Transfers and Rumours 2014 > 2015

[theyoungest]

He's talking about a big chance signing for possibly the biggest team in the world.

You're mixing up soundbites, he once said he rode for possibly the biggest team in the world (i.e. OPQS), and now he has a big chance he can't pass up.

 

[classicomano]

Rumour is indeed that hes going to Team Sky.

 

[MatParker117]

Sky's 2015 TDF Lineup?:

Froome, Porte, Roche, Poels, Nieve, Kiryienka, Henao, Kennaugh, Thomas

 

[ILovecycling]

Sky's 2015 TDF Lineup?:

Froome, Porte, Roche, Poels, Nieve, Kiryienka, Henao, Kennaugh, Thomas

Contador,Majka,Kreuziger,Rogers,Basso,Hernandez,Bennati,EBH,Sagan

jaune + vert

 

[Jagartrott]

Frack these big-budget teams. They're destroying the sport, ultimately.

 

[ILovecycling]

Frack these big-budget teams. They're destroying the sport, ultimately.

I agree,dont like it either

 

[MatParker117]

Contador,Majka,Kreuziger,Rogers,Basso,Hernandez,Bennati,EBH,Sagan

jaune + vert

Fun fight to watch whoever wins! Lets throw Astana in as well:

Nibali, Landa, Kangert, Sanchez, Westra, Fuglsang, Taaramäe, Malacarne, Grivko

This could be war in the Alps!

 

[Red Rick]

Fun fight to watch whoever wins! Lets throw Astana in as well:

Nibali, Landa, Kangert, Sanchez, Westra, Fuglsang, Taaramäe, Malacarne, Grivko

This could be war in the Alps!

Throw in Movistar with Quintana and Valverde as well

 

[Kwibus]

You're mixing up soundbites, he once said he rode for possibly the biggest team in the world (i.e. OPQS), and now he has a big chance he can't pass up.

It's weird, but I'm sure I read it somewhere, but I've checked all possible news sites where I did read it and can't find a single bit where he is talking about going to one of the best teams of the world.

Weird

 

[Kwibus]

Frack these big-budget teams. They're destroying the sport, ultimately.

Agreed 100%, but without these rich owners I think the sport is even more doomed though. Tough call.

 

[karlboss]

Agreed 100%, but without these rich owners I think the sport is even more doomed though. Tough call.

It is painful watching riders like tony martin leading out instead of attacking and riders on pure domestique duties riding into the top 10 of GTs, multiple riders at times. The big teams can kill attacks if they work together, though i think we have moved past USPS, HTC where a team could control the break, bring it back and lead out.
I doubt it will change because of these rich owners, they provide some stability to the sport, and won't want to give up their toys if a salary cap or similar is introduced.

EDIT: I don't blame these big budget owners, they play the hand they are given. The sport hasn't been well run which has fed into this outcome. If the sport provided an attractive product, without the risk of entire nations pulling their cycling coverage in light of doping positives, then corporate sponsors would buy in and stay in and they could dwarf the money a single man could put up.

 

[Samson]

Taaramäe to Astana is official. 1year deal.

 

[seabridge]

Taaramäe to Astana is official. 1year deal.

Should be great for him

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Ruben Fernandez, last year's surprise Avenir winner, signs a two-year deal with Movistar.

 

[Netserk]

It is painful watching riders like tony martin leading out instead of attacking and riders on pure domestique duties riding into the top 10 of GTs, multiple riders at times. The big teams can kill attacks if they work together, though i think we have moved past USPS, HTC where a team could control the break, bring it back and lead out.
I doubt it will change because of these rich owners, they provide some stability to the sport, and won't want to give up their toys if a salary cap or similar is introduced.

EDIT: I don't blame these big budget owners, they play the hand they are given. The sport hasn't been well run which has fed into this outcome. If the sport provided an attractive product, without the risk of entire nations pulling their cycling coverage in light of doping positives, then corporate sponsors would buy in and stay in and they could dwarf the money a single man could put up.

On the other hand, big teams can use their force to race more agressively. Sometimes a race needs a strong team to make the selection, so it's not just a group of 20 riders on different teams where no one wants to set pace. As long as it's varied, I'm happy.

Fx. I think it was one of the things that made the 2007 Tour so good. Strong Disco, strong Rabo and strong Astana. There were often only a handful or less riders left halfway through the MTFs. It was great.

 

[Arredondo]

Ruben Fernandez, last year's surprise Avenir winner, signs a two-year deal with Movistar.

Great deal, rode good the first months of the season.

 

[Akuryo]

Poels said he had a chance, he could not miss. So I doubt he will go to Sky/Tinkov as a domestique. More like leader at some other team. Because if he wanted to work for others he could stay with Uran at OPQS.

Sad to see him leave the team so early, but I am happy that he is back to his old level, which he had before that horrible crash.

 

[Arredondo]

Poels said he had a chance, he could not miss. So I doubt he will go to Sky/Tinkov as a domestique. More like leader at some other team. Because if he wanted to work for others he could stay with Uran at OPQS.

Sad to see him leave the team so early, but I am happy that he is back to his old level, which he had before that horrible crash.

I've heard to at the Eneco Tour it will be Sky. Mostly because they will pay him really well.

 

[Akuryo]

I've heard to at the Eneco Tour it will be Sky. Mostly because they will pay him really well.

But OPQS with Bakala as their owner is also loaded. I doubt that Sky would pay so much more for him. Or is he becoming their new leader at Giro/Vuelta, since Porte seems to always have his "one day off". That could very well explain the increased salary. He would deserve a shot at a GT, to be honest.

 

[ILovecycling]

But OPQS with Bakala as their owner is also loaded. I doubt that Sky would pay so much more for him. Or is he becoming their new leader at Giro/Vuelta, since Porte seems to always have his "one day off". That could very well explain the increased salary. He would deserve a shot at a GT, to be honest.

I dont think so,he is punchy climber/attacker not a GT rider,his TT is very good,but Im not so sure about real climbing.
But you never know with Sky

 

[karlboss]

On the other hand, big teams can use their force to race more agressively. Sometimes a race needs a strong team to make the selection, so it's not just a group of 20 riders on different teams where no one wants to set pace. As long as it's varied, I'm happy.

Fx. I think it was one of the things that made the 2007 Tour so good. Strong Disco, strong Rabo and strong Astana. There were often only a handful or less riders left halfway through the MTFs. It was great.

I prefer my racing to last longer than a MTF can.

 

[theyoungest]

But OPQS with Bakala as their owner is also loaded. I doubt that Sky would pay so much more for him. Or is he becoming their new leader at Giro/Vuelta, since Porte seems to always have his "one day off". That could very well explain the increased salary. He would deserve a shot at a GT, to be honest.

Poels was a last minute bargain for OPQS, I don't think he was on a very big salary. Sky have money by the bucketload, and no big signings yet.

Poels is known for having a bad day in every GT as well, BTW.

I dont think so,he is punchy climber/attacker not a GT rider,his TT is very good,but Im not so sure about real climbing.
But you never know with Sky

He's just done a few good TTs in his career. His forte seems to be ultra steep and long climbs: on both Angliru and Zoncolan he was among the 2 or 3 strongest riders.

 

[ILovecycling]

Poels was a last minute bargain for OPQS, I don't think he was on a very big salary. Sky have money by the bucketload, and no big signings yet.

Poels is known for having a bad day in every GT as well, BTW.


He's just done a few good TTs in his career. His forte seems to be ultra steep and long climbs: on both Angliru and Zoncolan he was among the 2 or 3 strongest riders.

ohh,good point.I forgot that angliru,yeah,that was impressive.I think his tt is good,I remember his barolo one was great.but yeah,nothing constant (probably cuz gc is not his goal)

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Fun fight to watch whoever wins! Lets throw Astana in as well:

Nibali, Landa, Kangert, Sanchez, Westra, Fuglsang, Taaramäe, Malacarne, Grivko

This could be war in the Alps!

That's a good team, but not unusually so for a defending champion. The prospective Sky and Tinkoff teams, by contrast are bordering on the grotesque.

 

[ILovecycling]

That's a good team, but not unusually so for a defending champion. The prospective Sky and Tinkoff teams, by contrast are bordering on the grotesque.

this.I see a first tdf MTF when in last 20 riders will be 15 guys left from movie,sky and tinkoff