Transfers "Rumours & Reality" and Young Guns

[Bala Verde]

Is there any more news of Fernando Alonso's cycling team? Spanish TV commentators at the Hungarian GP last weekend were suggesting that AC is going to lead "Team Santander".

Here is an older article about the alleged Alonso-Santander Team and here

Alonso also said the following:

Asked if his target would be to win the Tour de France, he answered: “Of course.”

However, the 27-year-old said it is too late to have the team up and running for next year.

“We’re already in July and that leaves us at risk for being ready for next year,” explained Alonso.

He added: “Contador has one year left on his (Astana team) contract. There’s maybe a possibility for the year after. We’ll see.”

no details, just speculation at this point I guess

 

[Payo2000]

... but if Astana dissolving then all AC's bets are off

 

[richwagmn]

: “Contador has one year left on his (Astana team) contract. There’s maybe a possibility for the year after. We’ll see.”

Isn't this the danger for AC? Remaining on Astana.

 

[Bala Verde]

Isn't this the danger for AC? Remaining on Astana.

I guess. AST/Vino are already vying for Contador's services, and openly suggested to extend the contract till 2012/2013... Vino showed a desire to become his road captain/lieutenant.

I doubt he (Contador) will want to stay longer if Alonso comes up with a concrete plan. At the moment, I don't know what he, or any other team, can do to go somewhere else (buy off the contract, to have him sign for one year, knowing that Alonso will then offer him a team, and he'll leave for free???)

anyhow, there is a WHERE WILL CONTADOR GO speculation thread to discuss this further

 

[richwagmn]

I guess. AST/Vino are already vying for Contador's services, and openly suggested to extend the contract till 2012/2013... Vino showed a desire to become his road captain/lieutenant.

I doubt he (Contador) will want to stay longer if Alonso comes up with a concrete plan. At the moment, I don't know what he, or any other team, can do to go somewhere else (buy off the contract, to have him sign for one year, knowing that Alonso will then offer him a team, and he'll leave for free???)

anyhow, there is a WHERE WILL CONTADOR GO speculation thread.

I've heard that most contracts were actually held with JB's company. I've read conflicting things about AC's contract.

 

[TRDean]

I guess. AST/Vino are already vying for Contador's services, and openly suggested to extend the contract till 2012/2013... Vino showed a desire to become his road captain/lieutenant.

I doubt he (Contador) will want to stay longer if Alonso comes up with a concrete plan. At the moment, I don't know what he, or any other team, can do to go somewhere else (buy off the contract, to have him sign for one year, knowing that Alonso will then offer him a team, and he'll leave for free???)

anyhow, there is a WHERE WILL CONTADOR GO speculation thread to discuss this further

Bala, that is interesting...would Astana get a tour nod if Vino is with the team in 2010? I thought that was a nail in the coffin of AC staying on with Astana...any thoughts?

 

[bvfrompc]

Here's a thought, Astana with Vino will never ride in the tour.

Anyone with any brains who wants to ride in the tour will not come anywhere near Astana.

 

[badboyberty]

Any one know where the Feilleu brothers are headed next year (assuming Brice didn't manage to save Agritubel)? I'm hoping to to see Romain in a team that can actually position him in some sprints. He came around Ciolek in stage 2 but seems to do better in chaotic sprints than the orderly processions Columbia kept on setting up for the rest of the tour.

 

[53 x 11]

Any one know where the Feilleu brothers are headed next year (assuming Brice didn't manage to save Agritubel)? I'm hoping to to see Romain in a team that can actually position him in some sprints. He came around Ciolek in stage 2 but seems to do better in chaotic sprints than the orderly processions Columbia kept on setting up for the rest of the tour.

Savings & Loans .

 

[badboyberty]

Savings & Loans .

Not with you and Clipsal?

 

[53 x 11]

Not with you and Clipsal?

Hahahahaha. Would make a good dom.

Anyway I dont think that either one of them will go to a non-french team. French climbers seem to be rare at the moment and as a result the french pro-tour teams will be fighting over Brice especially.

 

[badboyberty]

Hahahahaha. Would make a good dom.

Anyway I dont think that either one of them will go to a non-french team. French climbers seem to as rare at the moment and as a result the french pro-tour teams will be fighting over Brice especially.

Yeah, I'd expect to see them in FDJ kits next year. The Feilleu brothers seem almost as conjoined as the Schecks so I don't see them going separate ways. FDJ need more support for LeMevel and Casar in the hills, and haven't had a sprinter of note for a while, so the pair should work well for them.

 

[mutschi]

Good thread boys, keep it up. Just read the whole thing. Can't resist throwing my unimportant and uninformed opinion in....

Greipel
Prediction: He is a winner and Cavendish vs Greipel will be the sprinting duel in the next 3 years. He has to change teams or always will be No.2 at Colombia. Logical teams for Greipel: Milram, SKY, RadioShack

Evans
Great cyclists but not a big time winner - never was, never will be. He is missing the X-Faktor, missing leader ship qualities and to be frank, brains. I read he has the biggest VOMax of all cyclists. Why is that? Because his lungs grew upwards and replaced his brains. Every team taking him on as a GC contender would be nuts. He would whine the whole team to bits, no-one really works for him, just hasn't the x-factor. A real shame because he is a good cyclist and it would be great for Australia to have a TdF winner with so much talent coming from Down Under.
If he has some brain cells left he might give up on his TDF Dreams (he had his chances and missed them) and think money and work for Lance next year - if he is smart enough and wanted by Lance.

 

[Buninyong Bunny]

Any one know where the Feilleu brothers are headed next year (assuming Brice didn't manage to save Agritubel)? I'm hoping to to see Romain in a team that can actually position him in some sprints. He came around Ciolek in stage 2 but seems to do better in chaotic sprints than the orderly processions Columbia kept on setting up for the rest of the tour.

I honestly would have thought AG2R would be the better bet considering there much larger budget and the fact that Brice will actually get considerable support from the team. Certainly FDJ will try and get them, but I honestly think it will become a staright price, especially if they want to stay in France.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Some people are sure the Feuillu are headed to Radio Shack...

...but I think they will join another french team. FDJ is a good pick, mutschi. They did have a sprinter at this year TdF, which was the Lanterne Rouge. Considering the good results this year, they have pretty good ground to ask for reinforcement. While Le Mevel and Casar did place well, the team was somewhat invisible itself.

 

[badboyberty]

Some people are sure the Feuillu are headed to Radio Shack...

I think so far the only rider in the pro-peloton who hasn't been rumoured to be joining Radio Shack is Simeoni...

 

[issoisso]

Contador says he won't go to Alonso's team, if the team exists.

Can you say "Caisse"?

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Contador says he won't go to Alonso's team, if the team exists.

Can you say "Caisse"?

Source?
But yeah seems logical he wouldn't join a non existent team. It's too late to apply for 2010 to the UCI anyway, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[issoisso]

Source?
But yeah seems logical he wouldn't join a non existent team. It's too late to apply for 2010 to the UCI anyway, if I'm not mistaken.

TV. TVE to be more specific. I'll post a link if I find it on "de interwebz"

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

TV. TVE to be more specific. I'll post a link if I find it on "de interwebz"

Thanks, I'll take your word for it and it shouldn't be long before it appears on L'Equipe.

 

[richwagmn]

Contador says he won't go to Alonso's team, if the team exists.

Can you say "Caisse"?

The thing is, unless he's been released from his contract, he can't talk to anybody until Sept 1st. I think we're all going to have to wait for a while.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

The thing is, unless he's been released from his contract, he can't talk to anybody until Sept 1st. I think we're all going to have to wait for a while.

This is correct as I understand it - riders and teams can be fined for talking about transfers/renewals before Sept 1st.

But it just occured to me how are team Radio Shack able to 'confirm' their riders?

 

[Bala Verde]

This is correct as I understand it - riders and teams can be fined for talking about transfers/renewals before Sept 1st.

But it just occured to me how are team Radio Shack able to 'confirm' their riders?

I think the rule states that it will only be effectuated when a team/rider brings a complaint before the UCI.

That's why names of riders have been released that have extended, signed contracts, because no one felt disadvantaged...

But then again, I could be wrong, right

 

[Bala Verde]

An interesting sponsor change. Lampre loses co-sponsor NGC starting 2010, which has aligned with Carmiooro-A Style.

Perhaps due to the increase in budget, they have expressed an interest for Gabriele Bosisio (28 yrs, LPR)

Emanuele Sella has already signed for Carmiooro-A Style, and will join them after his ban (August 19), is over. He intends to ride the Coppa Agostoni.

 

[TRDean]

An interesting sponsor change. Lampre loses co-sponsor NGC starting 2010, which has aligned with Carmiooro-A Style.

Perhaps due to the increase in budget, they have expressed an interest for Gabriele Bosisio (28 yrs, LPR)

Emanuele Sella has already signed for Carmiooro-A Style, and will join them after his ban (August 19), is over. He intends to ride the Coppa Agostoni.

Bala, thanks for the info!!

Where do you get your stuff?