MTN Qhubeka / Giro wildcards - wtf?

[rock]

how the eff you see kay can they let that Fluo team in as a wild card after having 2 x EPO positives last year........ridiculous

 

No space for MTN........

[rouxtjie]

Just saw on tweeter....disappointing....

[Cheese]

Yes Agreed, Can also not see how Caja Rojal not made the grade.

[nickc]

how the eff you see kay can they let that Fluo team in as a wild card after having 2 x EPO positives last year........ridiculous

 

No space for MTN........

 

Ag no - lets hope they can get into the TDF then.

[jcza]

Italian Race picks Italian teams - not that hard to understand is it?

 

Very disappointed for MTN Qhubeka

[Christie]

Wildcatds are probably bought with "donations" etc.

[JGR]

BBoooooo

[rock]

by the WTF stands for "Why team Fluo?"

Edited January 16, 2014 by rock

[Chro Mo]

Just read it: what a crock of steaming poo!

[Gen]

Flip man if the Giro wasn't such a cool race to watch I would boycott it.. such a pity darn it

Edited January 16, 2014 by Gen

[Roulier]

The Giro have missed out on an opportunity here by not being the first WT Stage race to open its doors to an African Team. They are definitely poorer in this case.

 

What kicks me in the nuts however, is to choose YellowFluo over more deserving others such as IAM, MTN and Caja .

 

Italian Cycling for you.......what more can I say.

['Dale]

Oh nooooo

 

Was so hopeful

 

But I understand Italian sentiment.

[djsam]

Yip, a little disappointed... but as has already been said Italian Race, Italian.. teams.. , not sure about the TDF .. but good chance to be in the Vuelta, ..IMO...

[Cav']

Not really surprised

[Cippo]

The Giro and Vuelta have always catered for the Italian and Spanish teams. MTN will get their spot eventually. Maybe they should focus on smaller tours and build up to the bigger ones. I think at present they would be out of their depth. The classics would be more suited. Just my opinion.

Edited January 16, 2014 by Cippo

[T-Bob]

100%. They declined an intive to apply last year sensibly and are still finding their feet especially in the longer stage races. The Grand Tours are littered with teams that have gone in thinking they are ready and are broken down with in 10 days and left riders who are scared or just surviving to finish.

 

I hope they get some bigger stagers this year and maybe a run next year. Maybe their full spring program also counted against them.

 

Unfortunately they were never in the running for this year with only 2 italian registered teams (and italian run cannondale). Truthfully I was surprised that Colombia got a run again after a poor showing last year and that United Healthcare didn't. They are starting in Belfast, US team with irish riders, on italian bikes with italian DS and chance to gain more market in the US.

 

IAM have been busy telling everyone their main aim is the TdF and with Chavenel / Haussler targeting the Classics who will be left there to head to Belfast? Caja have LL Sanchez and it seems like he is universally avoided by teams and organisers.

 

The only reason I can think that Fluro got in (apart from crazed,doped and TV worthy attacking from the first stage) is to make sure that carry on, get decent coverage and don't end up folding from the troubles last year.