Transfers and Rumours 2017 > 2018

[Dazed and Confused]

Those riders will probably end up on the greasy oiler teams, but I like to see Rolland back on Direct Energie.

 

[HelloDolly]

But Uran re signed for Cannondale

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

Dutch newspaper Telegraaf speculating the end of Cannondale, as Vanmarcke, Rolland and Van Baarle are being offered by their agents to other teams.

https://www.telesport.nl/artikel/113754/wielersport/renners-cannondale-aangeboden

Let's hope not.

However, it's worth noting that the big new sponsor they were apparently close to reaching a deal with has never been announced. At the same time, there has been news of riders signing elsewhere (not unusual as they were out of contract) but no news of new riders being signed (which is unusual).

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

But Uran re signed for Cannondale

Good point. I'd forgotten that.

 

[Anderis]

I can see this being true, because it's quite late in the transfer season and Cannondale still haven't announced even one new signing. Hell, there have been no rumours at all apart from 2 Axeon guys somewhere in July.

Also Vaughters said in one of the interviews that if they fail to secure new sponsorship, the board will have to decide whether they think it makes sense to continue with budget that barely allows competing in WT or quit alltogether.

Still, there has been an interview with Brendan Canty a few days before the Vuelta start with him saying that for the team it makes sense to put him in the Vuelta roster because he has a contract for next year and that will make him a better rider. But maybe the decision to quit was kinda unexpected within the team.

 

[janraaskalt]

Re:

Also Vaughters said in one of the interviews that if they fail to secure new sponsorship, the board will have to decide whether they think it makes sense to continue with budget that barely allows competing in WT or quit alltogether.

They seemed to have it all ready for 2018, with Oath sponsorship and Uran re-signing. Drapac was for 5 years. Cannondale even owning part of Slipstream. Sugar daddy Doug Ellis as a backup. However, something must have gone wrong somehow.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I really hope this isn't true, but if Telegraaf is correct, and riders are being shopped around, it's an indication that management gave riders early notice rather than struggling on desperately trying to find a sponsor and leaving everyone screwed with a sudden end in December.

 

[janraaskalt]

Telegraaf reporter says more teams are confirming Cannondale riders asking for a place for next year.

https://twitter.com/raykerckhoffs/status/901521718791090176

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I'm not really concerned about the likes of Uran, Vanmarcke or Rolland, but I very much hope that younger riders on the team find a contract if the team is in trouble.

 

[Anderis]

Among riders who actually had a 2018 contract in place, there were not many inexperienced riders (I think Canty and Carthy only) but maybe there were few who were expecting an extension that they will not get now.

For example Nathan Brown had a solid TdF this year but he may struggle to secure a new WT contract,

 

[janraaskalt]

Official confirmation Slipstream of the problems, via: https://twitter.com/TourDeJose/status/901536774836686848
Could not find the original source.

 

[Moviefan1203]

That's a real shame.

 

[Urbi27]

Trek should seize the opportunity and sign Uran as Contador replacement. They will have a leader for TdF. Uran will be well supported in mountains. Both sides wins.

 

[wouterkaas]

Uran reportedly going to Astana if no new sponsor is being found

 

[Lexman]

Trek to sign VanMarcke, Van Asbroeck to Lotto Soudal

Edit : This is just my opinion;-)

 

[Chrispol]

JV finding sponsors like it's 1975...

A lot of riders could be left behind, even if i'm not too worried for the climbers, a lot of team looks for them. But the staff...

 

[hazaran]

Vaughters now soliciting sponsors on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Vaughters/status/901547058657669120

 

[TMP402]

Time for SVM and Langeveld to go to Quick-Step or Lotto-Soudal.

 

[deValtos]

What happened ?? They were fine no? Did someone pull out?

For a whole team to appear on the transfer market AFTER most of the other teams have allocated their budged would be interesting.

 

[hazaran]

Re:

What happened ?? They were fine no? Did someone pull out?

For a whole team to appear on the transfer market AFTER most of the other teams have allocated their budged would be interesting.

Apparently a sponsor they had already budgeted with, it already being August, didn't sign on.

"Interesting" in that it's likely to make a lot of their riders reevaluate their priorities in life, riding at the WT minimum wage is just honestly not a prudent financial decision for anyone, ever.

 

[deValtos]

Re: Re:

What happened ?? They were fine no? Did someone pull out?

For a whole team to appear on the transfer market AFTER most of the other teams have allocated their budged would be interesting.

Apparently a sponsor they had already budgeted with, it already being August, didn't sign on.

"Interesting" in that it's likely to make a lot of their riders reevaluate their priorities in life, riding at the WT minimum wage is just honestly not a prudent financial decision for anyone, ever.

Ah thanks.

WT minimum wage doing what you love for a living is totally great tbh. It's actually pretty reasonable wage, 36,300 euros. Maybe at a lower level then yea that's an issue but 36k I think is very respectable. Ofc nothing compared to other sports.

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

Time for SVM and Langeveld to go to Quick-Step or Lotto-Soudal.

I think Mr Brailsford might make a few calls, with Rowe's injury both would make good replacements and additions to Sky's classics team, plus they have prior interest in both Langeveld and Talanksky.

 

[TMP402]

All right, here we go. Which of Cannondale's roster will definitely get a WT contract, which deserve a WT contract, and which riders can you not see getting a WT contract? I would divide them as follows:

Already confirmed with a new WT team anyway:
Alberto Bettiol (ITA) (age 23)
Davide Formolo (ITA) (age 24)
Kristijan Koren (SLO) (age 30)
Tom-Jelte Slagter (NED) (age 28)
Davide Villella (ITA) (age 26)

WILL get a contract:
Sebastian Langeveld (NED) (age 32)
Taylor Phinney (USA) (age 27)
Andrew Talansky (USA) (age 28)
Dylan van Baarle (NED) (age 24)
Sep van Marcke (BEL) (age 29)
Rigoberto Urán (COL) (age 30)
Michael Woods (CAN) (age 30)

DESERVE a contract (though may nevertheless struggle to get one):
Patrick Bevin (NZL) (age 26)
Hugh Carthy (GBR) (age 23)
Simon Clarke (AUS) (age 31)
Lawson Craddock (USA) (age 25)
Joe Dombrowski (USA) (age 26)
Pierre Rolland (FRA) (age 30)

Could well struggle to get a WT contract:
Nathan Brown (USA) (age 26)
Brendan Canty (AUS) (age 25)
Will Clarke (AUS) (age 32)
Alex Howes (USA) (age 29)
Ryan Mullen (IRL) (age 23)
Tom Scully (NZL) (age 27)
Toms Skujiņš (LAT) (age 26)
Tom van Asbroeck (BEL) (age 27)
Wouter Wippert (NED) (age 27)

 

[hazaran]

Wait, Phinney? He hasn't done anything this entire year and all his results are pre-crash. That is why he signed with Cannondale after all, it's not the team you go to when you have options. More of a candidate for the latter two camps.

 

[Ricco']

I don't see Mullen struggling to find a WT ride. If not WT, certainly Aqua Blue will keep him. Or a Movistar, who knows? Castroviejo and Dowsett are going out, they need to have some flat power.

Van Asbroeck too, could be useful to a team like Lotto Soudal or LottoNL. Talking about LottoNL, Wippert would be a nice option to lead out Groenewegen, if he wants to go that way. Skujins is also a good guy to have if you want anyone who has a good engine, is a very viable breakaway option, is good in hills and knows how to do his and the team marketing.

The ones who I find more difficult to get a contract, from the 3rd list, are Craddock and Dombrowski. Sure, they have potential, but one (Craddock) hasn't shown anything for a year and a half now and Dombrowski still seems very "fragile". Apart from Trek or Sunweb, I don't see much teams wanting for guys like that.