Liquigas and Saxo Bank to merge in 2013?

[dlwssonic]

Why would Cancellara come ? He's has a contract for 2 years with RSNT ?

Its wishful thinking on their part. I don't see it happening next year. And its not like he will get anymore support there than what he gets in RSNT

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I don't like this at all. All these 'super teams' popping up aren't good for the sport in my eyes.

Yeah, that BMC super team has been on a tear this year.

 

[dlwssonic]

BMC are always in lack of good mountain domestiques so smzyd will be great for them.
Daniel oss is also a strong and up and coming rider. He will be a good domestique too.

 

[pastronef]

It would be a very interesting project, but it doesn't seem very likely. Specialized<->Cannondale, only to begin with...

if, and i say IF, Specialized wants to get back to Cav (and Sky) in 2013 they would have 4 teams

SKY
Saxo
OPQS
Astana

maybe Nibali brings CAnnondale to Astana, and Contador keeps his Specy bikes for Saxo-Liquigas

 

[Wigwan]

Basso and Riis together again..

 

[ElChingon]

Saxigas, has that ring to it.

There's going to be some fallout as well, most of the pack fill first, then possibly some talent looking for their own benefit. Can't say I see many of these better rider with conflicting schedules staying or is the $ that good?

 

[PhiberAwptik]

Is this the thread where we pretend that Basso is still a GT contender?

 

[maxmartin]

gas is leaving that is why merge talk happened. But i don't think it will happen since AC has deal with specialized. Unless cannondale go with Nibali to Astana, in that case it will just be Saxo take over Liquigas to use money to buy their points.

Or the merge can still happen, Saxo-Cannondale, but AC will go to another team probably OPQS.

Saxigas, has that ring to it.

There's going to be some fallout as well, most of the pack fill first, then possibly some talent looking for their own benefit. Can't say I see many of these better rider with conflicting schedules staying or is the $ that good?

 

[Forunculo]

gas is leaving that is why merge talk happened. But i don't think it will happen since AC has deal with specialized. Unless cannondale go with Nibali to Astana, in that case it will just be Saxo take over Liquigas to use money to buy their points.

Or the merge can still happen, Saxo-Cannondale, but AC will go to another team probably OPQS.

From what I read without Liquigas no team so Cannondale doesn't care and there is a strong chance to go with Nibali

 

[cineteq]

From what I read without Liquigas no team so Cannondale doesn't care and there is a strong chance to go with Nibali

One reason, although not the main reason, Nibali left was Cannondale's demands to participate in US races.

 

[Forunculo]

One reason, although not the main reason, Nibali left was Cannondale's demands to participate in US races.

Well no chance then


My concerns are what happens with the italian managers?

 

[SafeBet]

My concerns are what happens with the italian managers?

That's a valid question.
It'd be difficult for Riis and Amadio to coexist, though not impossibile.


Basso and Contador are in good terms apparently. But they wouldn't ride many races together anyway.

 

[Mongolian Torque]

Saxigas, has that ring to it.

There's going to be some fallout as well, most of the pack fill first, then possibly some talent looking for their own benefit. Can't say I see many of these better rider with conflicting schedules staying or is the $ that good?

How about Liquisax?...

 

[LaFlorecita]

"No comment on merger rumours "

 

[LaFlorecita]

Also interesting: Alberto's deal with Specialized ends at the end of this year.

 

[roundabout]

I might be missing some detail here, but can anyone explain me how a team who filled up the spots last year with riders like Margaliot (!) would now be able to afford to take over contracts of Basso, Sagan (is he on his first contract?) and Kreuziger (if he is going back).

Did they find some money in the attic?

Unless they want to take what's left of Liquigas for the price of Contador or something...

 

[maxmartin]

did not know that. that could make things interesting, but I doubt Cannondale would pay the same amount money as Specialized offered.

Also interesting: Alberto's deal with Specialized ends at the end of this year.

 

[Gloin22]

Sanchez with Conta and Basso ?

Samuel Sanchez entertaining offers

 

[CQmanager]

did not know that. that could make things interesting, but I doubt Cannondale would pay the same amount money as Specialized offered.

Why not? Lately, here in SoCal I do see more Cannonadales around than Specialized bikes. It seems like Specialized is focusing more on the "Freds" crowd and 'Dale has all the local teams covered. Cannondale is doing pretty good since they came up with the HiMod SuperSix (I have two of those). It was even hard to get those frames and the wait was 3-6 months. These days the Evo is selling like a hot cakes too so I can imagine they have some cash to spare.

 

[hfer07]

That's a valid question.
It'd be difficult for Riis and Amadio to coexist, though not impossible.

This was the first issue that came to my mind-I guess it comes down to whom sponsors is going to weigh more during negotiations, because IF Saxo provides the majority of the investment-then Amadio can either accept a secondary roll or look elsewhere....
Riis will not be undermined after having his very own team for so long, just to get to "share" his way to do things with others...

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Maybe Cance will go back to Riis. Most awesome team in the history of awesome teams.

I'm sure he will leave radioshack after this year

 

[ElChingon]

Why not? Lately, here in SoCal I do see more Cannonadales around than Specialized bikes. It seems like Specialized is focusing more on the "Freds" crowd and 'Dale has all the local teams covered. Cannondale is doing pretty good since they came up with the HiMod SuperSix (I have two of those). It was even hard to get those frames and the wait was 3-6 months. These days the Evo is selling like a hot cakes too so I can imagine they have some cash to spare.

Ugh, those are the riders who's clubs are sponsored or have a hook with the clubs, they are basically giving them away, check your local Craig's list, there's way to many being resold. Well good deals if you want.

Don't think either Cannonrail or Spekulized have more money than the other, its more of who will take the bigger loss to get their name on the bike the riders ride. Sure there's money to be made but its comes later, suckers do exist.

 

[Dutchsmurf]

My first thought was "where does the money come from?" We all know Saxo isn't the richest team out there and Liquigas will be without sponsor. So at one side we have a team with hardly any money and no points. And at the other side we got a team without money and enough points. Together they have enough points, but still no money. So if the rumor is true, who is the secret sponsor?

 

[Froome19]

My first thought was "where does the money come from?" We all know Saxo isn't the richest team out there and Liquigas will be without sponsor. So at one side we have a team with hardly any money and no points. And at the other side we got a team without money and enough points. Together they have enough points, but still no money. So if the rumor is true, who is the secret sponsor?

Santander again?

 

[DominicDecoco]

Santander again?

Santander was for a totally new spanish team with Alberto as front figure.