Astana Means Business
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 20, 2009 2:52 PM EDT
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Over the last week, it seems like Astana has gotten serious about trying to keep Contador. It seems that Vino has kept his promise about being willing to do anything to keep the Spaniard but he and his Kazakh brethren are making deals left and right...
In about the last 2 weeks they have:
-Brought on a new co-sponsor-Samruk, which is the state holding and investment firm for Kazakhstan.
-Signed David de La Fuente from Fuji Servetto, which is actually surviving for another year as Footon-Servetto so not all of the riders will be making a mass exodus
-Yesterday they signed Paolo Tiralongo from Lampre who placed 8th in the Vuelta, reportedly signed Enrico Gasparotto(Lampre) but nothing confirmed, and Gorazd Stangelz from Liquigas
-They signed Team Manager Yvon Sanquer and two BIG Directors in Guido Bontempi and Giuseppe Martinelli. Martinelli, who has lead teams to 4 Grand Tour wins with riders such as Pantani, Cunego and Simoni, was the leader at Mercante Uno and Saeco before starting the failed Amica Chips-Knauf this year. Bontempi, who was a highly skilled sprinter with 26 Grand Tour stage wins to his name and was a DS at Saeco and Lampre among some others. They know there stuff.
Some might think this is a good start but even more rumors of high profile signings are emerging
More on the flip....
In the last week, rumors have emerged of some major high profile signings in the works at Astana...
-Allan Davis of Quick Step. Davis still has a year left on his deal at QS but has gotten an offer from Astana which would lead him to be the main sprinter and some freedom which he has not really been able to obtain with riders like Tom Boonen around. It would be his first time with Contador and Vinokourov...remember Liberty Seguros?
-Gilberto Simoni-Most will say that he is over the hill and he has seen better years for sure but the old boy can still go fast uphill and his results from the Giro speak this when he was still in the top 15 on many of the mountainous stages. He could reunite with his old leader in Martinelli and try to seek out one last, desperate stage in his beloved Giro.
-More strong rumors indicate talks with riders such as Ruben Plaza, Giampaolo Caruso of Ceramica Flamini and Xavi Tondo from Andalucia-Cajasur,
The Kazakhs mean serious business and Contador cannot scoff at the team they are trying to present to him so that he can make a run at more Grand Tours. With his spanish buddies (Noval, Hernandez, Navarro, and Zubeldia) still with Astana and new signings coming in to the team, it has the looks of being a team that could contend.
More people could look at this team and scream DOPE! and run away with names such as Vinokourov, Plaza, Davis and anybody who might have been implicated in Puerto but I still have hope. The way Vino has been riding in the last months it has been inspiring and hopefully it has been done clean. Hopefully that the ASO and RCS can give them a chance just as long as they can show some signs of cleanliness.
With the reduced TT miles and no TTT in the Tour and the amount of riders that can sprint uphill in this group, it will make Contador think very hard about trying to go to another team.
Sources:Velonews, Tuttobiciweb.it, feltet.dk, and cqranking.com
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Is Vino wanting to go for the overall at the 2010 TdF ?
And if Alberto stays on, what will happen with the rivalry for top spot?
Vino says
they ride for the Accountant. Some may laugh hysterically, but I believe him.
+1
Hate to say it but I really don’t see AC’s leadership being contested by Vino.
i'm doubt that it will all go perfectly smoothly
(i mean we’re talking vino and astana here) but i think it will work out alright and be a lot of fun to watch
That's Not All
I recall reading that Kazakhs have recently signed a number of important business contracts with the French. That should ensure Astana’s presence at the Tour next year.
Yvon Sanquer is currently in charge of French licencing for Conti and Pro-Conti teams and is well connected at FFC and ASO.
Also, if Vino’s said he’ll ride for Bert, then he will. The two get on well, having been team mates at Liberty Seguros. Vino hosted a dinner for Bert after Paris-Nice this year and the following day they rode the Monaco prologue together.
Frankly, I can’t see what else they can do to ensure that they keep their licence and get invited to the Tour.
Regardless of Reputations
This is good for cycling. This could be a powerful team, with backing. That said, I’d say they are going to be checked real well in any big races.
I don’t see it personally or culturally happening, but what would really make it would be Vino just saying yes I was part of the culture and blood injected. Even if he said it was an expected thing and he doesn’t regret it (which I believe), it would kind of clear the air.
I don't get it
Why is everything good for cycling? Why isn’t it better if the unhealthy elements are allowed to die and fall by the wayside leaving more room for the healthy teams to flourish?
Kohl and Schumacher could form part of a 'powerful' team.
I’m sure their reappearance would be good for cycling.
/snark
Oh god
please don’t tell me you’re a Randroid with skyscraper envy about Howard Roark?
by LurkerMcLurkerson on Oct 23, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Its good for PRO Road Cycling
That a powerful team gets backing. To talk frankly and I won’t discuss because it is all personal, I don’t believe Vino is any worse than a lot of other riders and I happen to believe (personally with no proof) that the great champion of the sport over the last decade did similar things and got away with it. If he can ride, then all the guys who got caught should be able to ride following their penalties. This confession is good for the soul thing is very western especially English heritage in my experience and I don’t really feel that much against any of those guys. It WAS the culture. Of course the pro culture has changed somewhat and if anybody gets caught now, there isn’t the same excuse.
Ok
There’s stuff to agree with here for sure.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 20, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Since when did westerners get souls?
I thought the end justified the means.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
Speaking of Astana, the UCI was supposed to make a decision on their PT license today
and because it’s the UCI they didn’t.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
That said, I'm guessing the reason why not is what's summarized in this post.
Astana today is not Astana last week, from a PT licensing perspective.
If it weren't for the UCI's reputation of getting nothing done on time I may cut them some slack
but they can never keep their word, I’m assuming AC is quite anxious on learning what his future will be.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
I am hitting refresh
on l’Equipe.fr about every 10 minutes. Sporza too. Nothing.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 20, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you see what time it is?
They’re all through their third glass of wine by now. No news today.
Freaking Americans.
What's the lag time
between the UCI making a decision and actually telling anyone? I’d guess 72 hours.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 20, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
According to cyclingweekly.co.uk...
McQuaid corrects Contador on Astana PT license approval date. Says it may not be settled til mid-November.
I wonder if Bert wanted to get an actual pistol when hearing this news
but it should read “McQuaid corrects incorrect self on Astana PT approval date”, sheesh those guys are SLOW.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
full quote here,
from cycling weekly :
Union Cycliste Internationale president Pat McQuaid told Cycling Weekly during the Gran Gala awards evening in Italy that Contador has made a mistake of naming today as a key deadline for his future.
The Astana team only has to supply basic details and guarantees for today’s deadline such as naming sponsors and a minimum of 12 riders. McQuaid explained that Contador would only be free to change teams today if those requirements were not met. Otherwise Astana’s ProTour application would then continue and would be decided by the UCI licence commission in several weeks’ time.
colour me cycnical
But I am guessing 2010 will be Simoni’s biggest annual salary of his career …. hence the lack of retirement
Moo
I'd love to see Gibo support AC
and have one final go at a Giro stage win, I think he still has a chance at the Zoncolan. With these signings I feel better about AC staying with Astana.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
Vino's not going to contest the TdF GC
Assuming that AC stays (big assumption), Vino will support AC until he sees a stage win possibility for himself. And I doubt AC will give two shits about that, as Vino will not be a GC threat.
absolutely
and having a stage hunter up the road is always good business strategically mid Tour for the favourite (ie. Astana can let other teams lead the Peloton)
Moo
If they sign the Chicken then any hope I have for Astana disappears.
As for Simoni, send him to Lampre! That team needs some serious help too.
"As you can imagine, there are better places to have your birthday party than in some village called Mushny Mush Mishme." --The Wisdom of Jens
No way they sign Rasmussen...He will probably go to a spanish team...or Rock Racing.
and Simoni actually wants to win a race this year and not have to help Cunego
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 20, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, Rock Racing
I’d make some joke about being king of Mexican and South American races, but I don’t want to denigrate those races . . .
If Contador has any sense at all, and gets stuck there...
…he will tell them that he’ll personally report the first hint of doping he sees to the UCI and then sue for release.
Even then, riding in this company is probably not going to be comfortable…
look closer
With the scary list they’re putting together, Martinelli as bold leader and moral compass combined with the scrutiny they will be under? I’d be surprised if they make it past stage3 of Tirreno before the first shit hits the fan. And when the shit does hit the fan you know it’s going to be “Goodbye TdF” and “Hello Happy Texan twittering” for Contador.
What kind of moron uses th OP list as a shortlist for recruitment in 2009 anyway?
Shit hitting fan = Contador's plan B
He’s probably going to travel light and keep his bags packed.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
Well, for starters, b/c AC has fairly successfully shoved the questions about himself...
…to one side. Part of his ability to do that has been a result of the fact that Bruyneel’s Astana, for whatever reason, has avoided any major doping positives. Another part of it is that Bruyneel’s Astana has mostly avoided surrounding him with people who are perceived as seriously suspect (Kloden being the notable exception). The new Astana regime is already turning out to be much worse on the second score. Irrespective of whether it also turns out to be worse on the first score, as Jens, for instance, expects it will, there is going to be both the expectation on many people’s parts that it is likely to, and all the increased scrutiny and questions that will come with that.
You're not alone, but I hope you don't have your wish come true ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Urrrrnnnnghh
[deep breath]
Well it reached 35 degrees here today, much to my delight….
Bugger the weather
I think we’re a bit like mozzies… a bit of a buzz, but hardly worth acknowledging. ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Seahorse, why do you insist on making me *think*?
(Oh, of course… teacher ;-)… )
No, no, it’s OK… I’ll figure it out… eventually…
Mozzies? Evil bastards, who approach me at their peril… I’m on the wrong track, I think…
Wrong blood type ;) they hate me
Perhaps not a good analogy… but really neither of us are any more annoying than insects, and we sure as hell aren’t a swarm ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
If the licence should be revoked
… you bloody-well watch me swarm!
(Fortunately, I can’t see it happening :-). The thought of it still sends me into a gibbering rage, though…)
I think it's safe too... but I'm touching wood.
I understand about the rage (outrage?) though ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You can do your weird carpentry voodoo
…this time, if you must.
After all, we’re talking about the UCI here… not as dependable as an on-form Tony in a TT…
Phew. I can take my feet off the floor now.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Would it be bad?
You’re kidding me, Frinking! Can you see a positive side to it…?!
*Do* they have an invitation for the Tour?
Without the licence, and therefore without Contador?
All the PT teams had an invitation for the Tour.
That’s why BBox and Cofidis are save for next years
There's more uncertainty though...
You have to wait for invitations rather than knowing what your program will be.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Can you see ASO turning this one down
Big Tex v Pistolero, the rematch.
Add a couple of publicity shots in ponchos, a little bit of Morricone (da-da-da-da, waa waa waa, da-da-da-da, waa waa waa), a small piccie of Schleckette in a corner as the sub-plot, Johan and Vino in supportting roles, and watch those box-office dollars roll in.
I agree ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Would that be Levi? =)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Sorry, late here
but there’ll have to be another pattern of three… it’s never going to work.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Of course, that's the roles for Johan and Vino
the love interest, a la Bardot, Raquel Welch or whichever well-stacked clone they chose. For all we know they’ve already got their own dresses.
Ah, classic!
See, there are two kinds of people in this world, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig…
I suspect that Big Tex is the kind who digs…
The PT having Invitation to Tour only comes into play next year, this year still up to GT's
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
There are principles involved I think
…although many will argue that principles dictate they should be axed.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
My bloody word there are principles involved!
Hence the outrage thing, of course.
Honestly, I reckon I’d have to go and get a job at the Bureau of Meteorology…
LOL!
I’m weather type nervous, but I must admit that there’s more than a whiff of cultural imperialism underlying a lot of this. I’m ducking now..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You're doing it again, *sigh*
11:30pm, and Lou is sitting up… hemming a pair of jeans, and contemplating cultural imperialism in ProTour politics…
Sorry...
Have been thinking about it for a while I sometimes think we make assumptions based on our own cultural norms. Someone else said something about it today, but not necessarily in this thread. Anyway, I worry about smugness…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I don't think you need to duck...
…that’s the one reason I hesitate before saying trash them. That said, and this is a real subject of debate in some circles, so I’m putting it as a serious question: is the demand for a certain amount of regularity in financial and other dealings and transparency in certain other critical respects cultural imperialism, or just the imposition of common and reasonable standards.
I’m yet to be convinced that standards are bad, as long as they’re enforced consistently… which would be the precise point where things might be a little ripe in this particular instance (or not, … I don’t think its obvious, though the UCI is hardly a model of any kind of consistency).
No, I think that Astana
need to be as financially responsible and transparent as everyone else because their riders and fans deserve that. It’s a good question Ed. The problem is that in the case of this team, emotions seem to run high among both supporters and detractors and the question is lost.
That said, and as someone who is a Saxo fan, I hope that Astana who appear to be trying, have got their act together, and that the UCI gets it right.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I had no idea what that question referred to. I think I just got it
I think it would be bad too…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Well that's a new take :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Nnyaaahhgg!
WOW… just…. wow…
(congratulations – you’ve caused me to gibber twice in one day!)
But no, not even THAT would reconcile me to the licence being revoked. I’m not kidding when I say that it’s not just about Vino for me.
No need to apologise :-)
Actually, the vision of Vino riding for The Great Bjarne probably qualifies as a ‘religious experience’… at once awe-inspiring, beautiful, and truly terrifying…
Like Jens! Vino was in the army for a couple of years ;)
It might actually have merit you know… and if not they can always take him out the back and…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Wielerflits reported a article of gazeta.kz
Which says 29 names confirmed:
Astana 2010
stay
Bazayev, Assan (Kaz)
Contador, Alberto (Spa)
Dmitrijev, Valeri (Kaz)
Dyachenko, Alexander (Kaz)
Hernández, Jesús (Spa)
Iglinskiy, Maxim (Kaz)
Kireyev, Roman (Kaz)
Morabito, Steve (Zwi)
Muravyev, Dmitriy (Kaz)
Navarro, Daniel (Spa)
Noval, Benjamín (Spa)
Raimbekov, Roman (Kaz)
Renev, Sergey (Kaz)
Schär, Michael (Zwi)
Vinokourov, Alexander (Kaz)
Zeits, Andrei (Kaz)
Zubeldia, Haimar (Spa)
New
Simoni, Gilberto (Ita) < Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni
Tiralongo, Paolo (Ita) < Lampre-NGC
Gasparotto, Enrico (Ita) < Lampre-NGC
Caruso, Giampaolo (Ita) < Ceramica Flaminia
Davis, Allan (Aus) < Quick Step
Kunitski, Andrei (WRu) < Quick Step
Samoilav, Branislav (WRu) < Quick Step
Plaza, Rubén (Spa) < Liberty Seguros
David De La Fuente (Spa) < Fuji-Servetto
Gorazd Stangelj (Slo) < Liguigas
Gourov, Maxim (Kaz) < CarmioOro
Fofonov, Dmitriy (Kaz) < Elite-2
Alan Davis... now that's interesting
although after the TDF snub unsurprising. Do you think it’s a good team?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Interesting question..
They have Conta.. Think he has to save Astana’s ass in most of the races.
Samailov big talent
And other captains Vino and Davis..
So if you base on depth.. No
It's problematic then if Bert doesn't race much...
Are there enough men for the mountains? Sorry to ask. I’m not familiar with some of these names.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
They are a lot of them who can climb.
Jesus, Morabito, DLF, Samailov, Titalongo, Zubeldia, Vino, Plaza, Dyachenko, Navarro, Noval.
Most of them can only be played as helper though
Looks like Cobo is in too
Contador will like the idea of helpers rather than rivals, and I think if Vino contests a monument or two and a stage here or there in the GT’s he’ll be happy with the reflected glory. A team of stars isn’t easy I suspect, so long as there’s adequate support when necessary this could work???
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Methinks Cobo, DLF and Zubeldia could make a very handy trio of helpers
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Bert will feel pretty comfortable I imagine
There’s a sense of the mountain moving to Mohammed here ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Zubeldia has tried to go to Radio Shack from the start.
Will he dedicate his efforts to seeing Astana/Contador win or just show up at the Tour to say he was there. (He’s one of those Basques you know.) He probably needs a body guard for the flat stages too.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
From what I gather he likes AC and Jesus has been one of his best mates on the team this year,
so I don’t think he’ll have a problem working for Astana. I imagine he wanted to go to the Shack for some security towards the end of his career but I think he’ll be ok. I recall reading in an interview that he likes the fact there are some Spanish speaking people on the team as they have helped him in fitting in (his English is getting there but not great) so I don’t think the fact that he’s ‘one of those Basques’ is such a biggie ;-)
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Paulinho is going to the Shack as well, and he is a real good bud of Bert
it’s just a better scenario for them to go to, you can’t blame them for leaving Astana, doesn’t mean they are doing so cause of Bert. So I think Zubeldia will do what he has to for Bert.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
only offer paulinho had was from the GeriShack
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Oct 21, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Kunitski and Samoilau have 19 month deals with QS
Or whatever you want to call it, " As of now both athletes are on the team QUICK STEP roster and will be until 31 december 2010."
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Oct 21, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
30?
lotta salaries for a team that didn’t pay on time last year. Hopefully it’s a new day.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 21, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I was under the impression that Schar and Morabitoi were gone too BMC
Im not sure why Cobo would come hes clearly the best climber on his team, and im gonna wait and see on any of the quickstep transfers
You're right
Morabito and Schär were mentioned at the same time as BMC announced that they had signed Hincapie.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Oct 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Feltet says Cobo is going to Caisse d'Epargne
http://www.feltet.dk/index.php?id_parent=1&id=28&id_nyhed=22605
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Oct 22, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Cobo, very interesting.
Looks like Astana is getting closer. It’s really not a bad roster. The Spaniards alone could probably ride AC to a Tour victory, so add in the Italians, etc. and it could be really good fun.
Could Vino be building a Giro team for himself?
The possible addition of Gilberto Simoni is a riot. Thrills.
The worry is leadership at the organizational level. And they need to make a public commitment to anti-doping programs immediately.
Will this team endear itself to English-speaking fans? We might have to work a little harder to get information.
Maybe that's why they've employed Alan Davis
… conduit to the outside world :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Some of us English speaking fans like Spaniards and Italians!
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
You just can't understand them...
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
That doesn't always matter!
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
My favorite riders, love 'em.
If the team doesn’t communicate with the public in English, at least as an alternative, via their website and press room, it will be a harder for English-speakers to get informed, and therefore, to get involved.
Yes, we can learn Spanish and Italian—but the fans who are used to the Bruyneel organization, especially those who don’t want to support RadioShack, will be hungry.
Gibo
Does Astana not realize he only had 10 VDS points? Blatant play for a Pro Tour license, at the insistence of RCS.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 21, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions
Stong team
I did find it funny that Paulinho was Contador’s helper and he has left for radio shack. Maybe Horner will miss out on another tour.
For a hilly tour – Cobo, Zubeldia, Vino and Caruso will make possibly a better core than radio shack. I like Simoni but I can not see any help coming from him, and he has always hated the tour. I also can not see Tiralongo getting up the big hills. Radio Shack’s guys will all be a year older. Is Kloden the only person left that can keep up? They may need to find a young rider with diabetes, asthma and parkinsons.
Astana did not sign Kaisheskin (however you spell that) – so they do not have every guy that tested positive.
I think though that you need a good medic these days – even if we are not talking about illegal drugs. Look at Quick Step the whole team failed. I thought that Bontempi did not do well for Lampre – although they always worked hard.
about "possibly a better core than RadioShack"
I agree, croodle. Astana 2009 was hyped as the best team ever because it was so heavily-stacked with leaders. But in the end, lack of a firm hand and lack of loyalty destroyed it.
What difference does it make how talented you are if you’re disfunctional and eaten up by factions and paranoia?
Maybe this new provisional roster is actually a better team than last year’s team.
Public stance about anti-doping programs is essential immediately.
Did you miss the memo...
… that Astana was best team and had the best rider of 2009?
The hype is to over exagerate their dysfunction throughout the season. Bottom line is they were successful.
No horn, watch for finger.
best rider is debatable
we’ll see how the vote comes out here on pc. I think contador is a good candidate for that. But best team, i can’t see that one. Best team for the tour and maybe the giro – did well in a couple of shorter stage races earlier in the season. But i didn’t see them in the spring classics, nor la vuelta, nor the fall races. (granted the lack of results that has little to do with the disharmony)
Best team? What do folks think about that?
That was the UCI talking.
They miss all the races because the cyclist are all in their way.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
It's hard to say it, because our family came to love cycling through USPS/Discovery,
but in spite of the huge plus of having Contador and the talented functional teammates that supported him, at the Tour this year the team were not a good team—what is it to be a team, anyway?
The psycho problems that were allowed to go on could’ve been stopped, or never allowed in the first place. Instead they were facilitated from within the organization. That is not a good team.
What an insult to all those talented riders.
Your last point is crucial here...
…and I’d bet money in the eyes of the UCI too.
Simoni doesn't need to ride the Tour.
Just one more Giro, that would be awesome. Gilberto is GREAT free entertainment.
Why write an essay when one word is so eloquent? ;)
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
And that was your wednesday comment from Gav. (Yes it is wednesday.) ;-)
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
Well blow me down, so it is!
(Taps watch)
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Blah, still skeptical as ever.
I still want to sign the nonexistent petition for “Free Alberto from Vino and Astana” regardless of all these “positive” press releases from Astanabecco giving hope to Astana fans
"As you can imagine, there are better places to have your birthday party than in some village called Mushny Mush Mishme." --The Wisdom of Jens
They have beccos in Kazakhstan?
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Look at the socks on those
Girbecco suddenly looks, well lets just say that he doesn’t have the biggest sock drawer in town.
filth
buy stock in this team’s syringe supplier NOW.
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