Transfers and Rumours 2011 > 2012

[Greenflame]

I realize most of it is realistic, but it's the combination of all the factors that makes it unlikely. I also know Gilbert and Leukemans want to ride together, it's already apparent on the road as well.

QS investing in Gilbert, keeping Boonen ánd buying of Leukemans (who is no cheap mofo himself) just seems a bit much to me.

Why would Leukemans even want to join that team? That he wants to ride with his friend Gilbert is fine and all, since with Gilbert he is at least the co-leader for Flanders and the absolute leader of the team at Roubaix. With Boonen in the mix though, Leukemans will be playing superdomestique for Boonen and Gilbert in all major races: Sanremo, Flanders, Roubaix and LBL.

The most realistic option, and hopefully the one that will come true, is Gilbert and Leukemans joining Quickstep while Boonen leaves for either Lotto or Omega Pharma.

And about Nibali, well, he has one of the absolute strongest teams in the world at his full disposal, and that for someone who will never even come close to winning the Tour. No reason for him to leave I'd say. Astana will probably end up buying Brajkovic or something, if Radioshack team stops.

 

[boomcie]

Why would Leukemans even want to join that team? That he wants to ride with his friend Gilbert is fine and all, since with Gilbert he is at least the co-leader for Flanders and the absolute leader of the team at Roubaix. With Boonen in the mix though, Leukemans will be playing superdomestique for Boonen and Gilbert in all major races: Sanremo, Flanders, Roubaix and LBL.

Leukemans did state before that he wouldn't mind riding with Gilbert as long as he's being compensated financially. I also think Leukemans realizes he has more chances of actually winning a race as a lieutenant (for Gilbert/ Boonen), than as a team leader. He wouldn't mind helping Gilbert out during the race either, because it's something he already does without being his teammate.

 

[Greenflame]

Leukemans did state before that he wouldn't mind riding with Gilbert as long as he's being compensated financially. I also think Leukemans realizes he has more chances of actually winning a race as a lieutenant (for Gilbert/ Boonen), than as a team leader. He wouldn't mind helping Gilbert out during the race either, because it's something he already does without being his teammate.

But being third man in Flanders and Sanremo after both Boonen and Gilbert? Don't think that's something he will enjoy doing. And then there's Chavanel too, almost forgot about him. And Stybar, perhaps not for next year, but defenitely for after that.

I really hope Quickstep won't sign/keep all these people. It just seems too much for the classics. Why not buy a nice GC contender instead?

 

[boomcie]

But being third man in Flanders and Sanremo after both Boonen and Gilbert? Don't think that's something he will enjoy doing. And then there's Chavanel too, almost forgot about him. And Stybar, perhaps not for next year, but defenitely for after that.

I really hope Quickstep won't sign/keep all these people. It just seems too much for the classics. Why not buy a nice GC contender instead?

And flush Stybar along the way, he'll never win big classics.

Lefevre has always been very skeptical about hiring another GC contender, but he has tried it before.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

And flush Stybar along the way, he'll never win big classics.

Lefevre has always been very skeptical about hiring another GC contender, but he has tried it before.

what makes you jump to that conclusion

I find Stybar has shown a lot of potential on the road already

 

[Lanark]

Leukemans did state before that he wouldn't mind riding with Gilbert as long as he's being compensated financially. I also think Leukemans realizes he has more chances of actually winning a race as a lieutenant (for Gilbert/ Boonen), than as a team leader. He wouldn't mind helping Gilbert out during the race either, because it's something he already does without being his teammate.

I think that's the key-word. It wasn't until he was 30 that he really got good results, after that he was suspended for a year, he probably earned something barely above minimum wage at Vacansoleil when they gave him a contract. He has 2 or 3 good years left, he probably want to make as much money as he can in that time. And I certainly can't blame him.

 

[boomcie]

what makes you jump to that conclusion

I find Stybar has shown a lot of potential on the road already

I'm a known conclusion jumper. What makes you think he will win a big classic one day?

My money would be on Boom rather than on Stybar, a lot more class.

 

[luckyboy]

Sad news if Nieve and Castroviejo both follow Intxausti in leaving Euskaltel and going to Movistar.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

He does seem to be adjusting well, quicker then I thought.

Too early to say.
Hope he keeps riding cx tho

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Sad news if Nieve and Castroviejo both follow Intxausti in leaving Euskaltel and going to Movistar.

Lucky for samu and anton, because this team would be looking rather thin.

 

[hrotha]

And flush Stybar along the way, he'll never win big classics.

And flush Chavanel while you're at it. He's never won big classics so he's useless.

 

[boomcie]

And flush Chavanel while you're at it. He's never won big classics so he's useless.

I'll take him of your hands then. You can have Stybar for your team.

 

[hrotha]

I'll take him of your hands then. You can have Stybar for your team.

But I already have Stybar on my (CQ) team!

 

[boomcie]

But I already have Stybar on my (CQ) team!

Now everything makes sense.

 

[hfer07]

Sad news if Nieve and Castroviejo both follow Intxausti in leaving Euskaltel and going to Movistar.

I'd say is mixed the feeling because they're part of the Euskaltel core and I'd hoped to succeed more with the team-but at the same time I'm glad their value has been recognized by Movistar & got a good contract to secure their future.

 

[boomcie]

During the transmission of stage 6 of the TdS on Exqi, Lefevere made it sound like it was very likely Boonen is going to stay with QS.

 

[cobblehead]

1. They need to sign Gilbert.
2. They need to keep Boonen.
3. They need to sign Leukemans, who still has a contract at Vacansoleil for 2012 if I'm not mistaken.
4. They need to sign Vanendert.

That's a few too many variables to me. Not a very likely scenario.

true, but money makes the world go around and lefevre keeps stressing out how he has plenty of that for next season so he may have the bucks to pull it off...

ooh well, we'll see what the future holds...

 

[Parrulo]

how long till the Arabs also try to take over cycling? only to fail like they are doing in football

 

[Michielveedeebee]

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110616_194

Gilbert says riding with Boonen is a possibility

 

[nvpacchi]

Nieve still has a contract with Euskaltel until the end of 2012, but apparently Unzué wants to orchestrate a buyout so he can ride as early as the beginning of next season.

Castroviejo is prolly gonna happen (even though Euskaltel management is denying any rumors) but I cannot see Nieve leaving. He and Antón have a great friendship, and I can see them feeding off each other's energy for years to come in the Giro/Vuelta endeavors that they tackle.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

true, but money makes the world go around and lefevre keeps stressing out how he has plenty of that for next season so he may have the bucks to pull it off...

ooh well, we'll see what the future holds...

lefevere always has a loud mouth but he never buys anything significant. it's all attention. he can't stand it he's no big player anymore since mapei went out

 

[Michielveedeebee]

lefevere always has a loud mouth but he never buys anything significant. it's all attention. he can't stand it he's no big player anymore since mapei went out

That's a big load of bullcrap, he's won several KoM jerseys with Virenque, Green, WC, 3xPR 2xRvV with Boonen, RvV twice with Devolder, White with Seeldraeyers in the Giro, 3rd and stage win in PN with Chavanel

2x WC, GdL with Bettini etc...

Last year he said he lacked money big time and so he did. Not strange he's happy with money now

But saying he's not a big player anymore is just plain wrong

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

so?? he never had the big team anymore, after mapei his team never went in the top 10 of biggest budgets or results. bettini won a few world titles yes and nothing more basically, virenque won a few mountainstages in the tour and devolder and boonen won tour of flanders. what was his best tour de france placing?? or any other gt?? lefevere always has a big motuh about attracting big names like contador, fact is, he already lies when he breaths

 

[Michielveedeebee]

so?? he never had the big team anymore, after mapei his team never went in the top 10 of biggest budgets or results. bettini won a few world titles yes and nothing more basically, virenque won a few mountainstages in the tour and devolder and boonen won tour of flanders. what was his best tour de france placing?? or any other gt?? lefevere always has a big motuh about attracting big names like contador, fact is, he already lies when he breaths

I know from a sponsor QST were to pay 4 mil for Contador(of which specialized would pay 1 mil) get Navarro and Hernandez on the team and let Devolder go.. So nope, he wasn't bigmouthing. And when you have a man like Boonen on your team you're not going to go for GC.

 

[boomcie]

...fact is, he already lies when he breaths

Are you suggesting he is a zombie?