Transfers and Rumours 2011 > 2012

[Ferminal]

Astana is alive!

Silin, Guarnieri and Gavazzi all signing.

http://proteam-astana.com/content/News/newsUK.php?ID_news=437

 

[ansimi]

Movistar's squad for next season:

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=42417

In: José Herrada (Caja Rural), Javier Moreno (Caja Rural), Giovanni Visconti (Farnese-Vini) Jonathan Castroviejo (Euskaltel-Euskadi) Alejandro Valverde.

Out: Marzio Bruseghin, Chente García Acosta, Carlos Oyarzun, Luis Pasamontes, Francisco Pérez, Mauricio Soler (lesionado), Xavier Tondo (fallecido).

Castro and Valverde are still "unofficial". With only 24 will they fill the rest with youngsters? Although they only started with 25-26 this season and are sadly down to 24.

As long as they confirm Castroviejo and Valverde then it should be a very good team. They have already have some strong young riders in development but I'm sure they'll find a couple new ones.

Is Bruseghin retiring?

 

[Midnightfright]

As long as they confirm Castroviejo and Valverde then it should be a very good team. They have already have some strong young riders in development but I'm sure they'll find a couple new ones.

Is Bruseghin retiring?

They will be fine with those two back. Sure if they have other guys in the wings who are ready they will bring them in why not. The main thing with Movistar is they finally have there team leader back.

 

[CobbleStoner]

Skil-Shimano

I think Skil-Shimano are the big winners here (besides the obvious, BMC)
with the addition of John Degenkolb & Patrick Gretsch along with the success of Kittel (so much so that it drove VanHummel out) means that they will be a force next year and with those new points, probably will qualify for the ProTour, at the underperforming Vaconsoile's expense.

 

[nobilis]

They will be fine with those two back. Sure if they have other guys in the wings who are ready they will bring them in why not. The main thing with Movistar is they finally have there team leader back.

What if they sign Oscar Freire?

 

[hrotha]

What if they sign Oscar Freire?

Honestly I don't see it, despite the rumours. Movistar doesn't need three sprinters with so very similar capabilities.

 

[Duartista]

I wonder if Movistar will promote anyone from their continental team. Gregory Brenes rode a very good Vuelta a Colombia, and he has experience in Spain with the Burgos 2016 team. He was quite good in a couple of the regional stage races (I'll check which ones) last year, IIRC.

10th in Asturias last year and 12th in Tour de l'Avenir, incl. 5th in the closing MTT.

 

[ansimi]

Honestly I don't see it, despite the rumours. Movistar doesn't need three sprinters with so very similar capabilities.

I agree. If Movistar want to invest in more sprinters then I think they'd be better off spending money on guys for the flat stage, mass-sprint, lead-out train type situations. There's probably another team who would get better value from Friere for the selective sprints.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Silin is a good sign for Astana

 

[craig1985]

Is Chente García Acosta retiring?

 

[Duartista]

Apparently, Geox have yet to renew Sastre's contract: http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20110823/ciclismo/un-mal-inicio-de-carrera-para-el-geox-de-matxin_54204569632.html

Matxin: "Up until now he hasn't done anything; his best result is third in Austria which is equivalent to finishing between 40th and 50th in the Tour. However, we haven't discussed his contract renewal yet".

Not a happy camp...

 

[Sylvester]

Is Chente García Acosta retiring?

Probably, yes. Enough is enough, I guess?

What about Pasamontes? He has been a solid domestique, in my opinion, and he came 5th in Asturias and 5th in the Ruta del Sol. 77 race days and over 12.000 km this year. He'll be duly missed if he leaves.

 

[bicing]

Apparently, Geox have yet to renew Sastre's contract: http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20110823/ciclismo/un-mal-inicio-de-carrera-para-el-geox-de-matxin_54204569632.html

Matxin: "Up until now he hasn't done anything; his best result is third in Austria which is equivalent to finishing between 40th and 50th in the Tour. However, we haven't discussed his contract renewal yet".

Not a happy camp...

Green Edge?

 

[LaFleur]

Green Edge?

Actually, why not? Sastre is just the rider that GreenEdge needs imo. The best GC rider atm is Tony Martin, I know that Bavarianrider is going to argue on this, but surely Sastre has a couple of years ahead of Martin?

 

[Duartista]

Actually, why not? Sastre is just the rider that GreenEdge needs imo. The best GC rider atm is Tony Martin, I know that Bavarianrider is going to argue on this, but surely Sastre has a couple of years ahead of Martin?

I think Sastre should take a pay cut and replace Cuesta as the elder statesman at Caja Rural.

 

[Midnightfright]

Actually, why not? Sastre is just the rider that GreenEdge needs imo. The best GC rider atm is Tony Martin, I know that Bavarianrider is going to argue on this, but surely Sastre has a couple of years ahead of Martin?

Excatly why not, let him do his own thing. Whats the worst that can happen?

 

[PCutter]

Actually, why not? Sastre is just the rider that GreenEdge needs imo.

While a GC rider would be good, not sure Sastre is the 'type' of rider Bannan/GE are signing

 

[ansimi]

Apparently, Geox have yet to renew Sastre's contract: http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20110823/ciclismo/un-mal-inicio-de-carrera-para-el-geox-de-matxin_54204569632.html

Matxin: "Up until now he hasn't done anything; his best result is third in Austria which is equivalent to finishing between 40th and 50th in the Tour. However, we haven't discussed his contract renewal yet".

Not a happy camp...

It seems really disrespectful and tacky to talk like that WHILE he's in the most important race of his season. He's always been known for his work ethic so it's not like he's some lazy rider who needs to be motivated with fear of losing his job.

If he still wants to ride then I really hope he gets a job that suits him. Sure, age is slowing him down but he could still be very useful to a lot of teams.

 

[Duartista]

It seems really disrespectful and tacky to talk like that WHILE he's in the most important race of his season. He's always been known for his work ethic so it's not like he's some lazy rider who needs to be motivated with fear of losing his job.

If he still wants to ride then I really hope he gets a job that suits him. Sure, age is slowing him down but he could still be very useful to a lot of teams.

Did you see the comments Sastre made about Matxin after the team time trial?

If not, here they are: http://www.carlossastre.com/sastre_en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1505&Itemid=63

 

[lancaster]

i understand that it's a professional sport so loyalty amoungst employees is pretty low. a man gotta get himself paid etc..

but i'm always a little disappointed when guys leave Euskaltel because it's pretty much a national team (for a nation that isn't recognised) and they are limited to a pretty small talent pool.

this is brought about by castroviejo rumoured to be going to movi.
young talented guy coming up through their system and they're not able to keep him. seems a shame. to clarify i don't blame castroviejo, and hope he succeeds, just doesn't seem ideal that one of the relatively few top teams with a genuine and consistent identity can't retain their future stars.



(chapeau to voeckler for his loyalty though.)

 

[roundabout]

Apparently, Geox have yet to renew Sastre's contract: http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20110823/ciclismo/un-mal-inicio-de-carrera-para-el-geox-de-matxin_54204569632.html

Matxin: "Up until now he hasn't done anything; his best result is third in Austria which is equivalent to finishing between 40th and 50th in the Tour. However, we haven't discussed his contract renewal yet".

Not a happy camp...

I thought he had a year to go?

Or was it Menchov?

 

[Duartista]

I thought he had a year to go?

Or was it Menchov?

I don't know anymore about the situation than is written in that article, I'm afraid.

Edit: Just did a quick search, and Menchov definitely has a two year contract, yes.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/5329/Menchov-signs-two-year-contract-with-Team-Geox.aspx

 

[roundabout]

No problem. I remember being surprised at the time that at least one of them signed for 2 years. Could be my memory playing tricks on me though.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Actually, why not? Sastre is just the rider that GreenEdge needs imo. The best GC rider atm is Tony Martin, I know that Bavarianrider is going to argue on this, but surely Sastre has a couple of years ahead of Martin?

would be a shame for greenedge to waste leadership on sastre. I like carlos but if the last couple years are an indication (since giro 09' really) he is past it.

 

[movingtarget]

would be a shame for greenedge to waste leadership on sastre. I like carlos but if the last couple years are an indication (since giro 09' really) he is past it.

Well and truly past it and I doubt that GEOX will extend his contract. Waste of money when they can pick up more competitive riders for less. Sastre seems to be just going through the motions at the moment.