Tinkoff want Froome, Nibali & Quintana at Giro

[sir fly]

why? none of them are classics riders. they are GRAND TOUR riders.

'Cause: “It's a clear way to show who is the strongest rider in the sport." The sport is more than the GTs, isn't it?
It's just another Tinkov's gimmick. Really childish.
A kid feels he won't get enough attention on the playground hes chosen, so he's calling the other kids to play with him on his playground.
No one serious will accept Tinkov to determine his schedule and season goals.
He has his own team to do what he wants.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

There should be mandatory for GC riders to participate in all 3 GTs. Whoever wins a GT must be a part of all 3 GTs in order for the title to be awarded. Otherwise the runner up takes the title of that GT.

PS: Sending an email to Tinkov as we speak

Worst idea I've heard on this forum, ever, and I've heard a few bad ones.

 

[cineteq]

What if a rider misses a GT due to injury or illness

I guess that is an exception. Then that rider must win a monument or a classic to claim his award!

Worst idea I've heard on this forum, ever, and I've heard a few bad ones.

Have you heard of the triple crown?

 

[ILovecycling]

what do you think? If they all will compete giro-tour,(highly unlikely esp Froome) has anyone a decent shot at winning Tour except those 4?

I dont think so.

 

[sir fly]

When did the classics became Grand Tours?

It's not that I don't get your reasoning, but it would be like saying Boonen and Cancellara at their prime should do the TDF, and from the GC-result it could be determined who is best...
-----------
They specialize in Grand Tours... Not classics..

From the paragraph you've quoted.

“It's a clear way to show who is the strongest rider in the sport."

The Classics are important part of the sport. Don't you agree?

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Smart move on his part, but I think too many of the owners are stuck in the all-eggs-in-the-Tour basket mentality.

Of course. Their sponsors dictate that. As a benefactor, Tinkov doesn't have that.

 

[Publicus]

'Cause: “It's a clear way to show who is the strongest rider in the sport." The sport is more than the GTs, isn't it?It's just another Tinkov's gimmick. Really childish.
A kid feels he won't get enough attention on the playground hes chosen, so he's calling the other kids to play with him on his playground.
No one serious will accept Tinkov to determine his schedule and season goals.
He has his own team to do what he wants.

I guess if you disregard the context in which the comment was made and the riders being referenced, then sure. As for the childish bit, I think you are being overly harsh (and a tad bit myopic) as this represents a means to an end that would be beneficial to fans (of GTs mostly), the owners and potentially the health of the sport overall.

 

[Publicus]

Of course. Their sponsors dictate that. As a benefactor, Tinkov doesn't have that.

Wouldn't it help the sponsors to broaden and deepen the marketing of the sport? If the Giro's visability increased, without a meaningful cost to the TdF, why would sponsors be opposed?

EDIT: Honestly, I'm just excited about the possibility for even matchups in 2 of the 3 GTs.

 

[BlurryVII]

If I understand correctly, Martinelli just stated that most likely Aru will go for the Giro and Nibali for the Tour. Is that a joke?
Martinelli is never at a loss for words, that's what he said before the Vuelta "Nibali doesn't need to confront the Vuelta field to prove he is the best".
One word: Irritating.

If this is confirmed in the future, it would mean Nibali only wanted to snatch an easy Giro win at first sight but changed his mind because of AC. Now that would be ridiculous.

 

[red_flanders]

I love it. Sure, it's in Tinkoff's best interests, and sure, the other teams are going to run their own programs. But it gets the press going and conversation going around "who's the best GT rider", and puts pressure on the other teams to match Contador or leave some glory on the table.

It's always good to be the one framing the discussion. Reacting sucks.

 

[sir fly]

I guess if you disregard the context in which the comment was made and the riders being referenced, then sure. As for the childish bit, I think you are being overly harsh (and a tad bit myopic) as this represents a means to an end that would be beneficial to fans (of GTs mostly), the owners and potentially the health of the sport overall.

I agree it would be entertaining. But why wouldn't they ride LBL? Or Paris - Roubaix? It would be equally beneficial.
It's childish 'cause he came up with the idea AFTER his number one rider decided to ride the Giro. Looks like a way to give him a better chance for the double than like a concern for he health of the sport.

 

[mrhender]

From the paragraph you've quoted.

The Classics are important part of the sport. Don't you agree?

“It's a clear way to show who is the strongest rider in the sport. If Froome and Nibali also ride both the Giro and the Tour, it's good for the sport and there can be no excuses about who is the best Grand Tour rider.”

Semantics..
I think he correctly clarifies what he means in the bolded part...

In my opinion there is no such thing, as the strongest rider in the sport...
You cannot compare on any sain basis. The cannibal days are over..

Actally I would find it entertaining if they also did the classics..
But I do not think it is possible or resposnsible to compete in both cathegories at the same time..

 

[deValtos]

It would be great to watch but the men in suits won't allow it. Bad business decision.

 

[arvc40]

Its win win for Contador. If they all turn up at Giro he Wins. If they don't, its an easy win making double even more doable

 

[Jancouver]

Next proposal from Tinkov:

Combine times from all 3 grand tours to have a real GT winner

 

[mrhender]

I love it. Sure, it's in Tinkoff's best interests, and sure, the other teams are going to run their own programs. But it gets the press going and conversation going around "who's the best GT rider", and puts pressure on the other teams to match Contador or leave some glory on the table.

It's always good to be the one framing the discussion. Reacting sucks.

Couldn't agree more with this..

In every context, they use all the weapons they have.
I think they have a brilliant PR machine at that team..

 

[BlurryVII]

Its win win for Contador. If they all turn up at Giro he Wins. If they don't, its an easy win making double even more doable

My thoughts exactly.

 

[MellowJohnny]

Tinkoff has been actively courting teams for a possible boycott of the Tour next year. He, and a few others, want to extract a revenue share from the ASO. Getting the top riders to ride the Giro is part of this strategy.

I'd say that is a good idea but then Tinkoff is just all about the money. Sky are all about the money, so to are Astana / Movistar.

Viva la Netapp endura.

 

[hfer07]

Next proposal from Tinkov:

Combine times from all 3 grand tours to have a real GT winner

You might want to call him right away and copyrighted it before someone comes up with it

 

[cineteq]

Next proposal from Tinkov:

Combine times from all 3 grand tours to have a real GT winner

Let's call it the Super GT Winner. Tinkov, are you reading?

 

[Race Radio]

Of course. Their sponsors dictate that. As a benefactor, Tinkov doesn't have that.

Other teams are in similar positions

BMC, Astana, SKY, Katusha, Greenedge, Lotto, and Omega. All have wealthy owners who could take a hit for a year or two in order to make their license actually worth something. They are pretty serious about this.

RCS has been discussing revenue share with the teams for several years. RCS are willing to do a rev share but the talks fall apart when it comes to length of term. Many teams have very short term views. Given that more teams are owned by very wealthy, long term, investors it may be possible to sign the Rev share now.

 

[Publicus]

I agree it would be entertaining. But why wouldn't they ride LBL? Or Paris - Roubaix? It would be equally beneficial.
It's childish 'cause he came up with the idea AFTER his number one rider decided to ride the Giro. Looks like a way to give him a better chance for the double than like a concern for he health of the sport.

Don't all of the best classics riders tend to ride the monuments, classics? It's conversely not the case that all of the top GT riders ride all of the GTs, with most of the top guys only riding the Tour (with the Vuelta thrown in if they get injured or have poor performance). So in actuality, what he's proposing here would bring the Grand Tours more into alignment with the classics.

I don't think there would be ANY benefit to having Froome, Contador and Nibali riding Paris-Roubaix. In fact, it probably makes the subsequent GTs worse. Since one or all 3 will likely end up injured and unable to participate or be at his best during the Giro, Tour or Vuelta.

Also, if you read the article, Oleg and the team manager were talking with the other teams AT THE VUELTA about doing this, well before Contador said he was riding the Giro. So on balance, I think your childish comment is not warranted.

 

[hfer07]

Other teams are in similar positions

BMC, Astana, SKY, Katusha, Greenedge, Lotto, and Omega. All have wealthy owners who could take a hit for a year or two in order to make their license actually worth something. They are pretty serious about this.

RCS has been discussing revenue share with the teams for several years. RCS are willing to do a rev share but the talks fall apart when it comes to length of term. Many teams have very short term views. Given that more teams are owned by very wealthy, long term, investors it may be possible to sign the Rev share now.

Wasn't that idea called "The breakaway League"?

apart from that- I do agree with you- as long as shared revenues & the long term commitment aren't part of the deal, is unlikely to set this sort of "new cycling Challenges" in a near future, but nonetheless I do like how Tinkov is rattling the current mold of cycling in terms of business

 

[sir fly]

...Also, if you read the article, Oleg and the team manager were talking with the other teams AT THE VUELTA about doing this, well before Contador said he was riding the Giro. So on balance, I think your childish comment is not warranted.

You know, they can now say they've been talking about it for years. They can say whatever they want since it wasn't published.
From what we know it's a post factum proposition, thus childish.

 

[icefire]

There should be mandatory for GC riders to participate in all 3 GTs. Whoever wins a GT must be a part of all 3 GTs in order for the title to be awarded. Otherwise the runner up takes the title of that GT.

PS: Sending an email to Tinkov as we speak

No worries. They'll all be fighting the likes of Betancur and Guardini at the Giro and the Vuelta.