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

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If it wasn't for the injury, I think Ineos should have gone to lenghts to keep him. Rather that than renewal with Thomas, etc. Given that Bernal is not a safe bet and Thomas soon is at the end of his career, a GC lineup of TGH, Pidcock, Arensman, Sheffield, Plapp, Tulett and De Plus is a minimum of one should expect from Ineos. But a that serious injury changes things.
There is certainly a limit to how many recovering maybe-again Giro-winners one team can accommodate.

Thomas is ageing, but in a way that is a good thing because he will want a short contract so if they get their hands on a Remco or Bernal returns stronger than ever or they uncover a new gem, you are only tied to G's contract for the rest of that season.

But the point is that these riders are good but maybe not good enough for being in the top tier of INEOS riders, so they need to replace some of them, especially if they still want to have free roles in their team.
 
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Only if TGH recovers fully from his injury. If he doesn't and had a really high wage demand, they have instead dodged a bullet.........
I'm happy for TGH to secure a nice deal, but I think you are right that it is a massive risk. Leaving aside this year's Giro injury, TGH has struggled with consistency. Still, fingers crossed that he has a quick, full recovery and is contending for a GT podium next year.
 
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There is certainly a limit to how many recovering maybe-again Giro-winners one team can accommodate.

Thomas is ageing, but in a way that is a good thing because he will want a short contract so if they get their hands on a Remco or Bernal returns stronger than ever or they uncover a new gem, you are only tied to G's contract for the rest of that season.
Well, they had massive squad of GC riders and domestiques last year. And it's big even this year. So there should really be room for more than guys like Pidcock, Sheffield, Arensman and Plapp. And perhaps Bernal. If that is the case the wage cut of the squad has to be quite substantial.

Unless they plan a raid for Remco and need a BIG available salary in their budget.
 
Well, they had massive squad of GC riders and domestiques last year. And it's big even this year. So there should really be room for more than guys like Pidcock, Sheffield, Arensman and Plapp. And perhaps Bernal. If that is the case the wage cut of the squad has to be quite substantial.

Unless they plan a raid for Remco and need a BIG available salary in their budget.
I think Plan A is Remco, maybe Plan B is Roglic. Don’t know what plan C or D is.

The point is that they need to evolve in the top end of their team somehow within a few years, preferably ahead of the 2022 season.

signing a big 3-year deal with TGH reduces flexibility for them, signing a bigger 1-year deal with Thomas; less so. TGH probably also wants a free role at least in some races and INEOS cannot give him that; if they succeed in plan A.
 
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Maybe aren't on the back foot,just Ratcliffe telling ol Dave Brailsford he's scaling down the budget for next season : Good luck with them signings,mate.
Also a possibility that Ratcliffe is saving up for his potential shiny new toy/endless pit where money disappears from or have just gotten bored.

In which case INEOS have to re-evaluate how they see themselves and what type of team they want to be.
 
In my view, you've hit upon the best rationale for the continued rumors of INEOS wooing Remco. They've let a lot of talent and salary walk away in the past two years while adding very little outside talent.
They have 15 confirmed riders for next year (according to PCS) as do Quickstep. A merger would make much sense. But if this is on the cards, what are they waiting for? Otherwise you end up with two semi-teams.
 
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I think its more like Wolves. Get rid of your best players, spend all year fixated on a transfer target only to see him refuse to join you for Bournemouth & then refuse to sign anyone who isn't minimum wage. Dave will be next to go.
 
Maybe for us, reading about it. I'm not sure it would be all that much fun for the riders caught in the middle.

the merger idea sounds weird. I think they are working behind closed doors with lawyers and sponsors (Specialized mostly) to see if a deal is possible and how much will Lefevere ask.
the new Pinarello owner has also investments in the brand Q36.5. so if Remco is signed and Specialized comes with him, Pinarello could supply the Q36.5 cycling team (mind, JUST GUESSES AND RUMORS)
ps. I'm not much of a Remco fan. nevertheless I'd love to see him with Ineos, even just for the twitter and forum fun and jokes.
 
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I think its more like Wolves. Get rid of your best players, spend all year fixated on a transfer target only to see him refuse to join you for Bournemouth & then refuse to sign anyone who isn't minimum wage. Dave will be next to go.

Tbf hasn't Dave already 'gone', I know he had some health issues, and then ended up focusing in Ineos football, but when was the last time he was seen at a stage race?, gave an interview to the media about cycling?, was part of a press release from the team?

Given he used to be near ever present, the absence might be being felt in so far as so who is the public face captain of the good ship Team Ineos anymore ? Is it G ;)
 
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