Pro-cycling thread

And thoughts on how accurate it is?

I'm sorry, but the smell of rodents is over powering here. Something doesn't add up at all. I appreciate the British scene has a long and chequered history of dodgy team backers, so we are probably more accustomed to it, but this is only going to end in tears isn't it?

this is only going to end in tears isn't it?

Before bedtime, I suspect.

You mean before payday?

LAVADERO lolz

Bad news about Niki Terpstra. Seriously injured in training :(

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/terpstra-out-for-three-months-after-serious-motor-pacing-crash/

Avoiding geese, apparently. GeezRDeth.

On balance that GreenEdge sponsorship deal lasted longer than I expected.

The minute they can't agree who owns the company you know it's doomed. Well on the plus side, Manuela Fundacion were planning on joining the world tour in 2021 so we still may see the kit someones 10-year old designed on some actual riders. Maybe they'll sponsor CCC next!

At least it didn't go the Pegasus route...not yet at least

It’s not quite another Sony Ericsson debacle, but pretty embarrassing for Gerry Ryan.

Which is a shame as he’s put so much into the GreenEdge project. He doesn’t really deserve this.

Well it's over now.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mitchelton-scott-pull-the-plug-on-manuela-fundacion-deal/

Well at least it got resolved quickly.

Froome allegedly heading to Israel Start-Up Nation for 3 years. If true, I can only assume he's realised he won't win another Tour with Ineos and is looking to cash in for the end of his career as I doubt ISN will be able to field a team capable any time soon.

Can't wait to see Froome go up against the empire essentially by himself. Also is that the shortest ever lived worldtour team? The kit was nice at least.

Laurens De Plus rumoured to be joining Ineos on a three year deal. Big loss for Jumbo-Visma, as he was arguably their best climbing domestique at the Tour last year.

I wouldn't underestimate the intangible leader aura that Froome would bring to a team with his palmares. Some decent riders in ISN, but would need one or two mountain domestiques.
Doubt Dan Martin would be happy to be one.

According to procyclingstats, ISUN have a total of nine riders under contract for 2021, so they have plenty of scope to change the structure of the team to support someone like Froome.

Add this to the froome leaving rumour and it suggests ineos had told froome he would not be given leadership and so he quit.

Except it's all rumours currently. I still can't see Ineos letting him move before the Tour, even if he's not going to lead them there.

In which case ASO would find a rule that would not allow them to start the team in the Tour unless they release and allow him to ride as competition.

Thing is there's rumours they're going after Stuyven and Van Avermaet as well at least which suggests they want some classics riders. Hard to have a kick ass classics team AND a kick ass GT team.

The Wolfpack managed it last year.

(I know, I know)

I think I'd rather be in a team nicknamed The Nonce Brigade than one calling itself The Wolfpack.

Fortunately that's more likely to happen for you as well.