Louis Meintjes signs for Lampre-Merida

[Frosty]

I'm sorry but I can't get this picture out of my mind when people talk about Lampre.

 

That is a well rounded fella

[raptor-22]

Thanks for that, shows you how tough it is out there atm. Hope they manage to get stuff sorted soon

 

 

 

Yes one would think that cycling is a big enough that sponsors would fall over themselves to be associated but it's clearly not the case anymore on the international scene. locally we will likely be in a similar situation which brings the sustainability of local teams into question.

 

I think the small teams may be safer since their sponsors tend to be smaller with less financial exposure. but any team looking to break out of continental tier to Pro tour tier is looking at a hors category climb. I'm pulling finger for Quebeka that they do land Di Data as full title sponsor. But its really in the hands of the accountants

[Mntboy]

i know there is no opposites in people. but that guy is about as close to the inverse of maincheese as you can get!

Bwaaahaaa haaahaaaaa!

 

It's a good thing I wasn't eating anything at the time I might've choked!

 

Anyhow good luck to Main Cheese!

[rock]

Huh? R or Euros

 

Alt0128's

[ChUkKy]

I'm sorry but I can't get this picture out of my mind when people talk about Lampre.

 

 

Thats Vetseun

[jimmycool]

Thats Vetseun

Hahahaha! Shame man, poor dude.

[Jaco-fiets]

Can't wait for all the typical Suff Efrican reactions calling him a traitor and and and.............

 

I wish him all the best. Personally I am sorry to see him leave since I have grown rather fond of MTN Quebeka since TDF. Personally think the Quebeka squad is 1 of the better teams out there

[ChUkKy]

Hahahaha! Shame man, poor dude.

 

can easily tell its him with those Bloemfontein cruisers on his feet

['Dale]

That bro is a real fan

Just need a pair of pink Crocs

[Mongoose!]

can easily tell its him with those Bloemfontein cruisers on his feet

Watch it boeta. Ek is ook van Bloemfontein!

[dev null]

I think it is a good move from the young man.  With a European centred team he will have more opportunities to race in Europe, and learn Italian and maybe Spanish, as well as the culture.  He is still young and might be able to use Lampre as a springboard to stronger European teams.

 

I suspect Lampre will train him as their main GC man for the Giro next year.  And then maybe the TdF the following year.  I suspect that Louis may also be looking at his long term planning that way.

[dev null]

O, and one other note.  If it may be true that Cav might join MTN-Q, Louis might be thinking that they want to build a team around Cav, which will exclude any support for a rider with GC aspirations.

[CAAD4]

The "African" dream is over. There is even a song about it. Come on people wake up from under you buffalo skins and smell the Mageu... It was never going to last. Euro vs Rondt? Neva!

 

Louis jou doring. Best of luck, whilst the others might end up back on the local scene.

 

I hope I am proved wrong.... Now back to my moerkoffie.

[MTBtrailsSA]

Am also saddened by this move but wishing Louis well. He has great potential. When he wins the Tour De France we will celebrate a South African win!

[Patchelicious]

O, and one other note. If it may be true that Cav might join MTN-Q, Louis might be thinking that they want to build a team around Cav, which will exclude any support for a rider with GC aspirations.

As it stands, there is no GC support at MTN. They go for stage wins, and for that you need a sprinter.

[Squier]

The experience you gain from joining a European team is very important for a young rider to develop. Even though MTN-Qhubeka is clearly a very professional outfit, there still is much to learn for Louis and new experience he can bank.

 

Don't discount the possibility of him returning to Qhubeka in future. This change and different experience gained will stand him in good stead in future and could also benefit the team in the long run.

 

Also, money talks and MTN's salary bill is tightly strung. I've heard that almost 25% of the entire salary bill goes to EBH. So for MTN to match what Lampre offered would've been a challenge.