Frosty Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Good luck Louis - good luck, enjoy and make the most of it. Remember that MTN-Qhubeka are not a team for the GC, so they'll go hunting for stage wins and perhaps a sprint win (if they're invited to the World Tour events). Louis clearly has his sights set on being a GC contender, so I see this as another step in the right direction for him.
Bianchisti Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 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.When you read his comments in this article it sounds very much like he wanted to stay and realized the benefits to himself in MTN. But alas sounds like it wasn't meant to be. If MTN cant guarantee that he will be racing at World Tour level you can't blame the guy. Let's see what happens.
Nibali Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 All the best for him with the new team. Sure he will learn a lot and become a real GC contender.
Cylon Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Good for Louis but a big blow for Qhubeka and ambitions of building a strong African dominated team. At the end of the day riders need to look after their own interests because it's a cut throat business and their careers are usually pretty short.
Gen Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Good luck Louis - good luck, enjoy and make the most of it. Remember that MTN-Qhubeka are not a team for the GC, so they'll go hunting for stage wins and perhaps a sprint win (if they're invited to the World Tour events). Louis clearly has his sights set on being a GC contender, so I see this as another step in the right direction for him. Yeah I didn't see all of yesterdays stage, but he more often than not finds himself alone, no support riders, it is what it is hey.. Hope the kid settles in nicely at Lampre. But this is not good signs for MTN (insert title sponsor here), i think the fact that there is no title sponsor yet, would've been one of the reasons he is moving on.
Bianchisti Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 I would've done the same if I were in his shoes. Pity he's going ride a Merida for two seasons though. :D Well a Merida on European roads might make you feel better? As opposed to a Cervelo on some other roads yet to be confirmed...
Cav' Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 :D Well a Merida on European roads might make you feel better? As opposed to a Cervelo on some other roads yet to be confirmed... Touché
Pure Savage Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 All you need to read to understand this move is, World tour license. Very happy for the guy and wish him the best! At least in that kit it will be easy to spot him. Heard Saxobank taking over from MTN, they just want to bring Riis with them, which is the hold up from announcing.
Bianchisti Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Yeah I didn't see all of yesterdays stage, but he more often than not finds himself alone, no support riders, it is what it is hey.. Hope the kid settles in nicely at Lampre. But this is not good signs for MTN (insert title sponsor here), i think the fact that there is no title sponsor yet, would've been one of the reasons he is moving on.Reading his comments from yesterday I tend to disagree. He had come off and 2 team mates had brought him back. All of this would happen away from the cameras so easy to miss. I think MTN supported him well where stages was suited to him. I mean in the early stages of the race they ride to protect him so he saves his legs. Of course they can't hang with him when the climbs starts. That is something that well be no different at Lampre.
EmptyB Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Sux but all the best to Louis....was inevitable anyhow.
Gen Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 All you need to read to understand this move is, World tour license. Very happy for the guy and wish him the best! At least in that kit it will be easy to spot him. Heard Saxobank taking over from MTN, they just want to bring Riis with them, which is the hold up from announcing. How new is that news, because I read that MTN had turned it down, because they don't want to work with Riis. There was another team that was also approached and they also turned down the opportunity, it could've been Trek.. but I can't be sure. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/mtn-qhubeka-reportedly-turn-down-bjarne-riis-management-and-sponsorship-offer-187533 http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-mtn-qhubeka-and-trek-turn-down-riis-sponsorship-offer/
Gen Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Reading his comments from yesterday I tend to disagree. He had come off and 2 team mates had brought him back. All of this would happen away from the cameras so easy to miss. I think MTN supported him well where stages was suited to him. I mean in the early stages of the race they ride to protect him so he saves his legs. Of course they can't hang with him when the climbs starts. That is something that well be no different at Lampre. it is true, a lot could be happening off camera. And also like I said, I didn't see the whole stage..
BMCfan Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 All you need to read to understand this move is, World tour license. Very happy for the guy and wish him the best! At least in that kit it will be easy to spot him. Heard Saxobank taking over from MTN, they just want to bring Riis with them, which is the hold up from announcing. If this is true about Riis, then Louis made an absolute correct decision to move on!
Warren_G Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 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 MTNWell said shaper, it's after all about rider development and not what makes us feel warm and cuddly inside, always look out for number one!
Nibali Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 How new is that news, because I read that MTN had turned it down, because they don't want to work with Riis. There was another team that was also approached and they also turned down the opportunity, it could've been Trek.. but I can't be sure. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/mtn-qhubeka-reportedly-turn-down-bjarne-riis-management-and-sponsorship-offer-187533 http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-mtn-qhubeka-and-trek-turn-down-riis-sponsorship-offer/ Yes, it was Trek. You must feel pretty unwanted if your name is Riis at the moment, but it's better that way.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.