Re: Re:
yaco said:
Oliwright said:
TMP402 said:
Katusha are soon to announe a major international sponsor, and GreenEdge are looking for a sponsor for 2018 onwards.
Gd news for Katusha should make them more international.
Means Gazrpom and them won't be merging then.
I imagine orica with 1.5 years notice should be able to find one.
They have an amazing palmares and a iron fist on most Australian riders, so another Sponsor from the southern hemisphere would make sense
OGE will be chasing Asian Dollars - There is a reason why they signed Lok.
Geniez would be a good get for OGE to boost their climbing squad.
Whilst they'd certainly be open to Asian dollars, the signing of Lok is not necessarily indicative of this. They've had Asian riders in the past (Beppu 2012-3 & a Korean stagiare Kang Yi Yong in 2013).
In an interview with SBS on the last stage of the Giro, Gerry Ryan (owner) indicated there are some new sponsorship deals in the pipeline. As to the scope of these, or whether any of these would step up to naming rights status, remains to be seen.
The following riders will be going off contract at the end of this year: Matthews, A & S Yates, Durbridge, Impey, Cort, Tzurruka, Ewan.
Will one or both Yates take the likely $$$$ from UK Postal with the potential downside of being relegated to grunt duty for their existing hierarchy ? Has the issue re Simon's TUE been the death warrant with regards any long term relationship with OGE ?
Matthews has an issue with Gerrans however where else would he be given the precedence that he has at OGE. Gerrans deal ends 2017 and given he will be 37, that may be over and out for him. Has to be likely that OGE will be working hard to resolve this in Matthews favour when it comes to the races in Europe.
Tzurruka ? Hard to know how much he really brings to the table.
Durbridge may well look for greater opportunities elsewhere as whilst he's shown some potential for cobbles; he's not exactly at the top of the pecking order at OGE. His ITT has also stagnated. Certainly has a big engine and great flatland "grunt" utility but he may want more.
Cort has been low key but impressive. Will be interesting to see whether he stays or goes. Would like to see him stay but he would probably like some further opportunities.
Impey is an "original" and is clearly at home at this team where he has clearly been appreciated for his work for others and he has also brought in his share of results. Almost certain to stay unless he gets some amazing offer from DD.
Ewan is certain to be retained ...... much as I would prefer it otherwise. The next couple of years may be interesting but unless he can develop a significantly larger engine and/or show greater ability to fend for himself; he may end up needing to find a new home. As it is at the moment, he is a very labour intensive sprinter when it comes to support and very much a bunch kick specialist. In a team that is pivoting towards GC at GTs, I'm not sure that they can afford him as well.