and I tend to come down on your side of it. Teams that aren’t full-fledged “feeder teams” (it’s amazing how nearly every team has one – BMC actually has two) stand an excellent chance of losing their top riders all the same from one season to the next. It’s another reason Vaughters’ team is such an incredible story. They went from being a podunk US team to one of the top 18 in three years. The only other team I can think of that worked their way through the ranks like that was Lavenu’s, and it took way longer. Nowadays everybody in the top 18 just starts there, with the cashola allowing them to skip every rung of the ladder beforehand. Vaughters has long argued for some semblance of a meritocracy in cycling, and this would be the simplest way, but I still doubt it’ll ever happen. A sponsor will pony up the bucks to buy whatever riders they want/need, but will they pony up compensation to the teams from which they poached those riders? Unlikely.
Yes, although we were both a little tipsy so I don't think conversation was very erudite!
(I might just point out that we weren’t entirely alone…it was at a Tour of Britain after party. I did however have him on my left and Kristian House on my right for quite a while ;)
Suppose Sky scoops Tiernan-Locke up next season?
Aly Edge - February 19, 2012
I hope Endura gets some type of compensation for Tiernan-Locke, if/when he goes to a bigger team
Vlaanderen90 - February 20, 2012
When did that ever happen?
(except in cases where riders buy themselves out of contracts)
Jens - February 20, 2012
That's a long-enduring issue
and I tend to come down on your side of it. Teams that aren’t full-fledged “feeder teams” (it’s amazing how nearly every team has one – BMC actually has two) stand an excellent chance of losing their top riders all the same from one season to the next. It’s another reason Vaughters’ team is such an incredible story. They went from being a podunk US team to one of the top 18 in three years. The only other team I can think of that worked their way through the ranks like that was Lavenu’s, and it took way longer. Nowadays everybody in the top 18 just starts there, with the cashola allowing them to skip every rung of the ladder beforehand. Vaughters has long argued for some semblance of a meritocracy in cycling, and this would be the simplest way, but I still doubt it’ll ever happen. A sponsor will pony up the bucks to buy whatever riders they want/need, but will they pony up compensation to the teams from which they poached those riders? Unlikely.
Aly Edge - February 20, 2012
Sean Kelly was promoting the idea previously, and I think it makes sense
otherwise what’s the benefit in a team like his?
ike2112 - February 20, 2012
Yeah I remember he wanted cash money from HTC for Brammeier
snort Like that was gonna happen.
Aly Edge - February 21, 2012
interesting idea.
I love that area. Been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time there with tennis etc. So many good rides all close together.
Maratsafin - February 20, 2012
I’m glad I’ve already submitted my VDS, now I won’t be tempted to take JT-L. I’m guessing he’ll be at least on 100 teams.
broerie - February 20, 2012
He's been added to something like 35 teams since yesterday's win.
Thanks to his win in Tour Med, he was already on 30-odd.
majope - February 20, 2012
Hmm, I had thought he would be more popular
not too old, speaks English, climbs well…
broerie - February 20, 2012
Probably lack of opportunities holding people back.
Endura might get more invites because of JTL’s early-season success, but it’s hard to say how many.
majope - February 20, 2012
speaks french too
could maybe make it on to will’s team
yeehoo - February 21, 2012
I had a drink with him once, before he was famous
Albertina - February 21, 2012
Nice!
Nice guy?
broerie - February 21, 2012
Yes, although we were both a little tipsy so I don't think conversation was very erudite!
(I might just point out that we weren’t entirely alone…it was at a Tour of Britain after party. I did however have him on my left and Kristian House on my right for quite a while ;)
Albertina - February 21, 2012
In that case I'm shocked that you remember JT-L.
He probably knows the back of your head pretty well?
straw dog - February 21, 2012
Haha
Albertina - February 21, 2012
+1
tedvdw - February 22, 2012
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