Transfers and Rumours 2014 > 2015

[Dazed and Confused]

A lot of these 'cobbled' races end in bunch sprints, and Viviani can survive a few hills.

Outside of GW and Scheldeprijs? Don't think so.
Neither Cav, Kittel or Greipel have any wins in the top cobbles classics, which tells me these ain't bog standard bunch sprint races.

Viviani has shown nothing to suggest he would be any better at them imo, but we shall see.

 

[PeterB]

viviani, i thought the guy will reach bardiani at most and now signed for sky lol. epic fail by brailsford

Why you think this? Viviani is one of the few sprinters who on a good day can beat top 3 sprinters. Why would any PT team not benefit from his ability?

 

[theyoungest]

Outside of GW and Scheldeprijs? Don't think so.
Neither Cav, Kittel or Greipel have any wins in the top cobbles classics, which tells me these ain't bog standard bunch sprint races.

Viviani has shown nothing to suggest he would be any better at them imo, but we shall see.

Kuurne, Nokere, Dwars door Vlaanderen, De Panne... just off the top of my head. The big ones aren't bunch sprints, I agree, but there's more than enough left.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Outside of GW and Scheldeprijs? Don't think so.
Neither Cav, Kittel or Greipel have any wins in the top cobbles classics, which tells me these ain't bog standard bunch sprint races.

Viviani has shown nothing to suggest he would be any better at them imo, but we shall see.

The top cobbled classics don't end in sprints other than occasionally the two you mention, no, however there are some semi-Classics and quite a few decent one-day races up there that can, and do, end in bunch sprints. The first that springs to mind is Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, the new version of Paris-Bruxelles (the old version too), GP de Fourmies (that's 1.HC), Rond om Leuven, Nokere Koerse, Dwars door Vlaanderen (though that's getting better on that front), GP Pino Cerami, Halle-Ingooigem and so on.

Plus you have the potential for stage wins in stages around the area - races like Eneco, Ronde van België, Driedaagse de Panne-Koksijde, Quatre Jours de Dunkerque, Tour de Wallonie, World Ports Classic, Ster ZLM Toer and the Tour de l'Eurometropole - all have some flat stages that these riders will have the chance to pick up some good points.

I know, Sky aren't going to do all of those, but there's plenty of opportunities there of picking up wins and good placements in a lot of races for a versatile sprinter. Just ask Tom van Asbroeck.

 

[MellowJohnny]

It will be interesting to see if Sky develop Viviani as a decent sprinter or turn him into a workhorse to sit on the front of the pelaton (A bit like they do with Eisel).

 

[BeagRigh]

As well as Santa, there are a few other notables who's bans are up for for next season:
- Stefano Agostini
- Carlos Barredo
- Sylvain Georges

Not sure if these guys are still training or planning to return mind...

 

[Coat-O]

How many teams are complete now?

 

[MellowJohnny]

Any news on Sonny Colbrelli?

 

[May0maniac]

John Ebsen to Androni
http://www.tuttobiciweb.it/?page=news&cod=73282&tp=n
Petacchi said that he's in talk with 3 teams, which teams could be interested? I thnik he'd be a good addition for any team that has an young talented sprinter that needs a leadout man and could learn a lot form a legend like Alejet, FDJ with Demare, Europcar with Coquard or even Bardiani (if Sonny stays) would be notable examples. Do you think his financial demands could be a problem?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The top cobbled classics don't end in sprints other than occasionally the two you mention, no, however there are some semi-Classics and quite a few decent one-day races up there that can, and do, end in bunch sprints. The first that springs to mind is Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, the new version of Paris-Bruxelles (the old version too), GP de Fourmies (that's 1.HC), Rond om Leuven, Nokere Koerse, Dwars door Vlaanderen (though that's getting better on that front), GP Pino Cerami, Halle-Ingooigem and so on.

Plus you have the potential for stage wins in stages around the area - races like Eneco, Ronde van België, Driedaagse de Panne-Koksijde, Quatre Jours de Dunkerque, Tour de Wallonie, World Ports Classic, Ster ZLM Toer and the Tour de l'Eurometropole - all have some flat stages that these riders will have the chance to pick up some good points.

I know, Sky aren't going to do all of those, but there's plenty of opportunities there of picking up wins and good placements in a lot of races for a versatile sprinter. Just ask Tom van Asbroeck.

I'm thinking Sky sees Viviani as a replacement for EBH (who didn't really deliver on the cobbles). Anyway not questioning Viviani's skills as a bunch sprinter, instead I suggest there are nothing in his previous performances which would elevate him to be somebody to reckon with in the bigger races at this point.

Note: I'm certain Sky didn't sign Viviani to win small races in Belgium, although he might do that anyway.

In a simple flat stage I think Viviani will beat TVA most of the time. On sh!tty twisty roads, small hills, cobbles in cold/bad weather my guess is the other way around. However none of them have shown they can do it on the big scene (cobbles) yet.

I will follow both next year, the pair could meet in a quite few interesting battles.

 

[Wallenquist]

Alex Cano - > Team Colombia

 

[RedheadDane]

As well as Santa, there are a few other notables who's bans are up for for next season:
- Stefano Agostini
- Carlos Barredo
- Sylvain Georges

Not sure if these guys are still training or planning to return mind...

According to Wikipedia Barredo is working in a cafe, so doesn't seem like he plans to return.
Though according the the same article his ban ended in 2011, so it might be outdated.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Jonas van Genechten (Lotto) joins IAM, while Kristoffer Skjerpings rumoured transfer to Garmin is now confirmed.

 

[BeagRigh]

According to Wikipedia Barredo is working in a cafe, so doesn't seem like he plans to return.
Though according the the same article his ban ended in 2011, so it might be outdated.

Thanks. His results were annulled to 2011, his ban ends this year but yes it looks like he's not coming back.

Agostini is probably the most interesting he's only 25; former U23 national champ. 2 stages and mountains classification in the 2011 Girobio. If he wants to come back I'd been surprised not to see him on one of the Italian PCT teams.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Why you think this? Viviani is one of the few sprinters who on a good day can beat top 3 sprinters. Why would any PT team not benefit from his ability?

no he can't viviani is a B-sprinter at best and will never amount to anything

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Alex Cano - > Team Colombia

shocking news considering cano has denied many offers in past years because he wants to stay in colombia. he is an noemrously good climber. could be in top ten best climbers in europe eaisly however as long as corti sits there I can't feel anything but sadness that this is happening

still to me this si 100% proof they will kick out duarte despite being a friend of cano. they have gotten him to be leader I think

 

[Arredondo]

shocking news considering cano has denied many offers in past years because he wants to stay in colombia. he is an noemrously good climber. could be in top ten best climbers in europe eaisly however as long as corti sits there I can't feel anything but sadness that this is happening

still to me this si 100% proof they will kick out duarte despite being a friend of cano. they have gotten him to be leader I think

I think it will be really good for Duarte if he would be kicked out of the team. Some fresh air will do him good. He's still 27, so there's some hope.

 

[Pricey_sky]

no he can't viviani is a B-sprinter at best and will never amount to anything

Well he's already amounted to something as a multiple winner!

He can't challenge the best in flat out sprints but there are quite a few opportunities for him to pick up wins.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think it will be really good for Duarte if he would be kicked out of the team. Some fresh air will do him good. He's still 27, so there's some hope.

duarte is a 100% lost cause imo. maybe he need someone like matxin taht con motivate him but even that works very temporarily. not even saldarriaga could get something big out of him except some rare occasions

 

[Arredondo]

duarte is a 100% lost cause imo. maybe he need someone like matxin taht con motivate him but even that works very temporarily. not even saldarriaga could get something big out of him except some rare occasions

Will be too bad, definitely up there with the current best Colombian riders in terms of talent, if not even more.

 

[BigMac]

Nelson Oliveira renews with Lampre for next year. Excellent news. What a rider and person.

http://www.teamlampremerida.com/2014/10/oliveira-e-lampre-merida-insieme-anche-nel-2015/

La LAMPRE-MERIDA potrà continuare a fregiarsi delle maglie di campione portoghese su strada e a cronometro grazie al prolungamento del contratto di Nelson Oliveira (foto Bettini).
Il corridore lusitano ha trovato l’accordo con la formazione blu-fucsia-verde anche per la stagione 2015.

Angelo custode di Rui Costa durante tutto il calendario di corse, Oliveira ha saputo impreziosire l’annata 2014 conquistando una fantastica doppietta ai campionati nazionali.
La stagione del portoghese ha vissuto un altro picco in occasione dei mondiali di Ponferrada, in occasione dei quali Oliveira ha chiuso al 7° posto la prova a cronometro, dopo essere stato a lungo in testa alla graduatoria provvisoria.

Venticinque anni, professionista dal 2010, in carriera Oliveira ha già messo in bacheca due titoli portoghesi a cronometro, la maglia di campione nazionale in linea e il titolo di campione portoghese Under 23 a cronometro. Risultati che indicano ottime qualità partendo dalle quali Nelson può ancora lavorare per migliorare e raggiungere un importante livello di maturità.

“Sono molto felice per aver prolungato anche per il 2015 il contratto con la LAMPRE-MERIDA – ha sottolineato Oliveira – Quando ti trovi molto bene in una squadra, l’obiettivo è quello di poter rimanere ancora in quel gruppo: restare un corridore blu-fucsia-verde era la mia volontà e il mio desiderio, quindi non posso che essere davvero soddisfatto per il rinnovo.
Lavorerò duro come ho fatto nel 2014 per raggiungere tutti gli obiettivi personali e del team“

 

[Christian]

Força o Nelson

 

[Michele]

As well as Santa, there are a few other notables who's bans are up for for next season:
- Stefano Agostini
- Carlos Barredo
- Sylvain Georges

Not sure if these guys are still training or planning to return mind...

Agostini doesnt seem interested in a come back.

Any news on Sonny Colbrelli?

By seeing what he wrote recently on twitter and other info, it seems like Bardiani aren't gonna let him go easily.

 

[Bushman]

Has Tvechov to Androni been confirmed?

 

[Gloin22]

Has Tvechov to Androni been confirmed?

Yes indeed.