The Tour Wild Cards

[Highlander]

I'm just devastated that Skil was not invited back. Last year's Tour was short on a lot of racing drama as it was quite clear that Contador was going to win after the TTT and the first MT finish. However, Kenny von Hummel made up for that with his brilliant efforts bringing up the rear and making the time cuts until he finally crashed out. My sister and I were more interested to see how much time he lost each day than how the GC contenders fared. Now I know that someone will have to fill Kenny's void this year, but can they do it with the same panache that he displayed last July?

 

[TRDean]

I'm just devastated that Skil was not invited back. Last year's Tour was short on a lot of racing drama as it was quite clear that Contador was going to win after the TTT and the first MT finish. However, Kenny von Hummel made up for that with his brilliant efforts bringing up the rear and making the time cuts until he finally crashed out. My sister and I were more interested to see how much time he lost each day than how the GC contenders fared. Now I know that someone will have to fill Kenny's void this year, but can they do it with the same panache that he displayed last July?

Wait a minute...are you in my mind? I agree totally and am devastated as well...but really Skil only has one win this season. They feature prominantly in the breaks...but they need to start putting up wins. I hope there is a GC contender type rider brought in next season...maybe. I do know that Kenny knows there is more to life than just the Tour...I will continue to support the smaller teams in general, and Skil in particular!

 

[Michele]

Skil-Shimano is a nice team but they miss those 1 or 2 winning riders, while Vacansoleil is much more complete.

The only team that I consider not good enough for Tour is Footon; they don't seems to have the quality.

 

[Highlander]

Wait a minute...are you in my mind? I agree totally and am devastated as well...but really Skil only has one win this season. They feature prominantly in the breaks...but they need to start putting up wins. I hope there is a GC contender type rider brought in next season...maybe. I do know that Kenny knows there is more to life than just the Tour...I will continue to support the smaller teams in general, and Skil in particular!

When you are a prime contender for the lanterne rouge, little things like wins don't matter. Instead, ASO should have just grandfathered them like Milram or Footen after the excitement of last year.

 

[Publicus]

So, with this announcement, BMC are now committed to ride Romandie, The Giro, California, The Tour of Switzerland, The Dauphine Libere and The Tour?

At least it will be interesting to see how they tackle this extremely heavy stage race schedule, with all their "big names" coming out of a tough classics Spring.
The rest of the squad is pretty untested.

There'll be some very tired legs by late July.........if not before.

that's my thinking. BMC isn't really built to be competitive from now to the end of July.

Any word on Lampre's license? I thought they were granted a provisional license through today. Any rumors?

 

[auscyclefan94]

So, with this announcement, BMC are now committed to ride Romandie, The Giro, California, The Tour of Switzerland, The Dauphine Libere and The Tour?

At least it will be interesting to see how they tackle this extremely heavy stage race schedule, with all their "big names" coming out of a tough classics Spring.
The rest of the squad is pretty untested.

There'll be some very tired legs by late July.........if not before.

If they are not going to do one of those races it is le dauphine. If they do all of them, then the california squad will go onto do the dauphine and some of the swiss riders will go off and do the Tour de Suisse.

yes it seems Hincapie is going to go through it dragging Evans around all year.
I reckon it is a blunder though omitting Vacansoliel, they would of made the race better no question.

As for Sky they do get a lot of criticism but at least they try to race so i think they will bring something to the race, IE individual stages and i dont think they will over control races like certain other sprinters teams - hopefully.

I would of omitted BMC And Milram because they have nothing.

I would put BMC and vasc over a lot of teams who have been invited. What I have been saying is that BMC deserve it more than Vasc.

I don't see the point of having lampre (no pettachi?), milram, footon and FDJ. I understand you need to have some squads for the breakaways but Vacansoleil and Saur would provide better alternatives than the teams i listed.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Saur provide better options than FDJ? The rest of what you say makes sense. In a logical world the ASO could invite who they please and this entire discussion would be irrelevant as both BMC and Vacansoleil would have been invited. But FDJ? Who would have had two riders in the top 10 last year were it not for Astarloza?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Saur provide better options than FDJ? The rest of what you say makes sense. In a logical world the ASO could invite who they please and this entire discussion would be irrelevant as both BMC and Vacansoleil would have been invited. But FDJ? Who would have had two riders in the top 10 last year were it not for Astarloza?

FDj, fair enough. What about Cofidis then?

 

[Ibanez]

Cofidis are fairly strong but like Skil last a big winner.

Moncoutie is a proven stage winner in GT's.
Dumoulin has won a Tour stage and taken a couple of wins this year.
Taaramae and El Fares are improving young dudes.
Pauriol, Kern, Moinard are all decent climbers.
Keukeleire has already won 4(I think) times this year.

Decent squad. Maybe slightly weaker than Vacansoleil....but French

 

[Moondance]

I would put BMC and vasc over a lot of teams who have been invited. What I have been saying is that BMC deserve it more than Vasc.

I don't see the point of having lampre (no pettachi?), milram, footon and FDJ. I understand you need to have some squads for the breakaways but Vacansoleil and Saur would provide better alternatives than the teams i listed.

If the question is about 'deserving' than I find it hard to say that a team win a grand total of 0 victories deserves a spot more than a team with, you know, a couple of wins.

But I fully accept your point that on the basis of names, BMC deserve a Tour spot more than Vacansoleil. In fact I've always consistently said throughout this thread that I always though BMC were more likely to get in than Vacansoleil, even though I would prefer to see the latter get in. It's a shame that under the old deal the ASO were still obligated to give Lampre and Footon spots (although FDJ will always get in, deal or no deal), barring a rash of new big money teams next season, they'll certainly be in with serious shot.

I certainly don't think BMC have a bad team or don't have a potentially good Tour squad, but like many people (myself included) have said consistently, they seem to be spreading themselves exceptionally thin. They'll be riding all the major classics this month, the Giro, Dauphine, Switzerland, California, and probably Romandie and a few other races as well. There is only so much quality racing one human being can do in a 4 month span. Based on his abilty and past performance Cadel Evans obviously deserves a shot to try his best at the Tour... I certainly expect that he can do well, although the experiences from last year were that three very good riders who rode the Giro hard (Menchov, Pellizotti and Sastre) were not capable of challenging for the GC in the Tour.

My frustration with the BMC>Vacansoleil matter, and Libertine has sort of spoken to this, is that I'm rather sick of all these new teams coming in, spending big money on big names, and then expecting to get starts everywhere. This isn't BMC's fault or anything, Cadel & Co. have every right to try and start every race they want, deserving or undeserving. But when a team like Vacansoleil comes around, not with piles of cash, but rather looking to give obscure or castaway riders a (second or thrid) chance to shine, form a strong team and do as well as they have, I would hope race directors seek to encourage that, rather than big money chasing big names. Moreover i think it's a bit dismissive to call Vacansoleil a 'simple breakaway team.' If you saw some of the races late last season (you should've seeing as how Cadel was in a couple of 'em ) , or some races earlier this year like Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, they have far more to them than a Skil-Shinmano.[/RANT]

 

[auscyclefan94]

BMC invited to Romandie. Though evans won't be there.

BMC and cervelo to Romandie

 

[craig1985]

Would Vascansoliel help their cause if they punted Hoogerland?

From a business POV, which ASO is, and not a charity, then I think why they have gone for BMC, Radioshack makes perfect business sense. From a fan POV, it sucks, and I personally would of left out Lampre and Footon, and had Vascansoliel and Saur-Sojaun instead.

 

[Mellow Velo]

BMC invited to Romandie. Though evans won't be there.

BMC and cervelo to Romandie

That list you read and commented on will be BMC's stage racing committment. They will have to race all of those races.
The Swiss races are absolute, given the company. The ASO have taken over the Dauphine, so, Cadel will be expected there..........and the Tour of Swiss!

It's OK to say one squad will ride one lot and the other squad the other, but half the team are untried and untested.

My point is, when are the riders currently involved in the classics, which run until Romandie, going to get a rest? Big name burn out is a distinct possibility.

 

[theyoungest]

Would Vascansoliel help their cause if they punted Hoogerland?

1. It's Vacansoleil (word play with vacance=holiday and soleil=sun). Pronounced Vacansolay, emphasis on the last syllable.

2. Booting their strongest rider won't help them. Even if there's some internet forum speculation about his preparation habits.

My point is, when are the riders currently involved in the classics, which run until Romandie, going to get a rest? Big name burn out is a distinct possibility.

The big names are taking perfect care of themselves: Kroon, Ballan, Burghardt haven't shown anything whatsoever, to have something left in the tank for Romandie.

 

[Moondance]

Would Vascansoliel help their cause if they punted Hoogerland?

From a business POV, which ASO is, and not a charity, then I think why they have gone for BMC, Radioshack makes perfect business sense. From a fan POV, it sucks, and I personally would of left out Lampre and Footon, and had Vascansoliel and Saur-Sojaun instead.

Meh.... I don't really think so.

 

[Von Mises]

Cofidis are fairly strong but like Skil last a big winner.

Moncoutie is a proven stage winner in GT's.
Dumoulin has won a Tour stage and taken a couple of wins this year.
Taaramae and El Fares are improving young dudes.
Pauriol, Kern, Moinard are all decent climbers.
Keukeleire has already won 4(I think) times this year.

Decent squad. Maybe slightly weaker than Vacansoleil....but French

In what sense is Cofidis weaker than Vacansoleil? I dont think so... And anyway, they are french and not going to miss TDF anyway.

 

[auscyclefan94]

That list you read and commented on will be BMC's stage racing committment. They will have to race all of those races.
The Swiss races are absolute, given the company. The ASO have taken over the Dauphine, so, Cadel will be expected there..........and the Tour of Swiss!

It's OK to say one squad will ride one lot and the other squad the other, but half the team are untried and untested.

My point is, when are the riders currently involved in the classics, which run until Romandie, going to get a rest? Big name burn out is a distinct possibility.

Definetly NOT doing the dauphine, recovery and recon time from the giro

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

What I have been saying is that BMC deserve it more than Vasc.

what a joke. seriously your blind by love for evans.
deserved is the worst word to describe this injustice.

BMC have a better GT hopeful is all they have over vasc. they certainly don't deserve it more then vasc. that is a ignorant and fanboy comment if i've ever heard one.

Vasc. have sponsored ASO events, have a pretty clean record (err phonak), have had great results this year (unlike bmc who have squat outside evans) are a much more entertaining team and on a whole (not 5 individuals vs 5 other individuals) have a better sqaud.

I hope BMC perform badly at both the giro and the tour and evans falls flat on his face.

 

[auscyclefan94]

what a joke. seriously your blind by love for evans.
deserved is the worst word to describe this injustice.

BMC have a better GT hopeful is all they have over vasc. they certainly don't deserve it more then vasc. that is a ignorant and fanboy comment if i've ever heard one.

Vasc. have sponsored ASO events, have a pretty clean record (err phonak), have had great results this year (unlike bmc who have squat outside evans) are a much more entertaining team and on a whole (not 5 individuals vs 5 other individuals) have a better sqaud.

I hope BMC perform badly at both the giro and the tour and evans falls flat on his face.

That post says more about you as a person than bmc and I. You have a love for dutch teams and dutch riders so you are no different!

 

[auscyclefan94]

"Deserved" may not be the best word for it but don't get so aggressive about it. Remember Timmy, don't take this forum so personal!

 

[High Cotton]

That post says more about you as a person than bmc and I. You have a love for dutch teams and dutch riders so you are no different!

Timmy's right though..

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I agree with Timmy that 'deserved' is not the best choice ('merited' perhaps? After all we are balancing the merits of the riders and teams against each other, whereas 'deserve' implies we are balancing the achievements of the riders and teams against each other), but conversely, I now hope that Evans does well, because I'd like to think Prudhomme knows what he's doing, and if BMC fail miserably it will be a huge disappointment for the spectacle, and BMC now need to justify their selection.

The manager of Saur-Sojasun has had a bit of a rant about it, talking of how Prudhomme basically sold them and the Dutch teams down the river saying that it was all about early season performances, which we now know is simply a lie.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I agree with Timmy that 'deserved' is not the best choice ('merited' perhaps? After all we are balancing the merits of the riders and teams against each other, whereas 'deserve' implies we are balancing the achievements of the riders and teams against each other), but conversely, I now hope that Evans does well, because I'd like to think Prudhomme knows what he's doing, and if BMC fail miserably it will be a huge disappointment for the spectacle, and BMC now need to justify their selection.

The manager of Saur-Sojasun has had a bit of a rant about it, talking of how Prudhomme basically sold them and the Dutch teams down the river saying that it was all about early season performances, which we now know is simply a lie.

+1

Deserve would be a comparison of wins. Prudhomme was probably thinking that Vasc or Saur had to win a lot and win something big to get over bmc because of the evas WC and 2 x 2nd in the tdf factor.

 

[TRDean]

+1

Deserve would be a comparison of wins. Prudhomme was probably thinking that Vasc or Saur had to win a lot and win something big to get over bmc because of the evas WC and 2 x 2nd in the tdf factor.

Seeing as it is still pretty early in the season I'd say Vac have won something big...KBK??? Even Quatar??? I mean what else...No matter how you slice it BMC have been a joke this season...while Vac have been very aggressive, and winning! It does seem that Prudhomme fed the smaller squads a line of bull regarding Tour selection...I now don't believe that "tough" decisions were infact made. Tough decisions would have meant that Evans and BMC were left home.

By the way...yesterday in Belgium...terrible weather...epic stage...BMC had 4 DNF...Skil and Vac had 0...Some teams come to race...others get the selections.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Seeing as it is still pretty early in the season I'd say Vac have won something big...KBK??? Even Quatar??? I mean what else...No matter how you slice it BMC have been a joke this season...while Vac have been very aggressive, and winning! It does seem that Prudhomme fed the smaller squads a line of bull regarding Tour selection...I now don't believe that "tough" decisions were infact made. Tough decisions would have meant that Evans and BMC were left home.

By the way...yesterday in Belgium...terrible weather...epic stage...BMC had 4 DNF...Skil and Vac had 0...Some teams come to race...others get the selections.

I meant a classic not a semi classics. or a stage race PN or TA. I agree that BMC's classics team have been pathetic. Wouldn't put evans in that boat.