Teams & Riders Mark Cavendish Discussion Thread

[Unchained]

In the United States, Sagan and Cav are probably the 2 biggest cycling draws..Cav looks to suffer in TOC but American fan favorite for sure..

 

[TMP402]

I think it would make sense for him to join the management team at DQT after next year.

Well, his mentor Brian Holm is stepping back from travelling so much as of 2019/20 so there's clearly a vacancy.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

As usual no flies on lefevere and no loose strings on his purse. Cavendish is being paid by a sponsor

 

[King Boonen]

As usual no flies on lefevere and no loose strings on his purse. Cavendish is being paid by a sponsor

Technically, isn't every rider paid for by sponsors..?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Technically, isn't every rider paid for by sponsors..?

Yes but cutting out the middleman like this is more usually a practice engaged in by Italian ProConti teams

 

[King Boonen]

Will be interesting to see if it's actually a different sponsor, of if it's just a current sponsor kicking in the cash (if we ever find out).

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

As usual no flies on lefevere and no loose strings on his purse. Cavendish is being paid by a sponsor

Honestly, i don't think this is such a weird thing. From a sportive perspective, you have no guarantees Cav will be of any use in a race. Not only might he not be worth having on the payroll, but he's also taking spots of guys who would fight to be on the team. Emotionally, i get it, but you don't run a team on emotions. It happens in football all the time by the way, especially with older players who's wages don't fit their value anymore, but who are loved by the fans or help build prestige for a smaller club.

 

[mrgmyers]

Things I have learned on this forum!
There are a lot of people who do not have the capacity to understand the talent of the man, that spout an awful lot of male cow poo!

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Honestly, i don't think this is such a weird thing. From a sportive perspective, you have no guarantees Cav will be of any use in a race. Not only might he not be worth having on the payroll, but he's also taking spots of guys who would fight to be on the team. Emotionally, i get it, but you don't run a team on emotions. It happens in football all the time by the way, especially with older players who's wages don't fit their value anymore, but who are loved by the fans or help build prestige for a smaller club.

Movistar have been doing it with Valverde for the past couple of years.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Things I have learned on this forum!
There are a lot of people who do not have the capacity to understand the talent of the man, that spout an awful lot of male cow poo!

Surely you have the capacity to understand the concept of age, and the impact it has on a professional athlete of the highest order. Him being one of the most talented sprinters of past decades, does not take away from the fact that he hasn't been the finisher he once was and that time waits for no man. He'll turn 36 early next season and has to face a new generation. I hope he can shine a few times, but realistically there is a very good chance that he won't.

 

[TMP402]

Isn't Sagan's salary at least partially funded by Specialized?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Isn't Sagan's salary at least partially funded by Specialized?

Yes, it is. It will be interesting to see if his next contract is still subsidised by them on the same scale.

 

[King Boonen]

Yes, it is. It will be interesting to see if his next contract is still subsidised by them on the same scale.

I'm sure it will be, he's probably still the biggest draw in cycling.

 

[Fernandez]

Movistar have been doing it with Valverde for the past couple of years.

Mmmmm... no. Valverde was still third best rider in 2019 acording PCS, wearing rainbow by the way. Cavendish has not performed since 2016. Dont compare please.
Cavendish got the spot at DQS because he cried embarrisingly like a little girl.

 

[BlueRoads]

Mmmmm... no. Valverde was still third best rider in 2019 acording PCS, wearing rainbow by the way. Cavendish has not performed since 2016. Dont compare please.
Cavendish got the spot at DQS because he cried embarrisingly like a little girl.

I agree, Valverde earned his spot, but
it's not just little girls who cry. Little boys cry, too. And there's no reason to be embarrassed about showing sadness and emotion.
"Take it like a man" is a bit old-fashioned, isn't it?

 

[mrgmyers]

Surely you have the capacity to understand the concept of age, and the impact it has on a professional athlete of the highest order. Him being one of the most talented sprinters of past decades, does not take away from the fact that he hasn't been the finisher he once was and that time waits for no man. He'll turn 36 early next season and has to face a new generation. I hope he can shine a few times, but realistically there is a very good chance that he won't.

Actualy I completely agree with you, the difference is you appear to have the intellect to use reason to make a case for the downside to hiring Mark, as Patrick Lefevere and DQS have the sense to realise how much publicity he brings with his money!

 

[thiscocks]

I think its good news and I must say quite unexpected. I like to see Cav in the domestique role and I think he does it well. He has had a couple of decent rides in the classics so would be cool to see him up there working for the team in those and possibly in some breakaways. As Holm says he can also double up as a lead out man if needed.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Actualy I completely agree with you, the difference is you appear to have the intellect to use reason to make a case for the downside to hiring Mark, as Patrick Lefevere and DQS have the sense to realise how much publicity he brings with his money!

Which is why i was specifically speaking, and i quote, "from a sportive perspective".

 

[Unchained]

Not much new but another Cav article on VN

 

[Fernandez]

I agree, Valverde earned his spot, but
it's not just little girls who cry. Little boys cry, too. And there's no reason to be embarrassed about showing sadness and emotion.
"Take it like a man" is a bit old-fashioned, isn't it?

Sorry, I forgot about the political correctness.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Lefevere: Mark Cavendish came to me and said 'I can't stop like this'

Sprinter helped bring funds to support his return to the Belgian team

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

Sounds like Cavendish will be pulling in breakaways and fetching bottles as if he was a neopro. If his form builds than he can ride for wins in sprint or breakaway.

Brian Holm: I'm glad Mark Cavendish will get a proper send-off from the sport

Deceuninck-QuickStep sports director looking forward to reunion with British sprinter at Belgian WorldTour team next season

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Armchair cyclist]

He gets nominated sprinter status for a race (albeit a 1.1) and comes in 2nd: He lives! Outsprinted Boudat, Dupont, P Barbier...

But absolutely nowhere near Merlier.

 

[samhocking]

To be fair Cav was boxed in to follow Merlier but significantly faster straight line speed given how much ground he gained back on him.

 

[Bonimenier]

To be fair Cav was boxed in to follow Merlier but significantly faster straight line speed given how much ground he gained back on him.

Well, Merlier stopped pedaling 100m before the finish line.