Winless teams

[Ferminal]

Christian why don't you capatalize SKY?

Surely you mean 'SKY PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM' ?

 

[Andy99]

I'm sure members of the team knew when they were going too far.

Quoth Marc Madiot, "my riders use wind tunnels too, but I don't need to put out a press release to say so".

Sky kept pushing this whole "bringing technology to cycling" angle then putting out info that was not exactly innovative. It was seen by many as patronising. What was especially galling was the site taking credit for Nicole Cooke's Olympic gold because she wore a skinsuit, while Brailsford simultaneously ignored her while she begged cap in hand for a ride and/or funding after the Skyter Shipping disaster.

Thankfully, the péloton took out a bit of rough justice, and Sky toned it down to the point where they're just another team in the péloton now. Thankfully for Sky fans, also, they took out that justice in a relatively inconsequential event rather than at something important.

To be honest, Sky had a pretty good year last year, but their focusing on the Tour in the media and the ridiculous hype they foisted upon themselves meant that it was seen as disappointing. In reality, given the roster they had, problems that befell them like EBH being unwell in the Spring, Arvesen (one of the best road captains in the business) being injured and the death of Txema González at the Vuelta, and that it was a first year set-up, they should be very happy with the results of their first year. Very happy.

You seem to be misunderstanding the fact that the press hype wasn't intended in any way to impress the likes of Marc Madiot....it was targeted towards the majority of the British public, who admittedly know jack all about cycling. This is all part of skys credible aim to inspire 1 million more people to cycle.

That Marc Madiot felt the need to respond to such tripe tells me more about him than it does sky.

And really, what power does Dave Brailsford have to help Nicole Cooke? It's not his cash paying for the team you know?! I would guess he would have broached the subject of possibly funding a womens team to sky. But to be honest, there just wouldn't be any return. How often do you see a womens race on TV - or even mentioned in the media full stop? (and I'm not saying this is a good thing before you start!)

British Cycling themselves did send Nicole and the GB womens team to compete in many of the top races. (funded by your hated SKY no less)

 

[theyoungest]

This is true, and for that he must be commended. Sadly he will now be taken onto the bus of scientific advancement and flagellated by Brailsford for deviating from the marginal gains template by taking a minute out of the chasers at Omloop. How is the marginal gains template ever to take off if the leadout aren't given the chance to take their leader to 200m short of where he needs to be?

Meanwhile over in Spain, your friends from Euskaltel sign a first year espoir to their pro team, to make sure they have at least one half decent sprinter now that Koldo is injured. That's what I call a team with a plan.

 

[Parrulo]

Meanwhile over in Spain, your friends from Euskaltel sign a first year espoir to their pro team, to make sure they have at least one half decent sprinter now that Koldo is injured. That's what I call a team with a plan.

well you have to take into account that euskaltel has a much smaller budget then sky and has another goals for their season.

at the end of the day i have much more respect for euskaltel and their riders then for sky and their riders

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

well you have to take into account that euskaltel has a much smaller budget then sky and has another goals for their season.

at the end of the day i have much more respect for euskaltel and their riders then for sky and their riders

why is that ?
What is it these riders do or don't do to not earn your high regard? Because you like euskatel more, their more low key attitude??? I cannot justify what you have just posted.

never thought i'd say this, but I like sky a lot better the leopard

 

[Arnout]

Meanwhile over in Spain, your friends from Euskaltel sign a first year espoir to their pro team, to make sure they have at least one half decent sprinter now that Koldo is injured. That's what I call a team with a plan.

Pello Bilbao is not really a sprinter.

 

[Christian]

Christian why don't you capatalize SKY?

Do they want it to be capitalized?

 

[theyoungest]

Pello Bilbao is not really a sprinter.

Tell Euskaltel team management about that.

well you have to take into account that euskaltel has a much smaller budget then sky and has another goals for their season.

at the end of the day i have much more respect for euskaltel and their riders then for sky and their riders

Indeed, it's difficult to criticize Euskaltel in cobbled races. They're off the back before the final even starts. However, if you win the race, you've ruined it, apparently.

 

[hrotha]

Tell Euskaltel team management about that.


Indeed, it's difficult to criticize Euskaltel in cobbled races. They're off the back before the final even starts. However, if you win the race, you've ruined it, apparently.

Have they said they signed Bilbao as a sprinter? Because from what I've read they've just signed him to fill Koldo's place in the roster, not Koldo's role. They have other sprinters and a neo-pro is not going to be better than them.

 

[theyoungest]

Have they said they signed Bilbao as a sprinter? Because from what I've read they've just signed him to fill Koldo's place in the roster, not Koldo's role. They have other sprinters and a neo-pro is not going to be better than them.

His last result is 6th in a sprint at the Ruta del Sol. If they didn't sign him as a sprinter, well, then I really don't understand the plan

 

[Parrulo]

why is that ?
What is it these riders do or don't do to not earn your high regard? Because you like euskatel more, their more low key attitude??? I cannot justify what you have just posted.

never thought i'd say this, but I like sky a lot better the leopard

what i meant is that euskaltel has a much smaller budget so they can't go around having a team doing well in all kinds of races. they also can't hire some1 like flecha or boonen or breshel or pozzato to at least have 1 good guy there. they can't even hire some1 like contador to guarantee a victory in the kind of races they focus on. what they do is they develop their own riders from young age most of them from the team region. and most of those riders( samu being a big example) stay with the team even tho they prolly had better offers.

thats what i meant. maybe i used the wrong words our was a bit harsh but still . . .

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

what i meant is that euskaltel has a much smaller budget so they can't go around having a team doing well in all kinds of races. they also can't hire some1 like flecha or boonen or breshel or pozzato to at least have 1 good guy there. they can't even hire some1 like contador to guarantee a victory in the kind of races they focus on. what they do is they develop their own riders from young age most of them from the team region. and most of those riders( samu being a big example) stay with the team even tho they prolly had better offers.

thats what i meant. maybe i used the wrong words our was a bit harsh but still . . .

I got that, and I get why you might respect the way the team is run.

But why you would have more respect for euskatel riders, just because they apart of this system, more then sky riders is silly. All riders develop you know Sure sky buy good riders whom are already developed, but they still were developing in some point of their career. What jersey a rider wears should not effect the respect level. nonsense.

 

[Parrulo]

I got that, and I get why you might respect the way the team is run.

But why you would have more respect for euskatel riders, just because they apart of this system, more then sky riders is silly. All riders develop you know Sure sky buy good riders whom are already developed, but they still were developing in some point of their career. What jersey a rider wears should not effect the respect level. nonsense.

now you are just being pedantic

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

now you are just being pedantic

No, I just couldn't understand why you would hold the euskatel riders in higher regard then sky.

Anyway I've stated my point, this is getting off topic.

AC might snatch Saxo's first win this weekend.

 

[Barrus]

No, I just couldn't understand why you would hold the euskatel riders in higher regard then sky.

Anyway I've stated my point, this is getting off topic.

AC might snatch Saxo's first win this weekend.

What is he riding this weekend? Isn't he doing Paris-Nice next week?

 

[Christian]

Isn't he doing Paris-Nice next week?

I thought he is skipping Paris-Nice this year

 

[jaylew]

What is he riding this weekend? Isn't he doing Paris-Nice next week?

He's doing Murcia instead; they overlap.

 

[Barrus]

He's doing Murcia instead; they overlap.

Ah okay, I know they overlap, I just thought he again went to Paris-Nice instead of Murcia

 

[luckyboy]

Voted BMC. Think it'l be either them or Leopard.

 

[El Pistolero]

Both Euskaltel and Saxo have a huge chance at succes in Murcia.

Come'on BMC win something soon

 

[Jamsque]

Time to take Leopard-Trek off the list.

 

[Anonymous]

Looks like its going to be BMC then

 

[El Pistolero]

Yup, BMC.

...

 

[Mellow Velo]

BMC staring down the barrel of last place, for sure, now.
The only question is when will they finally score a win.
I'm thinking April............
...............2012.

 

[kurtinsc]

Anyone remember who was the last major team to score a win last year (say pro-tour from last season, this season and Cervelo Test)?

I seem to remember BMC was being talked about then as well before Cadel won Flèche Wallonne. Or was that the last team to win their first last year?