“I know there are some disappointed fans that we didn’t sign Taylor Phinney. I understand your disappointment, as Taylor certainly has shown that he has a very bright future ahead of him and will be an asset to any team. I met with Taylor in the Tour de l’Avenir to talk with him one-on-one. Out of respect to Taylor and his new team, BMC, I won’t reveal the details of that discussion, but I will tell you this: Taylor had a very tough decision to make, and as much as I would have liked to have continued to be part of his development, I understand and respect his decision. I certainly wish him the best of luck and hope that he will continue to succeed. Simply put, his success is good for cycling!”
Before he even signed with BMC he had already said he was hesitant to sign with Radioshack due to the fact that their sponsorship only ran through next season. He didn’t want to be looking for another team after one season, and he mentioned that he didn’t want to have to change bikes so close to the 2012 olympics.
and does this mean that BMC is out of the running for Cancellara? One would think so…
Ewan
Why? Phinney is a few years away from competing to win the spring classics. If anything this strengthens BMC’s push for Cancellara, because they’ll have a stronger classics team to support him. Really though, I think Cancellara is going to go with the Schecks since Voigt and O’Grady are likely to go there, but we will see how it all pans out.
Time might reveal something we may not know, but I think Taylor’s choice is a great one. It seems BMC was more willing to work on Taylor’s own ambitions and goals. He can stick to his track regimen and then help BMC as he continues to progress. Plus he doesn’t have to take on any of RadioShack’s baggage.
Shocker yes, but there is no long term stability with Radio Shack,and Bruyneel. I think they announced that this was going to be a 2 year deal, and they have trouble politically, i.e. not getting into races. Not to mentioned the pending LA/Bruyneel disaster that will surely arrive sometime in the near future. What big corporate sponsor would want invest in him with this dark cloud looming on the horizon.
and does this mean that BMC is out of the running for Cancellara? One would think so…
Ewan
Why? Phinney is a few years away from competing to win the spring classics. If anything this strengthens BMC’s push for Cancellara, because they’ll have a stronger classics team to support him. Really though, I think Cancellara is going to go with the Schecks since Voigt and O’Grady are likely to go there, but we will see how it all pans out.Yep: linky
and does this mean that BMC is out of the running for Cancellara? One would think so…
Ewan
Why? Phinney is a few years away from competing to win the spring classics. If anything this strengthens BMC’s push for Cancellara, because they’ll have a stronger classics team to support him. Really though, I think Cancellara is going to go with the Schecks since Voigt and O’Grady are likely to go there, but we will see how it all pans out.Yep: linky
Yeah I read that and it’s probably true, but he came out today and said that he hadn’t signed anything and that he’s not going to announce anything until after worlds. I’d say it’s about 90% Luxembourg/Shleck, 10% BMC. I really can’t see him going to Sky, there’s just something that doesn’t seem right about that.
"“However, we had a chat with Lance, Bart Knaggs and Johan just to let them know that Jim had put in an offer and Lance had to leave half way because I think Senator Kerry was on the other line. I’ve tried to call, email and text and I’ve not really heard anything.”
I would be seriously peeved if I was LA or JB. The excuse about the bike for the Olympics is total bullshit, too. BMC don’t even have a track bike and Phinney has been riding a Trek for two years. The switch from Felt to Trek certainly didn’t bother him.
There’s more to this: Cancellara, LA’s investigation - who knows?