Has signed a new Contract with Team Dimension Data
Sounds as well as though he's been cleared of the Epstein-Barr virus so has returned to training - Hoping this slowly sees a return of the old Cavendish we enjoy seeing in the sprints although wont be surprised if he still struggles purely due to age now
Let's hope so ... he was rumoured to be going to Bahrain Merida for a final payday, so this seems to indicate that he still feels that he can race.
Has signed a new Contract with Team Dimension Data
Sounds as well as though he's been cleared of the Epstein-Barr virus so has returned to training - Hoping this slowly sees a return of the old Cavendish we enjoy seeing in the sprints although wont be surprised if he still struggles purely due to age now
Let's hope so ... he was rumoured to be going to Bahrain Merida for a final payday, so this seems to indicate that he still feels that he can race.
I'd have thought that Bahrain Merida would have been a step up from Team Dimension Data, the former being a Man City type team who I imagine being able to challenge Team SKY one day whereas TDD are the Burnley of the Peleton and will forever struggle
TDD have signed some other Sprinter though (not a name I recognise) so will be interesting to see how that works out in the Team now, especially with Cavendish being given some leadership role as part of the Contract
Has signed a new Contract with Team Dimension Data
Sounds as well as though he's been cleared of the Epstein-Barr virus so has returned to training - Hoping this slowly sees a return of the old Cavendish we enjoy seeing in the sprints although wont be surprised if he still struggles purely due to age now
Let's hope so ... he was rumoured to be going to Bahrain Merida for a final payday, so this seems to indicate that he still feels that he can race.
I'd have thought that Bahrain Merida would have been a step up from Team Dimension Data, the former being a Man City type team who I imagine being able to challenge Team SKY one day whereas TDD are the Burnley of the Peleton and will forever struggle
TDD have signed some other Sprinter though (not a name I recognise) so will be interesting to see how that works out in the Team now, especially with Cavendish being given some leadership role as part of the Contract
Bahrain Merida won't ever challenge Sky in the grand tours, and they're never going to be a classics team. The Sheikh who owns them is basically running them as Nibali's team for him. DD are the perfect team for Cav because they're a team of mavericks. No realistic grand tour contender and will support him at the Tour and let him ride his own programme the rest of the year
Has signed a new Contract with Team Dimension Data
Sounds as well as though he's been cleared of the Epstein-Barr virus so has returned to training - Hoping this slowly sees a return of the old Cavendish we enjoy seeing in the sprints although wont be surprised if he still struggles purely due to age now
Let's hope so ... he was rumoured to be going to Bahrain Merida for a final payday, so this seems to indicate that he still feels that he can race.
I'd have thought that Bahrain Merida would have been a step up from Team Dimension Data, the former being a Man City type team who I imagine being able to challenge Team SKY one day whereas TDD are the Burnley of the Peleton and will forever struggle
TDD have signed some other Sprinter though (not a name I recognise) so will be interesting to see how that works out in the Team now, especially with Cavendish being given some leadership role as part of the Contract
Bahrain Merida won't ever challenge Sky in the grand tours, and they're never going to be a classics team. The Sheikh who owns them is basically running them as Nibali's team for him. DD are the perfect team for Cav because they're a team of mavericks. No realistic grand tour contender and will support him at the Tour and let him ride his own programme the rest of the year
Cheers for the insight with regards to Bahrain Merida
Do you suspect they'll disappear once Nibali retires (only 33) or do you think it'll be a team he'll eventually run?
Has signed a new Contract with Team Dimension Data
Sounds as well as though he's been cleared of the Epstein-Barr virus so has returned to training - Hoping this slowly sees a return of the old Cavendish we enjoy seeing in the sprints although wont be surprised if he still struggles purely due to age now
Let's hope so ... he was rumoured to be going to Bahrain Merida for a final payday, so this seems to indicate that he still feels that he can race.
I'd have thought that Bahrain Merida would have been a step up from Team Dimension Data, the former being a Man City type team who I imagine being able to challenge Team SKY one day whereas TDD are the Burnley of the Peleton and will forever struggle
TDD have signed some other Sprinter though (not a name I recognise) so will be interesting to see how that works out in the Team now, especially with Cavendish being given some leadership role as part of the Contract
Bahrain Merida won't ever challenge Sky in the grand tours, and they're never going to be a classics team. The Sheikh who owns them is basically running them as Nibali's team for him. DD are the perfect team for Cav because they're a team of mavericks. No realistic grand tour contender and will support him at the Tour and let him ride his own programme the rest of the year
Cheers for the insight with regards to Bahrain Merida
Do you suspect they'll disappear once Nibali retires (only 33) or do you think it'll be a team he'll eventually run?
I think either is possible. The politics of it are all a bit nasty. Bahrain has one of the worst human rights records around, and there was a lot of discomfort and bad feeling when they bought into the world tour. Its entirely possible they will simply disappear as the owner gets bored with it, or they may continue to bankroll Nibali into retirement and running the team himself. Can see Nibali continuing for another three years but don't see him being as long-lived as a rider as Valverde (Nibali has been at the sharp end of GTs for ten years now that takes a toll)
Geraint Thomas has said that, should both he and Chris Froome ride next year's race, then he believes they will be able to ride as joint leaders.
Though he is the defending champion, Thomas said that it was not yet certain that he would ride the Tour de France in 2019, saying that a full decision on his programme will be made at the end of the year.
The 2019 route has been dubbed a 'classic' Tour de France with none of the gimmicks that have been included in recent editions. There will be five summit finishes across the three weeks, three of which will bring the riders above 2,000 metres. There will be one team and one individual time trial, both 27 kilometres long.
Thomas - "It will suit the typical Tour specialist, a rider with a strong team around him, there’s a lot of medium mountain stage, and the time trial in Pau will also be crucial. So it will need a well-rounded rider and team to win it."
The decisive mountain stages begin with the 207km stage 18 to Valloire. It includes the Col de Vars, the Col d’Izoard, the Col Du Galibier - all three over 2000m of altitude. It ends with a long fast descent to the finish but will be one of the hardest days of the 2019 Tour de France.
Stage 19 to Tignes is again a short one, but includes the 2770m-high Col d’Iseran -12.9km at 7.5 per cent. The lack of oxygen will make it feel far steeper. The finish is above Tignes, with a final 7.4km climb at 7 per cent.
The final mountain stage of the 2019 Tour de France is also short at just 131km but the mountains and long climbs make up for the lack of distance. The stage climbs the Cormet de Roselend, the Côte de Longefoy and then the never-ending road to Val Thorens – 33.4km at 5.5 per cent.
Geraint Thomas has said that, should both he and Chris Froome ride next year's race, then he believes they will be able to ride as joint leaders.
To be fair they did quite well as joint leaders this year... Both effectively got led up the mountains by their team mates and when it was those two left, neither really worked for the other
Fernando Gaviria moving from Quick Step to Team Emirates ... big loss for them.
Big loss for Gaviria too - although certainly not financially. Much better team at Quickstep, though since he's more of a freelancer of a sprinter and doesn't need a big leadout train like Kittel, I suppose he can pretty much ride for anyone. Think he's a wonderful talent, and expect him to challenge Merckx's tour stage wins record (or Cav's, if he lasts that long) by the time he's finished
Fernando Gaviria moving from Quick Step to Team Emirates ... big loss for them.
Big loss for Gaviria too - although certainly not financially. Much better team at Quickstep, though since he's more of a freelancer of a sprinter and doesn't need a big leadout train like Kittel, I suppose he can pretty much ride for anyone. Think he's a wonderful talent, and expect him to challenge Merckx's tour stage wins record (or Cav's, if he lasts that long) by the time he's finished
Sad to say that Cav is finished at the top level now. He's clutching at straws trying to blame everything on Epstein-Barr. In reality, he's just not quick enough any more
Not so sure about that. Seems like Brailsford has gone from Dr Evil to Blofeld as principal sponsor
Quite recently my boss was Bob Ratcliffe, the brother of Jim. After leaving my firm as CEO of my division Bob got a gig with his brother where he ended up CEO of Lausanne football club.
i think both Bob and his massively richer brother have some very good qualities.
In no no way would I say that Jim is like Blofeld.
I dont think you get to be countes as one of or the the richest man in the UK without a serious ambition, idea, luck and ruthlessness.
from what I know I think Bob and Jim are decent.
Dont agree with Sir Jim’s approach to Brexit or his bullying at Grangemouth btw. Can certainly see them as a good investor into sport including cycling and better Jim than Rupert imo
Comments
TDD have signed some other Sprinter though (not a name I recognise) so will be interesting to see how that works out in the Team now, especially with Cavendish being given some leadership role as part of the Contract
Do you suspect they'll disappear once Nibali retires (only 33) or do you think it'll be a team he'll eventually run?
Is apparently going to be the highest Tour in history with seven sprint stages.
Though he is the defending champion, Thomas said that it was not yet certain that he would ride the Tour de France in 2019, saying that a full decision on his programme will be made at the end of the year.
The 2019 route has been dubbed a 'classic' Tour de France with none of the gimmicks that have been included in recent editions. There will be five summit finishes across the three weeks, three of which will bring the riders above 2,000 metres. There will be one team and one individual time trial, both 27 kilometres long.
Thomas - "It will suit the typical Tour specialist, a rider with a strong team around him, there’s a lot of medium mountain stage, and the time trial in Pau will also be crucial. So it will need a well-rounded rider and team to win it."
The decisive mountain stages begin with the 207km stage 18 to Valloire. It includes the Col de Vars, the Col d’Izoard, the Col Du Galibier - all three over 2000m of altitude. It ends with a long fast descent to the finish but will be one of the hardest days of the 2019 Tour de France.
Stage 19 to Tignes is again a short one, but includes the 2770m-high Col d’Iseran -12.9km at 7.5 per cent. The lack of oxygen will make it feel far steeper. The finish is above Tignes, with a final 7.4km climb at 7 per cent.
The final mountain stage of the 2019 Tour de France is also short at just 131km but the mountains and long climbs make up for the lack of distance. The stage climbs the Cormet de Roselend, the Côte de Longefoy and then the never-ending road to Val Thorens – 33.4km at 5.5 per cent.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/team-sky-expected-to-become-team-ineos/
Why the hell isnt Jim Ratcliffe buying Charlton though!!
Looking forward to this.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/47560704
i think both Bob and his massively richer brother have some very good qualities.
In no no way would I say that Jim is like Blofeld.
I dont think you get to be countes as one of or the the richest man in the UK without a serious ambition, idea, luck and ruthlessness.
from what I know I think Bob and Jim are decent.
Dont agree with Sir Jim’s approach to Brexit or his bullying at Grangemouth btw. Can certainly see them as a good investor into sport including cycling and better Jim than Rupert imo