[VdB]

I think BMC is partially just being realistic. Evans was already the oldest post-WW2 Tour winner iirc, going up against guys who should only get stronger (Contador & Schleck). So it's always going to be tough. Still...maybe with the seemingly more level playing field we saw this year and another TT in there, he may very well retain his title. And I agree that he deserves proper team support as a defending champion.

On a sidenote; I do believe that it'd still be better to have a Gilbert or Hushovd that both go for stages and work for the team than a crappy domestique. I mean, the former was positively attacking on every hill and finish in the first 2 weeks of the Tour and almost seemed tireless. If he doesn't go in as wild as this year, I don't see why he wouldn't be more useful than a Morabito (or whoever). But yeah, where's the mountain support?

[Strategy]

Don't mind me. But I do get a little bit annoyed that guys like Evans and Sastre - who finally end up winning the Tour after many years of hard work, just never seem to get any real respect from their management.

[bontempi]

I'm personally not a big fan of dedicating a whole team to supporting a GC contendor. I mean, look at Cancellara for example. He had one little dig on the first hilly finish and then pretty much dedicated himself to the Schelcks in this year's Tour. None of the attacking out of the peloton with 2KMs to go type of excitment we've had in previous years. Imagine if half the teams in the peloton had a genuine GC contendor and decided not to bring any sprinters. The kind of guys who can support a sprinter are also good at protecting the yellow jersey. I think having a team full of mountain goats is overrated. Splitting a team down the middle with roughly half being flatlanders to support a sprinter/protect the yellow jersey on the flats and half mountain support seems to right way to go to me and makes for a more exciting race for the fans.

[N.B.O.L.]

bontempi, on 20 August 2011 - 06:20 PM, said:

I think having a team full of mountain goats is overrated.

I agree with your post, but highlighted this section. The problem with BMC is they have no mountain goats.

[Strategy]

Oh - don't misunderstand me. I'm fine with teams having more than one horse to play on - in fact, I prefer it that way. I just think that Evans, Hushovd, and Gilbert all on the same team is one captain too many when you consider that BMC have not brought in a single domestique to actually support the guy who has been their best rider this year.

I suppose Porte might still be added to the team, but he doesn't bring in the qualities that Evans could actually use on the Tour squad - someone who can actually lead the peloton on the steep climbs.

[shag]

Leipheimer to Quick Step.

[Burkni]

shag, on 25 August 2011 - 06:42 PM, said:

Leipheimer to Quick Step.

*rubs eyes*
Come to think of it, it makes sense.
Lefevre likes a GC guy who can get results with absolutely zero support and RS is disbanding.

[Strategy]

Strong rumors that Karsten Kroon returns to Saxobank-Sungard.

[Strategy]

L'Equipe today talks about Brian Nygaard (general manager) leaving Leopard-Trek, and that Leopard-Trek may fusion with Radioshack.

[Burkni]

Strategy, on 29 August 2011 - 09:54 AM, said:

L'Equipe today talks about Brian Nygaard (general manager) leaving Leopard-Trek, and that Leopard-Trek may fusion with Radioshack.

???
Has he had a fallout with Flavio Becca?

[Strategy]

The story doesn't say. But it may well have some truth to it, as it's not the first time I've heard rumors of Nygaard jumping ship.

[Strategy]

Leopard-Trek have officially denied the rumors of a fusion with Radioshack, or that BN is leaving. Well - I guess we'll see how things look at the end of the year.

[Burkni]

Maybe Becca belives that Bruyneel has that little bit extra needed to get ASchleck onto the top step of the podium.

[Strategy]

The rumor has it that he is mostly dissatisfied with the inability of Nygaard to land a title sponsor for the team after a year.

[Strategy]

Despite Leopard-Trek denials, the rumor mill is hot today - with gazetto de Sport repeating the old rumors that Brian Nygaard will be leaving for GreenEdge. Shayne Bannan (GreenEdge) denies the rumor though. They also repeat the rumor that a merger is planned for a Radioshack-Trek team led by Bruyneel.

Lars Michaelsen (DS) admits that the rumors are beginning to get on his nerves, and that he would like to have some clarity.

Hmm... even if nothing comes of it, there must surely be something going on here. When was the last time that there was this much smoke without a fire?

[Strategy]

Another point in favor of there actually being something behind the rumors that someone on Feltet mentioned: Nygaard has been completely silent on the rumors so far. That is a very unusual situation for a guy whose specialty is PR.

[Burkni]

Strategy, on 30 August 2011 - 08:47 PM, said:

Another point in favor of there actually being something behind the rumors that someone on Feltet mentioned: Nygaard has been completely silent on the rumors so far. That is a very unusual situation for a guy whose specialty is PR.

In some instances, silence is the sign of a very astute PR man

[shag]

shag, on 25 August 2011 - 06:42 PM, said:

Leipheimer to Quick Step.

Confirmed - Bottle to QS along with Tony Martin (!).

Another rumor is Goss to Sky, which I don't like if Cav is really headed to Sky.

[Burkni]

shag, on 31 August 2011 - 01:52 PM, said:

Confirmed - Bottle to QS along with Tony Martin (!).

Another rumor is Goss to Sky, which I don't like if Cav is really headed to Sky.

Agreed. Goss should be his own leader.

[Strategy]

shag, on 31 August 2011 - 01:52 PM, said:

Confirmed - Bottle to QS along with Tony Martin (!).

That last one surprises me - I was pretty sure that Riis would nab him, especially after his comments about not wanting to ride GC in the grand tours.