Choosing a team to support

[deptfordmarmoset]

I didn't expect to see it but I'm really heartened to see mention of Wiggle-Honda on this thread. A great bunch of riders and it's the only kit I really like. It's got the simple black-plus-a-bit style of Sky and Belkin but it reminds me of those orange liquorice allsorts. (I once worked in a liquorice allsorts factory....).

I've been thinking about starting a thread about the recent bid to get the women's Tour de France back into existence - I even signed the petition to ASO - but hesitated because I thought it should be kicked off by a woman/women.

For the men's cycling, I have a weakness for the British orientation of Sky (whilst loathing what Sky as a business represents). And then I suppose it comes down to individual riders on what I believe to be clean teams.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I thought the teams might be a bit like the American football franchises where they can pass from one city (sponsor) to another whilst personnel stay more or less the same.

Afraid not... you generally find the same people circle the industry and teams.
The director of sportive of OPQS is Brian Holm who previously held the same position at the now defunct HTC Highroad team, you now find a lot of the riders who previously rode for HTC now ride in OPQS such as Cavendish

 

[laurence]

I never would have guessed Astana were from Kazakhstan. Is what used to be USPS still represented at all?

Astana is the Kazakh capital. their colours are that of the flag.

 

[clockhammer]

I like the Sky team, no apologies will be offered for this. Whilst i see opposing football supporters reduced to pure hatred of each other and of other teams i think we are very lucky with cycling, i like the other teams and love seeing them perform and get results. Credit where credit is due

Same goes for individual riders, so many personalities, whats not to like? Just wish it was clean and always had been, imagine that?

 

[araapatlio]

I support Orica Green-Edge on the basis that their bus got stuck.

Nah, I don't really support any particular team, I just like riders that are able to push that little bit harder, do extraordinary things or are genuine personalities.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Not a fan of SKY, they might be calculated, effective and get the results but my god are they booooooring to watch ride tempo all day dragging round the team lead. Take a risk, go for the break, mtfu and dig deep, go for it........ That's why people like Jensie, Voeckler, Boonen, Cav because they ride with heart and give it a go.

 

[araapatlio]

Not a fan of SKY, they might be calculated, effective and get the results but my god are they booooooring to watch ride tempo all day dragging round the team lead. Take a risk, go for the break, mtfu and dig deep, go for it........ That's why people like Jensie, Voeckler, Boonen, Cav because they ride with heart and give it a go.

The Kevin Keegan school of cycling?

 

[derrick]

I have been following team Garmin as they ride Cervelo, but i do support Froome.

 

[themosquitoking]

Not a fan of SKY, they might be calculated, effective and get the results but my god are they booooooring to watch ride tempo all day dragging round the team lead. Take a risk, go for the break, mtfu and dig deep, go for it........ That's why people like Jensie, Voeckler, Boonen, Cav because they ride with heart and give it a go.

Could the whole SKY team go on a break, surely the peloton would cover that?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Could the whole SKY team go on a break, surely the peloton would cover that?

It would be interesting to see them try.... SKY seem to ride to cover everyone else, how often do you see a single team sky rider in a break, or going for it alone.... They are effective, they are calculated, and get the results. They deserve and have achieved respect for the results and rightly so.
I do not think though they have riders which will be admired and adored in the same way as Jensie or Boonen are because the fans want to see passion and Sky exhibit little to none

 

[themosquitoking]

It would be interesting to see them try.... SKY seem to ride to cover everyone else, how often do you see a single team sky rider in a break, or going for it alone.... They are effective, they are calculated, and get the results. They deserve and have achieved respect for the results and rightly so.
I do not think though they have riders which will be admired and adored in the same way as Jensie or Boonen are because the fans want to see passion and Sky exhibit little to none

I understand their tactics and admire the way they implement them but i also find it hard to get passionate about their style. I do admire a couple of their riders though, Kiryienka and Porte and the work horses rather than the glory hunters.

 

[Noodley]

I think it is becoming easier to 'like' a team's approach to training/doping/etc, but that does not necessarily mean I like the sponsor or the way a team rides all the time. I am a fan of FDJ, and Sandy Casar is my favourite rider. I also like the attitude/values of Garmin, but only really 'like' Millar and Dan Martin. One of my previous favourite riders was Mancebo, and even tho he is a doping git I still have a soft spot for the nobber.

SKY really is the team which divides me most of all - I cannot stand anything to do with Murdoch and refuse to knowingly buy anything to do with his companies, but I do think they have been great in their support of developing a team which I view as clean. Just a pity they can't work out how to ride a Classic properly! And that they seem to have made an arse of a lot of riders careers.

 

[Crackle]

Restricting yourself to a team is kinda missing the point, follow the sport.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Garmin for me, the only Scot in the current peloton, and Ryder is a Canuckian (where I hail from).
If you are new to cycling, support anyone but Sky, otherwise you will come across as bandwagonjumperonner.
Ag2R I like too, since we met them at PR last year and got a good tour of the bus and workshop etc, top fellers.

 

[Noodley]

Restricting yourself to a team is kinda missing the point, follow the sport.

Yes Yoda