Speculate: Who will be going to Lance's new team?

[richwagmn]

That is still an unanswered question--and I don't think you can just put all the blame on LA/JB.

The relationship soured when LA came back. AC asked to be let out of his contract. JB said no.

 

[ashaman]

The relationship soured when LA came back. AC asked to be let out of his contract. JB said no.

Does JB have the power to cancel contract at Astana?

 

[Publicus]

+1..... I am having a hard time understanding why Andy would consider going to Radioshack, if indeed he is. No doubt the Hog is a smart guy, but after seeing what went on this year with Contador I don't think it is worth it. Riis is a very smart tactician, understands GC riding, and seems to run his team really well. All the riders in Saxo seem pretty happy. Not so with Astana!

He's quietly become my favorite DS. If the Schlecks were to leave, I could see Contador sliding into Saxo Bank very nicely.

 

[BeachBum]

All this talk of Schleck the Younger getting a 'year to learn under Lance' is complete and utter ignorance talking. In 07 he was 2nd in the Giro, 08 White jersey in the Tour and 09 White again AND podium. He's HAD all the seasoning/learning he needs.

Saxo is just about the best team out there. They are all happy, they've already had 3 different riders win ProTour races this year, each rider knows he'll get his turn and the complete suport from the team when it is 'his'
turn. As somebody else pointed out, Schleck already HAS a team built completely around him, why waste 2010 on RadioShack? Riis is as smart, probably smarter than JB. JB's riders win GTs and 1 week stage races, Riis's riders can and have won just about every race out there, many races they have won multiple times.

With or without Frank, it would be lots downside on RadioShack; with maybe 30 seconds in a TTT for upside.

The other thing is, why would Lance want Schleck on his team? So he can have a younger rider on his own team beat him again? So he can go through another 3 weeks of playing 'who's the leader?' I don't see it.

 

[MKirilenko]

Yes, very promising future being LA slave on mountanious stages. Why on Gods name would Andy go there? That would be a step backwards in his career. Plus he wont leave Frank, unless JB brainwashes him. He's already capable of being a leader of any team, he just needs to improve TTs and voila - biggest threat to Contador next year

 

[ilillillli]

He's quietly become my favorite DS. If the Schlecks were to leave, I could see Contador sliding into Saxo Bank very nicely.

two things:

1. i'll agree. i fully expected saxo and the rest of the peloton to never attack and passively let astana control the race. even though they didn't quite get their man on top, they did a great job putting the hurt on contador.

2. is there room for contador on saxo? i'm not sure either schleck, schleck, or contador would be fond of this arrangement. nevermind the finances, i think the first priority for contador is finding a team with an unambiguous team leadership role for him. even if it's at skil-shimano. after this lance debacle, and the respect he should have earned with his 4th grand tour in 2 years, i'm guessing contador wants CONTROL of a team, not another in-house rival.

the only thing worse than joining a team with the dude who finished 3rd last year and is likely declining, is joining a team with the dude who finished 2nd last year and is likely getting much, much better.

 

[jilbiker]

He's quietly become my favorite DS. If the Schlecks were to leave, I could see Contador sliding into Saxo Bank very nicely.

You are right. I think AC is a better fit with Riis. Attack, attack attack.

 

[ilillillli]

You are right. I think AC is a better fit with Riis. Attack, attack attack.

really? 'cuz they got two dudes named schleck there. am i the only one that sees this as a problem alberto would certainly like to avoid?

 

[jilbiker]

Yes, very promising future being LA slave on mountanious stages. Why on Gods name would Andy go there? That would be a step backwards in his career. Plus he wont leave Frank, unless JB brainwashes him. He's already capable of being a leader of any team, he just needs to improve TTs and voila - biggest threat to Contador next year

What seperated LA from Ullrich and the crew was his discipline and commitment to his goal. One christmas, JU was calling LA on the 27th of Dec, LA was answering from the mountains in france (yes in the cold) where he was training while of course JU was having his good old Lager. Not sure I see that zoned commitment from Andy. Too much mouthing during the tour.

 

[jilbiker]

really? 'cuz they got two dudes named schleck there. am i the only one that sees this as a problem alberto would certainly like to avoid?

I mean if the Schlecks leave to serve His Royal Bikness.

 

[rsd10023]

It is obvious that why LA wants AS because there is no way he can last for too long at his current age. If he spends all the effort to find the sponsor to build a new team, he needs someone to lead the team after his retirement. Who is the promising young star out there that can compete with AC in the mountain?

May be LA knows that AC cannot be beaten in the mountain, he may want to use AS to burn all AC's juice first and have Levi and AK drag himself up the mountain to beat AC. There is no "I" in a team. It would probably need a team effort to beat AC given how strong he is.

Radioshack has something to offer to AS. JB has a "special/secret" way to groom a TdF champion. May be that will interest AS to join the group. As to who is the lead rider in Team Radioshack, it will be Lance of course. But if AC pulls away by a big margin in the mountain, LA would have to let AS go to challenge him. In any case, AS is still very young. What does he care?

Can JB and Saxo trade contract between As and AC? Both riders have a year of contract outstanding. The only downside is putting AC in Saxon. That will be a lot of problem.

 

[Darrylc]

Bruyneel, Popo, Levi, Big George, Zubeldia, Horner, Davidson, Alan Davis ?

Andy Schleck, Alexander Vinokourov and Michael Rasmussen

 

[ilillillli]

I mean if the Schlecks leave to serve His Royal Bikness.

oh, gotcha.

 

[eugkim]

JB has a "special/secret" way to groom a TdF champion.

I'd argue that Riis is a more effective tactician. JB threw his throng of horses out to grind the rest of the peleton down for LA and AC, both a step above the rest. Last year, Riis was able to win the TdF with Sastre, who probably wasn't the best in the field. Both LA and AC in their primes were the class of the field, while Sastre showed this year, and previous to 08, that he was good not great. Last year was a masterpiece for Riis.

 

[jilbiker]

It is obvious that why LA wants AS because there is no way he can last for too long at his current age. If he spends all the effort to find the sponsor to build a new team, he needs someone to lead the team after his retirement. Who is the promising young star out there that can compete with AC in the mountain?

May be LA knows that AC cannot be beaten in the mountain, he may want to use AS to burn all AC's juice first and have Levi and AK drag himself up the mountain to beat AC. There is no "I" in a team. It would probably need a team effort to beat AC given how strong he is.

Radioshack has something to offer to AS. JB has a "special/secret" way to groom a TdF champion. May be that will interest AS to join the group. As to who is the lead rider in Team Radioshack, it will be Lance of course. But if AC pulls away by a big margin in the mountain, LA would have to let AS go to challenge him. In any case, AS is still very young. What does he care?

Can JB and Saxo trade contract between As and AC? Both riders have a year of contract outstanding. The only downside is putting AC in Saxon. That will be a lot of problem.

AC pulled LA to that 3rd spot. He knows it. Thats why he needs another young gun to ride for 2010. if AC was obedient to the bikeness, LA would have been first

 

[Coach Hawk]

Last year was a masterpiece for Riis.

Or sheer luck.

Don't get my wrong, I think Riis runs an awesome team and they would be my first pick if I were a rider of that calibre. But 1 TdF win compared to something like 10 of the last 11 (or close to that--I can't seem to count today), that's not a lot of bragging rights.

So if you want to win LeTour, I think JB and friends are probably where the odds-makers would tell you to put your money.

 

[eugkim]

Or sheer luck.

Don't get my wrong, I think Riis runs an awesome team and they would be my first pick if I were a rider of that calibre. But 1 TdF win compared to something like 10 of the last 11 (or close to that--I can't seem to count today), that's not a lot of bragging rights.

So if you want to win LeTour, I think JB and friends are probably where the odds-makers would tell you to put your money.

My point is that JB wasn't even close to winning without Contador and Lance. Do you think he could win with Sastre? I would equate Sastre last year with someone like Kloden this year, although not as skilled with TTs. Without Riis last year, Sastre had no chance of winning.

 

[Coach Hawk]

My point is that JB wasn't even close to winning without Contador and Lance. Do you think he could win with Sastre? I would equate Sastre last year with someone like Kloden this year, although not as skilled with TTs. Without Riis last year, Sastre had no chance of winning.

Yes, he certainly doesn't have a perfect record, but nor does anyone else. And he may not even be that great at managing the races. But one thing I think he does very will, which I have heard as a secret for great leadership: "Learn to recognize greatness, and surround yourself with it." LA and AC didn't end up on the team by accident.

 

[Publicus]

two things:

1. i'll agree. i fully expected saxo and the rest of the peloton to never attack and passively let astana control the race. even though they didn't quite get their man on top, they did a great job putting the hurt on contador.

2. is there room for contador on saxo? i'm not sure either schleck, schleck, or contador would be fond of this arrangement. nevermind the finances, i think the first priority for contador is finding a team with an unambiguous team leadership role for him. even if it's at skil-shimano. after this lance debacle, and the respect he should have earned with his 4th grand tour in 2 years, i'm guessing contador wants CONTROL of a team, not another in-house rival.

the only thing worse than joining a team with the dude who finished 3rd last year and is likely declining, is joining a team with the dude who finished 2nd last year and is likely getting much, much better.

My comment about Contador on Saxo Bank was if the Schlecks left. I don't see either leaving for the drama of Radio Shack. But I do think that Contador needs a DS like Riis. He actually seems to understand tactics in a way that eludes Johan.

 

[Teufel Hunden]

Sarge

Hincapie lead out for Renshaw for RS.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

So... more than giving names, what types of riders do RS would need, for something like the next TdF?

Supposing LA would be the leader, and that he no longer dominates the opposition from a physical standpoint, whand kind of strategy should the team have, in your opinion?

Should they have a sprinter (like most teams) or build up exclusively for GC (as any JB/LA team)?

 

[Oldman]

Hincapie lead out for Renshaw for RS.

I bet they inquire about Tyler Farrar and a couple of leadouts. As for Andy S-of course lance wants what everyone speculates...one less GC opponent unless he fails. Andy will go because the MONEY will be BIG. The same reason Contador could end up with Garmin.

 

[scribe]

So... more than giving names, what types of riders do RS would need, for something like the next TdF?

Supposing LA would be the leader, and that he no longer dominates the opposition from a physical standpoint, whand kind of strategy should the team have, in your opinion?

Should they have a sprinter (like most teams) or build up exclusively for GC (as any JB/LA team)?

Radioshack will have a 2-3 serious GC contenders. There will be no specialists other than a mixture of very good climb pacers and open terrain diesels. This is how Armstrong and Bruyneel know how to race. The goal is not to necessarily win the TdF themselves, which they will try, but if the do fail, they will make sure it isn't Contador by coyly supporting other team's GC guys.

 

[dadoorsron]

My point is that JB wasn't even close to winning without Contador and Lance. Do you think he could win with Sastre? I would equate Sastre last year with someone like Kloden this year, although not as skilled with TTs. Without Riis last year, Sastre had no chance of winning.

That wasn't a tactical master piece by Riis. Sastre going off on Alp D huez was great for him but, NO one followed HIM. He was the best that day and that's why he won the race. Evans would of never been able to follow and he was hoping his TT would close the gap on sastre. The Schlecks were on the same team so they weren't going to chase there own teammate. No team set the tempo on the front of the lead group. The lead group did nothing but fight among themselves because they thought Sastre would blow up in the time trial. Inaction of the other GC contenders allowed Sastre to win the race.

Look at the other two tours. Landis goes off the front for 15 minutes and none of the GC contenders teams road tempo to close the gap. All of the GC contenders was looking at each other and gave the race away. THat would of never happened if a Lance armstrong, Ullrich, or Basso was in the race. Then we have the Contador win. Contador wasn't even the best climber in that tour. Rasmussen was the best climber in that race. the only way he had such a big lead is because no one thought he would be able to handle the TT's well which surprised many when he held his own. Underestimating the opponent usually will bit you in the but, and it almost did to team discovery that year.

 

[Teufel Hunden]

LA will be the the main guy to get his eighth TdF at the same time grooming Taylor Phinney. Indeed, to get RS its needed recognition, they need sprinters and lead outs. If CH hold on Hincapie, Renshaw and Cav remains. They will rule for years. Cav learned his trade as track riders. Farrar will win if Cav is not present. Psychologically, he is doomed. Break up CH then the rest of the peloton will have hope. Renshaw may be as fast as Cav. Best example is stage 21's final kilo...Awesome!