Cadel to stay with Silence-Lotto??

ghost_rider
ghost_rider Posts: 7
edited August 2008 in Pro race
The Age (Australia) has reported that Cadel wants to stay at Lotto as long as they bolster the lineup with some riders capable of supporting him in the hills. According to Cadel they are "pulling out all stops like never before." With Robbie McEwen gone do you think they mean it this time? There should be some good riders on the market with CA and Gerolsteiner seemingly doomed...who do you reckon they will make a play for?????

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/eva ... 21517.html

Comments

  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    They've made an offer to Kohl already.

    But it doesn't matter, this year was his best shot and he'll never win the Tour now.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • Agreed. I can't see why they'd want to build a team around him now to be honest,. Depends what value Silence-Lotto get out of the hullabaloo of the Tour I suppose.
  • top_bhoy
    top_bhoy Posts: 1,424
    Agreed. I can't see why they'd want to build a team around him now to be honest,. Depends what value Silence-Lotto get out of the hullabaloo of the Tour I suppose.

    Disagree - I think he has one big chance left in him. As can be seen from his Olympic efforts he is still a very good TT - better than most of the mountain specialists. Building a strong team to help minimise his time losses in the mountains will still give him a big chance to take it in a TT - no guarantees of course, its a hard race :roll:

    Maybe after next year it will be all over as age will then become a bigger factor. Just now I think its OK.
  • Maybe it's Cadel as super dom for Kohl?
    He'll certainly be in the right position to push him up the climbs.:roll:
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    If Sastre goes somewhere other than Saxo-Bank (and at his age he would be wise to chase the $'s), then next year Cadel will likely be up against Bertie and Andy Schleck who will always have stronger teams than him, plus Sastre somewhere else and various other wildcards thrown in for effect.

    Contador vs Sastre vs Schleck in the mountains = big losses for Cadel (IMO)
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    He wont be the favourite but 12 months ago who would have has Sastre down as the next winner. I think Evans has got a chance - I do wonder if his ACL injury might play up a bit though.

    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    iainf72 wrote:
    They've made an offer to Kohl already.

    But it doesn't matter, this year was his best shot and he'll never win the Tour now.

    Hmmm... So the best TTer amongst the contenders comes in a minute down on a Tour with 25km less TTing that usual (and one of those quite hilly) and no prologue, with zero team support and his best chance has gone?

    You must really rate Bertie's post-DIsco/Puerto form :wink:
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • Jez mon
    Jez mon Posts: 3,809
    I think Evans has a chance, but he'll need a team of good domestiques and to be in his TOP TT form. One thing is, we haven't seen the route yet, if there is more TTing than this year he should be in with a shout. Lets not forget, this year he had a bad crash and was left isolated in the mountains. No crash and no isolation...Cadel would have won.
    You live and learn. At any rate, you live
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Jez mon wrote:
    INo crash and no isolation...Cadel would have won.

    And if Andy Schleck had got his lunch he would've won.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    iainf72 wrote:
    Jez mon wrote:
    INo crash and no isolation...Cadel would have won.

    And if Andy Schleck had got his lunch he would've won.

    No, Cadel would have then been marking Andy instead of Frank and Sastre would have won!
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    calvjones wrote:

    No, Cadel would have then been marking Andy instead of Frank and Sastre would have won!

    Perhaps. But regardless, next year if Astana are there there will be Bertie and Levi on the one side, Andy and Frank on t'other, maybe Sastre in there too and who knows who else.

    Depends on the route too - But a few more mountain top finishes would favour Schleck or Bertie.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • micron
    micron Posts: 1,843
    Evans is this generations PouPou, I'm afraid
  • victorponf
    victorponf Posts: 1,187
    micron wrote:
    Evans is this generations PouPou, I'm afraid

    Poulidor won 7 Tour Stages, 1 Vuelta (and 4 stages), 1 Milán San Remo, 1 Flecha Valona, 2 París-Niza... fighting vs Anquetil and the Canibal.... Evans rivals are Contador, Sastre... i think Evans is far to be the new Pou Pou, may be he is the new Beloki :lol::lol: (very similar historial in Tour and Vuelta)
    If you like Flandes, Roubaix or Eroica, you would like GP Canal de Castilla, www.gpcanaldecastilla.com
  • Yorkman
    Yorkman Posts: 290
    Don't forget nest years Tour will also see the likely return of Ivan Basso, whether he can ride to his former level remains to be seen, but assuming he can or can get close, he'll be a major force once again.

    Evans will never win the Tour whilst I have a hole in my Arse.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,069
    Yorkman wrote:
    Don't forget nest years Tour will also see the likely return of Ivan Basso, whether he can ride to his former level remains to be seen, but assuming he can or can get close, he'll be a major force once again.
    Basso won't be at the Tour because a) he'll go for the win at the Giro and b) you can bet Liquigas will be told he's not welcome should ASO invite them to the Tour. I'd be surprised if they get an invite given Beltran's positive test at this year's Tour.
  • Yorkman
    Yorkman Posts: 290
    andyp wrote:
    Yorkman wrote:
    Don't forget nest years Tour will also see the likely return of Ivan Basso, whether he can ride to his former level remains to be seen, but assuming he can or can get close, he'll be a major force once again.
    Basso won't be at the Tour because a) he'll go for the win at the Giro and b) you can bet Liquigas will be told he's not welcome should ASO invite them to the Tour. I'd be surprised if they get an invite given Beltran's positive test at this year's Tour.

    He'll ride in the Tour in my humblest, simply because he knows he's good enough to win it, and next year presents an opportunity before any of the real young potential winners are quite good enough.

    I can't see Liquigas excluding him if they enter, and the ASO won't exclude Liquigas as they have a relatively exemplary record, certainly in comparison to other permitted teams.
  • Jez mon
    Jez mon Posts: 3,809
    Basso won't be in the tour, look at what ASO did to the brand new Astana, Bruyneel from a drugs test point of view has an exemplary record but still got barred from the tour.
    You live and learn. At any rate, you live
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Back on subject a bit.

    So Lotto have hired Wegelius to help out. And are after Kohl. So he'd need 2 very strong climbers but 1 or 2 others - Popo is a bit of a stinker so who else should they go for?
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Yorkman wrote:
    I can't see Liquigas excluding him if they enter, and the ASO won't exclude Liquigas as they have a relatively exemplary record, certainly in comparison to other permitted teams.

    But for ASO it's all about public perception. Cycling fans know there are many teams worse than Liquigas, but for your average joe in the street, all they see is Ivan Basso the drugs cheat and all the negative headlines he'll bring.

    ASO are obviously not afraid of uninviting big teams. They make the rules now and the only way Liquigas will be at the Tour is if they agree to leave Basso at home.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,069
    iainf72 wrote:
    Back on subject a bit.

    So Lotto have hired Wegelius to help out. And are after Kohl. So he'd need 2 very strong climbers but 1 or 2 others - Popo is a bit of a stinker so who else should they go for?
    Where's the Wegelius story coming from? It's a good move for him and Evans, although one wonders how his form will be outside of an Italian team.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    andyp wrote:
    Where's the Wegelius story coming from? It's a good move for him and Evans, although one wonders how his form will be outside of an Italian team.

    It's being reported in some of the French press. Or I've made it up.

    He'll be fiiiiine at Lotto.

    Schumacher would be a good addition for Evans - Not a climber per say but can offer good support before the extreme climbs.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • Jez mon
    Jez mon Posts: 3,809
    iainf72 wrote:
    So Lotto have hired Wegelius to help out. And are after Kohl. So he'd need 2 very strong climbers but 1 or 2 others - Popo is a bit of a stinker so who else should they go for?

    If he gets Kohl and Wegelius and gets Popo onto the same training program as he was on in disco, then he has three good domestiques.

    Lotto need to wait and see what the tour route is, could ASO re introduce the TTT? I think with three very strong domestiques (Popo, Charlie W and Kohl) Lotto could do well, so long as Cadel starts learning teamwork skills....which i think is the bigger issue here. Lance (sorry for the cliched example) inspired loyalty, Cadel doesn't.
    You live and learn. At any rate, you live
  • Lance didnt inspire loyalty, he paid for it. Besides some of the american boys who im sure loved seeing a americian win the rest were bought. Cadel could probably work on those teamwork skills if he actually had a team around him at any piont during the race :D . Personally i agree that this year was his best shot even with a route that really didnt suit him. Contador was out and he has that kick that Cadel hates, and there really wasnt a clear rival. Personally i think the next Aussie to do well will be Micky Rogers. That is if he can stop crashing when he gets in the lead and not get really weird diseases?
    Take care of the luxuries and the necessites will take care of themselves.
  • he's a bit entertaining, though more off the bike than on it.

    Fabian for the prologue
    Sastre for the KOM
    Leipheimer - top 5
    Cavendish - 6 stages, including Paris

    not sure about the yellow.
  • I sort of agree that this year was his best chance but I would not be righting him off just yet. Contador is not unbeatable. I still think Evans will be in the mix for GC next year. Andy Schleck is an incredible talent but needs to improve his time trialling. I think Evan's management expected him to win the race on the time trial if post race comments are anything to go by.They tried to hide their disappoinment but not in convincing fashion. Riding last is a huge advantage and Sastre was impressive in the TT. It will be interesting to see how Sastre goes if he joins another team. No one could say it was a dull race.
  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    If the route involves more time trialling than this year then you can't count Evans out, particularly if he has more help in the mountains. By the way does anyone else think Kohl might be the better GC rider next year?

    Andy Schleck's time will come but you can't afford to give away 5 minutes in a time trial and the same goes for Frank.

    Hard to pick a winner this far away but hard to see past Contador.