Sastre to Katusha

Kléber
Kléber Posts: 6,842
edited September 2008 in Pro race
The Tour winner signs for the suspicious Russian outfit.

So what was it about the multi-million dollar budget team that interested you, Carlos?

Comments

  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Kléber wrote:
    The Tour winner signs for the suspicious Russian outfit.

    So what was it about the multi-million dollar budget team that interested you, Carlos?
    Extremely interesting news. But why would it be suspicious, just because it's Russian?
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Makes me wonder if Cervelo will be signing any big names?

    I see Dan Fleeman and Dan Lloyd are linked to them but who are the big cheeses. The Henn being DS rumour proved incorrect although JP Van Popell is one of them.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Interesting. Harmon seemed pretty sure that there was gonna be a press conference today announcing Sastre's move to Cervelo, not Katusha.
  • LangerDan
    LangerDan Posts: 6,132
    Depending on how the whole ASO / UCI / ProTour thing pans out ,signing for a ProContinental squad like Cervelo could be a risk for a rider looking to ride the GTs (assuming Katusha don't get bounced out like Astana)
    'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'
  • Nice little retirement home they've got going there.
    Either they've got a good pension plan or more likely, a nice,
    expensive little medical package, to keep them all up to speed and under the radar. :roll:
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    FJS wrote:
    why would it be suspicious, just because it's Russian?
    I didn't mention anything about it being Russian and therefore suspicious, more that there is plenty of talk of the big budget, but not a word on the anti-doping controls. Hardly a good start and not the way forward for a new team, is it?
  • iainf72 wrote:
    Makes me wonder if Cervelo will be signing any big names?

    I see Dan Fleeman and Dan Lloyd are linked to them but who are the big cheeses. The Henn being DS rumour proved incorrect although JP Van Popell is one of them.

    Maybe they'll get Boy Van Poppel! He's been with Rabo Conti for a couple of years, so almost time to step up.

    I've got a feeling Cervelo could become very quite British actually in addition to the two Dans.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Sastre has denied he's signed with them.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • BrianS
    BrianS Posts: 112
    I will take bets on Sastre NOT signing with Katusha. All in aid of raising funds for the Braveheart Fund. :D
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Indeed, he's gone to Cervelo! My source - Equipe RSS feed - was wrong, they said Katusha first and have now said Cervelo :oops:

    [Brian, can you post any details / how to make a donation as I'll make a small contribution for your good work]
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    Where did you hear this? He denies it here:
    http://www.velonews.com/article/82746/k ... subject-of
    "I have not signed with Tinkoff (Katusha). I vehemently deny it," Sastre said after Wednesday's stage. "When I make a decision about my future everyone will know it with an official statement."
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    Kléber wrote:
    Indeed, he's gone to Cervelo! My source - Equipe RSS feed - was wrong, they said Katusha first and have now said Cervelo :oops:

    [Brian, can you post any details / how to make a donation as I'll make a small contribution for your good work]

    I'd be surprised if Sastre has signed already. He's not the type to either sign during a GT or to take away the focus from his current team by announcing a signing.
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    True donrhummy, he was planning to announce it after the Vuelta but apparently it's leaked out from his agent. Still, it leaked out that he was going to the Russian mob earlier...
  • BrianS
    BrianS Posts: 112
    Kléber wrote:
    Indeed, he's gone to Cervelo! My source - Equipe RSS feed - was wrong, they said Katusha first and have now said Cervelo :oops:

    [Brian, can you post any details / how to make a donation as I'll make a small contribution for your good work]

    www.braveheartfund.com

    home page: make a donation

    Sastre will release a statement on sunday evening.
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Kléber wrote:
    FJS wrote:
    why would it be suspicious, just because it's Russian?
    I didn't mention anything about it being Russian and therefore suspicious, more that there is plenty of talk of the big budget, but not a word on the anti-doping controls. Hardly a good start and not the way forward for a new team, is it?

    Fair enough... So it's to suspicious Cervelo now...

    Personally I'm at least as sceptical of teams that make a lot of PR noise about self-monitoring schemes...
  • Kléber wrote:
    it's leaked out from his agent....
    Classic agent tactic, to try to get more money/better deal from current employer.
    If you see the candle as flame, the meal is already cooked.
    Photography, Google Earth, Route 30
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Kléber wrote:
    it's leaked out from his agent....
    Classic agent tactic, to try to get more money/better deal from current employer.

    Except Riis has already said he can't afford Sastre and makes mumblings about how there isn't actually room for him on the squad anymore.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • All this and trying to ride a Grand Tour. Seems winning the Tour has turn Sastre into Scrooge.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • BrianS
    BrianS Posts: 112
    All this and trying to ride a Grand Tour. Seems winning the Tour has turn Sastre into Scrooge.

    Very far from the truth here. Sastre is thinking more about his future and looking to help work with a team after he decides to retire. Pretty much like Bettini and Rebellin. The money is not a factor. Otherwise Katusha would have officially announced he has signed. They have been offering big money. Sastre will announce soon but you have got to remember he has a job to do for CSC/Saxo Bank which he has total repect for. I believe Sastre will announce his future on monday.
  • pat1cp
    pat1cp Posts: 766
    BrianS wrote:
    All this and trying to ride a Grand Tour. Seems winning the Tour has turn Sastre into Scrooge.

    Very far from the truth here. Sastre is thinking more about his future and looking to help work with a team after he decides to retire. Pretty much like Bettini and Rebellin. The money is not a factor. Otherwise Katusha would have officially announced he has signed. They have been offering big money. Sastre will announce soon but you have got to remember he has a job to do for CSC/Saxo Bank which he has total repect for. I believe Sastre will announce his future on monday.

    and,,,,,,,,,,,and,,,,,,,,,,,and,,,,,,,,

    he's a very nice man too. I think he raises alot of money for charity in his native Spain. Childrens homes IIRC.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Press conf today so we should have answers.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.