Re:
Sestriere said:
No way Burgos-BH gets an invite! They have clinic problems and are useless at that level anyway. They got beaten by Team Medellin in the TTT of the Tour of Quinghai Lake by like 6 minutes a few days ago.
They got one this year already. Cofidis and the 3 Spanish Pro Conti teams have the wild cards this year, so yes it is possible. Again you're forgetting there's a 3rd pro conti team in Spain and rumors are Contador is taking his Conti team Pro Conti making for another one and it's highly unlikely they leave Caja Rural and Contador's team out of la Vuelta. Don't think there is anyway to even buy your way in at that point.
Bolder said:
[quote="
tobydawq":1d047ss9][quote="
Koronin":1d047ss9][quote="
Bolder":1d047ss9]Arkea - Samsic? Sure, why not? They'll get invites to the GTs, and can probably get a top 5 out of Quintana next year. Having Winner and Dayan onboard should help, too. If Quintana finishes podium or Top 5 in the TdF it will look pretty smart. Movistar can build around Carapaz now, unless Ineos swoops in.
They may get invites to the Giro and Tour, but not la Vuelta. La Vuelta is going to take Spanish Pro Conti teams with their invites over anything else. However, if you then look at it that way it's also less likely they get a Giro invite if the Giro thinks they will get a Tour invite and thus Quintana likely not go to the Giro.
However, this move has been rumored for several months. The big question is did he not get any offers from any WT teams?[/quote]
They are not inviting Burgos-BH over a former winner of the race![/quote]
And a Spanish speaking one at that. I would guess that if Quintana goes to Arkea and says, I want to do the Vuelta, along with my Spanish-speaking domestiques, they'd figure out a way to get him in. I'm not following the sponsorship shenanigans too closely but if Katusha goes away some pro conti team will fill the spot.[/quote]
The big rumors are Katusha is merging with Israel Cycling Academy and vd Poel's team and will keep that WT license.
Yes it's very likely and possible they leave Quintana out in favor of a Spanish Pro Conti team that will animate the race and put riders out in the break for TV time.