Team Saxo Bank with a new bank co-sponsor?

[Cimber]

Alberto, Jesus, Kreuziger, Roche, Tosatto, Nicki Sørensen, CAS, Noval, Paulinho I think.

I feel 99% sure Mørkøv will be in the team (if not injured or sick) and if Bruseghin joins he will be there too considering the TTT and the need of a diesel for the early mountains and even on the flats. But we will see. Its nice that there are a lot of options

 

[LaFlorecita]

I feel 99% sure Mørkøv will be in the team (if not injured or sick) and if Bruseghin joins he will be there too considering the TTT and the need of a diesel for the early mountains and even on the flats. But we will see. Its nice that there are a lot of options

Well Noval, Jesus and Paulinho are certain I think, Nicki is a bit of a must of course, Kreuziger & Roche are obvious picks imo, I think Alberto will want Tosatto to be in the team as well, and then CAS

 

[Cimber]

Well Noval, Jesus and Paulinho are certain I think, Nicki is a bit of a must of course, Kreuziger & Roche are obvious picks imo, I think Alberto will want Tosatto to be in the team as well, and then CAS

We can agree that we disagree But lots of strong options. They can have rather strong teams in the other GTs too.

 

[LaFlorecita]

We can agree that we disagree But lots of strong options. They can have rather strong teams in the other GTs too.

I don't necessarily disagree, I just think that's the team they'll send. Of course there are lots of other options.

 

[Cimber]

I don't necessarily disagree, I just think that's the team they'll send. Of course there are lots of other options.

I feel pretty confident Mørkøv will be there as one of Contador's personal guardians on the flats. But we will see. A lot can happen from now till july.

 

[Netserk]

If I had to pick a team of nine riders (and only of the certain ones), then my pick would be:
Contador
Kreuziger
Bennati
Mørkøv
Paulinho
Majka
CAS
Jesus
Nicki

The best 5 for the TTT:
Contador
Kreuziger
Bennati
Mørkøv
Paulinho

In the mountains:
Contador
Kreuziger
Majka
CAS
Jesus

Should be a very strong team that can handle everything

 

[Miburo]

If I had to pick a team of nine riders (and only of the certain ones), then my pick would be:
Contador
Kreuziger
Bennati
Mørkøv
Paulinho
Majka
CAS
Jesus
Nicki

The best 5 for the TTT:
Contador
Kreuziger
Bennati
Mørkøv
Paulinho

In the mountains:
Contador
Kreuziger
Majka
CAS
Jesus

Should be a very strong team that can handle everything

What about Roche?

Replace him for Bennati although i'm afraid noval will be in it aswell

 

[Netserk]

What about Roche?

Replace him for Bennati although i'm afraid noval will be in it aswell

He should skip the Tour and focus on La Vuelta

 

[cineteq]

He should skip the Tour and focus on La Vuelta

Why even mention Bennati on the list? He's no Sagan or Cav.

 

[Netserk]

Why even mention Bennati on the list? He's no Sagan or Cav.

To help Bert with placing in the bunch, especially when it is very hectic. He is also decent in a TTT, and in general as a domistique.

PS: And what should a Contador Tour team use Cav to?

 

[cineteq]

a Contador Tour team use Cav to?

The point was that it should NOT be a sprinter all on that list.

 

[Netserk]

The point was that it should NOT be a sprinter all on that list.

'Cause that is what Bennati is in a Tour team?

 

[Fidolix]

The point was that it should NOT be a sprinter all on that list.

It´s not the issue what he is, the issue is he knows how to position Alberto on the flats, something they have had terrible trouble with, and besides every GC team needs a Capitain la route, which Bennati would fit perfectly.
He´s an excellent TTT, and do one of the best prologs.
Bennati would be one of Bjarnes first choises, and with good reason.

 

[Alpehue]

Alberto, Jesus, Kreuziger, Roche, Tosatto, Nicki Sørensen, CAS, Mørkøv(I expect Riis to want him to take over for Nicki when he retired in a few years), Paulinho I think.

But i love the fact that he has too many good riders to play around with its a luxury problem for once.

 

[Netserk]

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22149

Regarding Bennati as a sprinter in a tour squad...

 

[DominicDecoco]

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22149

Regarding Bennati as a sprinter in a tour squad...

The list of sprinters/riders with sprinter abilities, that can do a proper TT on short distances, is endless.

 

[Netserk]

The list of sprinters/riders with sprinter abilities, that can do a proper TT on short distances, is endless.

on 3-5 km yes, on 9.3 no.

EDIT: I know it is a different level in the tour, but this is over two thirds of the distance:
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=21624

Best sprinter: 25th Kittel, who wouldn't have beaten Bennati @ T-A, even though he used to be a TTer.

 

[Afrank]

New riders:

Roche (2014)
Kreuziger (2015)
Breschel (2014)
Kump (2013)
Bennati (2014)

So with the new signings does Riis have enough points to stay in the WT? If not then how many more does he need?

 

[Netserk]

So with the new signings does Riis have enough points to stay in the WT? If not then how many more does he need?

He should be quite sure by now.

 

[Nilsson]

So with the new signings does Riis have enough points to stay in the WT? If not then how many more does he need?

Although not for certain direct top 15 placement, I believe this must be sufficient. Saxo will, whatever happens in the coming weeks, always be in the top 20 and it would really surprise me if the UCI would throw them out of the World Tour. It's the only Danish team, which is an important market, and I believe they will somehow unofficially 'value' AC('s points), because otherwise they would undermine the whole system of guaranteeing the strongest riders in the biggest races - which was the reason to start the whole thing to begin with.

Nevertheless, points from the likes of Kolobnev and Zaugg would always be welcome (and very likely lead to direct placement).

 

[T-Nielsen]

Regarding Bennati. I have the feeling, that Riis may have P-R plans with him. He has the calm style to stay upright and the finnish that makes it unnecessary to create the race.

 

[Netserk]

Regarding Bennati. I have the feeling, that Riis may have P-R plans with him. He has the calm style to stay upright and the finnish that makes it unnecessary to create the race.

Just no. .

 

[T-Nielsen]

Just no. .

Well faced with such unrelenting, exsausting and aggressive argument I have no other choice then to admit defeat.

 

[Afrank]

Regarding Bennati. I have the feeling, that Riis may have P-R plans with him. He has the calm style to stay upright and the finnish that makes it unnecessary to create the race.

Yes, that is why he has DNFed in every Roubaix he's entered.

 

[Forunculo]

28 riders