Transfers & rumours 2018

[bpsmith]

Maybe the current environment has changed priorities for some teams. With the introduction of relegation and a move from only 5 riders to all riders counting towards World Tour points totals, then a few days publicity in a spotty jersey doesn't cut it. Daniel only scored 5 ranking points all season and they came on the final day for 43rd place in a weak field at Guangxi. He was one of the poorest contributors for the team, despite being one of the higher paid riders. He did lose some racing through injury, although still had 43 race days at World Tour level. If you ignore the low level African races, he has only won 1 race in the last 6 years...a third tier one day event in 2013. With team sizes reducing significantly, teams appear to be more selective.

That’s a pretty convincing argument in fairness. I didn’t realise that he was the lowest ranked rider of 2017.

 

[rich p]

With the introduction of relegation

Is this going to happen? I can't see any/many pro conti teams wanting to step up to World Tour status.
Unless it's just a one off relegation to get the number of WT teams down to 17?

 

[lyn1]

Is this going to happen? I can't see any/many pro conti teams wanting to step up to World Tour status.
Unless it's just a one off relegation to get the number of WT teams down to 17?

Who knows? The last I heard was they wanted it down to 16 and 2019 was mentioned, but unclear whether that meant to start 2019 or based on 2019 results.

 

[mjr]

Maybe the current environment has changed priorities for some teams. With the introduction of relegation and a move from only 5 riders to all riders counting towards World Tour points totals, then a few days publicity in a spotty jersey doesn't cut it. Daniel only scored 5 ranking points all season and they came on the final day for 43rd place in a weak field at Guangxi. He was one of the poorest contributors for the team, despite being one of the higher paid riders. He did lose some racing through injury, although still had 43 race days at World Tour level. If you ignore the low level African races, he has only won 1 race in the last 6 years...a third tier one day event in 2013. With team sizes reducing significantly, teams appear to be more selective.

Many managers seem unhappy about smaller teams http://www.velonews.com/2018/03/news/insiders-say-smaller-isnt-better-for-classics-peloton_461313