Kids on the Move
There have been a small handful of transfers this week, mentioned hither and yon in other threads, but with one more happening it's time the subject got its own post. All young kids, so adjust your expectations realistically. The data:
Jan Ghyselinck to Columbia
Ghyselinck seems to be something of a cobbles guy. Racing in Belgium, the 20-year-old has bagged wins in the "beloften" (espoirs?) Ronde van Vlaanderen and the Vlaamse Pijl -- the latter by outsprinting his six breakaway companions including the next two names on this list. So, coming soon to an April near you. However, he also ran third in the kids' Liege-Bastogne-Liege, so which half of April remains to be seen. Either way, there's a scent of cobbles ability, climbing and sprinting in there. What's not to like? And that includes his website.
Jan Bakelants to Columbia
I'll defer to Gavia's assessment in the comments:
He won Tour de l’Avenir and just about everything else in sight last year as an U23. I don’t think he’s a super-climber though, more all-arounder. I seem to recall from watching worlds that he was a tall, lanky dude.
Bakelants is two years older and thus further along than his fellow Belgian Ghyselinck. Like Gav suggests, that Tour de l'Avenir is a signature win for a young guy, beating Rui Costa. Unlike Ghyselinck he has no cobbles palmares, but has done spectacularly well in the Ardennes, winning the Circuit des Ardennes and L-B-L Espoirs within a few days in 2008. This season has been spent racing with the big boys for Topsport Vlaanderen, and includes 10th placings at the Ronde van Belgie and Ster Elektrotoer.
Tejay Van Garderen to Columbia
Damn, Columbia love raking in the young talent. It's not like that was a missing element on the team. However, top American talent was an area in need of shoring up, and Tejay Van Garderen might be a future answer. He's having a phenomenal year with the Rabobank U23 team, taking second in the Tour des Pays de Savoie, the signature stage of which finished on La Toussuire in the heart of the French Haute-Savoie Alps. Tejay also won the Circuito Montanes (after taking second last year), a week-long stage race in northern Spain/Cantabria, and the Tour du Haut Anjou in France. He finished 3.13 behind his future teammate Bakelants in the Tour de l'Avenir, I believe I read that he's gunning for a better result this September. Anyway, his climbing and time trial results all look quite promising.
Kenny DeHaes to Silence-Lotto
Odd one, starting July 1. I guess he wasn't enjoying his turn with Katusha. Or he didn't want to pay them seventy million dollars if anything ever went awry with one of his urine samples. In any event, he's off to Silence! where they have openings for anyone who can win anything in March and April. At 24, DeHaes is still very young, though he won a Ronde van Vlaanderen Beloften himself four years ago, so he brings something to the cobbles. This one's all over the media, so I'll stop here.
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Comments
Good summary
Great signings by Columbia, Ghyselinck for cobbles, Bakelants for Ardennes (his win at L’Avenir had some luck because it was in a breakway where he won some minutes and i heard the radios stopped working, at the mountains and TTs Rui Costa was better). Van Garderen for stage races, still i don’t know if the signing of these young promising riders are the best way, Columbia are full of talent and in some years it may lead to leadership fights like Hagen and Ghyselinck or Tony Martin and Van Garderen.
by aavf on Jun 23, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
so this begs the question - who's leaving Columbia?
inquiring minds want to know
by lyne on Jun 23, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Technically, they don't have to get rid of anybody...
they have 5 open slots for the maximum of 30 riders…though they have to be getting more money from somewhere…
by Vlaanderen90 on Jun 23, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
These young guns can't be getting much money yet
once they progress to the point were they do that’s when Columbia will have to get rid of some guys, probably older guys like big George(hate to say it but true)
by Phil H. on Jun 23, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hm
Older guys: Pinotti, Grabsch, Hink, Albasini, Barry, Henderson. Greipel could use his own team, maybe. Burghardt isn’t making much progress. But that’s all speculation.
Abruzziamo!
by Chris... on Jun 24, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why don't you just copy what I said Tourbecco...sheesh
on Burghardt, he needs the chance to lead in the spring, I know many on here love George but it’s time to move on, if Columbia is smart they give Burghhardt the chance to lead in Flanders and P-R.
by Phil H. on Jun 24, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this year
was the first spring after a serious knee injury last year. So give him a break, and wait for next year. I think he could win a big race in next years.
by semprenaroda on Jun 24, 2009 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
likely to leave Columbia
riders past their sell by / usefulness date :
Michael Rogers : has never hit the button as a “GC” rider & is lacking in TT’s when it matters..
George Hincapie : days are numbered, does not win, so is simply at team for experience.
Michael Barry : as a team rider, he can be replaced.
Kim Kirchen : needs to demonstrate another level and challenge as a GC rider
the problems will (& do) occur when other riders with ambition, realise that to get full team support,
will depend on Cavendish’s career plan & how it fits with their own ambition.
by Squadra on Jun 24, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we need to look at who's contracts are up at the end of this year..
OR who isn’t happy at the team and wants to leave!!!
"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
by CycleGirl on Jun 24, 2009 2:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With the lose of Kirchen and Rogers..
Team Colombia haven’t got any GC threat left..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Frining "It's what he thinks.. But he always do.. I eat my shoe if he ride top 15 in le Tour" about Devolder
by Frinking on Jun 24, 2009 4:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
they don’t are the best in the world in this especialitys, but what riders like Sastre, Contador, Menchov….,wants a teammate who is the best sprinter to contest his leadership in a race like the Tour!!
I’m curiosity if some team in the history of the Tour, won the green and yellow jersey with diferents riders. Probabily in last 30 years this never happens…
Honestly i think Kirchen was a good guy for Columbia, his main objective is usually the Ardennes wich won last year one, and Rogers, are building from a big pause, and i think in next years he could finish in top5 of the Tour.
by semprenaroda on Jun 24, 2009 6:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1997 Yellow and Green from same team
Team Telekom.
Fat Boy Slim and Eric Z
by Sabino on Jun 24, 2009 6:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i forgot this,
that actually, was my first Tour and my memories are vague. Thanks.
by semprenaroda on Jun 24, 2009 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, 1996 also Team Telecom
Bjarne Riis and Eric Z
by Sabino on Jun 24, 2009 6:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the only one I disagree with
is Barry: on the road leadership/experience/power is valuable, and could become MORE so if we see a return to “no radio racing.”
The same could be said for George—but he’s been a pro since the Jurassic period and has to be getting sick of it.
by R Mc on Jun 24, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree with you
Saxo Bank is the team which rely most on radios, but they are at the same time also among the teams which rely the most on experienced riders with leadership abilities(a quick look at their TdF roster will confirm that).
Race radio and TV are the real enemies here, not the radio communication between riders which allows for better coordinated tactics.
by OctaBech on Jun 24, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love seeing Tejay doing well
though I have to race against his dad in the Masters cat ‘round the People’s Republic. Props to the boy, big up!
25s on dirt, what's not to like?
by snakeboat on Jun 24, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully, someday
someone will say this about DS Little Bear. I guess I have 15 more years to get in shape.
Abruzziamo!
by Chris... on Jun 24, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Michel Kreder to Garmin
Joins his older brother there. Another loss for the Rabo-continental team. They should start thinking about ways to keep the talent on board. Although the Dutch guys quite often come back after a couple of years.
"Where there’s a will, there’s a way.": Alberto Contador, shortly after waking up from brain surgery.
by Lopex on Jun 24, 2009 5:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know he's not a kid, but
I wonder if Silence has room (and money) for another Belgian Katusha refugee—Steegmans currently on inactive status for refusing to sign.
I can't understand why people cheat--Mark Cavendish
by majope on Jun 24, 2009 6:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Another "older kid" rumor out of Belgium--
Gazet van Antwerpen says Johan Vansummeren is in talks to leave *Lotto for Garmin.
I can't understand why people cheat--Mark Cavendish
by majope on Jun 24, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget Jack Bodridge
Not sure if he signed but I remember talk about him joining Garmin.
by ncmussell on Jun 24, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rabobank explains
In Dutch: http://www.rabosport.nl/?pagina=actueel&itemId=1495
Summary: too bad about Van Garderen and Kreder leaving, but there was nothing we could do about it at this point in the season (before the PT team’s composition is clear). Also, Columbia’s offer to VG was something Rabobank would/could never match for a young rider. Interesting detail: there are 18! contracts ending this year in the PT team. Also, even more interesting: Rabobank will raise the issue of investing in a successful development team with the UCI and IPCT (ProTour teams org), in order to get some sort of monetary compensation (presumably from the team that snatches away “their” talent). Transfer sums! For Rabo, there are on avg. 20 guys in the development team and 2/yr will join the PT team.
by tedvdw on Jun 24, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
very, very interesting
I totally understand their interest in protecting their interests in the development program. Rabo are one of a few teams doing this, and if it’s done right it can be a real service to the sport, at least in terms of better competition and hopefully in terms of setting ethical standards too. I don’t see how they can force teams to pay transfer fees. What they could do, I think, is raise the entry fees for all teams to the Pro Tour, but give breaks to the teams that have real development programs. Just like tax policy, it’s a good way to encourage investment and discourage practices that discourage investment.
Abruzziamo!
by Chris... on Jun 24, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You'd think Rabo could protect themselves by tweaking their development program contracts.
As in: we’ll give you an opportunity in a strong development program, but (should you do well) in return we get your first pro year at a set salary, and your second year reserve the option of matching any offers from other teams. Third year: free agent.
I can't understand why people cheat--Mark Cavendish
by majope on Jun 24, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is the development team tied to the Pro Tour team
Or to Rabobank, the sponsor? I mean, in first hand. Is it even possible to make such a distinction?
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja min who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Jun 24, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't know the details
but it really is just one big organisation. Also, the team and the sponsor seem to be tied up together, way more than other teams/sponsors.
by tedvdw on Jun 24, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I remember correctly
Rabobank owns the whole team. The riders work for Rabobank.
"Where there’s a will, there’s a way.": Alberto Contador, shortly after waking up from brain surgery.
by Lopex on Jun 25, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
interesting
Huh, so Columbia really paid a premium. I suspect it’s to reinforce their American identity – there aren’t that many American U23s coming up, so they had to grab Van Garderen while they could. The other Americans are mostly tied in with either Trek-Livestrong or Garmin’s development squad. So, van Garderen would be worth quite a lot to Columbia in that context.
by gavia on Jun 24, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what happened to John Devine?
He just disappeared.
by australopithecine on Jun 24, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
kinda wish Rabo had been able to keep him
He’s ridden well with the Conti team, and I don’t know, I guess I like seeing the Americans spread around a bit.
by gavia on Jun 25, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
U-23 Development teams
I think it is interesting that Columbia doesn’t have a U-23 development team. While I understand they have plenty of success with their younger riders on their main squad, you look at Garmin and Trek-Livestrong and Rabo all have U-23 teams.
by ncmussell on Jun 24, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Trek-Livestrong is a U23, right?
Do you see them as Astana’s development team, or what? But I don’t really see your point anyway.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja min who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Jun 24, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I potentially see them as Astana’s development team of the new Livestrong-Nike team that will likely emerge at the end of the year. I guess my point was that you see a team like Garmin investing heavily in a U-23 team to essentially replenish their roster as guys get older or these lose other riders. I just wonder why Columbia hasn’t done something like this themselves, unless it is a money decision or if they don’t have someone willing to take on that role as a DS of a development team.
by ncmussell on Jun 24, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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