Why has Cadel stayed with Lotto for four years?
I know he's tied into a contract and can't move this year, but why didn't he move last time his contract was up?
They're not the richest team on the planet, so it can't be the money that keeping him.
I dread to think what the Curse of the Rainbow Jersey has planned for Cuddles nest year, though.
They're not the richest team on the planet, so it can't be the money that keeping him.
I dread to think what the Curse of the Rainbow Jersey has planned for Cuddles nest year, though.
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I knew he was 'eccentric' as regards the press, but I hadn't realised that he was like that with his peers as well.
Thankyou.
Also, even though SL are fairly low budget, he gets a hefty chunk of it. According to the Wall Street Journal, he's the second best paid rider.
Is this the 2nd highest in SL?
No. In fact looking at the article again, it was the second highest mentioned - $2.3 million. But I can't see many that would be higher than that, Valverde is mentioned as the highest, Contador perhaps.
From July 2008: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121693264451182277.html
http://m.guardian.co.uk/ms/p/gmg/op/sR- ... cat=Search
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... ns-cycling
If he likes it that much, why does he live in Switzerland?
But he lives in Switzerland - right by the World Champs course.
I think maybe it was referring to riding for a Belgian team? It was a while ago, and I have consumed too much wine since I read it...................I'm off to berate FF.............
The I went to the Silence Lotto bus and there was Cadel with his back to everyone. No interaction with the public whatsoever.
A good rider, sure but I don't think I would want him on my team. His sour face and constant bitching destroys morale.
Good PR for Canyon bikes though, they deserve it after the Unibet fiasco.
Some people prepare for the task at hand differently then others.
It was the warm up area, so maybe he didn't want to be distracted as he mentally prepared himself for the stage ahead. Being one of the most consistant riders over the last few years it seems to work for him. But also as Knedlicky said "maybe it depends which side of bed he gets out of." Haven't you ever had a day where you just couldn't be bothered dealing with people and answering stupid questions? Then again, I'm guessing you have never been in a situation where people want your photo, autograph or statement prior to one of the biggest events of the year. :P
Some people prepare for the task at hand differently then others.
It was the warm up area, so maybe he didn't want to be distracted as he mentally prepared himself for the stage ahead. Being one of the most consistant riders over the last few years it seems to work for him. But also as Knedlicky said "maybe it depends which side of bed he gets out of." Haven't you ever had a day where you just couldn't be bothered dealing with people and answering stupid questions? Then again, I'm guessing you have never been in a situation where people want your photo, autograph or statement prior to one of the biggest events of the year. :P[/quote]
Sure you can make up all the excuses you want for him, maybe valid maybe not. I offered you my observation on why I wouldn't want him in my team if I had the choice.
He is who he is, prickly and very quick to criticise others - be it towards other riders, his own team or the media. On the day in question, he wasn't surrounded by fans or the media, there was no battery of photographers or interviwers harrassing him or asking him "stupid questions". I simply said that unlike every other rider, he turned his back on the public.
He wasn't having a bad day, that's how he is, that's how he warms up elsewhere too. If that is all it was then i'ts no big deal but he has a history of being a t**t and if you want harmony in your team he's never going to be first choice. Look at how quick he was to blame Gesink at La Vuelta for what in fact was his own mistake. Shouting and screaming at the cameras etc. etc.
Like footballers, golfers tennis players etc. he lives his life in the spotlight and should by now have learned how to deal with it. It comes with the territory and he is paid big bucks by teams and sponsors in compensation for the little hassles that go along with the riding.
He wasn't under any more pressure than any of the other riders to perform well - including Valverde. Cancellera and Miller were at La Vuelta solely for the TT stages yet they could at least interact with the small number of the public milling about.
If at the end of the day you want to support him for being a good cyclist, fair enough - your choice. I just answered a little bit of the question as to why I think other teams have not been desperate to sign him.
IIf he was a footballer, his many episodes of boorish behaviour towards the media would be slammed as that of a spoiled, overpaid brat throwing his toys out of the pram when things don't go his own way. Managers and players don't like it when players speak out against their own, they say it upsets the dressing room atmophere.
Let's turn it around. You disagree with my observations so why do you think Cadel has such a negative public image and why do the elite teams not want him as a team leader? Why is such a good rider not with Saxo Bank, Astana, Caisse etc. etc.
For the record, I think he is a gutsy rider who gives his all on the road. I think he may be one of the few elite riders who is not doped up and I think his race at the Worlds was brilliant. But I also think he has a major attitude problem to the world around him and that could have cost him any chance of a Grand Tour win.
All just my opinion based on observation, reports and hear say. Maybe he's just misunderstood. They say that about most wayward stars.
I think this is very true. Cadel was born in Katherine. It's a tiny country town with a few hundered people at most. He came up thought the MTB ranks in Australia, which had a very small following over here and he wouldn't have had the experience with the media that the Europeans would of had coming up. Add to that he seems to be a very quiet and shy sort of person. I agree there have been some strange incidents, but I also think he is targeted somewhat due to the media and alike knowing he will give an honest answer and not the politically correct one and also in hope there is another incident which makes for interesting reading, therefore selling papers. Plus it's fun to get on the "Crazy Aussies" nerves.
But 3 questions.
Have any teams actually come out publicly and said "We wouldn't want Cadel?"
All the teams you named already have their stars, would they be able to afford him?
And would he be interested in going to a team where he is duelling for leadership?
Can't fault him if it's saving him cash
Also,I'd wager he won't get bothered by the general public,as he surely would in a mainstream cycling obsessed country.
Not really but I think I might be stating the obvious.
His wife is Suisse and his In-laws live a few KM's from the course that he has been training on for some time.
For Tax Reasons Tony Rominger (swiss) lived in Monaco.
Evans could well follow Robie again is my bet. ???
The argument is that Omega-Pharmacy-Lotto are not providing him with a team good enough to get him to the top step of a grand tour. It's a valid question but I'm sure he has his reasons.
He's not been entirely happy with the team but half expected some of the chaos and knew the team was dedicated to success in April too.
That may be yours, and some others, argument, but it doesn't necessarily mean Cadel subscribes to it. I mean, the guy is on a pro team, well paid, living well, racing bicycles,
traveling all over the world, doing very well with the team he's on(MAYBE another team
might get him a tour win, MAYBE), living in Switzerland. Geez, what's not to like. Could be he doesn't like the idea of bouncing around from team to team all the time. There are no
guarantees that he'll do better with anyone else.
Any information on who they've signed so far? They were unlucky with Kohl last year, that showed aspirations to do well in the Tour, and by the time it emerged about him it was too lat to find a suitable replacement