Dimension Data Relegation?

[Crackle]

A fudge has been done. 18 teams for next year and no one goes to CAS with ASO successfully getting their way in two years time when it will go down to 16. I expect CAS to be very busy then.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

A fudge has been done. 18 teams for next year and no one goes to CAS with ASO successfully getting their way in two years time when it will go down to 16. I expect CAS to be very busy then.

A fistful of "fudge"

 

[Slaav]

A fistful of "fudge"

This isn't FIFA you know!


What? .... err who??? .... Pat who?? ..... oh I see!

Sorry - as you were





ps - Clearly I am in no way suggesting anything untoward in the above, just that money talks and sponsors pull the strings

 

[Flying_Monkey]

In this case, however, it's the right decision. The plan to reduce teams was developed at a time when there seemed to be too few teams vying for too many World Tour slots. However, that's not the case this year, in fact it's the opposite. It might well switch back again. But having a definitive number of World Tour teams at the same time as basically relying on the free market for the formation and sponsorship of those teams aren't compatible strategies.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I'm sure that Dimesion Data's relationship with ASO would have played some part in the influencing process.
http://www.dimensiondata.com/Global...logy-and-Applications-for-Tour-de-France.aspx

As would Oli Cookson's dad being president of the UCI.
http://africasteam.com/2016/02/22/o...-team-dimension-data-for-qhubekas-management/

 

[SWSteve]

I'm sure that Dimesion Data's relationship with ASO would have played some part in the influencing process.
http://www.dimensiondata.com/Global...logy-and-Applications-for-Tour-de-France.aspx

As would Oli Cookson's dad being president of the UCI.
http://africasteam.com/2016/02/22/o...-team-dimension-data-for-qhubekas-management/

It seems no matter which team Oli works for, his fathers role in sporting governence always seems to be related.

 

[rich p]

Mind you, if Bahrain Merida have 'signed' JRod for his points even though he may not even ride next year, there's a stink around the whole system.

 

[mjr]

But having a definitive number of World Tour teams at the same time as basically relying on the free market for the formation and sponsorship of those teams aren't compatible strategies.

Despite many flaws, European football seems to manage it.

 

[mjr]

They should put it to a vote, a referendum on who's out and who's in.

Cannondale-Drapac should go, the most dull team ever.

It does rather suggest that the rankings aren't rewarding spectacular crowd pleasing racing, which surely should be part of what it's about, shouldn't it?

I don't think a straight referendum is a good idea but again, building the audience should be rewarded, so maybe there should be a race's worth of points in an end of season poll. It might make certain teams a bit less antagonistic to the crowds.