Transfers "Rumours & Reality" and Young Guns

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

It's been unofficially confirmed he will

oh ok cheers. seems to have a bright future.

 

[issoisso]

I think for now, since they are relatively young, they won't be competitive at the highest level already.

I agree with most of your assesments, but van Garderen seems more of a stage racer at this point.

Gretsch meanwhile is a pure TT horse.

 

[ingsve]

I think for now, since they are relatively young, they won't be competitive at the highest level already.

I'm guessing Columbia hopes that too. I think they would like it if these riders could stay talented and helpful for a couple years so that they won't come demanding high salaries in a years time because they've won 10 races each.

 

[Bala Verde]

I agree with most of your assesments, but van Garderen seems more of a stage racer at this point.

Gretsch meanwhile is a pure TT horse.

I share that idea, since he has the climbing and TT skills. I didn't mention it though because I don't know how he will be brought/performing in elite stage races. On top of that, I remember an interview in which he expressed his passion for LBL.

For those 2 reasons I thought it would be easier - for now - to classify him as an Ardennes Classics guy.

Eager to see what his and Ghyselinck's program will be like next year.

 

[racerralph]

so thats JV's principles out of the window then.. :/ i actually had faith in a clean garmin.. but thats ones for the clinic massively dissapointed if this turns out to be true..

How boring and tired these insinuations of an unclean Garmin should AC come to the team. I'm sure JV will be heart broken that you're disappointed. I suggest the topic is a thread better discussed with your friends... off line.

The Cult of Disrespect gathers momentum, by the minute.

 

[Mickey75]

I initially was interested in this thread due to the fact it was supposed to be about rider transfers and rumours about same. The thread has very quickly like a lot of threads become another place to cast aspersions about riders such as Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador. I also imagine that these comments come from people (like myself) who could only finish a stage of a race in their dreams. Why not stick to the supposed subject of the thread it is far more interesting and the rumours are probably more factual than half the posts about the aforementioned riders.

 

[Raupi7]

http://www.velo-club.net is reporting that Radio Shack is interested in Nikolas Maes

 

[ak-zaaf]

http://www.velo-club.net is reporting that Radio Shack is interested in Nikolas Maes

La Dernière Heure is saying the deal is almost done.
Great transfer, Maes shows real promise.

 

[Bala Verde]

La Dernière Heure is saying the deal is almost done.
Great transfer, Maes shows real promise.

RS working on their Flemish Classics team huh.

 

[samb01]

RS working on their Flemish Classics team huh.

Well, they do need atleast 25 riders after all, and it's currently a bit of a sellers market with many new wannabe PT-teams. That's not to say that Maes isn't a decent talent.

 

[samb01]

The local paper of Team Joker-Bianchi rider Frederik Wilmann is reporting that he spent yesterday in Amsterdam, supposedly in a meeting with Skil-Shimano management.

Chances are we'll have seven Norwegian pros next year. I like it.

 

[TRDean]

The local paper of Team Joker-Bianchi rider Frederik Wilmann is reporting that he spent yesterday in Amsterdam, supposedly in a meeting with Skil-Shimano management.

Chances are we'll have seven Norwegian pros next year. I like it.

As a Skil fan that sounds promising...what does anyone know of Frederik Wilmann? Also, Skil must be thinking about a big name signing. They have let numerous riders go, and having just applied for a PT license...they need at least 1 big name. Any thoughts?

 

[ingsve]

As a Skil fan that sounds promising...what does anyone know of Frederik Wilmann? Also, Skil must be thinking about a big name signing. They have let numerous riders go, and having just applied for a PT license...they need at least 1 big name. Any thoughts?

He's the son of the former pro Jostein Wilmann who is the best climber that Norway ever had. Frederik is also a climber so he will likely ride the tougher races in the year. It's hard to say how he would measure up in the biggest mountains though since it's hard to get a real test in climbing skill in lesser races where the mountains aren't as long and high and the competition isn't as though.

 

[Anonymous]

How boring and tired these insinuations of an unclean Garmin should AC come to the team. I'm sure JV will be heart broken that you're disappointed. I suggest the topic is a thread better discussed with your friends... off line.

The Cult of Disrespect gathers momentum, by the minute.

they are indeed and i apologise for my momentary lapse and my resultant cynasism.. it compares with the previous 3 page sidetrack into armstrong and the radio shack...
now look at me, because of your response im being drawn into replying.. maybe it would have best just to ignore my original comment..
damn.. i apologise for this one..

Im actually dissapointed if this turns out to be true for a number of reasons.. im a big fan of garmin and what JV has tried to do there. Contador does not fit in with the ethos of the team which on the whole has been one of picking up and developing young talent and bringing it through (similar in many ways to columbia/high road). I am looking forward to brad challenging next year with his colleuges at garmin behind him. I fail to see what bringing in a 4 time grand tour winner, who probably doesnt even need any support to win, does to further the garmin cause (except please the sponsors) A year down the road contador leaves, then what, TD, DM to be team leader.. I think personally it would be better to keep brad, support him next year and hope that in return for that support and if he believes garmin can win him major races that he re signs for another year..

For brad as well, i really dont see why being at sky would give him any more chance than being at garmin for another year, although dave brailsford i have ultimate faith in, and SKY will win major tours, many many times.

So there are many reasons i dont like the idea..

as for my original comment, part of my surprise was that dave brailfords interviews when related to the bio passport and then contador was a very severe no.. what did DB see that JV doesnt.. unless DB was a no because this was planned all along.. ?

 

[Anonymous]

As a Skil fan that sounds promising...what does anyone know of Frederik Wilmann? Also, Skil must be thinking about a big name signing. They have let numerous riders go, and having just applied for a PT license...they need at least 1 big name. Any thoughts?

eurosport today reporting that skil are looking for a sponsor.. :?

 

[issoisso]

Kashechkin will make his return at the Worlds, RR+TT, as his suspension ends the day before. Therefore he is looking for a team.

He will not sign for Kazakhastana most likely, as his relationship with Vinokourov has apparently gone very very sour.

 

[Publicus]

they are indeed and i apologise for my momentary lapse and my resultant cynasism.. it compares with the previous 3 page sidetrack into armstrong and the radio shack...
now look at me, because of your response im being drawn into replying.. maybe it would have best just to ignore my original comment..
damn.. i apologise for this one..

Im actually dissapointed if this turns out to be true for a number of reasons.. im a big fan of garmin and what JV has tried to do there. Contador does not fit in with the ethos of the team which on the whole has been one of picking up and developing young talent and bringing it through (similar in many ways to columbia/high road). I am looking forward to brad challenging next year with his colleuges at garmin behind him. I fail to see what bringing in a 4 time grand tour winner, who probably doesnt even need any support to win, does to further the garmin cause (except please the sponsors) A year down the road contador leaves, then what, TD, DM to be team leader.. I think personally it would be better to keep brad, support him next year and hope that in return for that support and if he believes garmin can win him major races that he re signs for another year..

For brad as well, i really dont see why being at sky would give him any more chance than being at garmin for another year, although dave brailsford i have ultimate faith in, and SKY will win major tours, many many times.

So there are many reasons i dont like the idea..

as for my original comment, part of my surprise was that dave brailfords interviews when related to the bio passport and then contador was a very severe no.. what did DB see that JV doesnt.. unless DB was a no because this was planned all along.. ?

Let's assume that for the sake of argument that JV is a man of his word and he will in fact examine AC's bio passport. If what JV sees doesn't give him Kohl-like heartburn, why would you look down upon Garmin? They are in a tough situation with two American ProTour quality teams on the horizon, with one winning (Columbia) or one expecting to draw significant attention (RadioShack/Armstrong). If they can sign AC without jeopardizing their announced principles, I say more power to them (win for everyone).

 

[racerralph]

they are indeed and i apologise for my momentary lapse and my resultant cynasism.. it compares with the previous 3 page sidetrack into armstrong and the radio shack...
now look at me, because of your response im being drawn into replying.. maybe it would have best just to ignore my original comment..
damn.. i apologise for this one..

Im actually dissapointed if this turns out to be true for a number of reasons.. im a big fan of garmin and what JV has tried to do there. Contador does not fit in with the ethos of the team which on the whole has been one of picking up and developing young talent and bringing it through (similar in many ways to columbia/high road). I am looking forward to brad challenging next year with his colleuges at garmin behind him. I fail to see what bringing in a 4 time grand tour winner, who probably doesnt even need any support to win, does to further the garmin cause (except please the sponsors) A year down the road contador leaves, then what, TD, DM to be team leader.. I think personally it would be better to keep brad, support him next year and hope that in return for that support and if he believes garmin can win him major races that he re signs for another year..

For brad as well, i really dont see why being at sky would give him any more chance than being at garmin for another year, although dave brailsford i have ultimate faith in, and SKY will win major tours, many many times.

So there are many reasons i dont like the idea..

as for my original comment, part of my surprise was that dave brailfords interviews when related to the bio passport and then contador was a very severe no.. what did DB see that JV doesnt.. unless DB was a no because this was planned all along.. ?

Okay, Okay. That does take the edge off of your original comments, and clarifies them a lot better. Developmental reasons are certainly a noble cause. However, as Publicus says in another retort to your answer to me. Sponsor pressures to field a winner make AC an attractive vision for anyone that can pony up the cash needed to obtain him from Astana. If Sky and Garmin can put together a deal they like, I can't object. And, I think AC will pass any bar that's set for him, with his blood work. At that point, I think all parties will end up happy. Sky with Wiggo, and JV/Garmin with Alberto. But at this point it's all still speculation, at best.

 

[Bala Verde]

Kashechkin will make his return at the Worlds, RR+TT, as his suspension ends the day before. Therefore he is looking for a team.

He will not sign for Kazakhastana most likely, as his relationship with Vinokourov has apparently gone very very sour.

Any news on why they have grown to dislike each other?

 

[issoisso]

Any news on why they have grown to dislike each other?

Nope. But considering each of their life stories so far, probably something right out of a mexican soap opera script.

 

[craig1985]

Why would Astana give up Contador for such little amount of money, or even at all? I would tell Garmin and Sky to go where the sun don't shine.

 

[TRDean]

Let's assume that for the sake of argument that JV is a man of his word and he will in fact examine AC's bio passport. If what JV sees doesn't give him Kohl-like heartburn, why would you look down upon Garmin? They are in a tough situation with two American ProTour quality teams on the horizon, with one winning (Columbia) or one expecting to draw significant attention (RadioShack/Armstrong). If they can sign AC without jeopardizing their announced principles, I say more power to them (win for everyone).

I agree about the competition between "American" registered teams...however, there is a major difference. Garmin is very American based...with many US/Canadian riders. There is a smattering of Euros in the team, but it is an American team. Columbia, while registered in the US...is not a US team where the riders are concerned. With the exception of TJ coming in for next year they barely have any US content on the road. RadioCrap is in the same boat. Heck, right now they look more Belgian than anything. I think JV could do wonders to really market his team as the true American team, made up of North American riders. Don't compete with the Columbia/Radio teams on the win front...because JV has stated there is more to it than wins. Just my thoughts.

 

[craig1985]

I agree about the competition between "American" registered teams...however, there is a major difference. Garmin is very American based...with many US/Canadian riders. There is a smattering of Euros in the team, but it is an American team. Columbia, while registered in the US...is not a US team where the riders are concerned. With the exception of TJ coming in for next year they barely have any US content on the road. RadioCrap is in the same boat. Heck, right now they look more Belgian than anything. I think JV could do wonders to really market his team as the true American team, made up of North American riders. Don't compete with the Columbia/Radio teams on the win front...because JV has stated there is more to it than wins. Just my thoughts.

Radio Shack's previous life as Discovery Channel always had Belgians along with George Hincapie for the Classics, Spaniard's as the climbers and so on. But it is interesting that they have recruited a lot of sprinters.

 

[Parcours]

Team Sky riders are to be announced within the hour, along with announcements of Bike Supplier and Kit Maker.

 

[TRDean]

Team Sky riders are to be announced within the hour, along with announcements of Bike Supplier and Kit Maker.

Sweet!! Please update!!