But they're british - they can't be doped

Those riders were pretty much the best British speaking riders on the market so thats not very surprising though.

That wasn't in reply to you Isso. It's in regards to Brajkovic's claims of an offer, and also about how Andre Tchmil approached Dave Brailsford earlier in the year to say clear off our riders, when Team Sky hadn't approached any Katusha riders at that point.

As to your claims to signing dopers, sure, I doubt any team couldn't, but as you said, it's all about image, and I'm pretty sure (going back to my original, and only point) they aren't going to sign any rider thats ridden for Bruyneel due to HIS clear doping methods.

Nope, that it is not.



Ah, makes sense then



That's a double standard then. Not signing Bruyneel's riders but signing Corti's, Amadio's and Riis' riders.

It's like not signing people who have come back from doping bans but still doping your own riders it's how it is percieved that counts.

well, i think Jani was never doped. I just think Bruyneel have too much influence on him, and he was not progressing last two years as he should.After wearing gold yersey on vuelta ... he never had real chance to shine at Bruyneels´s team. So... it is mystery to me why he still sticks with that little weasel and playing third or even fourth wheel in his team(s). He is not young(est) ryder anymore and he is in perfect age to became a great GT rider... but with Bruyneel and that never caught Texas cowboy... i doubt somehow!

I love it when people call Armstrong a Texas cowboy, it makes him seem even more repulsive.

I dont get why most of you seem to think that Brajkovic is capable of doing much better somewhere else.
I dont think he could do much better than lets say Tom Danielson.
Is it really worth leaving Armstrong/Bruyneel for? I mean Brajkovic obviously likes it there, is well paid and feels appreciated and whatnot.
I think Brajkovic his situation is a bit like Popovych his situation.
Both were promising young riders and seemed to have the potential to do good/decent GC's but never seemed to really make it to the absolute top.
So they can choose to go to a team where they can try to grind out results for themselves(like Danielson did) or can opt to stay in an enviroment where the feel appreciated, where they fit in well, where they can work for other riders and get paid well and be respected for it.
I'd stick with Bruyneel as well if I were Brajkovic, cause I'd rather be a 'super-domestique' than an average GC rider.

Michael Rasmussen says that he's now in contact with four teams.

The difference is that Brajkovic was only given the chance to lead once, 3 years ago and he excelled. Since then he's never been given another chance to ride for himself. So, naturally, people are extremely curious as to what he can do.

Theo Bos was given a ProTour spot with Rabo for next season without earning it....and he refused it and will leave Rabo because he wants to be guaranteed participation in the biggest races and wants a personal leadout train.

Wow, he's not a jackass at all

Wow, so where does he go? Skil or Vacansoleil? Maybe even Silence? That is some giant ego, anyway.

Do you know which teams? Probably spanish and italian.

He said that all of them makes it possible for him to fulfill his sportive ambitions.

But if his sportive ambitions are to take part in Vuelta Chihuahua, that doesn't say much

I still think he'll join Astana

He say that x teams want him on their squad every week.

So let me calculate... Hum... About 78 teams had already contacted him and they could all help him to reach his objectives !

That's pretty much true, bobcat

He is just getting it the wrong, he has contacted 78 teams which will help him reach his objectives

He obviously has a crappy agent who won't give up on this silly tactic of saying he has offers, so that teams will contact him. Obviously watches too much Ari on Entourage.

Entourage ftw!!!