Movers and Shakers (Team Transfers)

[mondobongo]

That time of year again no big surprises yet:

McEwen off to Katusha for his last 2 years, actually been announced that he will have a mentoring role there.

Schumacher has been picked up by Milram and they will no doubt take a few more as the curtain falls sadly on Gerolsteiner.

There is a rumour that Jonathan Vaughters is planning a comeback according to Cycle Sport Magazine the Team Physio reckons that Vaughters could be up to speed by the start of next season. At 35 he is considerably younger than Malcolm Elliot who has not disgraced himself at all.

The big question though is where is Carlos Sastre going fully expected to be leaving CSC at end of season so as not to be overshadowed by the Schlecks.

 

[Noodley]

The big question though is where is Carlos Sastre going....

Tinkoff?
http://velonews.com/article/82668/katusha-signs-mcewen-and-karpets

 

[mondobongo]

Not so sure thats were he will go, I have a feeling that he may go to Rabobank. Garmin are apparently getting ready to make a major signing but can't see it being Carlos.

 

[girofan]

Cervelo are starting their own team in '09 perhaps Sastre has a home from home there?

 

[mondobongo]

Funny you should say that Girofan. as it was reported on CN today that he is talking to them and they are very keen.

 

[rich p]

columbia don't really have a GC contender

 

[Noodley]

Conflicting reports today. Tinkoff reported to have signed Sastre. Sastre denies it...

 

[mondobongo]

Now being reported that Sastre has an oral commitment with Cervelo.

 

[andy_wrx]

And Wiggins going to Slipstream
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Wiggins_on_his_move_to_GarminChipotle_article_266823.html

In one way, this is a bit puzzling as Slipstream already have lots of TT'ers on their strength but (apart from VdV surprising everyone at the Tour) are a bit light on GC contenders.
- unless of course Slipstream want an ultimate-killer team TT team !

But then I was fogetting that all-day-one-man-break in the Tour last year, when of course he was caught with 10k to go
Obviously Wiggins fancies himself as a flat-stage winner these days rather than as a TT/prologue specialist

Wiggins spoke with the management at Columbia. “I asked what role they saw for me in the next couple of years. They said they had considered signing Marco Velo [a lead-out rider and occasional time triallist], but they weren't going to because they had me. That made my mind up really.

“They are building a team around Cav [Mark Cavendish] and rightly so. Columbia is going to be the Cav show and who can blame them.

“But I don't want to go to every race leading out Cav every day. It was good fun doing that for him at the Giro, but I don't fancy that for the next few years. I still have ambitions myself.

“The problem is that the stages when I can go for it and try to get in breaks are also the ones when Cav can win, and my job would be to be by his side.

 

[mondobongo]

Staying well out of Cav's way then, 5 Pro Teams for Wiggins in 7 years.

 

[Keith Oates]

Sastre is giving a press conference today (Friday) so perhaps we will know where he is going next season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[John the Monkey]

Confirmed as Cervélo Test Team, according to Bike Radar Keith.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/carlos-sastre-confirmed-for-cervelo-test-team-18385

 

[Keith Oates]

Yes I see that JtM, it should also give them an entry into the next TdF so they will be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mondobongo]

Cycling News report here Scott Sunderland going with him to Cervelo. Looks like an interesting Team this, not going to be solely a results orientated Team.

 

[John the Monkey]

Cycling News report here Scott Sunderland going with him to Cervelo. Looks like an interesting Team this, not going to be solely a results orientated Team.

I vaguely remember Cervélo saying as much in the press release announcing its formation.

Not the exact words I remember, but this turned up on google;

"Our main reason to work with a team is to develop new products, and how better to accomplish that than by owning the team.

...

Race performance is only one component of Cervélo TestTeam. Our riders will also be involved in field-testing and providing technical feedback. In addition they will participate in activities with our customers, making them more accessible to cycling fans,”

(Vroomen, quoted on Velonews).