Transfers 2010 (Official)
by Bruce Suomi on Sep 1, 2009 11:58 AM EDT
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Today is the first day transfers can become official. We have:
- Garmin has signed Hunter, Kessiakoff, Zirbel, Kredel, Stetina, Vansummeren
- Kroon, Burghardt and Hincapie confirmed to BMC
- Ale-Jet to Lampre
- Pereiro continues with Caisse 2010
- Leipheimer to The Shack
links
- http://www.declinemagazine.com/Nucleus/ROADNEWS.php?itemid=3899
- http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/inicio.asp
- http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=4436339
- http://www.wielerflits.nl/index/
- (http://www.cyclingnews.com/)
[Ed] Use this thread to add more names as they come out today.
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not sure if this is the place for this
but this article from the Guardian says that Sky aren’t set to announce any signings today, only their bike sponsor, and that everything from Sky will instead be announced gradually over the next few weeks.
The more cynical explanation
(via Lionel Birnie on Twitter) is that it’s (football) transfer deadline day. The sponsors will be wanting the decks clear on Sky Sports News…
I hadn't thought of that
but it makes a lot of sense – there’s no way they’d overhaul football today (or most days) so it’s understandable that they would leave it.
Can they keep the riders quiet, though?
Unless they threaten them with team fines, which doesn’t seem like a friendly way to start.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Yeah but Sky Sports News has only just acquired a "cycling" tab over the summer.
The riders’ say-so won’t bother them. Who is Edvald Boasson Hagen anyway?
Awwwww
How’s Garmin going to maintain their reputation for Eviiiiiiil if they sign nice guys like Vansummeren?
Nice to have that one confirmed. :-)
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Vaughters interview at Boulder Report
Still fighting with Columbia…
We hired Robbie Hunter (Rabobank) as a support guy for Tyler – the leadout train, in the classics, all that. A lot of times I noticed we got kind of pushed around by Columbia because our train wasn’t as experienced and wasn’t as mean, quite frankly. So, Robbie Hunter. The World’s Angriest Man!—link Good long interview, worth reading.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Zirbel's evil.
He’s like so totallu going to Garmin to get like the secrets on how to become like Captain America or something y’know.
"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
'Not with a bang, but a whimper'...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Lars Bak confirmed to Columbia
Source: feltet.dk
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Alex Howes
Garmin brings up Stetina and Kreder from their U23 team, but not Howes. Stetina is terrific, but Howes has been on fire as of late.
I’m glad Zirbel will get to ride bigger races next year.
Can someone confirm this, is it official?? Kurt and EBH Sky an Gerrans
Kurt & EBH
Simon Gerrans
http://www.ozcycling.com/newsarticle/index.html?article=216&page=1
"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
oops kurt and EBH
http://msn.tv2sporten.no/sykkel/team-sky-blir-norsk-2884957.html
"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
Nothing signed yet
but EBH and Lars Petter Nordhaug seem official
Kurt still has two options (he is reading the small print)
"Winning only builds ego, but getting dropped builds character" - Steven Cozza
OK thankyou for the translation...
"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
Nordhaug...interesting.
Wonder if the Tour of Ireland had any deal clinching effect on that? And anyone heard anything re Russ Downing…?
"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.
Kim Kirchen to Katusha
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Holy crap!
Why? OK, $$
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Kirchen to Katusha?
Nothing signed
http://tageblatt.editpress.lu/sports/31732.html
"Winning only builds ego, but getting dropped builds character" - Steven Cozza
That development is a huge "WTF!?"
"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
Or riders who don't want to lead out Cav forever
I mean Kirchen leaving Columbia is a no-brainer. He gets no support as a GC guy at Columbia and at Katusha he’ll have J-Rod and karpets and whoever else they get.
So you are asking
If anyone on a brand new team is successful besides Ivanov? Leaving aside that this is the first year of their existence, look at the roster. It’s filled with B-level talent. So tell me what you would call happy/successful for these riders. Again, it’s their first year and probably like most first year teams they’ve been hit and miss. It’s hard to build a team overnight.
But to look at their more elite riders:
- Ivanov as you say is happy/successful. He’s improved his results from his Astana days.
- Pozzato is getting about the same results as he did with Liquigas.
- Pfannberger was found out to be a doper.
- McEwen’s been hurt since the cobbles season ended.
IMO those are the only elite riders they had and none of them could remotely be called dominant. Competitive would be a better description IMO. Their results were mixed but not at all bad.
Then you go to their B-level guys:
- Steegmans to me was overhyped all along as he showed in the 08 Tour. He’s not an A-list sprinter and never has been. They overpaid for him and should be glad to be rid of him as he’s not a sprinter to build around.
- Karpets did what we expected him to do: fair and nothing special.
- Napolitano, another B-list sprinter had a few victories and one couldn’t expect more out of him.
- Colom was found to be a doper.
- Botcharov, Brutt, Iglinsky, etc. etc. B-list stage hunters.
- Swift showed promise.
So there you go. The team is fairly mediocre in composition, was marred by two dopers, and had a few good results. Adding Kirchen and Rodriguez is a big upgrade for this team, making them much more relevant in one week stage races (with Karpets) and along with holdover Ivanov a serious force (one of the best teams in fact) in the Ardennes. But again this team is stocked with non-dominant riders so far. It remains to be seen if they develop any kids but you can’t hold that against them.
Their sprinters are B-level and led by the very old McEwen. They need help there. If Swift stayed he’d be a great young talent but possibly he’s heading home to Sky.
Biggest problem
is that the only time they made news (other than not helping Pippo in Flanders) was the dust-up over the doping agreement. If they reload and start fresh, I wouldn’t assume there are any internal barriers to succeeding. Especially if the salaries are relatively high.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Marcus Burghardt to BMC
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Oops, that one was in Bruce's original post.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
sniff
Damn. Like him at Columbia…
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I know. Me, too.
But the thought of him racing with Ballan in March and April is making my heart beat faster!
And BMC looking to go ProTour too
I can’t wait to see what happens if the UCI kicks off some underfunded French teams for rich outsiders. Will the French really want to have just wild card teams at the Tour?
News is starting to come from everywhere... where to look.. Arghhhh
"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
If staying put counts as news
Oscar Gatto renews for another year at ISD.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Hey guys...
any info on Skil-Shimano activity? They have let quite a few riders go…making room? Any thoughts or info?
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Don't see anything yet.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
A total of 7 confirmed for BMC
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre), George Hincapie (Columbia), Marcus Burghardt (Columbia), Karsten Kroon (Saxo Bank), Steve Morabito (Astana), Michael Schär (Astana), and Simon Zahner.
Source: Biciciclismo
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
I'm so stoked about this BMC team.
GH mentions in his film that he wants to have a Pro Tour team one day that wears his apparel, here is where it starts. SWEET.
No horn, watch for finger.
I know really, Assos, cream of the crop shit.
I know Hincapie’s high end stuff looks real good though and is said to perform well too. This will certainly bring his cycling clothing business into a new era.
No horn, watch for finger.
We have some Hincapie pieces around the house (mostly vests and jackets, I think, but my husband might have some bibs)
and it’s great stuff. Probably not high-end, though, and I can’t say I can compare it to Assos—still, what we have is really nice. For what it’s worth, their cold-weather stuff is excellent.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
meh
They did clothes for my team – womens’ clothing – a while back and meh. Quality wasn’t great and fit was bizarre.
Yea,
the general quality of the team kits most teams get is very iffy. We finally had to jump ship and go with someone else. Hincapie wear, even the lower end stuff isn’t cheap, and it is heavy and hot. We looked into their cooler stuff and just couldn’t afford it.
When GH rode with us recently I took particular notice of how nice and cool his kit looked. It was really nice looking, probably tailored for him too.
No horn, watch for finger.
Heh
same experience here. But my lesson from the gift Rock Racing kit is that we probably don’t get the same quality threads they do.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
BMC, the company, owns Assos, don't they?
“I ride for BMC if the team use my apparel.”
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hm
OK, I can see the value of this. Hincapie puts his perfect team together, for himself or otherwise.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Your statement
assumes that it ever ended.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL. Ok, ok, I misposted.
How about “Classics excitement was just raised to a new level.”
Hows that?
I agree
Looks pretty good. Is it March yet?
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
BMC press release
http://www.bmcracingteam.com/index.php?id=9&L=0&uid=312
All signed for two years – except Zahner signed for one year
"We know what the cycling fans want. They love the mountains, and they will have mountains" Javier Guillén - Vuelta Race Director
morabito and schar? crikey, astana's really looking shabby now
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Can you imagine the AC lawsuit...
…substantially not the team he signed with….breach of contract…?
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
Well it will be interesting.
Astana needs to add a bunch of riders just to fill out their roster, right? Outside of Fofonov and Kashechkin I can’t see any other Kazakhs outside of some neo pros we haven’t heard about and that you can’t expect to be a major part of the team. At CQ they have three Lampres as possible Astana targets, including Gasparotto, plus Gibo. That’s still not enough. (Though as an aside I would like to see Gaspa riding fro himself on the cobbles again instead of what he did this year, skipping the cobble to give support for Cunego in the Ardennes.)
So without additions they only have 14-15-18 riders. Is that enough to be allowed a Pro Tour license? The Shack seems to be in a similar predicament, having only 12 or so riders under their belt so far. Where to get the rest?
They need at least 25 riders
The upper limit is 30
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 2, 2009 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions
[insert alliteration joke here]
Johan Vansummeren – the two-time top ten finisher of Paris Roubaix joins Garmin from Silence-Lotto, where he supported Cadel Evans. The addition of Vansummeren creates a triple-threat for Garmin’s Cobbled Classics crew, including Martijin Maaskant and Tyler Farrar.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
Pereiro continues, yes--but with whom?
At Bruce’s link, he says it would be nice to stay with CdE, but other sources say Xacobeo Galicia is likely.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
I know it's childish of me
but every time I see the headline on the Eurosport site “Canellara victorious in Assen” I giggle.
HAR!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 1, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I just realized this seems totally random, but I was checking Eurosport for transfer news and saw the headline again.
whatever it is I agree it’s hilarious ;)
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 1, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Liquigas confirms six signings
Francesco Bellotti (ITA), Davide Cimolai (ITA), Tiziano Dall’Antonia (ITA), Kristjan Koren (SLO), Maciej Paterski (POL), Peter Sagan (SLQ)
Source: Biciciclismo
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Trust you to zoom in on the important stuff.
Off to Google Images…
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Bellotti
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
There's a Ricco-vibe about him...
"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
Cimolai
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Snort. In a better pic, he might have potential.
"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.
The pic is an odd one
sort of like they show on the news when someone is found dead and mutilated. And shouldn’t you be somewhere else now, away from the internet?
Yeah, I'm in Israel, but I have wifi, which may or may not be a temporary thing...
"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.
Dall'Antonia
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Koren
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
ooooh - looks like of like thor in this pic
George bunny-hopped my bike somehow. He's like a cat. -- cvv
by cg. on Sep 1, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
He's such a rip-off.
Well-talented, though. He can climb, sprint and time-trial.
Paterski
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Sagan
Er…Sagan
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
does he even have a driver's license?
(sagan 2, not sagan 1)
George bunny-hopped my bike somehow. He's like a cat. -- cvv
by cg. on Sep 1, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
He's from 1990
You make the call. Was touted über-talent as a junior, has made a great entry as senior
Yikes!
My neurons are having difficulty adjusting to the idea that there are elite riders, er, riding who were born when I was in kindergarten. I suppose this adjustment will be worse when most of the riders where were born around the time I graduated university…
"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
You're having trouble adjusting to elites only 5 years younger than you are?
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha
Just wait.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
+1
I had to read that a few time… I just shake my head.
George bunny-hopped my bike somehow. He's like a cat. -- cvv
by cg. on Sep 1, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
You can use this
“Why can’t you do something useful with your life? Like Peter Sagan?”
Then watch their expression…
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
To be Taylor Phinney...
you would have had to pass on some serious genes…did you?
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Verdict: some real potential there.
And you know any deficits of grooming will be corrected in training camp. We should keep these pictures to compare to their team shots next year.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Just like in baseball with trading cards, Rookie Cards,
The first cyclist to stand up to him. And he did it in silence.
It's ok, Benna is on the job....
"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.
Si, he's the one ;-)
"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.
Dal Antonia is the guy who enraged Cav at the Giro last year.
"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.
I think he rides for CSFugly
"On a personal level, I have never had admiration for him and I never will"
~AC about LA, me about Johan "drama queen" Bruyneel
Talent? Where? I say here!
Cimolai? Huge talent! Koren? Great talent! Paterski? Great talent! Sagan? Huge talent! Liquigas and Lampre has just absorbed almost everything worthy of a pro-contract on the Italian scene. CSF has taken the rest.
Who would have thunk it
that the team most threatening to Quickstep in Flanders and P-R will be team BMC next year, awesome!
"On a personal level, I have never had admiration for him and I never will"
~AC about LA, me about Johan "drama queen" Bruyneel
Andrea Noé to Ceramica Flaminia!?
Source: Tuttobiciweb.it
"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
I thought so too
After he was left out from the Giro squad, and he wasn’t too happy about that (“E’ quella che più di altre crede ancora nelle mie qualità” refers to Liquigas decision, right?) Looks like he hasn’t raced since Giro del Trentino.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I read that entire statement as Liquigas-bashing, I think.
At least he signs himself “Brontolo” (i.e. “Grumpy”).
Hey, why isn't Sky bragging about all the awesome riders they have?
After all that initially hype they’re mighty quiet…
"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
Sky Sports News is otherwise occupied.
(Football) transfer deadline day (see above). Sample of their coverage (via The Guardian’s live blog):
5.02pm One of the most absurdly portentous bits of TV I’ve ever seen: Sky Sports News actually counted down the end of the transfer window with the bongs from Big Ben, like it was New Year’s Eve. On the last bong a voice broke in “we’re just hearing Peter Lovenkrands has signed for Newcastle!”
Incredible. History in the making.
That’s their audience. Cycling’s not quite ready to compete.
See: the very first post in this thread.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
In possibly related news, Lovkvist confirms he's leaving Columbia
but won’t reveal where he’s going. He was disappointed to be left out of the Tour and Vuelta and wants to go where he has a better chance to be captain. Source: helagotland.se
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Leaving + not saying where = sky?
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, the article is dated today
which means it isn’t the UCI rules holding him back. Sky is the one team we know isn’t telling yet.
Of course, it’s also possible that Lovkvist doesn’t have a deal finalized yet with someone else. But rumors have linked him with Sky, so that’s a strong possibility.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
So, leaving Clumbia will at least be...
Bugghy, Kirchen, Lövkvist, Boasson Hagen and Hincapie. Quite some – I don’t hope Columbia will suddenly be able to transform some formerly decent-not-great riders into stars.
At least they’ll get Lars Bak.
When does Pinotti's contract expire?
"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
Maybe
but it ain’t cheap to have that quality of B-team
I don't read Swedish so I can't say for sure
I think the quote “I asked to run the race but I did not get my own way and it is just to accept” refers to the Vuelta, but I suppose it could refer back to the Tour. What did you think when you read it?
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Eh... well, there's som weird Swedish in that article as well
I had to read some of sentences twice. But yes, he refers to the Vuelta.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha!
I don’t know where that expression come from, but the carrot is more or less the same carrot as in “carrot or stick”. And we use the word stable a lot when referring to cycling teams, but also in car racing.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know
When Swedish ES interviewed him during the Tour and they talked about his upcoming races he said that he would ride the Tour of Britain, but that he wanted to ride the Vuelta. And when the first startlist arrived he was listed as 4th reserve (not that I’m sure it is relevant tho).
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Really, don't mess with cyclists who have Emo hair.
"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
Is Columbia turning into a one-trick pony?
Considering it’s a hell of a trick with Cav’s ability to win, but what about the other racing disciplines? Their April Classics squad has been decimated with Hincapie, Boassen Hagen, Burghardt and Kirchen all leaving. They also are losing Lovkvist, who has been impressive in one day hilly races.
For Grand Tour GC riders, all they really have is Michael Rogers and Maxine Monfort. I guess Tony Martin is ready to step up, but not sure of his abilities for a three-week tour. I see him excelling more as a week-long tour rider.
I see a big drop-off for wins next year for them. Granted, they will still win more than almost every other team on Cav’s performance, but I just don’t see them dominating like they have the last couple years.
Hmm...
Perhaps many exiting the team see said team as basicallu Bob Stapleton cycling through Mark Cavendish as it de-evolves into Cipollini and Saeco circa 2002.
"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
I meant to type "cycling vicariously through"...
"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
budget quandaries for Columbia?
This is the last year for them to be able to blow through the T-Mobile alimony, so perhaps they had to re-trench around their proven winner?
Depends.
Their 74 wins (to date) have been largely thanks to Cav (21) and Greipel (16), but 14 other riders also won races this year—and not all of them are leaving. Plus they are adding the Velits brothers, Bak, and some hot young talent like Rasmus Guldhammer and Tejay Van Garderen. I guess we’ll see, but it’s not necessarily either doom and gloom or all-Cav, all the time.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Goldhammer, how cool name is that?!
Riis and Stapleton fought hard for this guy, a huuuge talent apparently.
Cav losing the older, experienced guys will hurt him, but not sure how much.
Can we use
the Goldfinger theme song?
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Columbia will be mastering the classics in a couple of years
Velits’s, Guldhammer, Van Garderen, Degenkolb (if he’s coming) and Ghyselinck. Now, that’s talents.
The problem is that they will get their asses kicked by Boss Hogg.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't bury them yet
Cav is the heavyweight but Tony Martin is busting out, and EBH is replaced by the Velits brothers. I agree that they should drop off some, but they’re also getting a bit younger with guys like Van Garderen and Ghyselinck and whatnot. Losing Boasson Hagen is the only real blow, I think, simply because he could have been their April guy, whereas I don’t see Velits in the cobbles role really. He could compete in the Ardennes instead. I suppose Cav can try for Gent-Wevelgem and some of the mellower pre-Flanders races, so maybe it won’t look too bad.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
see majope's post up the thread,
Columbia set a perfect train for Cav, no one messes with the old guys.
Monfort is still intriguing to me,
I wonder if Columbia thinks that between him, Rogers and Martin there is some GT potential on the team, that it’s best to focus efforts on these guys rather than classics guys or stage hunters. (Well them and Cavendish.)
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 1, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Is there any word on new acquisitions for the MooTeam?
"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
Liquigas also confirms they're holding onto 18 current riders:
Valerio Agnoli, Ivan Basso, Daniele Bennati, Maciej Bodnar, Jacopo Guarnieri, Roman Kreuziger, Aliaksandr Kuchynski, Vincenzo Nibali, Daniel Oss, Franco Pellizotti, Manuel Quinziato, Fabio Sabatini, Ivan Santaromita, Sylwester Szmyd, Brian Bach Vandborg, Alessandro Vanotti, Frederik Willems, and Oliver Zaugg.
That makes 24 with the six newbies above, so there’s more action to come (min 25, max 30 for a Pro Tour team).
Source: Biciciclismo (again)
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Told ya,
Carlström, very close friend with Basso, wears the Finnish Jersey next year, no renewal contract from Liquigas. Team Sky rumored.
what??
You mean he’s off the team because whatshisname who finished first in the nationals took some “herbal remedy”? ;-)
Holy crap again!
Kreuziger/Nibali/Basso… there’s your internal polemica source for 2010, I am guessing. You might even have to throw Pello in there, though he’s already at his ceiling, methinks. My ranking:
1. Nibali
2. Kreuziger
…
5. Basso.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 1, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
as far as polemica
you can definitely count Pelizzotti in there. He’s the one making noice so far. I haven’t seen the others saying much yet.
Tunisian Rafaa Chtioui returns to Europe with Acqua e Sapone.
Source: Het Nieuwsblad.
"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
A couple more to Sky
Chris Sutton(Cofidis), Matt Hayman(Rabo) and Greg Henderson (Columbia). Scary line-up, eh? And there’s something about Gerrans in the same story but I don’t understand it.
Sky have also picked up Possoni from Columbia
He had a pretty good season last year, but has been pushed down the roster a bit this year. I wonder if he regrets signing when he sees how many others have left Columbia.
From the same source, Stannard and Swift have also apparently signed to Sky. Did they have to buy Swift out from Katyusha? Did they reckon that that was cheaper than waiting till next year when he might be more expensive?
ISD have picked up Carlo Scognamiglio from Barloworld as a replacement, and are trying to persuade Alessandro Proni to renew, but Lampre are also apparently waving a contract in his face. And what gives with the death of Barlo? I thought that their DS was one of the old school, find a sponsor even if war is declared, DS’s, but everyone has just accepted for a long time that things stop at the end of this year.
Cofidis have picked up another French rider, Tony Gallopin, from Auber as they begin from scratch to replace this year’s rubbish team.
Gerrans story was at the start of this post..
Heres the link again
Gerro to sky
"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
Double D'oh
what’ll he say next year when Sky leave him out of their Tour team?
Have any of the Sky rumors been officially confirmed yet?
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
On twitter
the Sky Sports “Olympic Sports” reporters seem to be suggesting something tomorrow, though whether the “big interview” (requiring the purchase of chairs, apparently) is actually cycling-related or not is unclear. They seem happy to let people think it is, though.
Scott tweeted me yesterday to that question
Tweeted mid-week announcements will be made…
"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
The Sky News ladies mentioned above
are en route to Quarrata (?) to meet some of the riders. Thursday seems to be the day…
More non-transfer news
According to sportdome.nl, Haussler, Konovalovas, and Lancaster have extended their contracts with Cervelo.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Except for the young Dane Jonas Aaen
I can’t remember anyone that they have signed so far, is he the only one?
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 2, 2009 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Come on, Sky! Give it up for real.
Rumors and guesses are fun during the time they’re not supposed to tell, but making us wait now is just annoying.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Interesting
I still think Evans will be there. I have no reason for this and no strong opinions. it just keeps niggling.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I'd like to see that too
Interesting to see what he could do with help from Steve Peters the British Cycling psychiatrist. BC seem to be good at getting their team in the right place mentally and that seems to be Evans’ biggest battle
It would be interesting to see how he'd do there.
Evans does still have another year on his *Lotto contract, but relations seem cool enough that the team might accept a buyout.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
It's the Scott Sunderland thing that makes me think it has possibilities
but I’m only speculating
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
They need a team chef
Why not Michael Barry?
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 2, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Kurt Asle Arvesen is in negotiations
With both Saxo Bank and Team Sky. (And I would say that it sounds like he’s kind of close to join Sky, but that might be me overinterpreting his words.)
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
Any idea where...
Thomas Lovkvist may end up? I am thinking he won’t be going to Sky for some reason…just a hunch.
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Since it's quiet
Two alternatives: either he’s still negotiating, or he has signed with a team that wishes to wait until they announce which riders they have signed. The second alternative have to imply Sky I think.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 3, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not betting against
One of the uncertainties with Sky is which races it will get invited to, unless they get a Pro Tour license. And that we will learn later this month. Maybe there are still some questions regarding riders in connection to the PT license.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 3, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Jesh...Sky is going very Scandinavian...
if they get Arvesen and the two swedes in question then that makes 5 from up north
This is becoming less and less of a surprise
He has signed with a team, but is not allowed to tell us which one. [swedish]
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Sep 8, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Adam Blythe turns pro with *Lotto
Generally I wouldn’t wish them on anyone but I suspect it’s what he really wanted & it’s nice to see a British rider get somewhere having “left the programme”…
Yay! Totally agree. I like it when they go their own way and make it...
"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.
van Goolen joins Silence-Lotto
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
Just a bit of goss i was given.. Team sky.. If it's true who knows...
Team Sky : pinarello bikes – gerrans hayman sutton barry boa hagen froome thomas stannard de jongh k avesen swift
"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
Ohh and Matty Goss is going to columbia
"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
Noooo
I hope that is not true, it would be stupid of Saxo to loose him.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 6, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe more of a home away from home?
Significant number of Australians compared to most other teams. Just a thought…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Maybe
but on Saxo he has Stuart O’Grady and in my opinion he is a great rolemodel.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 6, 2009 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Couldn't agree more...Stuey is a god (IMHO)
But he might want mates more…
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Do you think he will get more chances
at Columbia as leadout for Cav og Greipel? I think not.
At Saxo he would be the perfect replacement for Stuart when he retires in a year or so.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 6, 2009 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions
There's a type of reflected glory in leading out
the best sprinter in the world. Look at Renshaw. And whilst I know it’s a
romantic notion, I think ideally everyone yearns for the sort of ‘band of brothers’ thing that Columbia have going with their young men.
Having also given a big rap to Stuey, I also think that Rogers is also a good role model.
Saxo Bank are my favourite team, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best team for Goss. :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
*is my favourite
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
You may be right
and maybe you understand him better, but I would be sad to lose him on the Saxo team, I am also a big fan of Saxo, and somehow I have come to like Goss and noticed the development he has made in the last 2 years.
If Saxo looses him because he does not feel well in the team, then they have made a mistake in the work with the young ones. Goss have been with the same group of riders for most of the year, all young ones, and maybe they do not get on so good, but the report from the races all say they work well together – but then again ofcauce they will say so :)
by LittleOldLady on Sep 6, 2009 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not saying that they might not get on
but I suppose I’m thinking that sometimes ‘like calls to like’. When you’re thousands of miles from home, sometimes it’s nice to have the same cultural references and not have to explain your jokes.
I loved living in Japan, but there were times it wasn’t about language so much as sense of humour and, as I said cultural references. (There aren’t many of us as you know, and I’m told our humour and even our English isn’t to everyone’s taste) ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
:-)
Well I like you people, but then again I like most people :)
but I understand what you are saying.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 6, 2009 5:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Well let's hope it works out well for Goss
He hasn’t made the Australian team. Maybe pointers from Zabel will help?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I'm wrong about Goss
Happily he has been listed for Oz team
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I think a sprinter would probably do better on a team that cares about sprints, yes
Even if they are mostly working for someone else.
And Columbia is pretty good about spreading chances around.
Last time I checked, 16 of their guys had wins this year
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Columbia 2010:
The Columbia team has confirmed 27 teams for 2010, with 10 additions.
New:
Lars Ytting Bak (Saxo Bank)
Jan Ghyselinck
Matt Goss (Saxo Bank)
Rasmus Guldhammer (Team Capinordic)
Patrick Gretsch (Thuringer)
Leigh Howard (Team AIS)
Hayden Roulston (Cervélo)
Tejay Van Garderen (Rabobank continental)
Martin VELITS (Milram)
Peter VELITS (Milram)
Follows:
Michael Albano
Mark Cavendish
Gert Dockx
Bernhard Eisel
Bert Grabsch
André Greipel
Adam Hansen
Craig Lewis
Tony Martin
Maxime Monfort
Marco Pinotti
Frantisek Rabon
Mark Renshaw
Vicente Reynes
Michael Rogers
Marcel Sieberg
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Retirements:
Michael Barry
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Marcus Burghardt
John Devine
Gregory Henderson
George Hincapie
Kim Kirchen
Thomas Lovkvist
Morris Possoni
John Devine wasn't on the team this year.
There were pictures of him at one of the pre-season training camps, but he was gone by the time of the official team presentation in January.
Throughout the stage all I kept on thinking was: ‘don’t finish second, you can’t finish second again’.--Heinrich Haussler
Richard Moore's hammering away at the Contador-Garmin/Wiggins-Sky thingy again
in today’s Guardian. Whether it’s wishful thinking or not (& if so on whose part…) I really wouldn’t like to say.
Alexander Kristoff
from Team Joker Bianchi to BMC
"Winning only builds ego, but getting dropped builds character" - Steven Cozza
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