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Sam Bennett - no same day spoilers

Beasty

Signs for NetApp Endura

Delighted to see him get himself sorted after his storming finish to the season (as well as earlier in the season with his performances in the Ras)

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Mefistofelino

If Cav makes it to Paris (possibly in green), that just reinforces my view that Lefevre had intended forcing this conflict all along and had Cav prepping for a three week tour in the background. Probably the worst part of my home-brewed conspiracy theory is it would have required Cav to be complicit in shafting Sam and I don't think Cav is that kind of guy.

mr spuckler

seaviewphotos wrote: »

Will he make it over the mountains, that's the question. If I remember right, Sam only barely made it last year and he's a better climber than Cav. England do have favourable draw but I can't see it.

Wasn't last years parcours more brutal than this years? It's interesting that Cav has been targeting intermediate sprints too, maybe he just wanted to wear green but it also kind of hints at bigger picture?

breezy1985

Finnrocco wrote: »

Its amazing how Cavendish came back from last season, I remember him struggling to even lead out his sprinter (think it was Bauhaus).

With Morkov guiding him and with Ewan, Sam, Ackermann, Kristoff not there, Alpecin not focussing on one sprinter, Van Aert not contesting, Demare not looking on form, Sagan & Matthews probably a bit past their best it looks like its wide open for him to win 2 or 3 more stages.

Depends of course on luck with crashes, surviving the mountains etc. but he looks to be as fast as any of the others.

The 3 big French sprinters should be ashamed of themselves if they can't get a win this year. Bouhanni at least came 2nd to Cavendish but the other 2 were nowhere in a very weak field by Tour standards

Edit: Sorry though I was on Tour not Sam thread

Finnrocco

Its amazing how Cavendish came back from last season, I remember him struggling to even lead out his sprinter (think it was Bauhaus).

With Morkov guiding him and with Ewan, Sam, Ackermann, Kristoff not there, Alpecin not focussing on one sprinter, Van Aert not contesting, Demare not looking on form, Sagan & Matthews probably a bit past their best it looks like its wide open for him to win 2 or 3 more stages.

Depends of course on luck with crashes, surviving the mountains etc. but he looks to be as fast as any of the others.

seaviewphotos

Finnrocco wrote: »

Cavendish looks to have the form to win on the Champs.

And England look to have the draw to win the Euros!

Will we never be set free?

Will he make it over the mountains, that's the question. If I remember right, Sam only barely made it last year and he's a better climber than Cav. England do have favourable draw but I can't see it.

Finnrocco

Cavendish looks to have the form to win on the Champs.

And England look to have the draw to win the Euros!

Will we never be set free?

rtmie

rtmie wrote: »

TBH I'd be amazed to see Cav in the mix for any of the sprint stages at this stage of his career. Been out of it at this level for too long.

I reckon that's part of the reason for PLs ranting. He's picked a team totally around sprints/green jersey rather than punting on a run in yellow for alaphillippe and now knows he doesn't have the ammo.

Two confident predictions this week, this one and "no way will England beat Germany"

Follow me for more hot sports tips ☺️

Daroxtar

https://twitter.com/philgaimon/status/1409991355896451072?s=20

happytramp

I wonder how Cav's win yesterday will effect things... It's been a massive success publicity wise for DQS, will this have softened Lefevere's stance on the issue.... I love things to get resolved to the point that Sam can ride the Vuelta.

1bryan

Macy0161 wrote: »

To BMC, from Garmin/ Vaughters?

yeah, that was it

https://www.velonews.com/news/road/rohan-dennis-switches-bmc-racing-effective-immediately/

CramCycle

Nothing against Cav but Morkov would be a better choice, leave Cav to follow Morkov if he wants but Morkov on his own has a more realistic chance at the green jersey or a stage win IMO

This isn't a dig at Cav, he is still a quality rider and proved he is still at World Tour level. This is a team decision, Lefevere is seeing more money in everyone talking about Cav and him doing nothing, than a few fans getting a good race and seeing Morkov go for it. It is actually shocking how much airtime Cav is getting. Great for him by the way, if it was me, I'd be loving it, it's all money in the bank for potential sponsors, TV and radio gigs etc.

Large bottle small glass

Deleted User wrote: »

I wouldn't begrudge Cav a win and I'd not be a huge fan of the guy over the years. You look at the run he's had over the last 3 years or so, face planting in a TT I think in the middle east, then recovers and hits a bollard in Millan San Remo, then was outside the time cut off halfway through the tour and the virus and trying to get any kind of legs after it.

The guy must have been rock bottom , some of the races he was at and him on tv getting dropped on relatively easy cat 3 or 4 climbs etc.

Putting aside our green hats and Cavendish's difficulty making friends over the years, I think he has been an inspiration in refusing to go away and fcuk off.

I was sure when he failed to make time cut in tour, maybe 3 years ago, that we wouldn't see him again; yet here he is. The best sprinter is out and he has a team built around Sam at his disposal.

I won't begrudge him for sure.

This comes to mind, which for a forum full of fat lads in lycra should be on point
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light"

Thud

Can you imagine any other boss questioning his employees mental health issues in public, you'd think his lawyers would be warning him off saying this stuff.

That said Sam has a few years left at the top of his career so is unlikely to want to get buried in a court case. It might also impact his ability to get future contracts

Macy0161

1bryan wrote: »

Rohan Dennis springs to mind. Can't remember if it was to or from BMC, and I never heard the details of how it came about (as in, was he bought out of his contract, or was it mutual agreement).

To BMC, from Garmin/ Vaughters?

1bryan

Macy0161 wrote: »

I wonder is there the option of him moving early? It does happen occasionally. Anyway (as has been said) Lefevere effectively white walling him and then docking pay must be a legal case waiting to happen. Belgian employment law can't be that much in favour of the employer!

I'd also not begrudge Cav, but Lefevere will be very hard to take. It's still hard to see without more incidents though.

Rohan Dennis springs to mind. Can't remember if it was to or from BMC, and I never heard the details of how it came about (as in, was he bought out of his contract, or was it mutual agreement).

Macy0161

I wonder is there the option of him moving early? It does happen occasionally. Anyway (as has been said) Lefevere effectively white walling him and then docking pay must be a legal case waiting to happen. Belgian employment law can't be that much in favour of the employer!

I'd also not begrudge Cav, but Lefevere will be very hard to take. It's still hard to see without more incidents though.

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't begrudge Cav a win and I'd not be a huge fan of the guy over the years. You look at the run he's had over the last 3 years or so, face planting in a TT I think in the middle east, then recovers and hits a bollard in Millan San Remo, then was outside the time cut off halfway through the tour and the virus and trying to get any kind of legs after it.

The guy must have been rock bottom , some of the races he was at and him on tv getting dropped on relatively easy cat 3 or 4 climbs etc.

rtmie

griffin100 wrote: »

I wouldn’t be so sure. I think Cav has another TDF stage in him. A stage win for Cav would generate more headlines and publicity than a rake of wins by Sam (outside of Ireland). But I reckon he only has 2 chances left as I can’t see him slogging through the mountains and finishing (could be wrong).

Well I guess with no Bennett or Ewan any flat sprint stages are more open alright. But still De Mare and the Alpecin lads look stronger options

griffin100

rtmie wrote: »

TBH I'd be amazed to see Cav in the mix for any of the sprint stages at this stage of his career. Been out of it at this level for too long.

I reckon that's part of the reason for PLs ranting. He's picked a team totally around sprints/green jersey rather than punting on a run in yellow for alaphillippe and now knows he doesn't have the ammo.

I wouldn’t be so sure. I think Cav has another TDF stage in him. A stage win for Cav would generate more headlines and publicity than a rake of wins by Sam (outside of Ireland). But I reckon he only has 2 chances left as I can’t see him slogging through the mountains and finishing (could be wrong).

mitchelsontour

With all of Patrick's mouthing do you think he gotten buyers remorse with the Remco deal and is p1ss3d at himself for telling Sam and Joel to take a hike.

rtmie

sham58107 wrote: »

Guys do you think Sam or ( his agent ) made a mistake, if Cav wins today/tomorrow will Bennett status not drop ?

As already mentioned here, this time last year he had it all , now another row with another team.

Jesus listen to Wiggins talk Cav up ffs.

TBH I'd be amazed to see Cav in the mix for any of the sprint stages at this stage of his career. Been out of it at this level for too long.

I reckon that's part of the reason for PLs ranting. He's picked a team totally around sprints/green jersey rather than punting on a run in yellow for alaphillippe and now knows he doesn't have the ammo.

happytramp

Whatever about benching him you'd imagine he's in very murky water from a legal pov threatening to dock Sam's wages.

griffin100

Seth Brundle wrote: »

True but is he listening? I assume Sam has been advised to keep away from the news and social media to avoid it getting into his head.
If Sam has already signed, then I assume he wouldn't give a crap and will be happy to give the two fingers to Paddy

You can be sure Sam’s being well advised in the background. The more PL keeps throwing mud the better the case Sam will have if this becomes legal.

Seth Brundle

True but is he listening? I assume Sam has been advised to keep away from the news and social media to avoid it getting into his head.
If Sam has already signed, then I assume he wouldn't give a crap and will be happy to give the two fingers to Paddy

happytramp

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Other team bosses will know what is going on though. I doubt it would damage Sam's reputation around the town no matter what Lefevere says

Definitely. But it's still got to be horrible to listen to someone publicly berate you and call you a liar while knowing that your best course of action is to say nothing.

Seth Brundle

happytramp wrote: »

Sam's in a tricky position. On one hand he's well served to not get involved with a public tit for tat with Lefevere but on the other, the more Lefevere talks the worse he makes Sam look... dodging his calls, not getting on his flight etc. It's all very one sided obviously and Sam has nothing to gain since he's probably already signed with Bora but I can't see how he races again this season without tipping the Cap to Lefevere....... which I can't really see him doing either.

Other team bosses will know what is going on though. I doubt it would damage Sam's reputation around the town no matter what Lefevere says

Macy0161

The probability that the first 3 stages could've aggravated any underlying knee concerns is quite high I would think!

He would've been at least around Ewan today, although if DQS were properly working for a sprinter...

Mefistofelino

Seth Brundle wrote:

ok so I am not to say that Sam did not win it?

Macy0161 wrote: »

Or perhaps he actually did!

Schroedinger's Bennett?

happytramp

Sam's in a tricky position. On one hand he's well served to not get involved with a public tit for tat with Lefevere but on the other, the more Lefevere talks the worse he makes Sam look... dodging his calls, not getting on his flight etc. It's all very one sided obviously and Sam has nothing to gain since he's probably already signed with Bora but I can't see how he races again this season without tipping the Cap to Lefevere....... which I can't really see him doing either.

Macy0161

Seth Brundle wrote: »

ok so I am not to say that Sam did not win it?

Or perhaps he actually did!