khm4252 Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 I am so happy to see the success of MTN-Qhubeka at The Tour. It is so amazing. I believe if they do well in the team classification they are guaranteed a spot next year. What spot do they need to finish to ensure that? How realistic is it for them to stay second or stay in the guaranteed position for next year with the Alps stages to go? Serge, Daniel & Louis are all good climbers. I saw the video by GCN on YouTube and I loved that Daniel Lloyd said "everyone loves MTn-Qhubeka". Makes me so proud. What do MTN-Qhubeka need to do to graduate from being a Pro Contiental side to be a World Tour side? I always thought Orica-Greenedge was a ProConti side but see they are World side now. Is it Europcar, Cofidis, Bora-Argon their biggest challenges to be promoted? Is there a limit to how many WorldTour sides there can be? Is there a promotion-relegation like soccer? Would be awesome to get Richie Porte to be MTN-Qhubeka's GC contender. Does not seem like they have one. We have the youngster in Louis, the climber in Daniel and sprinter in Edwald. Only missing a GC contender now. I wonder if it is likely Qhubeka could sign Darl Impey to the side. Would be cool to have one of SA's best in the side. Great to see Qhubeka a spot at the Vuelta this year again. Will any of the guys at the Tour de France race in the Vuelta? How good is the B side? I see they did well in the Austrian race recently but how well will we do against the other big guns to keep our spot in that race.
'Dale Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 There's a whole lot of contractual obligations and administrative labyrinth to APPLY to become a World Tour outfit.Of the biggest is a guarantee of the financial back-up / sponsorship. They are well on track to do this.Maybe not 2016.For sure, 2017. Also, reaching World Tour status is one achievement.Staying there sustainably is an ongoing challenge and, for me, this is where success rests.
Pure Savage Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 Sadly, with most things it comes down to money. I think our guys have done amazingly and have been a real talking point at the tour. Unfortunately the step up from where they are to World tour is a big jump. They would need a big sponsor to fit the bill, but with the performance so far, that is becoming a lot more possible. Holding thumbs for them going forward!
Cycho Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 There was a mumble the other day that Dimension Data could possibly cover the bills to move up!
rock Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 is there space for another WT team? Dont we have to wait for a team to merge or collapse for a spot to open up? Although I seem to recall there is 1 x WT short this year?
Andrew Steer Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 Heard it's quite likely.. sponsor will be a local company, with a name from Cycling's past.That's all I'm saying PS: There is a world tour spot open
Pure Savage Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 is there space for another WT team? Dont we have to wait for a team to merge or collapse for a spot to open up? Although I seem to recall there is 1 x WT short this year? Europcar have no sponsor for next season and Merida on rocky ground at the moment. I reckon there is space.
Gen Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 Europcar have no sponsor for next season and Merida on rocky ground at the moment. I reckon there is space. To add to that Trek isn't doing so well financially either. But I actually don't think Europcar is a World Tour team hey.
Gen Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 there we go a list of World Tour Teams http://www.uci.ch/road/teams/ and the Pro continental teams ag that link of pro continental didn't work, just use the drop down on the other link
T-Bob Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 To be honest it suits a lot of teams not to get on the WT. It's not just about the securing of sponsorship and costs involved but it means that often you get invited to the big races through out the season but you're not obligated to schlep all over the globe because you are contractually bound as a WT team to put in an appearance... like at the season kicker in Australia for the Tour Down under. The cost in that alone is huge and you have to go in you're in the top tier. There is also alot of chages ahead with the UCI and the team structures that will potentially change team structure and calendars so it's a gamble to sign more riders to cover the WT events and the other happening only to find you have to cull when everything gets roiled out.If I were Dougie and the boys, I'd carry on as now. They have confirmed themselves as one of the top Conti teams and can not only put on a show but be competitive on the big stage. That will get them a lot of invites next year for the classics, the GT's and the end of season parades with out the hassles. Get the experience, mentor those up and coming younger riders that will hopefully stay with you and form the basis of any future WT team rather than rush it and have to start focusing on bigger stars, split squads and all the drama. Also if Europcar tanks then they really will be the best non WT team on the block and sitting pretty.
Frosty Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 The system that we know, now, is changing in 2017. Doug Ryder has explained it before, so I will see if I could find it. They basically brought (bought) in riders that could give them the best chance of securing UCI points... hence the classics type of riders and not the GC. These points will place them in a ranking of all teams. Doug's goals were to be in the top 9-16 teams (I think that's the division) by the end of 2016. It's rather complicated (but not as complicated as the new Super Rugby).
Grant G Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 I am so happy to see the success of MTN-Qhubeka at The Tour. It is so amazing. I believe if they do well in the team classification they are guaranteed a spot next year. What spot do they need to finish to ensure that? How realistic is it for them to stay second or stay in the guaranteed position for next year with the Alps stages to go? Serge, Daniel & Louis are all good climbers. I saw the video by GCN on YouTube and I loved that Daniel Lloyd said "everyone loves MTn-Qhubeka". Makes me so proud. What do MTN-Qhubeka need to do to graduate from being a Pro Contiental side to be a World Tour side? I always thought Orica-Greenedge was a ProConti side but see they are World side now. Is it Europcar, Cofidis, Bora-Argon their biggest challenges to be promoted? Is there a limit to how many WorldTour sides there can be? Is there a promotion-relegation like soccer? Would be awesome to get Richie Porte to be MTN-Qhubeka's GC contender. Does not seem like they have one. We have the youngster in Louis, the climber in Daniel and sprinter in Edwald. Only missing a GC contender now. I wonder if it is likely Qhubeka could sign Darl Impey to the side. Would be cool to have one of SA's best in the side. Great to see Qhubeka a spot at the Vuelta this year again. Will any of the guys at the Tour de France race in the Vuelta? How good is the B side? I see they did well in the Austrian race recently but how well will we do against the other big guns to keep our spot in that race. Agree with the GC sentiments but would also love to see a sprinter who can finish off the awesome leadouts that are being provided, especially at TdF. I suspect Mr Impey may well be considering a return to the African team too.
rock Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 can just see it now, "Africa's first world tour team blah blah blah"
T-Bob Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 Agree with the GC sentiments but would also love to see a sprinter who can finish off the awesome leadouts that are being provided, especially at TdF. I suspect Mr Impey may well be considering a return to the African team too. Wasn't that supposed to be the donkey that is Gossy? OGE must have been so relieved about punting him out the door after so many seasons off the pace.
rock Posted July 22, 2015 Posted July 22, 2015 Impey on a 3 year deal at OGE I think. would have to wait until 2017
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