Sky may have already done the best transfer of 2011

[Ryaguas]

Somehow I feel that most Colombian cyclists are easy to work with and understand the place in their teams. Well I hope I am right.

2 examples... Ardila and Garate!
respects for those guys!

Looking to the bright side of this transfer... Uran and Henao in the mountains can do MASSIVE damage in the mountains!!

 

[roundabout]

Huh? Garate is Colombian now?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Gárate is extremely Basque for a Colombian, you know.

Then again, Unai Etxeberría was from Venezuela.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

movistar on paper may have the best climbers in the pro tour but they never attack, just always ride/rode for valverde's sprint or rojas 2nd place. they used to have riders like jimenez that animated every mountain. and now I already read unzue crying for valverde's return, oh please...

this I agree with. Movistar, for such a good climbing team (granted without a 'big' rider at the moment) are pretty wasteful.

Doing your first Tour as a domestique has never killed anybody. Usually it's a good way to get to know the race and having to perform but without too much pressure.

Henao's 23. In the unlikely case that Wiggins performs well enough to sacrifice the rest of the team for him, it's not the end of the world or of Henao's career.

This. People who think Haneo is going to rock up in europe and just win everything he enters are gonna be pretty dissapointed I suspect. Experience and adaption is key.

I do say it would be bad for henao to be used as domestique because you take out their goals and dreams with that. henao wants to be the first colombian to win the tour and to make him a helper could crush those dream (momentarily)

but it will never get this far because we can all see wiggins has no real business in the mountains. he will never come close to winning the tour I think.

what a joke. If the guy is that mentally weak he has no business in Europe. Sorry passion is not an excuse for being a brat.

the biggest problem with colombians is what Quintana said in an interview after catalunya recently: the speed on the flat is so much higher than in south america, so they are already too tired to climb as well as they normally can..

Some riders adapt and overgrow this problem, some never do. F.ex Jesus Hernandez always owns everyone on training camp climbs, even Contador, but in a race you'll never see him perform that way. He gets tired so much on the flat he can do jack sh*t

This. It amuses me that people summarize that racing in s/america is so impressive because of the attacking nature. And thus these colombians will just own europe. But yeah.. the pace is a different story. Europe is Higher quality, more structured and the most difficult racing. Constant attacks and entertaining racing seen in Colombia isn't possible with the pace of european racing.

That is why I like that Uran was here at a young age, it gives him plenty of time to adapt. I think King Haneo will struggle at first in europe. Just like any other talented youngster, he should learn the pro ranks first, before attempting to 'crush these lously european climbers

That being said, Colombia introducing teams into europe is the right step to success. This will allow young riders to adapt to the european scene , and hopefully become competitve in time.

 

[The Hitch]

The "Colombians get tired on flat" theory is interesting. Would have been nice then to see Colombia is passion in Giro on the Nevgal tt.

Uran did afterall do very very well on Kronplatz last year. Rujano same in 08.

 

[Eric8-A]

I thought Sky was to be an all British team. As far as their roster goes, they don't have a whole lot. Now with the signing of another Colombian, they might take on the path of Geox or Movistar. I guess they finally realized Wiggo can't win the Tour and are looking for someone else to win it for them.

 

[Escarabajo]

This. People who think Haneo is going to rock up in europe and just win everything he enters are gonna be pretty dissapointed I suspect. Experience and adaption is key.


This. It amuses me that people summarize that racing in s/america is so impressive because of the attacking nature. And thus these colombians will just own europe. But yeah.. the pace is a different story. Europe is Higher quality, more structured and the most difficult racing. Constant attacks and entertaining racing seen in Colombia isn't possible with the pace of european racing.

That is why I like that Uran was here at a young age, it gives him plenty of time to adapt. I think King Haneo will struggle at first in europe. Just like any other talented youngster, he should learn the pro ranks first, before attempting to 'crush these lously european climbers

That being said, Colombia introducing teams into europe is the right step to success. This will allow young riders to adapt to the european scene , and hopefully become competitve in time.

And much more than that.

I agree with you that Henao should take some time to adapt to new cycling. For some youngsters it takes 1 year for others more than a year and for others never.

What Quintana is saying is the same thing that Colombians said back in 1983 and 1984. Now it could be worse if you look at the "clinic" side of it.

These are the reasons why I said that Henao should have come long time ago.

 

[Ryaguas]

Huh? Garate is Colombian now?

Gárate is extremely Basque for a Colombian, you know

Ye my bad... I've always related Garate with Colombia... I dont know why

 

[lanternrouge]

I thought Sky was to be an all British team. As far as their roster goes, they don't have a whole lot. Now with the signing of another Colombian, they might take on the path of Geox or Movistar. I guess they finally realized Wiggo can't win the Tour and are looking for someone else to win it for them.

When was that ever said? As far as Brits go they have 10 on the roster (possibly more on the way next season), not a all British team but a significant number none the less.

 

[Captain_Cavman]

What they did say was that they were after a good cultural fit, e.g. fluent English speakers. Anyone know what the Colombians' English is like?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

the biggest problem with colombians is what Quintana said in an interview after catalunya recently: the speed on the flat is so much higher than in south america, so they are already too tired to climb as well as they normally can..

Some riders adapt and overgrow this problem, some never do. F.ex Jesus Hernandez always owns everyone on training camp climbs, even Contador, but in a race you'll never see him perform that way. He gets tired so much on the flat he can do jack sh*t

this only accounts for guys like quintana who weigh 52 kg and are only 21 years old, not for riders like henao who are much heavier. uran has no problems either and never did from the start in europe in flat

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

2 examples... Ardila and Garate!
respects for those guys!

Looking to the bright side of this transfer... Uran and Henao in the mountains can do MASSIVE damage in the mountains!!

ardila had amazing talent but wrong mentality and only rode for the money, this can be a problem with some colombian riders, henao comes from an incredible poor background. still he seems very determined, more so than uran and duarte, who now seems to be taking the sport more serious

 

[Cimber]

I think according to Ryo whatever team signs a Columbian has made the best transfer

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The "Colombians get tired on flat" theory is interesting. Would have been nice then to see Colombia is passion in Giro on the Nevgal tt.

Uran did afterall do very very well on Kronplatz last year. Rujano same in 08.

it's totally out of proportion. quintana said abotu differences between europe and colombia he said the difference isn't much but in europe they ride harder in the flat and in colombia harder in the mountains, he never said he had trouble following in the flat. and let's not forget the guy is very young. uran came here at age 19 and never had any problems adapting from the get go. henao will have even less problems as he is much matured. I can see him podium giro next year with ease.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

What they did say was that they were after a good cultural fit, e.g. fluent English speakers. Anyone know what the Colombians' English is like?

they don't speak any english, that's why they got other guys in like zandio

 

[hrotha]

Wow, their English skills must be truly abysmal when they need a Spaniard to serve as a bridge.

 

[Angliru]

the biggest problem with colombians is what Quintana said in an interview after catalunya recently: the speed on the flat is so much higher than in south america, so they are already too tired to climb as well as they normally can..

Some riders adapt and overgrow this problem, some never do. F.ex Jesus Hernandez always owns everyone on training camp climbs, even Contador, but in a race you'll never see him perform that way. He gets tired so much on the flat he can do jack sh*t

Actually Hernandez and Contador knows that even in training camp that if Contador wants to he can drop him and everyone else, he can. I'm guessing you're basing your statement on Hernandez's initial camp with Astana that was widely reported. I'm basing my point on a joint interview with Contador and Hernandez prior to the 2010 season.

 

[Angliru]

the biggest problem with colombians is what Quintana said in an interview after catalunya recently: the speed on the flat is so much higher than in south america, so they are already too tired to climb as well as they normally can..

Some riders adapt and overgrow this problem, some never do. F.ex Jesus Hernandez always owns everyone on training camp climbs, even Contador, but in a race you'll never see him perform that way. He gets tired so much on the flat he can do jack sh*t

That's going to take awhile for Henao to adapt to especially in the grand tours and the Tour especially. He'll at best be a stage chaser initially if given that latitude by Sky.Throwing him in as a team's chief gc hope in his first year will be a bit much and may be a blow to his morale and confidence. He and Sky have to keep their expectations realistic and relatively modest initially.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

it's totally out of proportion. quintana said abotu differences between europe and colombia he said the difference isn't much but in europe they ride harder in the flat and in colombia harder in the mountains, he never said he had trouble following in the flat. and let's not forget the guy is very young. uran came here at age 19 and never had any problems adapting from the get go. henao will have even less problems as he is much matured. I can see him podium giro next year with ease.

No offense but you are some what deluded.

oh wait, he already won the toughest stage race in the world (VaC), this should be easy pickings.

 

[ritchieuk]

I'm sure Henao is a very good rider but it's a shame that he's going to be ruined by the joke that is Team Sky. Can someone please tell me what Julich does as a race coach, because all I can see is a massive amount of underachievement. i was so excited by the prospect of having a team to follow once it was formed but so far it has been a disaster with (very) few highlights.

And they have ruined EBH, when he joined Sky he was hailed as the next big thing, now his medical bills must be more than his salary, and WTF has Kjell Carlstrom ever done????

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

sky acquired really crappy and or overrated riders like gerrans, lovkvist, wiggins, henderson, cioni, augustyn, arvesen and others. there's nothing strange about them not succeeding and I thought everyone could see it last year. no topsprinter, no topclimber, no top classics guy except flecha for the cobbles but he's no winner and no top gc guy

 

[ergmonkey]

sky acquired really crappy and or overrated riders like gerrans, lovkvist, wiggins, henderson, cioni, augustyn, arvesen and others. there's nothing strange about them not succeeding and I thought everyone could see it last year. no topsprinter, no topclimber, no top classics guy except flecha for the cobbles but he's no winner and no top gc guy

I mostly agree with this, but I'd argue that Henderson has continued to progress at Sky while Arvesen was brought to the team for experience and road captaincy more than for personal victories--making him somewhat hard to judge from where we sit.

As for the rest of them, the vast resources and opportunities touted by Team Sky ought to have resulted in much more impressive showings.

 

[ingsve]

I'm sure Henao is a very good rider but it's a shame that he's going to be ruined by the joke that is Team Sky. Can someone please tell me what Julich does as a race coach, because all I can see is a massive amount of underachievement. i was so excited by the prospect of having a team to follow once it was formed but so far it has been a disaster with (very) few highlights.

And they have ruined EBH, when he joined Sky he was hailed as the next big thing, now his medical bills must be more than his salary, and WTF has Kjell Carlstrom ever done????

I don't know what you're expectations are but as far as I'm concerned Sky has been a fairly solid team if you consider everything. There were things that didn't work that well last year but those same things look much better this year so there aren't that many aspects that have been negative throughout.

There are only a few things that I would consider disappointing. EBHs injuries is one thing but he has shown some brilliance even at Sky but it has been overshadowed by missing the classics and the lack of form at the Tour. The next was the total focus on the Tour and the lack of results that followed there that is inexcusable and they seem to have learnt their lesson. Finally when the team dropped out of the vuelta which was understandable but it also ment that many rider decided to end their seasons early so Sky had a very limited program at the end of the year.

Other than that I would have to say that they have performed as I expected them to. Certain riders have underperformed but that's more on them that on the team in my opinion.

As for Carlström, he has been a very good domestique at Liquigas in the past but I agree that he hasn't looked as good at Sky. Still you shouldn't be expecting any results from him since he will always have the domestique role just like someone like Michael Barry.

 

[ergmonkey]

Can someone please tell me what Julich does as a race coach?

Maybe he's their descending coach.

 

[hatcher]

I'm sure Henao is a very good rider but it's a shame that he's going to be ruined by the joke that is Team Sky. Can someone please tell me what Julich does as a race coach, because all I can see is a massive amount of underachievement. i was so excited by the prospect of having a team to follow once it was formed but so far it has been a disaster with (very) few highlights.

And they have ruined EBH, when he joined Sky he was hailed as the next big thing, now his medical bills must be more than his salary, and WTF has Kjell Carlstrom ever done????

What on earth were you expecting from Kjell Carlstrom, and why on earth were you expecting it? He's a domestique in his mid 30s.

Which races has Julich been involved in? Since his arrival their performances in stage races have been greatly improved.

And EBH should just win even though he's injured? Damn SKY.

Maybe you should have slightly more realistic expectations.