THIS JUST IN: Cancellara leaving Saxo Bank confirmed!!

[Kazistuta]

Bjarne Riis just announced it live on Danish TV. Where Spartacus will go will be up to him to announce.....



EDIT:

Riis was sad to see Cancellara go, but said they've had some great years together and managed to arrange a deal meaning the Swiss could leave. Riis refused to comment on the "buy-out clause" and a potential amount,but just confirmed that he wouldn't be a part of the Danish team next year.

Saxo Bank will be starting over, focusing on the youngsters (oh yeah...and maybe a bit on that new rather unknown Spaniard) and almost confirmed the transfer of Nick Nuyens. We all know Bjarnes smile when he can't confirm, but is happy to say "there's a great possibility".

 

[Zoncolan]

No surprise really. The way he left the Vuelta was indicative.

 

[Thomsena]

Why do contracts exist? Totally worthless.

 

[issoisso]

Why do contracts exist? Totally worthless.

According to Riis, it was worth more than 3 million in this particular instance.

That's more than most pro teams' entire budget for the year.

 

[maltiv]

Team Sky, please. That would be hilarious!

 

[Barrus]

Why do contracts exist? Totally worthless.

Cancellara will probably hone his contract, as it included a 3 million buy-out clause

 

[analo69]

Cancellara leaving Saxo Bank

On a live interview on Danish television Bjarne Riis just confirmed that Fabian is leaving Saxo Bank.

He scolds Fabian for leaving the vuelta prematurely and is angry about.

It seems as if he is builing a new team. But Fabian is the worlds best bicycle rider so as a Saxo Bank fan I am dissapointed. I wonder where he will go

 

[blackcat]

BMC Andy Rihs has money

 

[Ferminal]

So where's he going?

The favourites would have to be BMC and Schlux.

In fact, I can't think of any more teams who could fit him in their budget/squad.

blackcat's 12 month quest for vindication.

 

[Thomsena]

Cancellara will probably hone his contract, as it included a 3 million buy-out clause

But we really don't know, right..

Alright.. You might be right. But I think it's so low to announce your interests in public just to get offers from other teams when you are a on a contract.

 

[sublimit]

Team Sky, please. That would be hilarious!

They dont have the cash. its obviously the team Schlek

 

[GroupDK]

A shame, but this is what Riis does.

make superstars and when they are on top of the cycling world, and to big, then others can take over, and he can make som new world stars.

Great that he has Contador, and a rider like contador is normally not a rider Riis would take, because his is on the top, but Contador was also connected if he wanted new headsponsors.

i Guess Fabian likely will go to the new lux team, so he can still be with his teammates from Saxo bank and Kim Andersen.

Damn Riis you have made friends for life on team saxo bank ,and they wants to stay together rest of there life.

 

[hrotha]

They dont have the cash. its obviously the team Schlek

But Cancellara wants to win the Tour!

 

[hfer07]

Team Sky, please. That would be hilarious!

Radioshack might be interested too....

 

[Thomsena]

According to Riis, it was worth more than 3 million in this particular instance.

That's more than most pro teams' entire budget for the year.

According to danish news he has been fired for leaving his squad and the Vuelta.

 

[El Pistolero]

Let's hope Boonen destroys some of the Cancellara hype next year.

 

[theswordsman]

Here it is in print. Riis reached an agreement with Cancellara so that he could move on

http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/article1413641.ece

 

[Berzin]

The way Fabian left the team seems very unprofessional.

Then again, we are not privy to the dramatics that take place behind those closed doors.

I've always thought Riis was a cool team director, but the way his riders have been leaving this year tells me that there is a lot of inter-squad strife that we just don't (and probably won't) know about.

 

[Cobblestoned]

I bet on BMC. This would match perfectly.
But I love surprises, too.

BMC would be the right team to battle Garmin in the classics and is Suisse/US.

 

[Old School]

Cancellara won't be with a better team...oh well.

 

[theswordsman]

Well, before we start getting on Fabian's case for the way he left, let me just say we are not privy to the dramatics that take place behind those closed doors.

I've always thought Riis was a cool team director, but the way his riders have been leaving this year tells me that there is a lot of inter-squad strife that we just don't (and probably won't) know about.

But the Spanish press had him out drinking three nights during the race, and he left in the middle of yesterday's stage after agreeing to work for Frank until the end of it (he ended up with problems at the end). Then he took off without even saying goodbye to anyone, and didn't answer his phone.

 

[ansimi]

The closer the relationship,the more bitter the breakup.

I'm guessing BMC. I don't think he would have abandoned Schleck at the Vuelta if they were planning on riding together next year and the Schlecks are an obstacle to him for LBL and collecting all the monuments.

 

[lagartija]

so why the mass exodus from saxo,..... back in the day it was all about getting into saxo,csc, lots of guys always saying how they were the best team etc...

 

[maltiv]

Poor Contador...once he joined the team, everyone else left. Looks like a quite weak team now.

 

[mulletCobra]

so why the mass exodus from saxo,..... back in the day it was all about getting into saxo,csc, lots of guys always saying how they were the best team etc...

Riis seems to have lost his touch. Everything has been falling apart since before the tour. I don't really think he ever had a sponsor lined up to replace Saxo Bank. He got Sunguard to pick up a bit of the bill, made up a story, sweet talked Alberto to join and then watched as everything fell into place. It just seems that in the process he lost touch with everything else that was around him. He always has a worried look on his face. I think the stress caught up with him and snowballed until it started hurting his personal relationships with his riders.