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Regarding Rodriguez's move to Ineos (Automatic translation)
“It is a source of pride for us that one of the most powerful structures in cycling today is one of our riders, because it comes to reward the great work that is being done in the youth category and, in addition, the importance of an initiative such as the Campus Selection that we organize annually. At the Foundation we have set ourselves the objective of training good cyclists and we continue to work. Personally, I would have liked to have been able to count on Carlos for more time in the Foundation’s teams, and that he would have faced some season with our U23 structure, but these are not decisions that are in our hands. For our part, it only remains to wish him the best for his career,” says Francisco Javier Contador, general manager of the sports structures of the Alberto Contador Foundation.
Sounds like the team has some doubts about this move as well
Mas was part of the junior and U23 squad in the past, but he did race on Quick Step's development team for one season before making the jump, so not sure he counts.Moschetti is the most successful alumnus so far, right? Or am I forgetting someone?
Pretty much. Dina is the safest bet. Puppio should be able to get results in TTs. Fancellu is an obvious talent as well, but still very young. Ropero did really well on the U23 scene in Spain last year and he's pretty allround but I don't expect a big breakthrough. The team expects a lot from Sergio Garcia is what I read in an interview a couple days ago. I don't know enough about the new Italian signings to properly judge them.Which Kometa rider(s) could get good results this year? Dina and Puppio i guess?
Absolutely, it's impressive. I expected Dina to be their first finisher.Still really strong. Did not expect that in his first race.
Pretty much. Dina is the safest bet. Puppio should be able to get results in TTs. Fancellu is an obvious talent as well, but still very young. Ropero did really well on the U23 scene in Spain last year and he's pretty allround but I don't expect a big breakthrough. The team expects a lot from Sergio Garcia is what I read in an interview a couple days ago. I don't know enough about the new Italian signings to properly judge them.
I read that article earlier this week but didn't think to post it here. If I remember I will put up a translation tomorrow. Quite some interesting comments in there.Apparently Fancellu has already signed with Trek-Segafredo. Basso thinks he is the greatest talent in the team and could be the new Nibali. Also says he could win the Baby Giro this year.
Dutch speakers (LaFlorecita) can probably exfiltrate more info from this article:
Ivan Basso: “Jumbo-Visma en Team Sunweb zijn voor Kometa-Xstra de perfecte voorbeelden”
Interview Eind januari werd in het Spaanse Oliva de Continental-ploeg Kometa-Xstra voorgesteld. De grote man achter de schermen is Fran Contador, maar het zijn de twee teammanagers die bij de meeste mensen de grootste aandacht genieten: Ivan Basso en Alberto Contador. WielerFlits besprak in een...www.wielerflits.nl
Think it hasn't been discussed here before.
It's not a Spanish or Italian project, but an international one. That's how it should be viewed by outsiders as well, the reason that the team has a Spanish licence is because it makes most sense with the Spanish foundation behind the project. They share this vision with the CEO of their new sponsor - Xstra.
Both Basso and Fran Contador posted the same summary of the last few seasons on their instagram stories and teasing something new. Both of them + Alberto followed Eolo on instagram which appears to be an Italian internet provider. Possibly a jump to a higher level with new sponsor? Pro Conti?
Edit: just found out that they apparently also sponsor some Italian races, amongst others Tirreno and Strade Bianche.