Transfers and Rumours 2014 > 2015

[DNP-Old]

Apparently, EBH signed with MTN-Qhubeka.

 

[maltiv]

Apparently, EBH signed with MTN-Qhubeka.

Great news.

It's more or less the only team that could save his career.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Great news.

It's more or less the only team that could save his career.

because he will get plenty of opportunities?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Interesting to read that Formolo is the only Cannondale guy that has already signed with the new team. I hope Moser signs with them and gets back on track, is itt at Eneco was a step i the right direction.

It seems a bit odd for a WT team to have almost nobody who can compete in a bunch sprint. Also not much in the TT.

Has Viviani already signed elsewhere? Or is he just too expensive for them?

 

[maltiv]

because he will get plenty of opportunities?

He needs to get out of his comfort zone and become a leader again. He's been a domestique for too long, become too comfortable and lost his motivation. I also believe that Sky's training methods doesn't suit him at all, he's training harder than ever and he's been complaining a lot this year about having "heavy legs" and no energy on stage 1 of a stage race, never a good sign...

Right now, with Sky, cycling is just a job for him. I hope MTN can bring the fun back to cycling for him, and let him enjoy his training rides again instead of riding like a zombie.

It's also a good thing that he will get the opportunity to start winning small, ****ty races again, to bring back the winner's mentality he once had.

 

[theyoungest]

It seems a bit odd for a WT team to have almost nobody who can compete in a bunch sprint.

If you look at Garmin or Sky right now, they have sprinters but they hardly use them. Might as well ditch 'em.

In the WT system, sprints don't count.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

If you look at Garmin or Sky right now, they have sprinters but they hardly use them. Might as well ditch 'em.

In the WT system, sprints don't count.

Neither team need WT points though. And sprinters, even second tier or third tier ones, give you cheap wins. Hands in the air shots please sponsors.

I could understand that logic if we were talking about a team which had to seriously worry about relegation (probably none this year) or which had one of the big four GT GC riders (bigger fish to fry). But while Garmin / Cannondake looks like an amazing hilly classics team, there just aren't that many hilly classics.

A Viviani, for instance, would add balance to the team single handedly.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He needs to get out of his comfort zone and become a leader again. He's been a domestique for too long, become too comfortable and lost his motivation. I also believe that Sky's training methods doesn't suit him at all, he's training harder than ever and he's been complaining a lot this year about having "heavy legs" and no energy on stage 1 of a stage race, never a good sign...

Right now, with Sky, cycling is just a job for him. I hope MTN can bring the fun back to cycling for him, and let him enjoy his training rides again instead of riding like a zombie.

It's also a good thing that he will get the opportunity to start winning small, ****ty races again, to bring back the winner's mentality he once had.

In financial terms, it has to involve a huge pay cut. But in sporting terms, I tend to agree. He would clearly be the main leader and MTN are capable of providing competent support and a reasonable race calendar.

That said, surely there must be smaller WT teams who would offer him a leadership spot

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I hadn't realised that Dan Martin had a contract got next year. Did he still have a year on his old one or did he extend? The "one club player" to use the football terminology is a bit of a rarity in cycling.

Anyway, it means that Garmin/Cannondale have all of their current key riders next year.

 

[BeagRigh]

EBH to MTN sounds good to me. Hopefully another step towards a Tour or Giro invite...

 

[May0maniac]

EBH to MTN sounds good to me. Hopefully another step towards a Tour or Giro invite...

MTN at the Giro instead of Neri Sottoli would be ok for me.

 

[kanari]

With Edvald, Gerard and Linus MTN is becoming a retirement home for u23 stars that never quite made it...

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

With Edvald, Gerard and Linus MTN is becoming a retirement home for u23 stars that never quite made it...

A bit harsh verdict for guys who've won stages in all GTs, won monuments, wore the Maillot Jaune, were national champions of their countries etc.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

EBH to MTN sounds good to me. Hopefully another step towards a Tour or Giro invite...

what? why would a giro or tour care to invite a team based on ebh? this sounds more like the finalportal to retirement for the most overrated talent of the decade ebh

 

[kanari]

A bit harsh verdict for guys who've won stages in all GTs, won monuments, wore the Maillot Jaune, were national champions of their countries etc.

I know it was a bit tongue-in-cheek, I meant thay are riders that didn't meet the huge expectations that many had for them.

 

[BeagRigh]

what? why would a giro or tour care to invite a team based on ebh? this sounds more like the finalportal to retirement for the most overrated talent of the decade ebh

I did say they should invite them based on EBH, I said it was "another step towards" an invite - which is very different.

Whether he is washed up or not and whether it is justified or not, EBH is still a recognizable name and as such has a decent marketable value to ASO or RCS.

 

[LouieLouie]

Sure, like the most overrated talent of the century isn't Betancur...

 

[gospina]

Ted King and Cayenato Sarmiento also don't have a contract for next year.

 

[One Man Grupetto]

Ted King and Cayenato Sarmiento also don't have a contract for next year.

Todays CN story says King is negotiating with Garmin/Cannondale/Sharp.

 

[Gotland]

With Edvald, Gerard and Linus MTN is becoming a retirement home for u23 stars that never quite made it...

Mabye they will contract Lofkvist, Lagutin, Dekker and Sicard too.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Sure, like the most overrated talent of the century isn't Betancur...

Betancur's talent is not overrated. His ability to use that talent properly is another issue.

 

[BYOP88]

Mabye they will contract Lofkvist, Lagutin, Dekker and Sicard too.

Don't forget Brajkovic.

 

[hfer07]

EBH got what he deserved with his new contract with MTN, as far as a balance between salary & racing freedom, which are both the main factors driving his departure from SKY. The problem for him now is to have his team secured invitations to the main races, so he can make the best out of them.

I'm OK with the change, and in 2 years he can well rebuild his career, so he can get back to the Pro Level if he wishes to, or stay at that level & profit as much as he can.

 

[Afrank]

He needs to get out of his comfort zone and become a leader again. He's been a domestique for too long, become too comfortable and lost his motivation. I also believe that Sky's training methods doesn't suit him at all, he's training harder than ever and he's been complaining a lot this year about having "heavy legs" and no energy on stage 1 of a stage race, never a good sign...

Right now, with Sky, cycling is just a job for him. I hope MTN can bring the fun back to cycling for him, and let him enjoy his training rides again instead of riding like a zombie.

It's also a good thing that he will get the opportunity to start winning small, ****ty races again, to bring back the winner's mentality he once had.

I agree. And going to MTN turned out good for Ciolek, had a bit of a resurgence in his career. Maybe it can do the same for EBH.

 

[theyoungest]

Mike Teunissen (former cyclocross U23 world champion and this year's winner of Roubaix U23) signs with Belkin. He always reminds me of Lars Boom, in terms of posture and style on the bike.