Louis Meintjes signs for Lampre-Merida

[tombeej]

And the rumours about Cav joining MTN-Qhubeka still swirling...

 

Cameron Mayer (OGE) too.

[shaper]

Lampre have a world tour licence, MTN do not and have only been given wild card opportunities this year.  Without a Title sponsor they may fail to get those wild card opportunities next year... we wait and see.

 

An offer to move to Lampre in whatever role will ensure that he will gain further experience in the bigger races and tours, so for experience development it is a good move irrespective of the feel good factor that has been behind MTN this year and the sentimentality to remain at MTN

[RABUBI]

But MTN withdrew their sponsorship anyway, at the end of the day he must do what is best for him.

[Plentipotential]

Surprised. Thought it was a done deal him renewing with ?/Qhubeka. Maybe there is some doubt over sponsorship for next year, lots of sponsors exiting various sports at the moment. He's still young and perhaps he needs to get into a team where he works for someone else first. He certainly has the talent to go all the way.

[Wez-O]

Obviously its sad to see Louis leave our local team, however, its not the worst move joining a team who don't particularly have any GC contenders and perhaps its a role he can eventually grow into? Also, he is sure to learn stacks from the likes of Costa and Ulissi.

[Baaisikilist]

I'm happy for him. Best of luck boet...!

[HappyMartin]

Hope he does well and gets all the support he deserves. I guess it leaves a gap for another SA or African rider to get into Qhubeka. We will see

[Shebeen]

eish, i'm conflicted too. why does this sort of thing come up during the tour...surely it's in everyone's best interests for it to only get announced afterwards. you saw how Landa made sure his radio stopped working yesterday when he could have dropped back to help Aru

[nonky]

I wish him all the best and hope he makes a HUGE success of it.

.

Times are always tough when you are a pro athlete and, loyalties and niceties aside, hard-nosed decisions need to be made to ensure that you have a ride, a team and good sponsor/s.

[Dazshell]

Well you all know from my previous profile pic that I am a big Merida fan so not entirely unhappy with this, but that Lampre Merida kit!!!  Bad enough being a MAMIL, but a MAMIL in fuchia and cobolt blue....sis!

 

On another note, the commentators were saying the other day that Lamrpre and Merida could be parting ways at the end of the season.  Maybe Louis was waiting for that to be resolved.

[rock]

to compete at the highest level of one's chosen professional sport - why the hell not!

 

good for him. Hope they give him enough opportunities, but being a WT event they have to be at all the races so there should be lots of scope for him.

[rouxtjie]

Or Specialized...we don't need another Aaron Gwinn.

Hardly the same...

 

Louis could potentially not have a ride...Gwin had one

Louis can't plan for the season...Gwin could

Louis didn't sign an intent...Gwin did

Louis didn't drop them 2 weeks before the roster had to be submitted...Gwin did

...

..

.

Louis has integrity...Gwin has tokkol, see above 

[Jakkals.]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/meintjes-set-to-re-sign-with-mtn-qhubeka/

 

Something changed in a weeks time. I doubt that he will get the same exposure at Lampre as what he is getting now. He is going to be a domestique for next season for Costa or Ulissi, as Lampre are mostly looking for stage wins.

I think Costa will be more of a domestique for Meintjes.

['Dale]

That's awesome

From Pro Conti to Worldtour team

 

Maincheese on a Merida - sounds poetic ????

[Cav']

I would've done the same if I were in his shoes.

 

Pity he's going ride a Merida for two seasons though.

[babse]

DONT TALK K@K!!!

my feelings too