Team Saxo Bank with a new bank co-sponsor?

[Forunculo]

But also very expensive. If the primary objective is winning the Tour then I don't think buying Spartacus is cost effective unless they've got a very big budget. You have to look at Spartacus as primarily a star who brings cobbles and TT wins to a team. The fact that he's also good help an flat stages is a nice bonus, but it's not why you buy him.

Oleg Tinkov wanted Cancellara as the leader for cobbles that's true and it's logic.

But he has to ride TdF because his status so people were talking about if he was gonna be a waste of space or money like Cav with Sky. (Despite his 3 wins)

 

[rmacek]

Roman Kreuziger denied that he signed Saxo Bank. He said he negotiates with more teams and he wants to make it clear before the start of Vuelta.

 

[the asian]

But also very expensive. If the primary objective is winning the Tour then I don't think buying Spartacus is cost effective unless they've got a very big budget. You have to look at Spartacus as primarily a star who brings cobbles and TT wins to a team. The fact that he's also good help an flat stages is a nice bonus, but it's not why you buy him.

Signing Cancellara is good if Contador's points doesn't count towards the team, which is the case as it is.

 

[Cerberus]

Signing Cancellara is good if Contador's points doesn't count towards the team, which is the case as it is.

That's a good point.

 

[jyhjyh]

Link

Roman Kreuziger denied that he signed Saxo Bank. He said he negotiates with more teams and he wants to make it clear before the start of Vuelta.

Where did you read that, do you have a link?

 

[Cimber]

Roman Kreuziger denied that he signed Saxo Bank. He said he negotiates with more teams and he wants to make it clear before the start of Vuelta.

Of course, officially he is not allowed to sign with another team before august 1st

 

[rmacek]

Where did you read that, do you have a link?

He denied it on his official sites, http://www.romankreuziger.com (but it is only on czech version of sites so far)

 

[Forunculo]

Roman Kreuziger denied that he signed Saxo Bank. He said he negotiates with more teams and he wants to make it clear before the start of Vuelta.

Of course, officially he is not allowed to sign with another team before august 1st

One week and many unconfirmed rumours will be true

If Tinkov has said that, it's must be true.

 

[Dutchsmurf]

But also very expensive. If the primary objective is winning the Tour then I don't think buying Spartacus is cost effective unless they've got a very big budget. You have to look at Spartacus as primarily a star who brings cobbles and TT wins to a team. The fact that he's also good help an flat stages is a nice bonus, but it's not why you buy him.

If you look at how much Cancellara has done for the Schlecks, it is hard to argue that he isn't worth the money. But more importantly I think Tinkov cares about cycling as a whole and not only about the Tour. When you take other races into account too, there is no question about if Cancellara is worth it.

 

[personal]

So - Kreuziger, Kessiakoff, Kieserlovski and Kancellara...

New tactic for Saxo-Tinkoff - only use riders starting with a K:
Kontador, KAS, Kristensen, Kroon, Knicki Sorensen, Knick Knuyens...

Sadly enough there'll be no room for Morkov unless he changes his name, but if it means the inclusion of Kavendish instead I guess that it could work.

Kancellara?

 

[JPM London]

Kancellara?

Yeah, you know, SpartaKus...

 

[RedheadDane]

So - Kreuziger, Kessiakoff, Kieserlovski and Kancellara...

New tactic for Saxo-Tinkoff - only use riders starting with a K:
Kontador, KAS, Kristensen, Kroon, Knicki Sorensen, Knick Knuyens...

Sadly enough there'll be no room for Morkov unless he changes his name, but if it means the inclusion of Kavendish instead I guess that it could work.

Knicki and Knick?

Actually Mørkøv's last name is Christensen... or... using your logic: Kristensen, so; he'll do!
And of course he's from Kokkedal! XD

 

[JPM London]

Knicki and Knick?

Actually Mørkøv's last name is Christensen... or... using your logic: Kristensen, so; he'll do!
And of course he's from Kokkedal! XD

Kool!

I forgot Kantwell earlier didn't I? I'm not sure how to save the Haedos though...

 

[RedheadDane]

Kool!

I forgot Kantwell earlier didn't I? I'm not sure how to save the Haedos though...

Yeah. You totally forgot Kantwell!
And let's not forget a proposed newcomer: Karpets!

There are actually quite a few guys it would be hard to save... I can just imagine it:

"What? You're not offering me a contract next season?"
"Sorry. Your name doesn't start with a K!"
"But... Nicki and Nick!"
"Well..."

 

[JPM London]

Karpets, eh? Let's hope he stops bullying poor Alberto then...

 

[RedheadDane]

There's this vid where Tinkov randomly offer Karpets 2 mill euros!

 

[Forunculo]

There's this vid where Tinkov randomly offer Karpets 2 mill euros!

Tinkov is not very good at business then

 

[Opalius]

(stuff about Roche going to SBTB

Ooh! I love it!

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Roche ey? nice helper there Alberto

 

[will10]

Nicolas Roche strongly linked with Saxo-Tinkoff now. He is out of contract at AG2R and will more than likely leave. Good addition if it happens. His agent has said he has already made up his mind where he is going. Stephen Roche has said in the past he would like to see him work with someone like Riis.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...r-La-Mondiale-after-four-years-with-team.aspx

lol, I bet he would

 

[Forunculo]

To avoid off topic on the transfers thread I use this to talk about Bjarne new project.

New riders:

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

Remain/Extended:

Contador (2015)
Majka (2015)
Morkov (2015)
CAS (2015)
Hernandez (2015)
Noval (2013)
Boaro (2015)
Sorensen (2013)
Mads Christensen (2013)
Christopher Juul Jensen (2013)
Karsten Kroon (2013)
Sergio Paulinho (2013)
Jonas Aaen (2013)

Uncertain status (at least for me)

Bruno Pires
Kasper Klostergaard
Matteo Tosatto
Cantwell
Miyazawa
Lucas Haedo
J.J. Haedo
Volodymir Gustov
Luke Roberts
Jaroslav Marycz
Troels Vinther
Ran Margaliot
Anders Lund

Rumours:

Cancellara (95% to remain at RSNT)
Lars Bak (¿?)
Lasse Norman Hansen
Tiernan-Locke (probably to Sky)
Bruseghin
Kolobnev
Zaugg


Can easily be the second best GT after Sky? And compared to RSNT?
What about their chances on one-day races?
From the uncertain status what riders you would rescue?
Contador team leader at Tour, what eight will go as helpers?
Giro, Vuelta leaders?

 

[Cimber]

To avoid off topic on the transfers thread I use this to talk about Bjarne new project.

New riders:

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

Remain/Extended:

Contador (2015)
Majka (2015)
Morkov (2015)
CAS (2015)
Hernandez (2015)
Noval (2013)
Boaro (2015)
Sorensen (2013)
Mads Christensen (2013)
Christopher Juul Jensen (2013)
Karsten Kroon (2013)
Sergio Paulinho (2013)
Jonas Aaen (2013)

Uncertain status (at least for me)

Bruno Pires
Kasper Klostergaard
Matteo Tosatto
Cantwell
Miyazawa
Lucas Haedo
J.J. Haedo
Volodymir Gustov
Luke Roberts
Jaroslav Marycz
Troels Vinther
Ran Margaliot
Anders Lund

Rumours:

Cancellara (95% to remain at RSNT)
Lars Bak (¿?)
Lasse Norman Hansen
Tiernan-Locke (probably to Sky)
Bruseghin
Kolobnev
Zaugg


Can easily be the second best GT after Sky? And compared to RSNT?
What about their chances on one-day races?
From the uncertain status what riders you would rescue?
Contador team leader at Tour, what eight will go as helpers?
Giro, Vuelta leaders?

"-What about their chances on one-day races?"
If Kolebnev and Zaugg joins (which rumours suggest very likely) they look good in the hilly classics. However, they look a little underpowered on the cobbles (losing Nuyens, getting Breschel). I think they need one more force besides Breschel.

"-From the uncertain status what riders you would rescue?"
Imo:

Stay:
Bruno Pires
Cantwell
Troels Vinther
Matteo Tosatto

Borderline:
Kasper Klostergaard
Lucas Haedo
J.J. Haedo

Out:
Miyazawa
Volodymir Gustov
Luke Roberts
Jaroslav Marycz
Ran Margaliot
Anders Lund

Regarding the Haedo brothers McGee more or less confirmed that they would stay in an interview with Danish media.

"-Can easily be the second best GT after Sky? And compared to RSNT?"
To me the interesting issue is that RSNT and SBTB have the same interest - blowing up the Sky train. But ye, SBTB will be up there with the bests in the stage races

"-Contador team leader at Tour, what eight will go as helpers?"
Very hard to say. It really depends on the route (but I think we can take for granted that there will be a TTT). A guess from the top of my head:

Jesus, Roche, Kreuziger, Mørkøv, Tosatto/Noval/Bennati, Paulinho/Nicki Sørensen, Bruseghin (if he joins the team), Majka/CAS

Bennati might very well do the Giro and some spring classics instead though.

Tbh I would prefer Majka over CAS or Jesus but I kinda suspect that Riis wants CAS in there ( Jesus is a given as he is Berti's best bud) and that Majka will get a shot as leader in another GT, so maybe he skips the Tour.

"-Giro, Vuelta leaders?"
Kreuziger Giro, Roche Vuelta maybe? And Majka will definately get a go in one of them too.

On the other hand Kreuziger just stated on his website that he doesnt know if he would do any other GTs besides the Tour and that he would like to . Maybe it would be a good idea for him to rebuild his confidence (which he admits he has somewhat lost) in the one week races and classics. In that case Majka Giro, Roche Vuelta. Kreuziger other races.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tosatto extended for one year I think.

 

[Cimber]

Tosatto extended for one year I think.

Nothing official. But I hope and think that he will.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Jesus, Roche, Kreuziger, Mørkøv, Tosatto/Noval/Bennati, Paulinho/Nicki Sørensen, Bruseghin (if he joins the team), Majka/CAS

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