Cancellara joins Schleck brothers
Four-times world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara has joined the Schleck brothers' team on a three-year deal.
"The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project is thrilled to announce that it has signed Fabian Cancellara to a contract that will see the Swiss powerhouse riding for the team for the next three years," the team, who are set to hit the road next year, said in a statement.
Swiss Cancellara, who achieved a rare Tour of Flanders Paris-Roubaix classics double this year, is joining from Bjarne Riis's Saxo Bank team.
"I had many interesting options, but in the end I knew that the project in Luxembourg would have all the ingredients I would need to continue improving myself without skipping a beat," Cancellara said.
"It is a unique mix of familiar personalities with new surroundings which will ensure continuity while instilling a new motivation to make this project the most successful in cycling."
Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck and his brother Frank also left Saxo Bank at the end of the season to launch their own team and have attracted several team-mates to Luxembourg.
The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project is managed by Brian Nygaard, a former media officer at Saxo Bank and Team Sky. Riis has signed three-times Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who failed a drugs test for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol in July.
The Spaniard has been provisionally suspended and the UCI have asked the Spanish federation to open disciplinary proceedings that are not expected to be concluded before next year.
Saxo Bank, however, have pledged support to Riis, even if Contador is suspended.
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shudda stayed at saxobank sungard and been conta's wingman
and if conta aint in the tour, dani navarro garcia conta's boy will win,
best climber ive seen, pushses the pace for hrs every day brahh
Thanks Bill, hence the reason why I stated that I am in a dillema with him.
I'm not saying that I don't like him, in fact the riders that race the 'Spring and Autumn Classics and Monuments' of our sport have far more appeal to me than the 'glory boys' that select certain summer stage races to shine in. At Paris-Roubaix I love the way he rides. However, I'm disappointed that Fabian has such a strong view on keeping Radio's when in 'my humble opinion' (albeit as a non-pro racer and spectator for the last 30 years) they have only shown negative effects on racing 'Quality'. Also, that for such a 'hard man' riding the Spring cobbles he should become a Health and Safety ambassador promoting sit-ins on the start lines! Maybe he's the Alfa Romeo of Cycling!! Love/Hate: You Love them on the road and Hate them when they won't start!!
Toni
You cite Fabu's view on radios as a reason why not to like him. Ask yourself this, how many pro riders have come out in support of banning radios, and how many others speak out about the need for them.
I'm not criticizing your opinion of radios. I'd like to think the races would be better too if they were banned. I'm not a pro nor have I ever raced with radio support (I have not walked a mile in their shoes), so I cannot comment from a racer's perspective.
I'm only saying that if you use that as a point of judgment, well a lot of riders fail.
I still think that he and Frank planned that fall in front of of Contador and Armstrong. That is what got Andy the the time ahead of some GC's. Was this just a coincidence?
I'm in a bit of a dilemma about Fabian Cancellara.
First of all, I admire any rider that wins Paris-Roubaix (In my opinion, the best and hardest race on the calendar), to win it twice is just awesome. Add to that the numerous other races/stages/time-trials he's won and yes, he's a pretty complete bike rider.
However, I strongly disagreed with his protest on this years Tour and I Totally disagree with him about race radio's, which in my opinion have had a seriously negative effect on 'racing quality' (ie: the reason why we watch bike racing in the first place!!). In my view, give more responsibility to the riders and the Team 'captains' on the road to make decisions as the race progresses, and not just respond to a "go,go,go" or a "stay,stay,stay" hollered from a Team Manager watching Live Eurosport TV from half a mile down the road!
(Ohh Look, the bunch have caught the break with " K's to go AGAIN, Booooorrrriiinnnggg!!!)
So, I think the Schlecks are probably the brightest thing in ANY sport right now, perfect role models and I just LOVE What they race and How thay race and look after each other. I think that Fabian will be a great addition, but employ him as a rider, not an ambassador (please!!).
PS: Tom Boonen for Paris-Roubaix this year! ;-)
Yeah, best team ever, sure to score high. Also, Cancellara is one of the best cyclists of all time.
Not really a surprise for me either, well actually I guess it is because I thought the deal was already done. :D
He's a local boy and is occasionally seen around the lake.
This LUX team is looking very strong. Perhaps the strongest all-around team of 2011.
Thomas, I think you're looking for reasons to not like him. I'll give you Spa, but not the others. He was cooked in the Vuelta after a long season. He didn't really want to be there in the first place, but did what he could without putting himself in too deep of a hole for the worlds. Barny Fife got his money's worth out of Sparticus this year, but seemed like he wanted even more. The only one who complained was McGee. Schleck who he was supporting doesn't seem to have a problem, so that should be the end of it for the rest of us.
With regard to the contract, obviously Fabu thought he needed to capitalize on his recent success. Cyclists don't have much of a retirement plan, so when they have success they need to take what monetary advantage they can. I also feel most of us fans don't really know what is going on within the team, so our opinions on much of this are not based all of the facts.
Win the tour? You're joking.
That's a big motor for the Tour and definitely a huge addition for the classics. They have all the ingredients from Saxo Bank with some additional spicing as well. Let's see if they can cook.
if he wants to push on and have new challenges, then he's got to have a pop at the world hour record.
Fantastic news... together with Jens Voigt and Stuart O'Grady, this team are gonna make sure there's a lot of painful, tired legs on the longer, flat or transition stages !! Can't wait for the Classics to start!
Disappointing he's not brave enough to lead his own team.
Cancellara is a fantastic cyclist and a great Guy!!
"He did what he had to do for his team on the road to Spa ... he's a hero in my eyes."
I understand that opinion, but it's a bit...win-at-all-costs.
Think of what happened that day.
Because of it, Sanchez missed a podium spot, and Hushovd very nearly lost the final green jersey.
The whole "chaingate" thing is nothing in comparison....wouldn't even have happened had the Spa stage not been annulled.
Potentially the damage was even higher - take away Chavanel's stage win for Quickstep, and the spell in yellow, then move Menchov into second in the Tour - was it enough to cost Geox a ProTour licence?
I think he may use performance enhancing drugs.
"The signing of Alberto Contador was the main reason behind Fabian Cancellara's decision to leave Team Saxo Bank"....maybe this is No.4, Thomas...completely back you up with first three.
This isn't really hot news as it was on the cards a while back when Cancellara left Saxo bank. I wish him lots of luck. He's a phenominal time triallist and a strong rider in general. I would never consider him a potential Tour winner, but he can be very strong in support of his team. He's also a character off the bike and that's important as he interviews very well indeed.
He did what he had to do for his team on the road to Spa ... he's a hero in my eyes.
"who can bring themselves to dislike Cancellara ?"
Me.
I did like him until this year, then we got the Tour stage to Spa, then the carry on at the Vuelta, and then the contract palaver. Three strikes and you're out.
I'm going the laugh if 'the curse of riis' hits the new team :P. Not that I think it will. Don't really like the schlecks after they left, but who can bring themselves to dislike Cancellara ?
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