TDF 2011 Lineup Announced // No Geox - Will Menchov leave? Will Geox fold?

[DrC0721]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-selects-22-teams

No Geox team? No pro-tour license killed them. That and the directors opted in four French teams surprise surprise. Menchov was third last year and Sastre won in 2008. Total lack of respect.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=11843

 

[mombus]

Were there 4 American teams last year?

 

[the student]

Ouch Geox takes a major blow... only french teams get the wildcars in both races. They could have added them to Paris-Nice at the least.

 

[The Hitch]

Will Menchov leave? Will Geox fold?

Contador didnt switch teams to defend his jersey in 07, but then he had less time. We are still in the off season kind of. Few months till serious racing starts. Does Menchov have time? Who will take him. Radioshack? Will he go?

And if so does Geox then fold?

 

[Michielveedeebee]

He'll stay and win the Giro Vuelta double a la Contador in 2008

 

[ak-zaaf]

He'll stay and win the Giro Vuelta double a la Contador in 2008

That's the thing though. If he had Contador's abilities it would make sense for a team to buy him out. A certain TDF victory will pay itself back.
Menchov probably negotiated a very nice paycheck that nobody else is going to cough up.

 

[rzombie1988]

I'm really interested to know this as well. If I were Menchov, I'd consider it. With Contador out, this is going to be his best chance to win the TdF. I think he could beat Andy Schleck if he's at his best.

Does anyone know why Denny left Rabobank anyway?

 

[hrotha]

This is a gift from the heavens for Riis. If he's smart, he'll get Menchov.

 

[taiwan]

This is a gift from the heavens for Riis. If he's smart, he'll get Menchov.

Well spotted.

 

[palmerq]

This is a gift from the heavens for Riis. If he's smart, he'll get Menchov.

that would be a great idea for everyone well except geox :S... I really hope Menchov makes it to the tdf though, if he is on top form he could make a good challenge for victory and i would have him as my joint favourite for 2nd place behind little schleck.

 

[jaylew]

If AC winds up being suspended, would that open up Saxo's budget enough to pick up Menchov? I wonder if he had a TdF-invite out clause in his contract.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

LOL @ this Tour. The 1st and 3rd places from last year likely won't even race.

Leopard-Schleck indeed. This year's Tour might be even more boring than usual.

Though, I think hrotha has it right. I bet Mechov scoots over to SaxoGard. Contador helps Valverde walk Piti this season.

 

[El Oso]

I'm really interested to know this as well. If I were Menchov, I'd consider it. With Contador out, this is going to be his best chance to win the TdF. I think he could beat Andy Schleck if he's at his best.

Does anyone know why Denny left Rabobank anyway?

IMO, he needs more TT km to beat Schleck

 

[taiwan]

Seeing as this is all happening before the team's presentation, it wouldn't surpsise me if they do fold. Lets a lot of good riders let down, but none are such big names that thee would be a major fuss.

 

[The Hitch]

Contador helps Valverde walk Piti this season.

HA!. I like that one.

 

[jaylew]

With Geox being left out of Tirreno-Adriatico as well could we be looking at a Giro snub to boot?

Since two wildcards are already taken (Farnese Vini and Androni) they probably need to beat out either Acqua & Sapone or Colnago.

Who was it that said they could be this year's Unibet?

The article does point out that fewer teams have been invited than in the past so there's still a chance they could be added to T-A but things are looking rather grim for Geox. Glad I only have Cobo on my team.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Unless there is a clause in his contract this could be too much money for a team...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

On the bright side, maybe David Blanco can go for a record-breaking 5th Volta a Portugal.

Oh wait, I like Marco Chagas more than him.

On the bright side, maybe they can support Fabio Duarte in the Vuelta a Colombia.

 

[The Hitch]

On the bright side, maybe David Blanco can go for a record-breaking 5th Volta a Portugal.

Oh wait, I like Marco Chagas more than him.

On the bright side, maybe they can support Fabio Duarte in the Vuelta a Colombia.

Nobright side to it. Both are on my cq team.

 

[kurtinsc]

Nobright side to it. Both are on my cq team.

Well that's a bright side right there for the rest of us!

Though I have Duarte too, so a bit less bright for me.

 

[Altitude]

How ridiculous. There's no way they can justify that decision. 4 out of 4 wild cards given to French teams? BS

 

[hrotha]

I only have Cobo but I'm not worried because he already broke even.

 

[therealtimshady]

they cant justify snubbing a strong geox team (cobo, menchov,sastre) and invite a woefully sh*t BMC team last year - utter disgrace

 

[therealtimshady]

as ive said before lets invite a shocking BMC team to 2010 tour and snub a strong geox team this year - utter, utter disgrace