- Apr 5, 2015
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Asgreen has had some fatigue problems. Maybe some long post-covid that has affected a lot other riders/athletes as well. He has been better again since the spring though.
Jakobsen is not having the best season... others are simply better/faster than him. Philipsen and Kooij, among others.
Soudal also has an aging squad. Like what is the average of the team here in the Tour? A lot of riders past their best.
- Apr 5, 2015
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I keep hearing they have an aging squad. I would agree in respect to Morkov. But even the riders that feel like they've been around a while are actually at an age where they should be in their prime - e.g. Alaphilippe (31), Lampaert (32) and Senechal (29) (I know he's not at the Tour).
Yeah... but they also have Cattaneo (33 in the fall), Devenyns (40 in less than two weeks), De Clerq (34), Serry (35 in the fall)...
In addition, as you point out, there are a bunch of riders in the age-range 29-32 who should be somewhat okay still but most of them are past their best. It is just the way it is looking and it is difficult to see it will turn around, that they will come back to life.
3-4 years ago their squad were firing on cylinders in the classics and most of these guys were 26-28. The older experienced riders were a few years younger. Now they are all just... older.
They have done nothing to rejuvenate the squad in the sprint/classics department. They have stuck/kept with the same core for years and not added anything new. They have relied on Asgreen, Ala, Jakobsen and Remco. It is only one that has been performing consistently in the past couple of seasons and their team has more and more become a one-man show, than a pack.
- Sep 2, 2011
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- Sep 20, 2017
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Severely underwhelming year for them outside of Evenepoel winning Liège, and it's only getting worse here. Jakobsen's crash has left him incapable of doing much and thereby also rendered Morkov, Lampaert and Declercq nearly pointless, and Devenyns was pointless to begin with. That leaves an Alaphilippe who's been horrific and an Asgreen and Cavagna whose opportunities really only start coming from Tuesday onwards. This team really needed at least one of Schmid, Vansevenant or Knox to prevent them from being completely irrelevant on the climbier days...
Red Rick
Moderator
- Feb 20, 2012
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None of those are exactly favorites even for a TdF breakaway. Van Wilder or Hirt could be.
- Apr 8, 2023
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https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling...to-see-big-investment-from-american-companies
Wielerflits has reported via several sources that there is an interest within the USA, more specifically the Wasserman Media Group to purchase a cycling team from the existing. Part of sports and entertainment business, the acquisition of a World Tour team would be of little effort as the yearly budget of some revolves around €10 million euros, with both Lidl - Trek and EF Education-EasyPost having American licenses and setting a benchmark for what is possible within the domestic market.
...
However the chances of a big move from the American market does not seem too likely at this time, as a representative of Wasserman told the Dutch media outlet that “they looked at the numbers of a cycling team and came to the conclusion that it could not be a lucrative business."
Wielerflits has reported via several sources that there is an interest within the USA, more specifically the Wasserman Media Group to purchase a cycling team from the existing. Part of sports and entertainment business, the acquisition of a World Tour team would be of little effort as the yearly budget of some revolves around €10 million euros, with both Lidl - Trek and EF Education-EasyPost having American licenses and setting a benchmark for what is possible within the domestic market.
...
However the chances of a big move from the American market does not seem too likely at this time, as a representative of Wasserman told the Dutch media outlet that “they looked at the numbers of a cycling team and came to the conclusion that it could not be a lucrative business."
Devenyns is really pointless to send in the Tour team.
They really banked hard on Jakobsen. His crash is unfortunate and now he is nowhere.
Ala, not the same rider anymore.
Asgreen... not ridden for himself. Needs his own opportunity in a break.
The others are just guys to help Jakobsen. They are pointless as well now.
Strange to not pick Bagioli, Vansevenant, Knox, Schmid, Hirt or someone instead of Devenyns.
They really banked hard on Jakobsen. His crash is unfortunate and now he is nowhere.
Ala, not the same rider anymore.
Asgreen... not ridden for himself. Needs his own opportunity in a break.
The others are just guys to help Jakobsen. They are pointless as well now.
Strange to not pick Bagioli, Vansevenant, Knox, Schmid, Hirt or someone instead of Devenyns.
I'd say winning UAE Tour, 2nd in Catalyuna, with 2 stage wins, 2 stage wins in the giro, as well as 3rd with a stage win in the TDS is a very good year
- Sep 20, 2017
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Not by Soudal's (admittedly high) standards. Yes, Evenepoel has put together a lot of wins and other good results, but DNFing his main target (not his fault of course) means it's not as good a year as 2022 so far for him, and will only be if he somehow pulls off Worlds + Vuelta again. And then it's rather telling that you have no non-Evenepoel results to list - even last year, where the team already performed horrendously when Evenepoel wasn't involved, you at least had both Lampaert and Jakobsen winning a Tour stage, Cavendish winning a Giro stage, and Jakobsen winning Kuurne. None of their other riders have managed a win of that size all year. Even with Evenepoel papering over a lot of cracks, it's still the worst season for the team in a long time.
He was not talking about Remco... but the team.
You must have just read "underwhelming year" followed by "Evenepoel".
- Jul 15, 2021
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I always had a soft spot for QuickStep because of how they focussed on, ánd performed, in the classics season. They were a fun team to watch. They didn't use to do too bad in the Tour either with Julien + a very good sprinter.
All that is now completely gone, aside from LBL. So in my view, this season they failed pretty badly thus far. Maybe that's on me for still looking at them like "the Classics" team while they switched their focus more on GT's for Remco. But as an outsider, I gotta say that while I of course enjoy what Remco does, I don't enjoy watching the team that much anymore.
All that is now completely gone, aside from LBL. So in my view, this season they failed pretty badly thus far. Maybe that's on me for still looking at them like "the Classics" team while they switched their focus more on GT's for Remco. But as an outsider, I gotta say that while I of course enjoy what Remco does, I don't enjoy watching the team that much anymore.
- Jun 15, 2021
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I wonder if Lefevere is trying to sell the team, but has no takers at the price he wants? It doesn't appear he has spent money on new riders (probably to try and make his team seem less expensive for possible buyers) and now may be forced to ride next year with a relatively weak squad (sans Remco). If I am Remco, as much as I hate to say this, I try to force a transfer to Ineos.
I think these summer months will be crucial in the Remco and Quickstep near future
2024 is the year of Remco yes? I doubt they will bring a sprinter
- Jul 27, 2009
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Quick Step should just sell Remco Evenepoel to Ineos or elsewhere after the Vuelta a Espana and rebuild their classics squad afterwards.
It's the best solution for all parties involved IMHO.
It neither makes sense for Evenepoel to waste more time of his career on a team that can't properly support him in major grand tours, nor for Quick Step to give a miss to their classics and sprint successes.
Ineos needs a GT leader anyway and still has a good support squad.
It's the best solution for all parties involved IMHO.
It neither makes sense for Evenepoel to waste more time of his career on a team that can't properly support him in major grand tours, nor for Quick Step to give a miss to their classics and sprint successes.
Ineos needs a GT leader anyway and still has a good support squad.
I think those calling for Ineos has no patience or jumping on the bandwagon. I am not too sure it will automatically work.
Soudal dont need the "perfect" team for the Tour next year, since other teams will be stronger no matter what you do in the transfer market this year.
What they probably need is to off-load some of their guys in their classics squad, where many have out-going contracts. Many of them probably wont get renewed. I would be surprised.
Merlier can still do a job next year in the minor classics, as he showed himself this season. For the cobbles they will both have Asgreen and Lampaert for another year, as it is looking right now.
Try to keep Vansevenant and Schmid imo. They can farm points in smaller stage-races and one-day races. Stage-hunters in the GTs.
Van Wilder, what is happening with him?
I can see guys like Vervaeke and Serry being renewed. They can still do a job as helpers. I think keeping Declerq for another year wouldnt be so stupid either, if he doesnt retire. Van Lerberghe too. I think you need these guys in the team. Especially, if they will be signing some younger riders to fill out their squad while riders like Morkov, Cavanga, Senechal, Ballerini, Cerny, Steimle, Knox, Bagioli, Jakobsen, Cattaneo, Vernon and so on are riders that are probably leaving. A couple of them might still be renewed.
Then they will probably try to sign what it is available, on the market. Maybe someone already have, but it will be announced later.
I could see them signing another sprinter, if both Jakobsen and Vernon are leaving.
Dont know what is available when it comes to the classics, but would probably be good to get someone in there as well.
Sign one or two more climbers for Remco, depending on what is available. Then use the money for when Ala and Asgreen leaves for 2025. Imo, I would try to keep Asgreen if he gets back to former level. I think he can still be important in a great team for the Tour.
Then fill up the rest of the roster with youth or shrewd signings like Casper Pedersen.
Soudal dont need the "perfect" team for the Tour next year, since other teams will be stronger no matter what you do in the transfer market this year.
What they probably need is to off-load some of their guys in their classics squad, where many have out-going contracts. Many of them probably wont get renewed. I would be surprised.
Merlier can still do a job next year in the minor classics, as he showed himself this season. For the cobbles they will both have Asgreen and Lampaert for another year, as it is looking right now.
Try to keep Vansevenant and Schmid imo. They can farm points in smaller stage-races and one-day races. Stage-hunters in the GTs.
Van Wilder, what is happening with him?
I can see guys like Vervaeke and Serry being renewed. They can still do a job as helpers. I think keeping Declerq for another year wouldnt be so stupid either, if he doesnt retire. Van Lerberghe too. I think you need these guys in the team. Especially, if they will be signing some younger riders to fill out their squad while riders like Morkov, Cavanga, Senechal, Ballerini, Cerny, Steimle, Knox, Bagioli, Jakobsen, Cattaneo, Vernon and so on are riders that are probably leaving. A couple of them might still be renewed.
Then they will probably try to sign what it is available, on the market. Maybe someone already have, but it will be announced later.
I could see them signing another sprinter, if both Jakobsen and Vernon are leaving.
Dont know what is available when it comes to the classics, but would probably be good to get someone in there as well.
Sign one or two more climbers for Remco, depending on what is available. Then use the money for when Ala and Asgreen leaves for 2025. Imo, I would try to keep Asgreen if he gets back to former level. I think he can still be important in a great team for the Tour.
Then fill up the rest of the roster with youth or shrewd signings like Casper Pedersen.
- Sep 20, 2017
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The commercial value of Evenepoel in Belgium is insane, it makes zero sense for Soudal to let him go for that reason alone. A deep classics squad also won’t do much given how far Van der Poel, Pogacar and Van Aert are ahead of everyone else on the cobbles.
Which is why ineos is so attractive.
This does ring true however
Why are they so attractive?
Their best rider in the Tour is a guy who is leaving and Pidcock.
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