Transfers and Rumours 2013 > 2014

[karlboss]

Yup. Plus, as we can see this Vuelta, Saxo actually performs very well without him.

They won the last Vuelta with him, I don't think they'll win this one without him. Having said I'd like to see Contador ride with other riders he doesn't mind working for.

 

[boringboy]

Tinkov says he might rethink if Riis gets rid of AC, personally I think Saxo are better without Tinkov's involvement, but money talks

Guessing Tinkov would want a new superstar to replace AC and a bunch of Russians as well. Also would be weird for the Danish riders, as believe he said something like, team full of useless Danes?

 

[boringboy]

They won the last Vuelta with him, I don't think they'll win this one without him. Having said I'd like to see Contador ride with other riders he doesn't mind working for.

Think Cantador could do well in a Spanish team, but not sure they would be strong enough to give him same support as Saxo gave him in last year's Vuelta or the TDF this year.

Would have found it more interesting to merge Saxo and Euskatel, but doubt that will happen.

 

[saneguy]

Euskatel roster would be pretty weak for AC to switch there unless they sign up some good domestiques for AC.

 

[theyoungest]

Within a few days the future for Spanish cycling suddenly looks a lot brighter. Contador's support won't be as strong, but with Sanchez, Nieve, Anton it's not exactly weak either. In the mountains at least.

 

[movingtarget]

Euskatel roster would be pretty weak for AC to switch there unless they sign up some good domestiques for AC.

And his salary would take up most of the team's budget. Can't see it happening.

 

[IndianCyclist]

The only justification for Contador being in Saxo is if he wins a GT. If he does not win then it does not justify the amount of money put by the sponsors or the effort put in by other riders, sacrificing their chances as he brings 0 points to the team. However this is the only year that Contador has failed miserably. Look for him in 2014. Transfer to a Spanish team will help both sides. Euskatel get a GT leader. Saxo improve their finances and they have enough leaders already but perhaps not a GT winner.

 

[jilbiker]

I disagree that you need an Armada to win. Froome won with really only one person (Porte), AC had an Armada and that made no real difference. Wiggins needed an Armada to win but then Wiggins in not in the same class as Froome and AC.

I have said it for years that AC would do better in a spanish team, they would fight for him. I have not seen that in ANY team that AC has been a part of. When I heard about this Euskatel deal I said this is for AC. This fellow will not get involved in cycling unless because of AC. I think an exit from AC from Saxo is in the works. Its business and unfortunately AC's stock price is really not high. Saxo has 3 solid younger GT guys...trade out AC for more money and beef up a bit.

I believe this was all worked out before Alonso stepped in.

 

[Afrank]

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/contador_to_join_alonsos_new_team/

Hmmmmmm...

I wouldn't mind a kind of move like this. It would be a good place for Contador to finish out the final few years of his career (after it's confirmed he isn't able to compete with Froome, Quintana, and others in the Tour anymore that is). Ending your career at a Spanish team, and maybe targeting Giro-Vuelta in the final few years of his career would be a good plan I think.

 

[Dedelou]

And his salary would take up most of the team's budget. Can't see it happening.

Hypothetically, Alberto's presence in a Spanish team like Euskatel might totally change the dynamics of their fund raising capacity. They might be able to find moneys from sponsors who would not be interested if Contador wasn't there.

 

[murali]

Hypothetically, Alberto's presence in a Spanish team like Euskatel might totally change the dynamics of their fund raising capacity. They might be able to find moneys from sponsors who would not be interested if Contador wasn't there.

If the euskadi team could bring in extra sponsors (probably link salary of contador to the quantum of sponsorship he can bring), then i think it will be a win-win situation for all. tinkov needs a russian GT rider in TST to make his funding economically viable. EUS needs a strong rider that can give results. And AC deserves a team that appreciates what he does for the team.
All Riis cares about now is money.

 

[Le Baroudeur]

If the euskadi team could bring in extra sponsors (probably link salary of contador to the quantum of sponsorship he can bring), then i think it will be a win-win situation for all. tinkov needs a russian GT rider in TST to make his funding economically viable. EUS needs a strong rider that can give results. And AC deserves a team that appreciates what he does for the team.
All Riis cares about now is money.

I think there is more chance that Bjarne is pregnant with triplets than Tinkoff being allowed near the team again.

Further, i think it's a little absurd to imply the team doesn't appreciate Alberto when they showed the offending sponsor the door virtually on his behalf.

Alberto needs to make his position crystal clear.

 

[Beech Mtn]

IF Alberto went to the Alonso team, he'd need some help for the TTTs. Can't be bleeding time to rivals every TTT like poor Sammy has had to do for years. Hiring LL Sanchez would be a nice start in that department...

Recently there were reports about Bjarne going to CAS to get them to rule that Contador's points should count towards a WT license. Which wouldn't really be needed by Saxo. They might be more useful at an Alonso team, though. But why in hell would Riis be launching a CAS case to help another team???

As for Specialized, they already sponsor 3 teams with several big stars that they do independent marketing with - Cav, Nibali, even Boonen. It could be that Spesh is willing to let AC go, seeing his stock as falling, and focus more on Cav and Nibs (whose star is still rising).

As for Tinkov, earlier this year it seemed that Kreuziger was his pet on the Saxo team. However, he changes on a dime, so who knows?

IF Alberto came to the Alonso team, I could see somebody like Flex or Anfi picking up some sort of sponsorship alongside Banco Santander.

 

[Beech Mtn]

I think there is more chance that Bjarne is pregnant with triplets than Tinkoff being allowed near the team again.

Further, i think it's a little absurd to imply the team doesn't appreciate Alberto when they showed the offending sponsor the door virtually on his behalf.

Alberto needs to make his position crystal clear.

I don't think Saxo showed Oleg the door. I think Tinkov threw a tantrum and left of his own accord. I do suspect he's been a nightmare to deal with, and they'd rather have a different sponsor. But that doesn't appear to be happening, and money talks.

Or it could just be Oleg choosing to wade into this Alberto/Saxo story in order to get more publicity for himself and/or entertain himself toying with fans.

I think Tinkov would like to remain in cycling, and maybe there aren't so many teams who want his influence. His money comes with such a lot of strings. I would have thought he'd have tried to buy Vacansoleil or something if he truly wanted to stay in the sport.

 

[Le Baroudeur]

I don't think Saxo showed Oleg the door. I think Tinkov threw a tantrum and left of his own accord. I do suspect he's been a nightmare to deal with, and they'd rather have a different sponsor. But that doesn't appear to be happening, and money talks.

Or it could just be Oleg choosing to wade into this Alberto/Saxo story in order to get more publicity for himself and/or entertain himself toying with fans.

I think Tinkov would like to remain in cycling, and maybe there aren't so many teams who want his influence. His money comes with such a lot of strings. I would have thought he'd have tried to buy Vacansoleil or something if he truly wanted to stay in the sport.

When it becomes clear that seizing control is the sponsors intention, he gets shown the door at this team. It was massively emphasized (to almost bizarre levels) when the sponsor joined that he would have ZERO say or control in sporting matters. Clearly that was not what the sponsor intended. The tantrum was the sponsor insulting virtually all the riders and it's key personnel including the team owner in public, on twitter, and the press post realisation of what his role was limited too. Triplets...

The only remote chance I can see of the sponsor returning is if the owner want's to sell up and retire. I can't see his latest aquisitions being indicative of that. Riis apeared to be relishing the prospect of working with his new young star.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think there is more chance that Bjarne is pregnant with triplets than Tinkoff being allowed near the team again.

Further, i think it's a little absurd to imply the team doesn't appreciate Alberto when they showed the offending sponsor the door virtually on his behalf.

Alberto needs to make his position crystal clear.

@MikeKaltoft: Riis: "He's our star, so Contador is, of course, an important part of the process of finding a new sponsor"

Sounds like Riis has no intention of letting AC go

 

[Le Baroudeur]

@MikeKaltoft: Riis: "He's our star, so Contador is, of course, an important part of the process of finding a new sponsor"

Sounds like Riis has no intention of letting AC go

Obviously not, he has lots left to give the team, sponsors, fans, and sport, which is why Alberto needs to make it completely clear that he isn't part of a plan for a midnight scarper.

 

[Dedelou]

Obviously not, he has lots left to give the team, sponsors, fans, and sport, which is why Alberto needs to make it completely clear that he isn't part of a plan for a midnight scarper.

I totally disagree on that. It is not up to Alberto to say anything about this at the time. Stooping to respond to tabloid level press is beneath him. We fans are interested in his performances and we give him respect for his integrity off the bike but not for his tabloid star status. Having to deny rumors is for bad politicians who use that method to snow their constituents

 

[trevim]

I think we haven't seen the last great Contador yet so he should stay with Saxo, with great team support, and then when the time comes to end his career he can join his friends.

 

[Le Baroudeur]

I totally disagree on that. It is not up to Alberto to say anything about this at the time. Stooping to respond to tabloid level press is beneath him. We fans are interested in his performances and we give him respect for his integrity off the bike but not for his tabloid star status. Having to deny rumors is for bad politicians who use that method to snow their constituents

I would normally agree, except this isn't a tabloid rumour, and the timing makes it particulary troubling.

 

[Jelantik]

I would normally agree, except this isn't a tabloid rumour, and the timing makes it particulary troubling.

++1. I agree with you. The timing does seem suspicious. The fall out with tinkoff.. Oleg direct critisim to contador publicly - accusing him not working really hard. Now rumour that bjarne is dealing back with tinkoff.. boy what a mess huh?

 

[Jelantik]

I wouldn't mind a kind of move like this. It would be a good place for Contador to finish out the final few years of his career (after it's confirmed he isn't able to compete with Froome, Quintana, and others in the Tour anymore that is). Ending your career at a Spanish team, and maybe targeting Giro-Vuelta in the final few years of his career would be a good plan I think.

ay.. I'm not sure why people immediately decided that he can't challenge Froome anymore? People can be up and down, all the time you know. So does that mean andy should retire too? Andy is lazier than Contador. (sorry). What I mean his approach to training and race that's not TDF is basically equal to soft pedal unless it's TDF or LBL.

 

[Gloin22]

Contador is past his best peak, I think it's clear to see. We will not see his 2011 version ever again...

He's great, but not good enough to challenge for Tour win. Better for him to focus on Giro / Vuelta.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Now Riis is saying AC can leave if all parties agree. Meh.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador is past his best peak, I think it's clear to see. We will not see his 2011 version ever again...

He's great, but not good enough to challenge for Tour win. Better for him to focus on Giro / Vuelta.

I think it's not so clear and he should try for TDF for a few more years. He is 30 ffs he can go for Giro/Vuelta when he's 35 okay.