Pro Transfers for 2014

[Flying_Monkey]

Apparently Alonso had originally tried to set up a team around Contador last year, and now it seems Contador will be joining this new version of Euskaltel in 2014. No wonder Sammy Sanchez was rather ambivalent...

 

[smutchin]

No wonder Sammy Sanchez was rather ambivalent...

He's being a bit optimistic if he thinks he's still a GC contender. Although, looking at Old Man Horner's antics in the Vuelta...

 

[smutchin]

Just thinking... I wonder how Contador's past will sit with Alonso's avowed "zero tolerance" policy - I suppose it'll be more a Garmin-style zero tolerance, rather than a Sky-style zero tolerance.

 

[oldroadman]

Just thinking... I wonder how Contador's past will sit with Alonso's avowed "zero tolerance" policy - I suppose it'll be more a Garmin-style zero tolerance, rather than a Sky-style zero tolerance.

No steaks allowed!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

BMC Racing Team Signs Colombian climbing specialist Darwin Atapuma

http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/bmc_racing_team_signs_darwin_atapuma/

You're a bit slow...

 

[laurence]

looks like Rubiera is joining the team formerly known as Euskaltel.

Santander heavily tipped to be the sponsor.

shame Santander didn't think of sponsoring while it still was an Euskadi team and needed a co-sponsor.

i will cheer the basque riders, but i have lost my team

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Apparently Tyler Farrar is out of contract at Garmin and has no offers. I'm really not surprised. I don't think he has had it in him to be a truly competitive sprinter for a couple of years now, and he was always a bit suspect before that. Some people say he should have tried to reinvent himself as a Classics contender. Maybe he still has that chance - he's only 29. But I think he'll need to drop down a level to do that. No serious World Tour team is going to hire a sprinter who never wins and is not likely to win in the future.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Apparently Tyler Farrar is out of contract at Garmin and has no offers. I'm really not surprised. I don't think he has had it in him to be a truly competitive sprinter for a couple of years now, and he was always a bit suspect before that. Some people say he should have tried to reinvent himself as a Classics contender. Maybe he still has that chance - he's only 29. But I think he'll need to drop down a level to do that. No serious World Tour team is going to hire a sprinter who never wins and is not likely to win in the future.

Interesting tweet from Vaughters last night..."This is such a stupid time of year. I find myself cheering for riders that aren't on my team, but that I've signed. Instant transfers needed".... we need to wait and see I guess !

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Just thinking... I wonder how Contador's past will sit with Alonso's avowed "zero tolerance" policy - I suppose it'll be more a Garmin-style zero tolerance, rather than a Sky-style zero tolerance.

I doubt it will be a factor, the pair are good mates and cycle together in the off season, apparently.

 

[rich p]

If Farrar and Goss were in a 2 horse race, would they both come second?

 

[The Couch]

If Farrar and Goss were in a 2 horse race, would they both come second?

Indeed, I believe the horse would win

 

[VamP]

Indeed, I believe the horse would win

Which one?

 

[smutchin]

I doubt it will be a factor, the pair are good mates and cycle together in the off season, apparently.

Brailsford and Millar are good mates and Brailsford didn't want Millar at Sky... But yes, it does seem that in this case, Alonso is more likely to put friendship ahead of dogmatic principles.

 

[thom]

Philip Deignan signs for Sky from UHC

 

[oldroadman]

looks like Rubiera is joining the team formerly known as Euskaltel.

Santander heavily tipped to be the sponsor.

shame Santander didn't think of sponsoring while it still was an Euskadi team and needed a co-sponsor.

i will cheer the basque riders, but i have lost my team

Interesting thought, but probably toe treading was thought about, and Santandar are very much an international outfit, where Euskatel is local, so the base is not particularly important tho them, and will be what suits team management. Indeed remaining associated with Euskara may be a marketing disadvantage, because they could well get tagged a "son of Euskadi" rather than Santandar. If indeed Santandar are the money. Alonso alos lives in the area the HQ is likelt to move to, and the cash talks over everything. Except the matey relationship between the owner and Bertie, of course. Nepotism is fine when you have the money!