I think Saxo's already full, but imagine him and Contador helping each other. Don't think he necessarily said he wanted the win, but at least a podium.
Argos defintely has the money and he would be the clear GC guy. We'll see what happens. I wouldn't be surprised to see Cannondale try to sneak in there after losing their best GC guy to Astana as well.
I agree. I am sure Saxo would love to add his points and skills, but I kind of doubt it will happen. There just isn't enough upside for Purito in my opinion. He will likely have other offers where he will have a chance to be a team captain and protected rider.
It has been announced that the Katusha team has not been invited to the Giro d' Italia. I'm sure that we'll soon be hearing an announcement that Rodriguez has terminated his contract, and has signed with another team.
Yes, despite all the denials, I can't see J Rod sitting this one out.
Can he afford to wait for the uncertain ruling of the CAS? I doubt it, but he could train "as if" he were going to the Giro.
Or, he skips the Giro this year and aims for Le Tour and Vuealta invites...
Pity for J Rod - but a contract is a contract. It is also clear that Ekimov isn't too worried about J Rod's season - If Katusha goes down, it seems Ekimov is comfortable with J Rod going down with them.
Pity for J Rod - but a contract is a contract. It is also clear that Ekimov isn't too worried about J Rod's season - If Katusha goes down, it seems Ekimov is comfortable with J Rod going down with them.
yeah I don't think JRod is too bitter about it. He would've jumped ship if given the green light, but he likely understands Katusha needs him and he's got a contract to honor.
At this point assuming they get invited to the Vuelta, does JR have any better options other than just sticking it out? Given the Vuelta route is perfect for him, I'm not sure if riding the TDF and the fatigue that goes with it makes sense.
He reportedly already has offers from other teams and they are all just waiting to see what the CAS' decision will be. He's the kind of rider (a legit GC threat) that teams will make room for. Argos and Omega Pharma both lack a legit grand tour leader and everyone needs those kind of points to stay at the WT level with things becoming increasingly competitive for the limited number of WT slots.
A somewhat off topic question about j rod. Is rodriguez pronounced rodriguez or rodrigueth (with a mild lisp as well)? I think it is a Eurosport commentator who says it with the th. Is that correct or does the guy have a speech issue?
Interestingly, he states that if Katusha fails at the CAS, the team he would most likely sign for has not been mentioned in the press...looks like we are in for a surprize if Katusha's appeal fails.
Interesting....Will cavendish be pissed if the team is split between GC and sprints. He should get more help than last year, but I doubt he'll be very happy. Assuming Purito rides the Tour, barring injury, I think he will be a very legitimate contender. It will be interesting.
Also, does lampre have the money to sign him? For some reason when I was thinking about this earlier today AG2R came to mind, but money also could be an issue. I guess really if a team is under 30 riders and they have money, he is almost a guaranteed good investment.
Either way, things could get real interesting real quick.
1) Katusha wins its appeal - the UCI must re-convene and decide which other team will lose it's place - I smell appeal number two immediatly after this occurs.
2) Katusha loses its appeal - Purito jumps ship and suddenly gives any team he joins a real GC threat (or double-threat if the team already has a GC rider). Katusha managment go @pe-$hi+ and an all out war breaks out between the UCI and the Russian Cycling Federation.
I'm popping the pop-corn in the micro-wave for this one...
No big fan of Katusha, but it did seem to me that they got hosed by the UCI. It made inclusion into the ProTour arbitrary based on the whim of the UCI.
No big fan of Katusha, but it did seem to me that they got hosed by the UCI. It made inclusion into the ProTour arbitrary based on the whim of the UCI.
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