StryderHells said:
42x16ss said:
StryderHells said:
yaco said:
I'd be surprised if Chavez rides the TDU as it's a high intensity race, while many GC guys do the the more relaxed Tour of St Louis - Cadel Evans Road Race and the Herald Sun tour are more likely targets ?
Still no news on Impey ?
Matthews and OBE are on good terms - Offered more money at Giant which OBE chose not to match - OBE knew in May that Matthews was leaving and life went on as normal - Can say that OBE have given Matthews plenty of opportunities in 2016 - Anyway think Matthews can still get stronger in the next two or three years.
Interesting that OBE is riding some of the Italian one day races before Lombardia - They are having a serious crack in 2016.
If Chaves rides in the Australian summer then it won't be at the TDU that's for sure, it would be the Sun Tour as its a relaxed 4 day+prolouge stage race that would be of little risk to him when comparing it to the TDU. I still think it's a big
IF but I'd enjoy seeing him down here especially if they have a Yarra Valley stage again next year as they rode on climbs and roads I spend time riding on regularly
I can't see Impey leaving OBE, he deserves more $$$ so I'm guessing that's why we haven't heard anything yet but from all accounts both him and the team look a perfect mix.
Does Chaves have a partner/family beyond his parents/siblings? If not, then Orica may just bring him over to sign some autographs, take some photos, ride in the team car and have a nice little holiday around some fans who've never gotten to see him in person.
Sagan did something similar a few years ago where he raced the Noosa crit and had some holiday time on the Sunshine Coast.
That just could be it, it would make more sense than him racing down here
Agree 100% with Stryder re Impey; I suspect it would take "an offer he couldn't refuse" for him not to re-sign. If this plays out as expected, I would also not be surprised if he follows on from the likes of Gerrans & Albasini and rides out his career at OBE.
Chaves DOES have a better half called Natalie. She has turned up to a couple of races and was also included in a BSP back in 2014 where she cooked up some Colombian delicacy.
Some valid points re the Chaves to AUS conundrum. TBH, the single reason for OBE to bring him out would be for PR & whilst bringing him during the "off-season" might tick a few corporate boxes, it will not tick the box called "public exposure".
The prime window for public exposure is categorically TdU which has the mass exposure that Herald Sun tour lacks. Cuddles Race (WT next year) will probably fit somewhere between. Much as I'd love to see the little fella turning a pedal out in a race out here, I'm battling to see a defensible case for him doing so if its not ideal for his season.
For the last 2 years, OBE has had a full team camp in South Africa during Feb. Maybe they can bring Chaves out for some PR during TDU before packing him off to RSA. Whilst not sure I'd send Chaves to Noosa; the Noosa multi-sport festival is a worth-while event and perhaps OBE could do worse than encourage some of their riders to turn up.