MTN-Qhubeka watch (possible spoilers)
Comments
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Brilliant photo by Gruber:
Contador is the Greatest0 -
For a business like MTN a stage in the Tour and a few novelty days in polka dot isn't great return is it?
I mean the business turnover is comparable to bskyb.
In reality though what do you think they expected when they invested? The team would have been very clear on what they could realistically deliver. For a small team they sure got a lot of attention on the British coverage this year. I'd say the positive press , support and feeling around the team is very good exposure for MTN, which unfortunately with their withdrawal announced at the time it was now made them look like the bad guys.0 -
Back to the team racing...
EBH and Sbaragli took a 1-2 in stage 2 of the Tour of Denmark today.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
For a business like MTN a stage in the Tour and a few novelty days in polka dot isn't great return is it?
I mean the business turnover is comparable to bskyb.
Not when you're selling to Nigerians...
And operating in Nigeria is a risky business. MTN just got hit hard0 -
Aldag to Dimension Data...blimey Cavendish is really filling up the kitchen at that party with his mates. I really hope he can pull something off for the team they were entertaining and "entrepreneurial" last season0
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Gerald Ciolek is moving to Cult Energy. Hooking up with his old mucker Linus I guess.
Rule No.10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster0 -
Aldag to Dimension Data...blimey Cavendish is really filling up the kitchen at that party with his mates. I really hope he can pull something off for the team they were entertaining and "entrepreneurial" last season
I think they'll be more professional this year, but hopefully the underdog factor will still be there. THey were my favourite team of 2015, as they punched well above their weight.
I just hope they continue in the same manner next season.0 -
Lol... Cav's always the underdog... and especially now that he has the weight of African cycling on his shoulders...
Key question is how different is the kit gonna be? Very green is my guess...
I should have known this but DiData are a sub of NTT, Japan's equivalent of BT0 -
Big news:
Qhubeka have been invited to appear before the licensing commission on 17/11
Could be a WT place for them after all :-)
Sorry it's a Stokes article, but I guess he can manage some actual journalism every once in a while...
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/11/dimension-data-gets-its-date-in-front-of-uci-licence-commission-cookson-feels-team-is-logical-choice-for-worldtour-place/Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Good news indeed. They put out a tweet saying as much.0
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Brian Smith expects them to get a WorldTour licence.
He also says that although the team will be below their stated target of 50% Africans next year (12 out of 26) they will have a Continental team of 10 Africans to redress the balance. They will also continue to support races in Africa and he noted that Movistar are likely to be at one or two next year, because they've recognised the potential of the continent and want to see some riders close up.
The incoming 'star' riders such as Cavendish and Eisel will be expected to fit in with the team's way of doing things. That means looking to get people into breaks for the publicity it brings to Qhubeka (and often having someone right at the back of the peloton where the shorts advertising pays off!) so Cav will not normally have a leadout train, certainly not HTC-style.0 -
Brian Smith expects them to get a WorldTour licence.
He also says that although the team will be below their stated target of 50% Africans next year (12 out of 26) they will have a Continental team of 10 Africans to redress the balance. They will also continue to support races in Africa and he noted that Movistar are likely to be at one or two next year, because they've recognised the potential of the continent and want to see some riders close up.
The incoming 'star' riders such as Cavendish and Eisel will be expected to fit in with the team's way of doing things. That means looking to get people into breaks for the publicity it brings to Qhubeka (and often having someone right at the back of the peloton where the shorts advertising pays off!) so Cav will not normally have a leadout train, certainly not HTC-style.
There was some talk earlier about Cav taking a more solo role, more wheel-surfing and getting into attacks, which seems to be confirmed by that. I'm glad to hear there's a continental level team (though only 10 riders?) that should help provide a step up to the WT. But they've got a bloody tricky balancing act to perform.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Brian Smith expects them to get a WorldTour licence.
The incoming 'star' riders such as Cavendish and Eisel will be expected to fit in with the team's way of doing things. That means looking to get people into breaks for the publicity it brings to Qhubeka (and often having someone right at the back of the peloton where the shorts advertising pays off!) so Cav will not normally have a leadout train, certainly not HTC-style.
I did wonder myself if Cav could turn into a rider like Thor Husvold. He seems to have lost a little bit of top end speed but showed in the British champs when he wants to he can use his strength and power and dig in over a harder course.
Really hope the team get a WT spot. They deserve it from their performances this season0 -
Brian Smith expects them to get a WorldTour licence.
The incoming 'star' riders such as Cavendish and Eisel will be expected to fit in with the team's way of doing things. That means looking to get people into breaks for the publicity it brings to Qhubeka (and often having someone right at the back of the peloton where the shorts advertising pays off!) so Cav will not normally have a leadout train, certainly not HTC-style.
I did wonder myself if Cav could turn into a rider like Thor Husvold. He seems to have lost a little bit of top end speed but showed in the British champs when he wants to he can use his strength and power and dig in over a harder course.
Really hope the team get a WT spot. They deserve it from their performances this season
I'm not sure how successful Cav will be trying to get into breaks and being more active, who is going to want to take him to the line in a small group? meaning he would have to either chase lots of attacks down from other rides in the last few ks when it gets jumpy or go for the long moves himself which may work every now and then but never happens regularly at that level. As for the nationals yeah it was a good grippy race but despite Pete K being a class rider he would never be favoured in the sort of race if it was a world tour race with guys like gilbert, sagan, boonen etc there0 -
didn't think of it like that. You are right the field was a bit weaker at the British champs.
DO wonder how he will do next season, not because of the team but because he seemed to lose a bit of top end speed, although some of that could just be down to not getting the lead out just how he likes.
I can still see him getting quite a few wins next season, and I like the team too. The cause if very worthwhile and love seeing them attaching in the races and making a few things happen.0 -
Greg Henderson seems to think Cav hasn't lost any top end speed, but believes other sprinters have improved and more teams adept at setting them up0
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Could be some truth in that. I've never seen any speed stats just basing it on him getting beaten a few too many timesGreg Henderson seems to think Cav hasn't lost any top end speed, but believes other sprinters have improved and more teams adept at setting them up0 -
Roger Hammond to Team DD as a DS.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hammond-joins-dimension-data-as-sports-director/BikeRadar Communities Manager0 -
Roger Hammond to Team DD as a DS.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hammond-joins-dimension-data-as-sports-director/
Welcome to the forum...
viewtopic.php?f=40002&t=13025494&start=980#p197452430 -
Yep... Apologies!BikeRadar Communities Manager0
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WT Status Confirmed0
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WT Status Confirmed
great news and well deserved for the team.0 -
WT Status Confirmed
Fantastic, wonder what it means for Cav though. I thought a year at PC would have racked up some wins and confidence. Maybe having the team built around him will help.0 -
Fantastic, wonder what it means for Cav though. I thought a year at PC would have racked up some wins and confidence. Maybe having the team built around him will help.
Pretty sure it means Cav will continue focusing on the elusive Gold Olympic medal. The real reason behind the move.It's not so much about winning, I just hate losing.0 -
As per my comment further up the thread, the team won't be built around him: he'll be expected to fit in with the way they do things. This is from Brian Smith.WT Status Confirmed
Fantastic, wonder what it means for Cav though. I thought a year at PC would have racked up some wins and confidence. Maybe having the team built around him will help.
He's proven himself able to win on occasions without a leadout train. He'll have to be savvy in the way he goes about it.0 -
From the SA Champs, which they dominated
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As April Fools go, I think Matt Stephens joining Tinkoff would have been funnier...coriordan wrote:0 -
^or Kenny van Vlaeminck to Ettix
or given current performance, all of Ettix to TopBonk0
