Transfers and Rumours 2013 > 2014

[filipo]

Speaking of dead weight, anyone know if Fabian Wegmann have a contract for next year?

 

[Christian]

van poppels and felline to Trek. I think the team is trying to develop their sprint train. They have nizzolo and hondo too. But their stage racing team seems to be in shatters since they got rid of monfort and kloden. (not that kloden was of any use anyway). probably because their GC captains-schelcks, have done nothing in almost two years??

I think they want to focus on smaller races, and most importantly winning more races. It's a good idea, they focused on GT's for three years and got almost nothing out of it. But you're right GT-wise they are stretched a bit thin. They have Andy, Fränk, Zubeldia and Kiserlovski who can be leaders. But almost no other climbers, except maybe Busche and Arredondo

The younger Van Poppel seems talented, same for Stuyven. But it's rather likely that Cancellera will be on his own in the classics in 2014 as all these guys would need time to grow.

Cancellara's whole team re-signed with Trek except for Gallopin. That's a considerable loss but it's understandeable that he switched, he has the potential to be sole leader one day

 

[search]

Speaking of dead weight, anyone know if Fabian Wegmann have a contract for next year?

he signed a new two year contract at the end of 2012, so he will stay at Garmin

 

[search]

The younger Van Poppel seems talented, same for Stuyven. But it's rather likely that Cancellera will be on his own in the classics in 2014 as all these guys would need time to grow.

Cancellara had a strong team in the classics this year already. This is not anywhere close to Leopard anymore.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

This year Goss looked to be peaking for M-SR then he crashed It was a mistake to send him to the Giro/ his performance in last year's TDF suggested with more time at a new team he could do well. Next year he just has to target smaller races (not flat sprints) and build his confidence.

Matthews can also climb/ has a decent ITT- if he can get on the cobbles he could be like Boonen or a Degenkolb/ Sagan.

Adam finished higher than the Colombians at L'Avenir.

Durbridge.
Howson for next year.
Hepburn.

half the colombian team was sick or injured and the course was hardly mountainous. avenir rarely features climbs over 1500 metres, let alone 2000

 

[roundabout]

Cancellara had a strong team in the classics this year already. This is not anywhere close to Leopard anymore.

Not really in Roubaix.

 

[greenedge]

Thanks, was thinking his friendship with Porte may make him a candidate for the giro. Is there any precedent of going from the Australian national road series to the world tour and being successful?

Porte
I'm sure there are a few others- Haas looked to be great in 2011 but his progression is still occurring- he rode his first GT this year.

 

[42x16ss]

Porte
I'm sure there are a few others- Haas looked to be great in 2011 but his progression is still occurring- he rode his first GT this year.

Trav Meyer and Mitch Docker started out with Drapac Porsche and Will Clarke and Steele von Hoff with Praties (IIRC) I wouldn't say they're particularly successful but they are solid WT domestiques.

 

[42x16ss]

almost none because they've got s*** riders, but those with some talent developped well like weening, tuft, despite his age, simon clarke, gerrans

Yes, OGE have cr@p climbers but don't forget that Durbridge is only 22 and look at the potential he's already showing. Hepburn is the same age. Remember him ripping up L'Avenir two years ago (before he got DQ'd for being a f***wit)? Matthews has lots of potential as well.

Greenedge's problem is that apart from Impey, Goss, Docker and Clarke the entire squad is <25yo or >32. And they can't climb for sh!t... Otherwise they aren't that bad, look at their TTT results for example.

 

[42x16ss]

goss and matthews? lol I think greenedge learned their lessons that's why they are getting climbers like chaves. their sprinters are a joke. although matthews I think has considerable talent but not as a top level sprinter

Yeah, they should try and make him into a classics guy with a strong finish. Could see him get a San Remo win Friere style though. Poor riders don't win stages at World Tour level at 20yo, even if it's at the TDU.

 

[the asian]

Has Romain Sicard found a new team yet?

And is there any news whether Caleb Ewan will turn pro next year?

 

[42x16ss]

Has Romain Sicard found a new team yet?

And is there any news whether Caleb Ewan will turn pro next year?

Sicard, no not yet

Ewan wants another year at U23 level to make sure he's ready.

 

[JRanton]

Yes, OGE have cr@p climbers but don't forget that Durbridge is only 22 and look at the potential he's already showing. Hepburn is the same age. Remember him ripping up L'Avenir two years ago (before he got DQ'd for being a f***wit)? Matthews has lots of potential as well.

Greenedge's problem is that apart from Impey, Goss, Docker and Clarke the entire squad is <25yo or >32. And they can't climb for sh!t... Otherwise they aren't that bad, look at their TTT results for example.

Yeah, lots of young talent but personally I think the biggest one of all the young Aussies isn't on their team (Dennis).

 

[JRanton]

Speaking of dead weight, anyone know if Fabian Wegmann have a contract for next year?

That's a bit harsh. Plenty of world tour riders who aren't as good as him.

 

[JRanton]

One thing I found interesting is that only 4 riders out of the top 50 in the 2013 CQ Ranking have changed teams (Costa, Chavanel, Uran, Bakelants). Still a couple with uncertain futures: Horner and Scarponi, but very little movement amongst the top riders this year.

EDIT - Actually looking back at 2012, only 6 out of the top 50 changed teams last year - Nibali, Cavendish, Rogers, Pozzovivo, Nordhaug, Kreuziger.

 

[42x16ss]

Yeah, lots of young talent but personally I think the biggest one of all the young Aussies isn't on their team (Dennis).

Close, I'll say Ewen

After him, it's Dennis, Hepburn, Morton or Durbridge (ITT only though) all should end up very good.

 

[the asian]

Close, I'll say Ewen

After him, it's Dennis, Hepburn, Morton or Durbridge (ITT only though) all should end up very good.

Will Hepburn turn his attention towards the Road this year?

 

[JRanton]

Ion Izagirre joins Movistar. Ventoso renews.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=66338


That leaves two places open at Movistar. Unzué has said 26 is his maximum number. Dayer Quintana is a possible signing and the futures of Sanz, Teruel and Ospina are uncertain. Ospina has a contract for next year but he is uncertain to continue after a difficult season.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=66297

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

ospina will depend on if he wants to go back to colombia or not. dayer is 100% going to movistar.

 

[theyoungest]

Close, I'll say Ewen

After him, it's Dennis, Hepburn, Morton or Durbridge (ITT only though) all should end up very good.

Bling Matthews?

Also, considering the new standard set by Horner, Cadel Evans is a young talent as well.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Rumors say that Gatto is close to signing for Cannondale.

 

[Arredondo]

Ion Izagirre signed a contract with Team Movistar, Ventoso one more year with the Spanish squad

http://www.movistarteam.com/news/2013-10-4/ion-izagirre-also-to-ride-for-movistar-team

Contador says Basso is possibly to join Saxo-Tinkoff. The Italian is not happy about the decisions made by the Italian team, and wants to release his contract.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=66330

 

[Beech Mtn]

Cyclingfever has Karpets confirmed as leaving Movistar. Any idea if he's going to Katusha or the rumored Tinkoff/Cannondale connection, or retiring? He hasn't done much of anything this year.

Also, CF says Txurruka extended with Caja Rural.

edit-
It's been a worse year than even I remembered. Karpets' CQ chart:

 

[Beech Mtn]

Ion Izagirre signed a contract with Team Movistar, Ventoso one more year with the Spanish squad

http://www.movistarteam.com/news/2013-10-4/ion-izagirre-also-to-ride-for-movistar-team

Contador says Basso is possibly to join Saxo-Tinkoff. The Italian is not happy about the decisions made by the Italian team, and wants to release his contract.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=66330

For me the big question is where Riis will get the money to fund the existing contracts, much less take on Basso and/or Sammy Sanchez. Unless Contador is going to give up some of his money or something? The last I read, things were still unsettled at Team Saxo, money-wise.

edit- there was some rumor about a new bike sponsor, so maybe that could be the second named sponsor and bring enough money? But I don't know if Contador's personal sponsorship deal with Specialized is due to end already?

 

[Arredondo]

For me the big question is where Riis will get the money to fund the existing contracts, much less take on Basso and/or Sammy Sanchez. Unless Contador is going to give up some of his money or something? The last I read, things were still unsettled at Team Saxo, money-wise.

edit- there was some rumor about a new bike sponsor, so maybe that could be the second named sponsor and bring enough money? But I don't know if Contador's personal sponsorship deal with Specialized is due to end already?

Yeah, i also heard that rumor. I even read that guys like Sörensen doubt if the team will exist next year, due to financial problems. The news about Basso possibly explains that there is perhaps a second sponsor.