has to work for the other. But with this Giro, the first main stage isn't until stage 14, so why would there need to be a definitive leader announced before then?

Back on topic; Fuglsang will be more in competition for leadership opportunities in the future with Monfort than Kloden and Horner.

He didn't start complaining until after Bruyneel mentioned the possibility of Frank riding the Giro. As was stated earlier, Fuglsang was penciled in as the team's leader for the Giro. Obviously something had been festering within Fuglsang since the merger and this was simply the tipping point. He'd be better served lobbying for his own freedom at the Giro to ensure his value doesn't drop otherwise his being the manservant to Frank and gaining few if any Pro Tour points won't serve him well at all come 2013 when he's searching for a new team.

 

[Forunculo]

I remember he stayed with the team because a promise of Giro leadership from Johan.

Bruyneel had a big problem with TTs at the Tour and he needs to send a solid card to Italy. The victim is Jakob who never was important for Bruyneel since the beginning.

Once Kim Andersen is not the sport head... the reason for exodus "the unique team spirit" is gone. Johan don't negociate and has his own trust riders (Kloden and Horner). Even Frank is being displaced at he end. The first step is go to Italy and not peak for the Tour.


As some forumers told is quite possible Bjarne lock his team to traitors.

 

[cineteq]

Jakob's latest tweet:
Don't believe everything you read in the press!! I'm happy where i'm now...get what i want and of course there is a chance that another rider will be captain in the Giro. I might break a leg, not go fast enough or what ever but my goal and the plan says Captain at the Giro!

 

[El Oso]

Both Fuglsang and Porte were unhappy with the contracts offered after very promising first seasons.

My understanding that it least with Porte offers from other teams were a lot higher than than the offer from Riis.

Didn't Hamilton leave for Phonak for the same reason?

Riis hasn't really kept it a secret that he's on a tight budget. IIRC the only way he was able to land AC was Specialized footing a large portion, if not all, of the bill.

 

[AussieGoddess]

well - never beleive everything you read, so he may well be happy and content

BUT

I do think that this is all about the leadership at the Giro .... he was promised it in order to get him to sign, but now they are pushing Frank towards Italy and he will have to share (if not actually ride for Frank) which wont make him happy.

 

[meandmygitane]

My subjective opinion:
A little too large ego, the good Fuglsang seem to have. I would understand if he was to be demoted to a domestique or had some really good results 2010.

Seems reasonable that he would have to share captainship or only be a protected rider during the Giro, no reason to start to whine about it 5 months beforehand.

 

[Frosty]

Looking back at the Vuelta, Fuglsang finished 11th whereas Monfort came 6th. Going slightly O/T does anyone know what Monfort's plans are for this year? Looking back on cycling quotient, Maxime (29 today incidentally) did the tour as well.

Actually, ive found the answer, Monfort is aiming for the Vuelta again. Understandably though, he mentions in this article that he is concerned about the amount of competition within the team. Always the danger that one of the big names has disrupted prep for the tour and decides that they will ride the tour as a helper and then go to the vuelta as leader.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/monfort-hopes-for-2012-vuelta-leadership

 

[jens_attacks]

what a whiner pfff...of course he won't be the leader at giro,it will be either frank or klodi.

 

[RedheadDane]

Well, I do believe he's the first choice for captain. But as he said; anything could happen. He could break a leg or be too slow.
Or he could start, be captain, then get a raging fever two weeks into the race...

 

[jens_attacks]

Well, I do believe he's the first choice for captain. But as he said; anything could happen. He could break a leg or be too slow.
Or he could start, be captain, then get a raging fever two weeks into the race...

hilarious, are you really telling me that if radioshack goes to italy with frank/klodi,fuglsang will be the first choice in leadership?=))))monfort is a better bet than fuglsang i'd say even rohregger

 

[HL2037]

hilarious, are you really telling me that if radioshack goes to italy with frank/klodi,fuglsang will be the first choice in leadership?=))))monfort is a better bet than fuglsang i'd say even rohregger

A promise is a promise, right?

 

[jens_attacks]

A promise is a promise, right?

damn was he that naive?
maybe he will improve a lot though but i still can't see him the first choice for il giro

 

[RedheadDane]

A promise is a promise, right?

Exactly.

damn was he that naive?
maybe he will improve a lot though but i still can't see him the first choice for il giro

It's not about him being naive. It's about JB (or Andersen or whoever) making a promise. Obviously he [The Bird] will be planning his season towards being the captain. Unless something happens.
Heck. He might even crack completely on the first categorized climb, which apparently is here in Denmark, losing so much time his shot at the GC.
Or maybe nothing dramatic will happen but they just find out that he isn't consistient enough for a podium-spot (or top-ten) at a GT. But they way I see it the only way to find out is giving it a shot.

As for the wider future prospective. Can't help but thinking that amongst the 'Many Captains of The Team' Horner and Klöden are listed. They're not exactly young...

 

[BRCYC11]

Obviously The Schlecks plan both to be 100% at the Tour according to Jakob.

http://sporten.tv2.dk/article.php/id-47436831:fuglsang-er-stadig-girokaptajn.html?forside

Maybe it's the first glance of disagreement between The Schlecks and Bruyneel?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Obviously The Schlecks plan both to be 100% at the Tour according to Jakob.

http://sporten.tv2.dk/article.php/id-47436831:fuglsang-er-stadig-girokaptajn.html?forside

Maybe it's the first glance of disagreement between The Schlecks and Bruyneel?

Why, exactly?

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Why, exactly?

Bruyneel doesn't like Frank and recently said that one of the Schlecks (meaning Frank) could do the Giro, so that he won't be in top shape for the Tour.

damn was he that naive?

I guess so.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Bruyneel doesn't like Frank and recently said that one of the Schlecks (meaning Frank) could do the Giro, so that he won't be in top shape for the Tour.

Ah, okay. Now I understand...

I was more thinking along the lines "Bruyneel doesn't want the Schlecks to be 100% in the Tour." which made me go "Whaaaat?"

 

[LaFlorecita]

Jakob: “I’m not certain that I want to be here right now”

Me: "Well, what are you waiting for then? Get back to your nest!"

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Ah, okay. Now I understand...

I was more thinking along the lines "Bruyneel doesn't want the Schlecks to be 100% in the Tour." which made me go "Whaaaat?"

Well, that's what I meant, though. He wants one of the Schlecks to be "85 percent" and one "100 percent".

He actually said that. It's all for Andy this year.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Frank still thinks he's one of the 2 leaders of the team, though, and is obsessed about the Tour, perhaps even moreso than his kid brother. A recipe for disaster.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well, that's what I meant, though. He wants one of the Schlecks to be "85 percent" and one "100 percent".

He actually said that. It's all for Andy this year.

Yeah, I understood that. But I was thinking that the guy said Johan doesn't want any of them to be 100% for the Tour, but for a different race.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Yeah, I understood that. But I was thinking that the guy said Johan doesn't want any of them to be 100% for the Tour, but for a different race.

That can't be right. He wants Andy to be 100 percent for the Tour (fact), and, presumably, Chris to be 100 percent for the Tour of Cali, and, ideally, with Tour leadership issues in mind, Andreas and Frank to be 100 percent for the Giro.

The only big problem seems to be Frank Schleck.

 

[hrotha]

Is Fränk going to race in Italy, though? I'm not sure the Tour last year dispelled those doubts.