Re:
I agree with all of this up until you mention Mas.
DQS are built primarily on classics and sprints. A good GC man is to them a luxury option, nice to have but not their core business. There are in any case always good GC men who might win big but haven’t done so yet available. There’s no need to break the bank for one in particular unless they have very strong reasons to think that he will be a very realistic Tour contender within the duration of his contract. Maybe they have those reasons for Mas, but if so you would expect them to have to invest in serious climbing support too.
You are right though that for them Viviani is replaceable. Jakobsen might be ready already. If they don’t want to rush him, there is Bennett on the market and hungry for opportunities. They could sign him for less than Viviani is demanding. And even if they intend to keep Viviani, being linked with another top sprinter undermines Viviani’s bargaining position and drives his price down. If he wants to stay he’s not getting the kind of money Cofidis are offering.
Alaphilippe was the guy to break the bank for. There is no superior option available.
Akuryo said:Why would they with at least Jakobsen and maybe Hodeg on the rise? And 2019 seems to confirm that Viviani is good, really good even but not "elite". Why pay him so much if you have his replacement already on the roster for 2 years and way cheaper?! Mas on the other hand, they have no other GC option at the moment. So keeping him would be more important than just another sprinter. Its unlikely but from Lefeveres perspective it should be quite clear who he should offer more money to stay if he has to decide between Viviani and Mas.
I agree with all of this up until you mention Mas.
DQS are built primarily on classics and sprints. A good GC man is to them a luxury option, nice to have but not their core business. There are in any case always good GC men who might win big but haven’t done so yet available. There’s no need to break the bank for one in particular unless they have very strong reasons to think that he will be a very realistic Tour contender within the duration of his contract. Maybe they have those reasons for Mas, but if so you would expect them to have to invest in serious climbing support too.
You are right though that for them Viviani is replaceable. Jakobsen might be ready already. If they don’t want to rush him, there is Bennett on the market and hungry for opportunities. They could sign him for less than Viviani is demanding. And even if they intend to keep Viviani, being linked with another top sprinter undermines Viviani’s bargaining position and drives his price down. If he wants to stay he’s not getting the kind of money Cofidis are offering.
Alaphilippe was the guy to break the bank for. There is no superior option available.