Transfers and Rumours 2013 > 2014

[Afrank]

he's nothing special and he has no real specialty either

His specialty at this point would be as a strong man for the cobbled classics and one days. He was in the early break at RVV this year and was 3rd in Roubaix Espoirs. And he could probably be a factor in sprints as well (as many cobble and classic specialists are).

He may not have done much special yet, but he's only 22, could still improve and move back to WT at some point.

 

[Peter von]

so the Trek decision. Dumb or clever?

I really want to say dumb, but i'm affraid that it's if not clever then it's at least understandable. Andy Schleck is a huge question mark as it is and betting a rather large salary on Horner would leave Trek in great risk of very bad season.


In the end having Horner have another go at the Vuelta crown would just cost Trek too many resources, not only the salary but also the doms.

You'd think that with the amount of sponsor money coming from the US and from companies doing business in the US, at least one of them would be willing to splash out to get this guy on board. But i guess most of those teams had already signed their stage race leaders when the Vuelta started.

 

[Christian]

so the Trek decision. Dumb or clever?

Well from what I understand they wanted to sign him, but it came down to money. Horner wanted recognition for his win, which is understandeable, and Trek didn't want to spend that much on a 42 year-old GT rider, when they are re-branding themselves as young classics team.

If Horner had gotten a respectable 12th in the Vuelta I'm sure he would have gotten a contract...

 

[Wallenquist]

Pelli left one slot free in Astana so... Horner ?

 

[jens_attacks]

i hope so. any other decision would be dumb

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

I wouldnt mind Horner at all.

 

[Afrank]

Pelli left one slot free in Astana so... Horner ?

Samu's still free...

 

[jens_attacks]

i would rather take lulu than samu to be honest

 

[Afrank]

Either would be a good signing. Come to think of it Lulu might be more willing to do domestique duties for Nibali, plus would add some good strength to their TTT.

 

[coimbrawu]

Brian Vandborg retires
Jean Marc Marino moves from Sojasun to Cannondale confirmed

 

[42x16ss]

he's nothing special and he has no real specialty either

Rathe wasn't out of his depth and seemed to have a knack for positioning in the classics. I didn't see him setting the WT on fire but seemed to be worth persisting with. He's only 22 remember.

 

[Pentacycle]

Rathe wasn't out of his depth and seemed to have a knack for positioning in the classics. I didn't see him setting the WT on fire but seemed to be worth persisting with. He's only 22 remember.

Possibly JV was not seeing Rathe progress like he expected, and chose to offer a chance to other riders.

 

[theyoungest]

Possibly JV was not seeing Rathe progress like he expected, and chose to offer a chance to other riders.

Like Raymond Kreder?

 

[Christian]

Horner too expensive for Adroni Giocattoli

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/12/news/savio-has-no-budget-for-horner_310835

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Rathe wasn't out of his depth and seemed to have a knack for positioning in the classics. I didn't see him setting the WT on fire but seemed to be worth persisting with. He's only 22 remember.

I could name 50 guys his age that would be as good or better. if you don't have anything to add to wt then just go.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Horner too expensive for Adroni Giocattoli

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/12/news/savio-has-no-budget-for-horner_310835

at this point horner should just be happy to get on board at any team

 

[Liquigas]

Antón to Movistar
http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=67832

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Antón to Movistar
http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=67832

Good chance for him, but hes likely to ride mostly for others now.

 

[Afrank]

Good chance for him, but hes likely to ride mostly for others now.

He has his moments but hasn't exactly showed he is of the rider level that should allow total leadership in a big race (GT, classic, major stage race) on a team. A chance to ride on the top ranked team, even if it's for others, is a great signing for Movistar and for him I would say.

 

[maltiv]

Antón to Movistar
http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=67832

Awesome. I think he might shine in a more secure environment, even if he'll have to be a domestique in most races.

 

[Arredondo]

At this point of his career, it is wiseful and good for Anton to serve for better riders. Perhaps he can find his confidence back, and shows some glimps of 2010/2011, where he belonged to the 10 best climbers in the world at times.

 

[The Blues]

I really believe Astana should sign Lulu, Samu or Horner. I doubt it's because of insufficient funds, so I don't know why they have chosen not to "replace" Pellizotti.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Good chance for him, but hes likely to ride mostly for others now.

Tbh I think that's better for him. He has only occasionally been able to replicate that 2010 form, and I think, like Zubeldia before him, he didn't really enjoy being a team leader. And while Monte Zoncolan, Vallnord Sector Pal, Calar Alto and even Valdepeñas de Jaén were more significant wins from a career perspective, he's now probably glad he had such poor form at the start of the 2011 Vuelta even despite being a pre-race favourite, because being allowed to escape and pick up the win in Bilbao (attacking on the climb he grew up training on from childhood, in his hometown of Galdakao too) was absolutely something else. That's enough to make his career right there.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Tbh I think that's better for him. He has only occasionally been able to replicate that 2010 form, and I think, like Zubeldia before him, he didn't really enjoy being a team leader. And while Monte Zoncolan, Vallnord Sector Pal, Calar Alto and even Valdepeñas de Jaén were more significant wins from a career perspective, he's now probably glad he had such poor form at the start of the 2011 Vuelta even despite being a pre-race favourite, because being allowed to escape and pick up the win in Bilbao (attacking on the climb he grew up training on from childhood, in his hometown of Galdakao too) was absolutely something else. That's enough to make his career right there.

It was a great win. We have a reverse situation with Monfort from 2014. It will be interesting to see who gets the most "success" moving forward.

 

[Gloin22]

Anton will never be back to his 2010 years due to reasons that cant be discussed in this part of forum. However I think he could still do relatively well in Ardennes, and be a good domestique for his leaders.