FreitasPCM wrote:
Cavendish to Astana seems like a done deal. Cees Bol also joins him. Lacks a sprint train, though, but I’m curious to see how it will work out.
They've got 6 months to sort something out. With the likes of Moscon and Bol they could have the start of a train. Grusdev and de Bod are TT Specialists so could provide the pure speed in the final 5-1 KMs.
I'm sure they can cobble something together with their squad.
"Ringo is exactly right", Shonak - 8 September 2016
De Bod left for EF, though. I’m sure Vino is cooking something up, Bol would be a decent leadout, plus they also got Boaro and some random Kazakh guy. Plus, Martin Laas as well, another backup. They are now used to sprinting but I’m curious how the mindset shifts with a champion like Cav in the ranks. Still awaiting confirmation.
Astana has 29 riders under contract, so to bring in Cav & Bol will need someone to step aside.
This is pretty clear cut in my opinion. Astana are probably the only team who are willing to sign Cav that has a TDF invite. Cav only wants to ride the Tour and try to get that remaining stage win (he'll do more races of course, but he's a one target man these days). Astana get the tout a former WC and the GOAT sprinter and milk the buzz that will come around the TDF.
That's important for trying to legitimize a team that's been sliding fast in irrelevance. Maybe this gets a few more sponsors on board and can push them towards a more stable long term position, outside of being a national team and home for pre-retirement veterans.
Downside, I have to watch Cav ride on one of my least favourite teams, and know any success he has helps give opportunity to Vinokourov and the Astana project. Quite loudly praying some other team is able to slip in last minute ... but not really hopful.
I wouldn't worry about roster issues. I'm sure Vino sees the publicity of Cav's pursuit as worth any cost of having to buy out minimum wage rider's contract or something. He'll figure it out.
Obviously not the ideal scenario for him in terms of a leadout, but he only needs one win. Who's to say he can't do it wheelsurfing? On paper it looks very difficult at this point in his career, but I doubted he would ever come close to the Tour again, and he proved me wrong. So I'm not gonna doubt him again. Biggest thing is, he'll be there.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Don't underrate Astana, they built a pretty fantastic readout on paper with Bol, Laas and Syritsa. Especially the latter is a star talent imo and did really well to position himself without a train already.
I’m sure Vino is cooking something up, Bol would be a decent leadout, plus they also got Boaro and some random Kazakh guy. Plus, Martin Laas as well, another backup. They are now used to sprinting but I’m curious how the mindset shifts with a champion like Cav in the ranks. Still awaiting confirmation.
