Transfers "Rumours & Reality" and Young Guns

[Bala Verde]

Bjarne Riis has got a new sponsor to his Saxo Bank. They will be on the jersey prior to the Tour.

It is some spanish island with a vacation resort. Playitas or something like that.

Then he will have the dollars for an even better team.

I read they are also going to hold training camps there. Cheap accomodation and good weather! Smart move...

 

[Bala Verde]

Kevyn Ista is rumoured to join Skil-Shimano next year (although Skil denies this). The talented 24 year old Belgian finished second in Omloop het Nieuwblad and took the second spot overall in the driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen this year. He is currently with Agritubel, which has announced to withdraw from cycling next year.

 

[TRDean]

I saw the Ista signing also, but nothing on the Skil website. Are they denying or just staying quiet? Good signing for Skil if true!!

 

[Bala Verde]

I saw the Ista signing also, but nothing on the Skil website. Are they denying or just staying quiet? Good signing for Skil if true!!

Apparently Skill denied having 'approached' Ista, but, IMO, it is indicative that Skil's name surfaces in connection with Ista. I think they might have approached him, but have failed to come to terms with him. Instead of not being able to present him as an addition to the team, or perhaps to not jeopardize their bargaining position, they state that they have not signed him (yet). I mean, if it leaks that he has signed, but actually hasn't, he could easily ask for a better contract, since the public expects him to sign...

Another Agritubel quitter, David Lelay signed a 2 year contract with AG2R

 

[Bala Verde]

18 augustus 2009 is the day that Sella's ban ends. Guess what, he has found a new team, named Carmiooro, and will start racing for them from then on.

 

[craig1985]

Is there another sponsor being lined up to replace Agritubel? It's just that we haven't heard anything from what may or may not be happening with them.

 

[Bala Verde]

Is there another sponsor being lined up to replace Agritubel? It's just that we haven't heard anything from what may or may not be happening with them.

An interview with Emmanuel Hubert on 14/6/2009 DS of Agritubel. Haven't read it yet...

 

[SimonC]

Interesting article with Chris Froome, I feel he'll be riding for Sky bigs there are big things expected of him in the future.

 

[craig1985]

An interview with Emmanuel Hubert on 14/6/2009 DS of Agritubel. Haven't read it yet...

I had to get it ranslated but they are still hopeful of finding a partner for the sum of 3m euros a year.

 

[Bala Verde]

The 21 year old Ben Gastauer (LUX) has signed a contract for 2 years with AG2R. Good showings in Fleche du Sud and Tour des Pays de Savoie (beating van Garderen in the GC)

 

[Bala Verde]

Revelation of the dutch national championship race this year, Joost van Leijen (24, Van Vliet - EBH Elshof) has been contracted by Vacansoleil. He'll be finishing the season as a trainee with Vacansoleil, and turn pro in 2010.

 

[Bala Verde]

Vansummeren (SIL) is about to sign with Garmin according to Het Nieuwsblad

 

[El_Pecharroman]

Vansummeren (SIL) is about to sign with Garmin according to Het Nieuwsblad

Great. Now, Johan will have a chance to be the leader of a Pro Tour team. How long will he arrive?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

heard about Johan, would provide some (needed) support for Maaskant at P-R

 

[issoisso]

heard about Johan, would provide some (needed) support for Maaskant at P-R

He's as strong as Maaskant on the cobbles and will likely lead the team in the Ardennes, as well as being a decent climber to support the TDF team.

The only advantage Maaskant has over him is sprinting.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

He's as strong as Maaskant on the cobbles and will likely lead the team in the Ardennes, as well as being a decent climber to support the TDF team.

The only advantage Maaskant has over him is sprinting.

Well Maaskant is also younger, and I'd expect a larger improvement from him then Johan, though co-leaders in the cobbles would work a treat.

 

[Bala Verde]

Serge Pauwels (26, Cervélo Test Team) will leave CTT for Sky at the end of the season. I think he had become 'unwanted' after he refused to obey orders in the Giro to drop back and help Sastre

 

[Christian]

The 21 year old Ben Gastauer (LUX) has signed a contract for 2 years with AG2R. Good showings in Fleche du Sud and Tour des Pays de Savoie (beating van Garderen in the GC)

Great news indeed. I think Gastauer is likely to be seen in the Tour de France one day, exactly at what level he'll ride, we shall see. In any case, he's a very promising rider and has had the chance to join a pretty good team (I personnally think AG2R to be the best French team).
That makes 4 Luxembourg professional riders again, since Benoît Joachim inofficially retired after he didn't get a new contract with Astana. If we get lucky, it might even be 5 - Laurent Didier who rides for Designa Kokken (DEN) might be able to join Saxo Bank soon.

 

[issoisso]

Didier was one of the 4 riders that Riis had signed a contract with for 2009 that he had to cancel when IT Factory went bust. (before you ask, I have no idea who the other 3 are. Kim Andersen said they wanted Pozzato, but that's about it)

 

[Christian]

Oh I did not even know that - thanks for the information! The version I heard was that he took him as a stagiar at the end of 2008, and then suggested that he spends another year with Designa Kokken before turning pro.

Maybe now that they got Playitas, Didier gets another shot!

 

[craig1985]

Where do people think Brice Feillu will go after his stage win the other day?

 

[Hammerhed]

But what about Cadel? Where is he going to go? Surely Silence Lotto has absolutely nothing to offer him but money, and I think he will want at least one more legitimate chance to win the Tour. So who need a real GC guy, and who wants one? Garmin must want one (more) since they were courting Albertico, and they will have some bucks if Millar and Wiggins leave. Columbia has a few aspiring GC guys with Martin and Rogers, but do they want a sprint and a (real) GC team? Saxo could use Cadel for one or two years while Andy matures a bit more. Katusha would be good as would Liquigas. I know this: Cadel needs to bail quickly, before he gets too old. This year, finally, he has the form, but still has no team.
Am I too far off topic, here? I'll stop. Sorry.

 

[issoisso]

Cadel can't break his contract. He signed a two year extension, so he's going to have to stay there until his contract ends.

 

[TibetT]

+1 The only way we will see Evans chanigning teams for 2010 is if Lotto agree to another team buying out his contract. You can count the number of teams with the cash and desire to do this on less than one hand.. Only 1 comes to mind.

 

[craig1985]

Vansummeren (SIL) is about to sign with Garmin according to Het Nieuwsblad

If van Summeren leaves then the S/L management should be shot.