Transfers "Rumours & Reality" and Young Guns

[Steampunk]

To me, this is a big bummer. I was hoping Levi would be going to the new BMC team to be their leader. It's going to suck once again seeing Levi have the talent to lead his own team for a season, and going to a GT as the sole team leader with a single focus to win that GT. And yet again, he decides it's okay to play second fiddle behind someone else. Someone who may not even be better than he is.

Considering 2010 may be his last chance at a GT, it's disappointing, and disappointing at how little confidence he seems to have to be the primary leader of a team.

It would have been nice to see him at BMC. I wonder, though, if playing second fiddle to LA on a strong team might not have the potential benefit of putting in great shape in next year's TdF? If Lance should crack, maybe the team's resources might be put at his disposal? He and Kloden both had podium chances this year. You're right, though, that his window of opportunity is rapidly closing...

 

[Anonymous]

To me, this is a big bummer. I was hoping Levi would be going to the new BMC team to be their leader. It's going to suck once again seeing Levi have the talent to lead his own team for a season, and going to a GT as the sole team leader with a single focus to win that GT. And yet again, he decides it's okay to play second fiddle behind someone else. Someone who may not even be better than he is.

Considering 2010 may be his last chance at a GT, it's disappointing, and disappointing at how little confidence he seems to have to be the primary leader of a team.

Its why he is where he is, and why he has only won second tier races at best. I think he has/had the legs for more, I just don't think he does/did...but I'm sure Lance will let him win the ToC.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

... If Lance should crack, maybe the team's resources might be put at his disposal?

But how often does that happen, if ever? That the team's leader drops out of the race, and the 2nd guy goes on to win the thing? (Periero doesn't count). And, even bigger here, why would you base your season on that, when you've shown you have what it takes to have a team based around you that can help you focus on one GT to win? I mean, he was 2nd in the Vuelta, and held the leaders jersey at one point, and 3rd at the Tour. Both within a minute of the victory.

I think a good comparison for Levi is Denis Menchov. Both are about the same ability, and similar styles, strengths/weaknesses. But Menchov has won the Vuelta (twice technically), and the Giro. Levi's biggest win is still probably the 2006 Dauphine...

Its why he is where he is, and why he has only won second tier races at best. I think he has/had the legs for more, I just don't think he does/did...but I'm sure Lance will let him win the ToC.

Big whup, when he has the ability to win the Giro or Vuelta, or maybe even finish above Lance in the Tour if both focused on it.

 

[Anonymous]

Armstrong twitter.

thats the one i saw earlier that gave it away for me..

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

But how often does that happen, if ever? That the team's leader drops out of the race, and the 2nd guy goes on to win the thing? (Periero doesn't count). And, even bigger here, why would you base your season on that, when you've shown you have what it takes to have a team based around you that can help you focus on one GT to win? I mean, he was 2nd in the Vuelta, and held the leaders jersey at one point, and 3rd at the Tour. Both within a minute of the victory.

I think a good comparison for Levi is Denis Menchov. Both are about the same ability, and similar styles, strengths/weaknesses. But Menchov has won the Vuelta (twice technically), and the Giro. Levi's biggest win is still probably the 2006 Dauphine...



Big whup, when he has the ability to win the Giro or Vuelta, or maybe even finish above Lance in the Tour if both focused on it.

I think menchov on form is a much better climber. But to be fair Levi s a much better (consistant) time trialer.

with BMC who is to say that would even get a wildcard to any of the GTS (especially with all these other teams emerging)

 

[dolophonic]

Living up to his pocket dog handle.
So lame.

 

[Hammerhed]

I'm telling you, Levi just likes pinning on Lance's jersey numbers. Seriously, I think Levi likes his role: He wins races and is on the world's best teams; furthermore, he doesn't have the incredible pressure that goes with being the top dog at a race like the TdF. Though Levi seems to handle the press well, even when he is the number one, being expected to win the Tour by that mob of vultures that make up the press corps must be very intimidating. Even Lance, who seems to thrive in the press scrum, avoids it when he is able to.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Of course, we don't really know what discussions went on, what contract was offered, etc. For all I know Shack agreed to pay Levi double what BMC was offering. And for all I know, Lance is telling Levi that they will build a team around him for next year's Giro or Vuelta, whichever one he prefers and he doesn't even have to ride in the Tour if he doesn't want to.

I just really doubt it.

 

[auscyclefan94]

RE:Transfer season article
Some interesting points to make from the article about transfer rumours:

1) Andre griepel should definetly move to a sprinters team like Katusha because he is getting Cav's leftovers of events he doesn't want to race. Andre should take more priority on his success.

2)Cunego won't move. No over team will really support him as much as Lampre will and he has been the one guy who has really delivered for Lampre.

3) George may go to lance's team but i think he will ride for Columbia next year as he is delivering Cav to the line for many sprint victories and i don't see him going back to be a mountain goat again for lance.

4)If cadel does decide to look for another team why woulde he go to an italian team. lampre support cunego and ballan for the classics and liquigas have 4 gc riders (basso, pellizotti, nibali and kreuziger) already there. I think a team like ag2r could give him very good supprot in which he needs but i think his best scenario would be garmin though the only trouble with them would be team leadership. Cadel would probably think that he could beat wiggins and/or vandevelde overall in a tt or climb.

5) If the gc riders at columbia ever want a go at having a crack at overall then i would advise them to move. Ambitions for a high gc for rogers, kirchen, lovkist and Martin are put on 2nd priority in a GT as Cav takes first priority (rightfully so). If they want a real crack at overall then i suggest they move.

6)Alberto Contador will most likely go to the Caisse d Epargne team. You could tell that from the dauphine.

It should be an intersting transfer season for many different reasons.

 

[Anonymous]

3) George may go to lance's team but i think he will ride for Columbia next year as he is delivering Cav to the line for many sprint victories and i don't see him going back to be a mountain goat again for lance.

i think george will be more about, is there a team that is willing to do everything and put it all on the line to try and get him PR.. face it, thats what the fans want..

Big george winning PR would be probably the most emotional moment of my twenty five years as a cycling fan

 

[issoisso]

As usual during the Tour of Portugal, they always interview many of the DSs present during the race. Today, Caisse's Eusébio Unzué said that Tiago Machado is a "very strong possibility" for Caisse next season, but depends on if Contador signs.

That probably means that if Contador signs, and thus brings with him Noval, etc, there won't be room in the squad for Machado.

But since Unzué said Machado signing is a "very strong possibility", I guess that means Contador isn't likely to sign.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Astana has issued a press release pointing out that Contador has a contract with them through 2010 and that they expect that contract to be honoured.

Susan

 

[Bala Verde]

Astana has issued a press release pointing out that Contador has a contract with them through 2010 and that they expect that contract to be honoured.

Susan

Can you, or anyone, explain the contractual situation at Astana? First we didn't really know who owned the UCI license (Bruyneel or the Kazachs). Now it seems, perhaps fed by rumours, there is a rather nebulous situation regarding the contracts.

Where did Fran & Alberto Contador sign their names, hence, who 'owns' them?

And for that matter, Klöden who is supposedly leaving, where, besides in Freiburg, did he leave his signature behind?

 

[craig1985]

aussiecyclingfan, Ballan is switching teams.

 

[auscyclefan94]

aussiecyclingfan, Ballan is switching teams.

I know, all i said about lampre is that cunego gets majority of the teams victories. Ballan won the worlds last year which was not for Lampre but for Italy.

 

[TibetT]

auscyclefan, Evans is statying at Silence Lotto.

 

[Anonymous]

auscyclefan, Evans is statying at Silence Lotto.

poor lotto

i heard a sky rumour earlier.. i hope thats not true..

 

[richwagmn]

Astana has issued a press release pointing out that Contador has a contract with them through 2010 and that they expect that contract to be honoured.

Susan

Looks like Contador is staying put. Sounds like Horner is still talking with Astana and wasn't happy with what Radioshack wanted to pay him.

I think Astana could put together a decent team. The big unknown is what does ASO do with Vino? I have a hard time imagining that they would ban Contador for another year. But I can see them not letting Vino ride (though I think he'd make a great domestique for AC).

Personally, I think if you've served your suspension, you should get to ride but I don't know that ASO feels that way.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Can you, or anyone, explain the contractual situation at Astana? First we didn't really know who owned the UCI license (Bruyneel or the Kazachs). Now it seems, perhaps fed by rumours, there is a rather nebulous situation regarding the contracts.

Where did Fran & Alberto Contador sign their names, hence, who 'owns' them?

And for that matter, Klöden who is supposedly leaving, where, besides in Freiburg, did he leave his signature behind?

The Kazakh Cycling Federation has the ProTour license. That has always been clear.

As to whether the riders' contracts are with the sponsor or with the managment or someone else -- we don't know, we haven't seen them. However, statements from the sponsor side have always indicated that the riders are contracted to them, with the exception of Armstrong.

Susan

 

[Delicato]

FYI, the Kazakhs' spokesperson is actually him.

 

[auscyclefan94]

auscyclefan, Evans is statying at Silence Lotto.

I know that. I know he will most likely stay at lotto. I am commenting on the cyclingnews' article about transfers. I am saying it would be a good idea for himself to actually demand some things for himself. looking back, for a guy who has lost the tour twice by 23 and 58 seconds lotto has given him s-hit all. i think he should make a stance and go somewhere who will give what he needs. possibly garmin or ag2r. if he decides to stay at lotto (which looks like what's going to eventuate) then he needs to demand more support because some of the riders who support him at the tour and the directors who make descisions for the team on shytehole lotto are pretty pathetic.

 

[Delicato]

I know that. I know he will most likely stay at lotto. I am commenting on the cyclingnews' article about transfers. I am saying it would be a good idea for himself to actually demand some things for himself. looking back, for a guy who has lost the tour twice by 23 and 58 seconds lotto has given him s-hit all. i think he should make a stance and go somewhere who will give what he needs. possibly garmin or ag2r. if he decides to stay at lotto (which looks like what's going to eventuate) then he needs to demand more support because some of the riders who support him at the tour and the directors who make descisions for the team on shytehole lotto are pretty pathetic.

Well, Lotto management at least tried to do something for him (signing Thomas Dekker and Bernhard Kohl), we all know what happened next.

A shame that they lost Chris Horner in 2008, of course, I think he is an ideal domestique.

As for possible move to Garmin or Ag2r, I doubt it, Garmin already has guys for GT (VDV and BW), and it will be stupid of them if they spend considerable amount of money signing Evans (after all, he is 32 or so). Remember they also have tommy d. and Dan Martin, and Peter Stetina is a huge talent, he is currently in Garmin-Felt-Holowesko team.

Ag2r move may be reasonable, but is Ag2r so much better than Lotto? Anyone's guess.

Actually, 2008 TDF team wasn't that bad, I guess the whole team had their peaking time chosen wrong and Popovych was crap without Bruyneel. Aerts and Van Summeren did OK, and maybe Evans spent too many energy in spring and in Dauphine.

 

[joe_papp]

up-and-coming

Since I assume this forum isn't restricted only to men's racing, I'll name 19-year-old Sinead Miller of South Park, PA, USA as an up-and-coming elite rider who should make the jump to the ranks of the paid peloton for next season. She just today finished 8th in the Elite Criterium Nationals here in USA riding unattached, and won the division 1 collegiate cycling Criterium Nationals in May (for Marian University). Looks to be a blossoming criterium and track specialist, with the ability to win stages of multi-day events.

Career Highlights ’08-‘09:
May 9th , 2009, Collegiate Road National Championships, Fort Collins, CO
1st place- Women’s Division 1 Criterium
April 7th-May 5th, 2009, Raced with U.S. Women’s National Team throughout Europe
1st place- Women’s road race in Bordeaux, France
3rd place- Women’s road race in Agen, France
March 7th-8th, 2009, Collegiate Race at DePauw University, Indiana
1st place- Women’s Road Race
1st place- Women’s Time Trial
1st place- Women’s Criterium
February 28th, 2009, Collegiate Road Race at Murray State, Kentucky-1st place
September 11th-13th, 2008, Collegiate Track National Championships
1st- Women’s Points Race
1st- Women’s Team Pursuit
1st- Collegiate Team Pursuit
3rd- Women’s 2 Kilometer Time Trial
September 6th-9th, 2008, Junior National Championships, Orange County, CA
1st Place - Junior Women’s 17-18 Criterium
July 20th, 2008, Junior World Championships, Cape Town, South Africa
8th –Women’s Road Race
July 10th-13th, 2008, Raced UCI 2.2 Krasna Lipa Stage Race, Czech Republic
July 3rd-14th, 2008, Attended training camp with Women’s U.S. National Team in Lucca, Italy
June 15th, 2008, Junior World Championships Selection Road Race, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
1st place - Junior Women 17-18
April 26th-27th, 2008, Tour de Ephrata, Ephrata, PA
1st- Road Race Women’s Pro 1/2/3
1st- Criterium Women’s Pro 1/2/3
2nd – Time Trial Women’s Pro 1/2/3
1st – Overall GC Women’s Pro 1/2/3
April 12th, 2008, Mt. Joy Road Race, Lancaster, PA
1st Place - Women’s Pro 1/2/3
March 3rd, 2008, Arnold Classic Criterium, Columbus, OH
1st Place - Women’s Pro 1/2/3
2007, Junior National Championships, Seven Springs, Pennsylvania
1st Place- Junior Women’s 17-18 Criterium
2007, Raced Junior World Road Race and Time Trial Championships, Mexico
2004, Junior National Championships, Salt Lake City, Utah
1st Place- Junior Women’s 14-15 Criterium

 

[Bala Verde]

Hey Joe, good to see some more local developments in the cycling business as well. She indeed seems to have quite the palmares.

Het nieuwsblad reports that ex-Katiusha's Steegmans is negotiating with Milram. But who would then be the big sprinter? Could Steegmans become Ciolek's 'Renshaw'?

 

[Escarabajo]

Soler just signed with Caisse d'Epargne. If Contador makes it, then it would be Soler working for Contador in the Tour next year. That would by a nice help in the mountains.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/soler-signs-on-with-caisse-depargne-for-2010