Radioshack vs Sky

[samb01]

although I agree they have a good enough team to compete I disagree they are any stronger then cervelo were this year. EBH is the main stronger point over cervelo, but as a team on a whole cervelo are/were stronger imo.

Yes, we all expected Haussler to be a favourite for the RvV before the season started.

To my mind, Team Sky looks a lot more interesting than CTT did _prior_ to last season.

 

[HostingDirect24]

As has been said there are different objectives these teams have, so they're actually not comparable. It is interesting and exciting to see a team from the UK at the highest level and to watch how their brilliant track results can transform into road racing success. Are there more Wiggos just in the hiding?

 

[samb01]

They won't be up there with with Columbia, Saxo, Caisse, Rabo, Liquigas and Katusha in volume of wins

With the obvious exception of Columbia and perhaps SB (how did they win so much??), I really don't see why not.

I'll eat my virtual hat if Sky doesn't get atleast 20 wins next season.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Give Lovkvist 5 years, he still wont win a GT. like someone else said, he is a top ten GT rider at best... maybe with a rare podium finish.

That seems to work for Leipheimer.
No, I'm thinking more along the supporting lines, too.

 

[franciep10]

Hah I knew someone would roll this one out.

1) If you are comparing anyone to Radioshack you have no choice but to talk about GT potential as that is what the Shack mainly are focussing on

2) David Brailsford said the stated aim of Sky was to win the Tour

3) Even in the classics Radioshack are going to mix things up

4) I have personally been by the road at dozens of races and none of them were in July. How about you?

Whoever voted Sky on this poll has not looked at the bunch of no-hopers Sky have signed with a sprinkling of stage-winner riders.

I am far from an Armstrong fan, the more I learn about him the less I like him, however I can be objective about this comparison.

1. Firstly sky isn't even built for a grand tour win, they are similar to columbia, that they're going to go for stage wins and classics with EBH, gerrans and flecha.

2. That's in five years they want to win the tour in five years, they could even compete if they get wiggins.

3. They'll mix things up when guys like horner and LA fall on their asses and break a bone.

4. I have been on the road for all the classics except amstel gold race, I was at paris-nice in 2007, I've been on the road for the vuelta 7 times and one time in a team car, and numerous unknown races to you in the us, europe and asia. The only thing you are right about is your dislike for LA.
Somebody compared US postal to discovery and radioshack, that's not true US Postal was in cycling from 96 to 2004.

 

[cromagnon]

That's in five years they want to win the tour in five years, they could even compete if they get wiggins.

Might help if you read the original post, it did not mention 5 years from now. Most DS's could make that same claim it's so easy t make. Especially if that DS was completely and utterly green to pro cycling as Brailsford is, and had a demanding boardroom to appease.

1. Firstly sky isn't even built for a grand tour win,

I know, that's why it's utterly laughable to suggest Sky have assembled the better roster. They will battle for stage wins with the lesser teams while teams like Shack try to fry much bigger fish. Try actually looking at the roster

They'll mix things up when guys like horner and LA fall on their asses and break a bone.

Conjecture. Meaningless, like most of your posts. Welcome to my ignore list

 

[stefrees]

Might help if you read the original post, it did not mention 5 years from now. Most DS's could make that same claim it's so easy t make. Especially if that DS was completely and utterly green to pro cycling as Brailsford is, and had a demanding boardroom to appease.



I know, that's why it's utterly laughable to suggest Sky have assembled the better roster. They will battle for stage wins with the lesser teams while teams like Shack try to fry much bigger fish. Try actually looking at the roster



Conjecture. Meaningless, like most of your posts. Welcome to my ignore list

its not inconceivable that the only thing the shack win is the tour of california all year. only impey or steegmans are likely to win stages, and even then they are third rate sprinters. sky riders capable of winnjing stages and classics: EBH, Gerrans, Flecha (could sky be the team to get flecha a paris roubaix win thats so far evaded him?) Kennaugh will have a similar impact as to what Swift has had this year, Lokvist can win hilly classics and week long stage races, Downing will get the odd stage victory in smaller races, Chris Sutton will get the odd victory, Arvesen will be very strong in breakaways as well as being good in the team time trial, froome could move into winning hilly races. i also think geraint thomas could look at wining shortish time trials (providing cancellara not racing)

 

[pmcg76]

Perhaps the best way to compare the 2 teams is to look at what the riders they have signed done this year.

On victories alone, SKY would be the better team but LL and Horner being injured might have hindered results for RadioShack.

On GT results, there is no contest, RadioShack are the stronger with Lance, Levi, Kloeden all taking top 10s. The question is which people think more important, victories or GT placings.

Which team had a better season this year, Columbia or Astana, for most on here I think Columbia would be the answer and they didnt have any GT results. SKY are a long way of Columbia and RadioShack are vitrually Astana minus Alberto so....

The other question is will the Shack let their riders focus on any other races other than the Tour or California. Perhaps, the best idea would be to wait until the final rosters are confirmed.

 

[ingsve]

On GT results, there is no contest, RadioShack are the stronger with Lance, Levi, Kloeden all taking top 10s. The question is which people think more important, victories or GT placings.

If GT placings was the only thing that's important then Xacobeo - Galicia would have had a better year than Columbia...Of course all results matter and GTs count for alot but they certainly are not classes above everything else in importance,

 

[Galic Ho]

1. Firstly sky isn't even built for a grand tour win, they are similar to columbia, that they're going to go for stage wins and classics with EBH, gerrans and flecha.

2. That's in five years they want to win the tour in five years, they could even compete if they get wiggins.

3. They'll mix things up when guys like horner and LA fall on their asses and break a bone.

4. I have been on the road for all the classics except amstel gold race, I was at paris-nice in 2007, I've been on the road for the vuelta 7 times and one time in a team car, and numerous unknown races to you in the us, europe and asia. The only thing you are right about is your dislike for LA.
Somebody compared US postal to discovery and radioshack, that's not true US Postal was in cycling from 96 to 2004.

That would be me. You are correct from your perspective but who would doubt they only stayed around for LA. Sure even Heras was allowed to win the Vuelta but US Postal was supporting cycling for one reason after 2000, the Tour. They knew the timein the spotlight was ending (LA) and got out early. Sponsors who value the sport stay around, but Postal did make a solid effort, so I'll give them that. As for Disco after 2006 being terrible they pulled the pin and suddenly Contador turned up the heat. Opportunism at its best from these american sponsors who jump on the LA bandwagon.

Disagree with point 2. Wiggins will only be competitive in the eyes of those wearing the rose coloured glasses. Average ITT and average climbing ability for a GC rider. He needs to improve especially if an attack oriented course is designed as he will loose heaps of time in the mountains. When has he won a quality ITT? A serious race, the answer is never. He won't be competitive, but like LA will clog the airways. Agree with points 1 and 3.

With the obvious exception of Columbia and perhaps SB (how did they win so much??), I really don't see why not.

I'll eat my virtual hat if Sky doesn't get atleast 20 wins next season.

I think they'll get at least 20 as well. But more than thirty, like the teams I mentioned? I doubt it with the team roster. But good luck to Sunderland, he'll need it. Can already hear the criticism if they flop.

 

[stefrees]

That would be me. You are correct from your perspective but who would doubt they only stayed around for LA. Sure even Heras was allowed to win the Vuelta but US Postal was supporting cycling for one reason after 2000, the Tour. They knew the timein the spotlight was ending (LA) and got out early. Sponsors who value the sport stay around, but Postal did make a solid effort, so I'll give them that. As for Disco after 2006 being terrible they pulled the pin and suddenly Contador turned up the heat. Opportunism at its best from these american sponsors who jump on the LA bandwagon.

Disagree with point 2. Wiggins will only be competitive in the eyes of those wearing the rose coloured glasses. Average ITT and average climbing ability for a GC rider. He needs to improve especially if an attack oriented course is designed as he will loose heaps of time in the mountains. When has he won a quality ITT? A serious race, the answer is never. He won't be competitive, but like LA will clog the airways. Agree with points 1 and 3.



I think they'll get at least 20 as well. But more than thirty, like the teams I mentioned? I doubt it with the team roster. But good luck to Sunderland, he'll need it. Can already hear the criticism if they flop.

In terms of time trials, wiggins has always been top 3 of top 5, it doesnt matter if your gc if you win, it matters if you gain time. in the tdf this year, in each time trial he gained time on everfy gc contender except contador. and he gained time on quite a few on verbier, and this is his first crack at gc. so yeah, good analysis. i think nibali has shown just as much, if not more promise though to be fair. and sky will be way better than"the shack" its getting tedious already and the season hasnt even started. i bet they dont even get an invite to the tdf

 

[Galic Ho]

i think nibali has shown just as much, if not more promise though to be fair. and sky will be way better than"the shack" its getting tedious already and the season hasnt even started. i bet they dont even get an invite to the tdf

Nibali improved significantly over 2006, much more than Kreuziger. No disrespect to Wiggins but I have yet to see him prove he is a solid contender. The longer climbs he has some major weakness on. Shorter climbs like Verbier may suit him more. ITT, well he has solid results but nothing to blow the oppositions sock off. He made a lot of excuses about not challenging Contador this year after claiming he'd be close to him (used the wind as an excuse...not valid given the timing).

As for the Shack not getting an invite, I'd like to see that, but unless Lance gets busted (unlikely) then they'll be there. It will be amusing to see Lance mouth off some more between now and July, build his ego up and then watch Contador kick him sideways across the French countryside.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

Lance will be at the Tour purely because he drives revenues up. Not inviting Radioshack would be like having a world class golf tournament and not inviting Tiger Woods.

 

[franciep10]

I know, that's why it's utterly laughable to suggest Sky have assembled the better roster. They will battle for stage wins with the lesser teams while teams like Shack try to fry much bigger fish. Try actually looking at the roster

So using your train of thought, astana is a better team than columbia because columbia doesn't go for a grand tour win. If that is what you believe then I don't need to read any of your posts. In case you don't understand columbia was similar in 2008, a lot of unproven young riders going for stage wins and classics victories, look how that turned out.

Conjecture. Meaningless, like most of your posts. Welcome to my ignore list

Well face facts man, retirement shack doesn't care about classics.

 

[peloton]

Lance will be at the Tour purely because he drives revenues up. Not inviting Radioshack would be like having a world class golf tournament and not inviting Tiger Woods.

Heh, what happened in 2008?

But you are right, barring a major doping scandal, RS will get invited.

 

[pmcg76]

Well this is another issue, after the whole business surrounding the Lance EPO results in 05, the Tour were glad to see the bcak of Lance. I dont think Patrick Clerc would have welcomed back Lance and that is why he got the boot, another case of an event looking at the money over morals issue.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

Well face facts man, retirement shack doesn't care about classics.

And Sky don't care about Grand Tours

 

[luckyboy]

So a top 10 place in the TdF (maybe struggle to 3rd again) is better than winning a classic/s?

 

[Clemson Cycling]

So a top 10 place in the TdF (maybe struggle to 3rd again) is better than winning a classic/s?

Depends where you finish in the top 10 and the Classic. I think that British fans would argue that Wiggins' fourth at the tour was more impressive then Cav's win at Milan-Sanremo

 

[BroDeal]

Depends where you finish in the top 10 and the Classic. I think that British fans would argue that Wiggins' fourth at the tour was more impressive then Cav's win at Milan-Sanremo

Yeah, sure. A fifth place by Leecheimer at the TdF is way better than a win at LBL.

 

[auscyclefan94]

And Sky don't care about Grand Tours

Sky will probably go for stage wins with gerrans and flecha at the tour and a high overall for lovkist. If Wiggo goes to Sky then they will care about GT's

Well face facts man, retirement shack doesn't care about classics.

+1

The team was made so Lance could have a team around him to win the tour. They have nobody for the sprints or any type of one day classic. They maybe alright in the 1 week tours with LA, LL, AK, HZ they are going to have to spread those guys out across many 1 week races as all those guys in their own right could contend for a high place in tour races

 

[franciep10]

And Sky don't care about Grand Tours

If you read the post i responded to the poster said radio shack will mix it up in the classics.

 

[Anonymous]

They have nobody for the sprints or any type of one day classic. They maybe alright in the 1 week tours with LA, LL, AK, HZ they are going to have to spread those guys out across many 1 week races as all those guys in their own right could contend for a high place in tour races

I guess they have Gert Stegamenns for the sprints/cobbled classics (well at least that's what JB said he hired him for).

Plus, Horner could go okay in the ardennes classics, and Armstrong hinted that he'll do fleche and leige as well.

I agree that most of these riders will be 'spectators' and unable to get a win, but i think Radio will be covered for the pro tour races to get top ten results, and then clearly focusing on stage races with leipheimer for ToC and maybe duaphine. Zibeldia for spanish stage races, LA and AK for TDF and maybe even Horner and Brajkovic for the Vuelta. They may even give Popo a crack at the Giro again! But yeah, GT's are the goal (it worked for Postal, Disco and Astana (08-09) so I think RadioShack will be happy with their investment

Personally, I'll be more intrested in watching them than Sky, but I guess I just prefer GC results over stage wins

 

[Cerberus]

Well this is another issue, after the whole business surrounding the Lance EPO results in 05, the Tour were glad to see the bcak of Lance. I dont think Patrick Clerc would have welcomed back Lance and that is why he got the boot, another case of an event looking at the money over morals issue.

What EPO results in 2005? Or are you talking about the 99' ones? Did that come out in 2005?

 

[Mellow Velo]

Lance will be at the Tour purely because he drives revenues up. Not inviting Radioshack would be like having a world class golf tournament and not inviting Tiger Woods.

No, it would be like not inviting Jack Nicklaus.
Contador is the Tiger Woods of cycling.

And Sky don't care about Grand Tours

No Sky don't care about next year's GTs. They will in the years to come.
One of their main long-term goals.
Meanwhile, Shack only have one goal, next year's Tour.

Both teams will do OK, in their inaugural years, but during this year, at least, they are different horses for different courses.