Riis gets new main sponsor

iainf72
iainf72 Posts: 15,784
edited May 2010 in Pro race
Well, "new" is not quite right.

But it looks like Sungard are going to step up as title sponsor.
Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.

Comments

  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Pity in a way. Was hoping to see the back of him
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • dulldave
    dulldave Posts: 949
    calvjones wrote:
    Pity in a way. Was hoping to see the back of him

    Why? I don't like him but I'm not particularly interested in seeing the back of him. Not criticising, just interested.
    Scottish and British...and a bit French
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Yeah, why indeed?

    Saxo are, as far as I am concerned, by far and away the best team in the peleton.


    Competitive from the first race to the last. All they're really lacking is a top top rate sprinter.
    _
  • wasp707
    wasp707 Posts: 116
    I'd hazard a guess that some people are not too keen on Mr 60% due to his alledged use of EPO and later confessions in the use of EPO whilst at Telekom. A quick look on Wiki will give the details. I myself don't care one way or the other about Riis.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    wasp707 wrote:
    I'd hazard a guess that some people are not too keen on Mr 60% due to his alledged use of EPO and later confessions in the use of EPO whilst at Telekom. A quick look on Wiki will give the details. I myself don't care one way or the other about Riis.

    Yes, this^.

    Its Riis I could do without, not the riders. Although not just the big ring on the Lauteret, but the gut churning hypocrisy of;

    2005:
    'yes, me and Ivan virtually live together, he owes his entire improvement to my 1-2-1 coaching skills..'
    to
    2006:
    'Basso... yes, wait, name rings a vague bell...'
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • thamacdaddy
    thamacdaddy Posts: 590
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    All they're really lacking is a top top rate sprinter.

    tell that to j.j. Haedo
  • dougzz
    dougzz Posts: 1,833
    Yeah but Cav was probably only at 90% 80% 70% 60%..... well I guess it just depends on what his mood is that day :)
  • pedro118118
    pedro118118 Posts: 1,102
    calvjones wrote:
    Pity in a way. Was hoping to see the back of him

    A bite harsh that.
    Yes, he has a dodgy background as a rider, but he has proven himself to be a very astute DS.
    The whole Ivan Basso saga was pretty ugly, but Riis was never implicated in Baso's 'plans to dope'.
    Give a guy a break.............................what do you suggest we do with riders/athletes with murky doping allegations - ban them from any role in sport for the rest of their lives?!
    And as for his 'Mr 60%' - lest we not forget, this was at a time when it's widely acknowledged, they (the whole pro peleton) were all 'at it'.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    pedro118118 wrote:
    [

    Give a guy a break.............................what do you suggest we do with riders/athletes with murky doping allegations - ban them from any role in sport for the rest of their lives?!
    And as for his 'Mr 60%' - lest we not forget, this was at a time when it's widely acknowledged, they (the whole pro peloton) were all 'at it'.

    Why shouldn't he be banned for life? Or at least banned from running a team.

    And just because they were all at it, and doubt the likes of Bassons and Boardman would agree with the assertion, doesn't make it right.
  • pedro118118
    pedro118118 Posts: 1,102
    OK - I understand the frustration, but where do you draw the line?

    There are plenty of riders from the 'dirty generation' who remain actively involved in the sport within ProTour teams, the media..................even in positions of authority.

    Plus, in legal terms, it would be impossible, due to European restriction on trade issues.

    As for the all being 'at it', of course there are always exceptions, but I was referring to the GC Grand Tour contenders and Classics winners during the 90s.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    Maybe that's why the sport can't get rid of the shadow of doping, as so many of the people running the teams have a history of doping themselves?

    Is it possible to change? I'd cite Vaughters as proof that you can but I'm not sure he's ever openly admitted to doping? However, I'd rather people like him ran teams that the likes of Riis and Gianetti.
  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    andyp wrote:
    Maybe that's why the sport can't get rid of the shadow of doping, as so many of the people running the teams have a history of doping themselves?

    Is it possible to change? I'd cite Vaughters as proof that you can but I'm not sure he's ever openly admitted to doping? However, I'd rather people like him ran teams that the likes of Riis and Gianetti.

    I think what cycling needs to do is introduce a licencing system for working in the sport. We all know people like Rudi Pevenage all think that unless you dope you can't compete and all their teams have programmes. These are the sort of poeple who shouldn't be in the sport and all the old guard that go with them. With no licencing system these people can't be banned from the sport just the riders themselves
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    pedro118118 wrote:
    calvjones wrote:
    Pity in a way. Was hoping to see the back of him

    A bite harsh that.
    Yes, he has a dodgy background as a rider, but he has proven himself to be a very astute DS.
    The whole Ivan Basso saga was pretty ugly, but Riis was never implicated in Baso's 'plans to dope'.
    Give a guy a break.............................what do you suggest we do with riders/athletes with murky doping allegations - ban them from any role in sport for the rest of their lives?!
    And as for his 'Mr 60%' - lest we not forget, this was at a time when it's widely acknowledged, they (the whole pro peloton) were all 'at it'.

    I wasn't suggesting we ban anyone for life, just offering a personal opinion on someone who's behaviour I find objectionable.

    I find the Saxo/CSC banging on about team spirit and the gung ho togetherness (especially with regard to Basso) somewhat at odds with the fact he didn't know Ivan was preparing to dope, that Frank had a hotline to Fuentes, that Tyler won LBL and Romandy doped to the gills and beyond, and is happy to see his star rider work with one of the top 2 dodgiest doctors in cycling. 'Astute' DS? Hell yes, but so is Bruyneel and I'm not fussed on him either, whereas Madiot, Vaughters, I like to see their riders win.

    But again, only my personal opinion, and your mileage may differ.

    I may have dreamt this, and apologies if so, but were there not suggestions Riis himself went to Madrid quite a lot in 05/06?
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • avoidingmyphd
    avoidingmyphd Posts: 1,154
    it's being denied now (the sponsorship, not the doping stuff):
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/saxo-ba ... am-sponsor

    do we believe?
  • pedro118118
    pedro118118 Posts: 1,102
    I'm not saying I like Riis particularly - or Bruyneel for that matter. I'm saying that just because he's mad mistakes in the past (under mitigating circumstances he would argue), it doesn't mean he shouldn't be allowed to work in the sport of cycling. Now if there was any evidence of inproper conduct at Saxo Bank, then perhaps I would have a different view.

    As you say, each to their own...
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    pedro118118 wrote:
    I'm not saying I like Riis particularly - or Bruyneel for that matter. I'm saying that just because he's mad mistakes in the past (under mitigating circumstances he would argue), it doesn't mean he shouldn't be allowed to work in the sport of cycling. Now if there was any evidence of inproper conduct at Saxo Bank, then perhaps I would have a different view.

    As you say, each to their own...

    Well indeed, I never suggested a ban. However, if he couldn't find a sponsor despite having a stellar crew because big companies trusted him less to run a clean ship that Cuddly Bob S. et al, well that would be chickens coming home to roost.
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • pedro118118
    pedro118118 Posts: 1,102
    Perhaps you're right.

    He does have a very good eye for talent and has a very impressive roster of riders - all ages and abilities. With more coming through all the time, like Fuglesang (?!) and Porte etc.

    Makes you wonder whether the uncertainty over the family jewels are putting off potential partners. Without the Schlecks and Spartacus, the super squad doesn't appear quite so super I suppose?

    Seems incredible to me that any team that has Fabian Cancellara on the roster can struggle to find a commercial sponsor?!
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    calvjones wrote:
    if he couldn't find a sponsor despite having a stellar crew because big companies trusted him less to run a clean ship that Cuddly Bob S. et al, well that would be chickens coming home to roost.
    Good point. How much of Riis' problem in finding a new sponsor is down to the current financial situation, the pitiful image of prefessional cycling or indeed his own continued involvement in the team?

    Would you trust him with a buttload of your own cash? Not sure I would.
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I've got to admit, you guys are what I call true fans. You sound just like a friend of mines father and his next door neighbor. One loved the Detroit Lions and the other the Cleveland Browns but BOTH of them knew exactly how their respective teams should be run, who should be traded for who, and who should be just plain fired. They knew it all, yet neither had ever actually played any kind of organized football. It amazed me how they could argue for hours about d*mn near everything, and anything, that was even vaguely related to football.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    dennisn wrote:
    I've got to admit, you guys are what I call true fans. You sound just like a friend of mines father and his next door neighbor. One loved the Detroit Lions and the other the Cleveland Browns but BOTH of them knew exactly how their respective teams should be run, who should be traded for who, and who should be just plain fired. They knew it all, yet neither had ever actually played any kind of organized football. It amazed me how they could argue for hours about d*mn near everything, and anything, that was even vaguely related to football.

    Jeez, Dennis change the fking record, huh?
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    calvjones wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    I've got to admit, you guys are what I call true fans. You sound just like a friend of mines father and his next door neighbor. One loved the Detroit Lions and the other the Cleveland Browns but BOTH of them knew exactly how their respective teams should be run, who should be traded for who, and who should be just plain fired. They knew it all, yet neither had ever actually played any kind of organized football. It amazed me how they could argue for hours about d*mn near everything, and anything, that was even vaguely related to football.

    Jeez, Dennis change the fking record, huh?

    I could say the same about all the doper talk. But I won't. :wink::wink:
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Dennis = Andy Rooney. Here is the evidence:

    http://www.time.com/time/specials/packa ... moreontime
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    afx237vi wrote:
    Dennis = Andy Rooney. Here is the evidence:

    http://www.time.com/time/specials/packa ... moreontime

    He's my younger brother.
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    pedro118118 wrote:
    Riis, Give a guy a break............................
    And as for his 'Mr 60%' - lest we not forget, this was at a time when it's widely acknowledged, they (the whole pro peloton) were all 'at it'.
    That's great, that the whole peloton did shoot up the mountains like they never could before and they all won the TDF, did they ???
    There is only one other guy with similar palmares has done that. !
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    deejay wrote:
    pedro118118 wrote:
    Riis, Give a guy a break............................
    And as for his 'Mr 60%' - lest we not forget, this was at a time when it's widely acknowledged, they (the whole pro peloton) were all 'at it'.
    That's great, that the whole peloton did shoot up the mountains like they never could before and they all won the TDF, did they ???
    There is only one other guy with similar palmares has done that. !
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Tour_de_France

    Check out the top 20.

    It's hardly a who's who of riders who definitely never doped.
    _
  • pedro118118
    pedro118118 Posts: 1,102
    dennisn wrote:
    I've got to admit, you guys are what I call true fans. You sound just like a friend of mines father and his next door neighbor. One loved the Detroit Lions and the other the Cleveland Browns but BOTH of them knew exactly how their respective teams should be run, who should be traded for who, and who should be just plain fired. They knew it all, yet neither had ever actually played any kind of organized football. It amazed me how they could argue for hours about d*mn near everything, and anything, that was even vaguely related to football.

    I think you'll find the abomination of a 'game' played by Detroit Lions (is there much big game wondering the plains of MoTown BTW?) and Cleveland Browns is not even vaguely related to football. Clue: foot + ball = football.

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