2015 Transfers / Rumours and real

iainf72

frenchfighter wrote:

No I had no idea he worked dor Riis before. If you can find a proper bike racer or industry heavyweight that speaks highly of his DS abilities please let me know.

I am confused what the logic with those two hires other thsn picking up Sky rejects on the cheap.

Well, he's been a DS on 3 different World Tour type teams and he's been the DS on 2 of them when they won Grand Tours

Why would they hire them? Ok, Julich respected, knows Riis well (rode on his team for 4 years). He then worked at Saxo Bank as technical staff til he went to Sky. After Sky he did a stint at BMC. Why on earth would Riis hire someone he clearly likes and has worked with before, and who brings a lot to the table?

As for Yates, again, worked with him before, he knows some of their main competitors well. Why not hire him?

RichN95.

frenchfighter wrote:

Can you see Contador working with him?

You do realise that Yates and Contador were both at Discovery/Astana together for three years. And that Yates was the lead DS when Contador won the 2008 Giro.

ad_snow

Team Sky have signed Elia Viviani from Cannondale.
Brailsford says "I've followed Elia’s career for a long time, initially on the track and also as his career has progressed on the road. He has a fantastic temperament and is a fast finisher. We’re looking to have a greater focus on sprinting next year and Elia will help us pursue that goal."

Paul 8v

Not sure about the fantastic temperament, I'm sure I've seen him gesticulating and hitting his bars quite a few times!

FJS

2010 Criterium du Dauphine winner to United Healthcare

Paul 8v

Leaving the sinking ship? :-P

frenchfighter

No he couldn't get a ride so he is lucky to get UHC although its a huge step down especially considering he thinks he is capable of placing top 5 in TdF.

RichN95.

Brajkovic has had a few injury problems. He also really loves the US (to the point that I assumed his partner was American) and has constantly said he likes the US races. I think it will work out well for both as he could get UHC the GT invite they want.

frenchfighter

Yes he certainly is in love with the US (goodness knows why) and said he would only join a US team. But lets face it, UHC are coming no where close to a GT, Bracko wont get them to one by himself and there is zero chance they could support him for top 5 even if they did.

iainf72

Jesus wept, Oleg has employed Patxi Villa on TInkoff-Saxo, alongside Yates and Jullich.

PATXI VILLA.

<shakes head>

frenchfighter

Vila...what a stupid move by Tinky.

The_Boy

Am I missing something about Vila? Was he involved in anything more scandalous than the likes of Yates and Jullich?

frenchfighter

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vila-po ... stosterone

The_Boy

But why is that any worse than the like of Yates? I get it's a lot more recent, but is there any other difference? Was he involved in supplying etc?

frenchfighter

Maxime Bouet to QuickStep for 2 years.

Daniel Healey comes from BMC to Tinkoff as coach.

The_Boy

frenchfighter wrote:

Maxime Bouet to QuickStep for 2 years.

Great move for him, AG2R might well miss him.

Crampeur

Rumours that the DN1 French team Armee de Terre is going continental, possibly signing Rayane Boouhanni. Expect to see more camouflage lycra next year.

specialgueststar

Crampeur wrote:

Rumours that the DN1 French team Armee de Terre is going continental, possibly signing Rayane Boouhanni. Expect to see more camouflage lycra next year.

Alaphilippe a graduate of that team

frenchfighter

Crampeur wrote:

Rumours that the DN1 French team Armee de Terre is going continental, possibly signing Rayane Boouhanni. Expect to see more camouflage lycra next year.

Good news, the team is pretty solid result wise.

frenchfighter

The_Boy wrote:

But why is that any worse than the like of Yates? I get it's a lot more recent, but is there any other difference? Was he involved in supplying etc?

I suppose because it is more recent by a number of years when doping was less excusable.

Not heard much about him so no idea about his capabilities of proper coaching.

blazing_saddles

frenchfighter wrote:

The_Boy wrote:

But why is that any worse than the like of Yates? I get it's a lot more recent, but is there any other difference? Was he involved in supplying etc?

I suppose because it is more recent by a number of years when doping was less excusable.

Not heard much about him so no idea about his capabilities of proper coaching.

Best I can recall, after he'd served his time, he rode a couple of seasons for Ceramica Flaminia.
I saw quite a lot of him in the Italian races, always in the forlorn break and rarely getting a result worth the mention.
He was a bit of a one hit wonder and we now all know how he achieved that.
As far as I know, little or no experience off the bike.
Which makes him a really, really strange choice for a top flight coaching job.
You have to wonder..................

The_Boy

Didn't realise he was being hired as a coach. I read that he'd been working at Specialised since retiring so just assumed he was being taken on in some sort of capacity related to that. Odd.

frenchfighter

Will Horner ride next year? Not for Lampre.

“Team Lampre-Merida wish Chris all the best for his future: it would have been great for the team and Chris to have crossed paths earlier on in his career in order to have had a longer relationship,” the team said in a statement on its website.

“Lampre-Merida would like to show their appreciation to Horner for his proactive attitude, his passion for cycling, sacrifices and efforts he made for the team during the 2014 season: Chris has been a true professional in all senses, especially with his experience which the young riders exploited.”

iainf72

frenchfighter wrote:

Will Horner ride next year? Not for Lampre.

Something I wasn't aware of re: Horner

TheRaceRadio: .@TourDeJose @patrickhawley Jelly Belly is sponsored by Champion Systems, who paid some/all of Horner's salary on a Lampre.

frenchfighter

Wow they kept that quiet! Wonder what was in it for them if they didn't want to proclaim it. Anyone know what the benefit to CS was? A guarantee to ride for them the following year? Coaching of their riders?

The_Boy

frenchfighter wrote:

Wow they kept that quiet! Wonder what was in it for them if they didn't want to proclaim it. Anyone know what the benefit to CS was? A guarantee to ride for them the following year? Coaching of their riders?

The Lampre kit had the sponsor's name on each shoulder, so presumably just the shirt space.

frenchfighter

Fair enough, I didn't even notice that logo.

frenchfighter

Santambrogio is coming back with Amore & Vita

Coach H

frenchfighter wrote:

Wow they kept that quiet! Wonder what was in it for them if they didn't want to proclaim it. Anyone know what the benefit to CS was? A guarantee to ride for them the following year? Coaching of their riders?

It was openly reported during the negotiations that lampre didn't have the money in the budget to pay for him and it was a personal sponsor that would pay his salary. Much like Dan Craven at Europcar

frenchfighter