Teams & Riders The Great Big Cycling Transfers, Extensions, and Rumours Thread

[Rob5091]

Ya, I don't have much hope that a revitalized stage race will mean that much for cycling in Sweden in itself. It is a nice opportunity to catch some cycling live however nearby.

Postgirot Open was the first time I was able to see some of my favorites like Thor Hushovd race live at all. I was at the finish in Gothenburg for both the 2001 and 2002 races and at the start in Vårgårda in 2000.

Mountain biking got a boost with Jenny Risved but otherwise it's been tough for RR guys and gals.

 

[Squire]

The new Alarcon has arrived in Portuguese cycling! Ruben Fernandez to Sabgal.

 

[Berniece]

And now it's official, Van Gils signed with Bora. Good for him, he'll be the leader in every climbing classics.

Einde van de soap: Maxim Van Gils tekent voor 3 jaar bij Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe | sporza

Na veel vijven en zessen is de deal officieel in kannen en kruiken: Maxim Van Gils (25) koerst de komende drie jaar in het shirt van Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Onze landgenoot verbrak enkele weken geleden zijn contract bij Lotto-Dstny.

sporza.be

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Good for him, he'll be the leader in every climbing classics.

Well, except for the approximately two that Roglic rides per year.

Van Gils does really need to perform to secure his position next year though, Bora can draft the likes of Vlasov and DFM into protected roles if needed and then there's always the next cash-heavy transfer window.

 

[Berniece]

Well, except for the approximately two that Roglic rides per year.

Van Gils does really need to perform to secure his position next year though, Bora can draft the likes of Vlasov and DFM into protected roles if needed and then there's always the next cash-heavy transfer window.

He'll still be co-leader when Roglic rides those, it's not like Roglic rode that well.

 

[Samamba]

And now it's official, Van Gils signed with Bora. Good for him, he'll be the leader in every climbing classics.

Einde van de soap: Maxim Van Gils tekent voor 3 jaar bij Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe | sporza

Na veel vijven en zessen is de deal officieel in kannen en kruiken: Maxim Van Gils (25) koerst de komende drie jaar in het shirt van Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Onze landgenoot verbrak enkele weken geleden zijn contract bij Lotto-Dstny.

sporza.be

For one year, till they go after Remco again and succeed. Let's see what Maxim can do when there's actual pressure. He could benefit from having top guys next to him but if he doesn't perform someone like Adria will want his shot (very similar rider) and Im sure Vlasov and Martinez arent just going to ride for Van Gils every race (they probably dont even know who he is).

Looking forward to seeing Van Eetvelt beat Van Gils in the Walloon classics.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

He'll still be co-leader when Roglic rides those, it's not like Roglic rode that well.

Co-leader ≠ the leader.

Also, status matters, even though the merits are debatable to say the least it wouldn't surprise me at all if Roglic is the leader and Van Gils is the second option the first time they race a classic together.

 

[RedheadDane]

For one year, till they go after Remco again and succeed.

Why would they succeed in making him break his contract then?

 

[Berniece]

For one year, till they go after Remco again and succeed. Let's see what Maxim can do when there's actual pressure. He could benefit from having top guys next to him but if he doesn't perform someone like Adria will want his shot (very similar rider) and Im sure Vlasov and Martinez arent just going to ride for Van Gils every race (they probably dont even know who he is).

Looking forward to seeing Van Eetvelt beat Van Gils in the Walloon classics.

Not sure Van Eetvelt can beat Van Gils in the Walloon classics. Hills are too short. I have no doubt he will beat him in San Sebastian and Lombardia though.

I have no clue how he will perform under pressure, I think everything will work out for him. I still don't blame him that he left, so I don't share your hope for failing.

 

[acm]

He'll still be co-leader when Roglic rides those, it's not like Roglic rode that well.

First, he should win something, and then we'll continue with the discussion about leadership.

 

[Berniece]

First, he should win something, and then we'll continue with the discussion about leadership.

First they should ride the same race, which they barely did last year. So it might not even be an issue.

 

[OlavEH]

And now it's official, Van Gils signed with Bora. Good for him, he'll be the leader in every climbing classics.

Einde van de soap: Maxim Van Gils tekent voor 3 jaar bij Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe | sporza

Na veel vijven en zessen is de deal officieel in kannen en kruiken: Maxim Van Gils (25) koerst de komende drie jaar in het shirt van Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Onze landgenoot verbrak enkele weken geleden zijn contract bij Lotto-Dstny.

sporza.be

Sad. UAE, Jumbo and Bora are becoming more and more dominating. Lotto have now lost two of the four main riders before next season.

 

[RedheadDane]

First, he should win something, and then we'll continue with the discussion about leadership.

What are you talking about. He... sort of... won Andalucia. By winning a less-than-5 K ITT, but that was the only stage that was actually held...
He also won Eschborn-Frankfurt.

 

[Samamba]

Not sure Van Eetvelt can beat Van Gils in the Walloon classics. Hills are too short. I have no doubt he will beat him in San Sebastian and Lombardia though.

I have no clue how he will perform under pressure, I think everything will work out for him. I still don't blame him that he left, so I don't share your hope for failing.

You'll see, Van Eetvelt is simply more talented. If it isn't next season it's the one after. Only thing Van Gils has on Van Eetvelt is a better flat sprint (which is useful in Liège) and way better positioning. Shorter hills aren't a problem for Van Eetvelt, he has the punch en the engine for these races, but his positioning could be problematic. Well and the fact that he won't have a good team around him.

And well, I'm not going to keep having this discussion, but if you still don't see that leaders randomly leaving for rich teams in november after having resigned only 8 months ago isn't a good thing for teams I don't know what to say. I'm not saying that Van Gils will fail at all btw, he's a good rider, but I think his consistency and the way of always getting the best result possible (that isn't a win) is more important for a team like Lotto than Red Bull as they want to be the best team in the world. They don't aim for podiums or top 5's, they want monument wins, and while Van Gils is good and one of the best of the rest, he isn't going to win one when the best riders in the world are participating. If you earn almost 2M a year more WT wins are expected I feel like.

 

[MLKarlos]

And now it's official, Van Gils signed with Bora. Good for him, he'll be the leader in every climbing classics.

Einde van de soap: Maxim Van Gils tekent voor 3 jaar bij Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe | sporza

Na veel vijven en zessen is de deal officieel in kannen en kruiken: Maxim Van Gils (25) koerst de komende drie jaar in het shirt van Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Onze landgenoot verbrak enkele weken geleden zijn contract bij Lotto-Dstny.

sporza.be

I just wonder what Lazkano thinks now . I guess he was promissed some leadership as well. Hopefully the mgmt does not *** it up.

 

[Samamba]

I just wonder what Lazkano thinks now . I guess he was promissed some leadership as well. Hopefully the mgmt does not *** it up.

What does Lazkano have to do with Van Gils? They are not aiming for the same races probably and even if they are they are perfectly complementary.

 

[Remy55]

I just wonder what Lazkano thinks now . I guess he was promissed some leadership as well. Hopefully the mgmt does not *** it up.

Lazkano + Pithie = leader cobbled classics
van Gils + Adria = leader ardenne classics

 

[acm]

What are you talking about. He... sort of... won Andalucia. By winning a less-than-5 K ITT, but that was the only stage that was actually held...
He also won Eschborn-Frankfurt.

Tratnik's win in Omloop is bigger than Eschborn Frankurt

 

[RedheadDane]

Tratnik's win in Omloop is bigger than Eschborn Frankurt

But Van Gils still won something this year.

 

[Berniece]

You'll see, Van Eetvelt is simply more talented. If it isn't next season it's the one after. Only thing Van Gils has on Van Eetvelt is a better flat sprint (which is useful in Liège) and way better positioning. Shorter hills aren't a problem for Van Eetvelt, he has the punch en the engine for these races, but his positioning could be problematic. Well and the fact that he won't have a good team around him.

I'm not saying shorter hills are a problem for Van Eetvelt, I'm saying he won't be able to drop Van Gils there. While he would be able to drop him on longer climbs.

About how he went to Bora, we just don't see eye to eye. Difference of opinions.

 

[MLKarlos]

Lazkano + Pithie = leader cobbled classics
van Gils + Adria = leader ardenne classics

I dont know too much about it, I just saw races where Lazkano climbed pretty well as well tbh. I think it was the Dauphine.

Also the where do you see the van Djik brothers? Cobbles?

 

[theyoungest]

You'll see, Van Eetvelt is simply more talented. If it isn't next season it's the one after. Only thing Van Gils has on Van Eetvelt is a better flat sprint (which is useful in Liège) and way better positioning. Shorter hills aren't a problem for Van Eetvelt, he has the punch en the engine for these races, but his positioning could be problematic. Well and the fact that he won't have a good team around him.

And well, I'm not going to keep having this discussion, but if you still don't see that leaders randomly leaving for rich teams in november after having resigned only 8 months ago isn't a good thing for teams I don't know what to say. I'm not saying that Van Gils will fail at all btw, he's a good rider, but I think his consistency and the way of always getting the best result possible (that isn't a win) is more important for a team like Lotto than Red Bull as they want to be the best team in the world. They don't aim for podiums or top 5's, they want monument wins, and while Van Gils is good and one of the best of the rest, he isn't going to win one when the best riders in the world are participating. If you earn almost 2M a year more WT wins are expected I feel like.

You're probably right, Van Eetvelt has shown a few sparks where I'd say, wow, that's a seriously talented dude who can really become world class. I think he has a higher ceiling than Van Gils... but also a lower floor. It depends on what you're looking for in a rider: if you want a consistent points-getter, I'd pick Van Gils, but if I really want to win big races, I'd pick Van Eetvelt.

Ralph Denk takes the hypocrisy award, btw. What an incredibly two-faced guy, last year crying foul about the Uijtdebroeks transfer and now doing pretty much the same, but worse and with multiple riders (only managed to succeed with Van Gils).

 

[Samamba]

You're probably right, Van Eetvelt has shown a few sparks where I'd say, wow, that's a seriously talented dude who can really become world class. I think he has a higher ceiling than Van Gils... but also a lower floor. It depends on what you're looking for in a rider: if you want a consistent points-getter, I'd pick Van Gils, but if I really want to win big races, I'd pick Van Eetvelt.

Hmm I don't know about that "lower floor". When Van Eetvelt is fit, he performs. The thing is that he hasn't been able to race a normal season yet in his pro career, because his BS suspension, injuries but he's also sick a lot. And that's what hinders his consistency and also why I have some doubts about his GT future. He's always been sick a lot (also in youth categories). Before the Vuelta I spoke with his family and they even said that they have no doubts about his climbing capabilities, but are scared that he will be getting sick again, and it happened.

Van Gils doesn't have that as much. But he's also been pretty lucky last season with his lack of crashes.

 

[theyoungest]

Hmm I don't know about that "lower floor". When Van Eetvelt is fit, he performs. The thing is that he hasn't been able to race a normal season yet in his pro career, because his BS suspension, injuries but he's also sick a lot. And that's what hinders his consistency and also why I have some doubts about his GT future. He's always been sick a lot (also in youth categories). Before the Vuelta I spoke with his family and they even said that they have no doubts about his climbing capabilities, but are scared that he will be getting sick again, and it happened.

Van Gils doesn't have that as much. But he's also been pretty lucky last season with his lack of crashes.

In the Netherlands we say "wij van WC-eend..."

I don't really care about the reason, fact is he's sick a lot and tends to be inconsistent for that reason. That's why he probably has a lower floor. Maybe he should try nasal spray

 

[Rockestar_33]

By my calculations Arkea, FDJ, Intermarche and DSM are all one short of the minimum amount of riders for WT level next year. FDJ have nobody else OOC but the others all have one so maybe a one year extension for them and a promotion from their development team for FDJ?