John Degenkolb 2014. But he'll need to win 4-5 stages to do thatAnother good win for Sam today. I assume targeting the points Jersey in the Vuelta is out of the question? I can't remember the last time an out and out sprinter won it.
John Degenkolb 2014. But he'll need to win 4-5 stages to do thatAnother good win for Sam today. I assume targeting the points Jersey in the Vuelta is out of the question? I can't remember the last time an out and out sprinter won it.
Not sure I agree with that. I seem to remember all the out and out sprinters got dropped coming into Cordoba. Same when he came second on stage 11 of the Tour that year. He also got 2nd in PR and 15th in Ronde too. Seems unfair to call him 100% a sprinter.In 2014, Degenkolb would have absolutely been considered 100% a sprinter.
Yes, there are equal amount of points in every stage regardless of the type of stage. With less amount of pure sprint stages it is hard for a sprinter to win the jersey.Are the points awarded differently at the Vuelta? You'd never end up with a GC climber type like Froome or Valverde winning the points Jersey at the Tour or Giro.
Yes, they are. There's no differentiation between flat and mountainous stages.Are the points awarded differently at the Vuelta? You'd never end up with a GC climber type like Froome or Valverde winning the points Jersey at the Tour or Giro.
He still won in Cordova from a reduced bunch sprint, like all his wins up until then. Even his 2nd in Roubaix was sprinting in the biggest group to contest a podium spot on the Velodrome that I’ve ever seen. And he spent the 2013 Tour as Kittel’s leadout man. Yes, he could get over some obstacles better than most other “pure” sprinters, but sprinting was what he was known for.Not sure I agree with that. I seem to remember all the out and out sprinters got dropped coming into Cordoba. Same when he came second on stage 11 of the Tour that year. He also got 2nd in PR and 15th in Ronde too. Seems unfair to call him 100% a sprinter.
OK, I know this is the Bennett thread, but let's just try this anyway:I've sometimes been thinking which year would produce the best team. Put eight riders in from different categories.
GC leader
Two mountain domestiques
Sprinter
Lead-out
TT Specialist
Cobblestone specialist
Breakaway specialist
Of course some riders could fill multiple ones, like in 1990 team Sagan could be possible selection for sprinter and cobblestone specialist. But that's different discussion which may be continued on other topic.
Being discussed on the transfers thread. Not 100% clear how they can force an out-of-contract rider to stay.Interesting info on eurosport there... Apparently Sam wants to leave but BORA are trying to force him to stay.
Isn't Bennett's contract up?Interesting info on eurosport there... Apparently Sam wants to leave but BORA are trying to force him to stay.
Yeah, that’s why this is confusing. Presumably Bora think they have some kind of option to extend, or there’s a now disputed verbal agreement, or some other form of ongoing entanglement. But as both sides have been very disciplined about not talking to the press nobody is even sure if there’s really a dispute.Isn't Bennett's contract up?
Here’s our answer;Yeah, that’s why this is confusing. Presumably Bora think they have some kind of option to extend, or there’s a now disputed verbal agreement, or some other form of ongoing entanglement. But as both sides have been very disciplined about not talking to the press nobody is even sure if there’s really a dispute.
It had to be something like that, otherwise the team would have no real ability to make trouble. The interesting thing to see is what Bora actually want as an outcome if they “win” the arbitration. Do they want Bennett so much that they will actually force a seriously unhappy rider to stay or do they simply use a victory to extract compensation from him/his new team (in the process possibly making him more likely to end up somewhere other than the notoriously prudent with money DQS).Here’s our answer;
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Sam Bennett in battle to free himself from Bora-Hansgrohe, according to sources
The German team is believed to be fighting to keep Bennett next seasonwww.cyclingweekly.com
So there was idd some sort of previous agreement. The validity of it will be examined by the UCI after hearing all parties.
It's baffling that he would sign a letter of intent in May, after he had been left out of the Giro and Tour teams. I can't understand why he would sign anything with them. He knew since pre-season that he wouldn't be the team's priority and that the Vuelta would be his only GT.It's a strange attitude from Bora - They can't offer Bennett the calendar he wants, so it's baffling they would go down the legal route arguing about a Letter of Intent.
I wonder if Pat still has any pull in the UCI to help him out with this oneBennett’s manager Andrew McQuaid
This explains a lot. If you have read Phil Gaimon's book you know how reliable this guy is...