CmJc

This week we will discover if Mr. Jonathan Vaughters is clinically insane.

"We will not let Wiggins join British team Sky, says Garmin manager."

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/g...r-1774427.html

"I would have to be clinically insane to sell that contract. It would represent a loss of a great rider and person, a loss of image, a loss of credibility and a loss of potential results."

His crown jewel was spotted last week-end chumming with David Brailsford at Manchester Velodrome...
https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...by-friday.html

What price Wiggo Flying across to Sky?

kensuf

This was already resolved on twitter during the tour.

CmJc

If you believe the Dail Mail's Simon Jones, the deal was done last September, with Wiggo going to Sky for 2 million pounds, which Garmin will use to buy in Bert Contador:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/oth...-Chipotle.html

This was around the time Wiggo said he was "playing for Wigan Athletic, but really needed to be playing for Manchester United".

We will know soon...

El Diablo Rojo

I wouldn't be surprised to find out this is true...I'd also not be surprised to find a clause that only allows the deal to go through if AC can get out of his Astana contract. No AC no Wiggy to Sky.

Nate552

I thought it was pretty telling that that Wiggo wore a SKY skinsuit at the World TT Championships. Perhaps it was just a coincidence.....

bdcheung

it's because SKY sponsors British cycling.

CrimsonKarter21

True. But also, if you noticed, every rider, no matter what they nationality, had their trade team on the leg of their National kits. Everyone. Everyone but Wiggo.

I doubt it means anything, but it was there for everyone to see.

bdcheung

sorry, but no.

Here's Chris Froome, who rides for Barloworld:


And here are some others:

CrimsonKarter21

Sorry masta.

Nate552

Yep, my bad too. I missed that.

kniprm

they're all going to Sky. Duh.

CmJc

Wiggo doused the rumours effectively during the Tour to allow himself and the Team to focus on the job in hand.

Since the Tour, Wiggo has apparently been seriously wooed by Mr. Brailsford.

Probably a combination of financial pragmatism, plus the prospect of somebody else stealing the GC limelight at Sky, after which it would be problematic to import Wiggins when his current contract expires.

As we say UpNorth:

"Get yer'feet under the table while you can."

However, I thought his own comparison of Garmin-Slipstream with Wigan Athletic FC was harsh, and the current line-up of Sky does not look anywhere near as dominating as Sir Alex's Lads.

CmJc

Well... JV has prolonged the agony by hanging onto his marbles gamely; he is even now still in-denial:

"Garmin deny L'Equipe reports that Wiggins has signed for Team Sky"
https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...-team-sky.html

But Wiggo is rattling his cage again:
"Wiggins keen for Team Sky switch"
https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ng/8372698.stm

It can't be the money, or the hilly 2010 Tour route; so it must be his insistence on wearing Black Socks.

CmJc

Wiggo Hath Spake...

And finally concedes he will, after all, be seeing out his Garmin contract:

Wiggins set to stay with Garmin
https://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport...ng/8397628.stm

Read his comments to see how reluctant he is to remain with the American Team.

Not edifying reading for CVV and his other "Wigan" team-mates who unselfishly lifted Bradley to fourth in the Tour.

They will be thoroughly de-motivated to work for him in similar fashion in 2010.

The indisputably sane Mr. Vaughters will doubtless smooth the public cracks, but Garmin's pugnacious Aussie Team Manager "Whitey" (Matt White) won't pull punches letting their rough-diamond know what he thinks.

Expect royal fireworks at a divided Garmin in 2010.

Note to Mods: The new Forum design is painfully slow-loading on dial-up in Asia. Just trying to read threads the screen normally times out. No problems accessing any other sites on the same connection.

El Diablo Rojo

Well apparently he's now leaving Garmin for Sky:

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sky-...news_headlines

It would be quite the irony if Garmin gets invited to the Tour and Sky doesn't. If he goes to Sky, amd they get invited, I hope Garmin crushes him.

ridethecliche

So much drama.

Also, astana signed pereiro to help conty.

VA_Esquire

I want the wheelset! I would love a disc with the union jack and union jacks on the front wheel aswell.

El Diablo Rojo

Yeah, saying he was essentially riding on the B team was not going to endear him to the rest of the squad...those guys rode their butts off for him last July.

I'm thinking Pereiro is there as much for the language as he is for his legs.

gsteinb

Trade him. Then put him into a curb.

El Diablo Rojo

+1. BTW am I the only one who thinks that Wiggins won't improve on his Tour performance in 2010.

daytonian

if VandeVelde doesn't crash all Spring he could hang
Wiggins used to sprint, now he can climb and diet..... and get 4th. woopity-doo
he's an also ran next to Schleck, not the same world as Bert. Armstrong will own him as well.

mollusk

I would do ANYTHING to keep AC happy. Talent like that doesn't come around very often.

botto 

that's it. wiggins is a chickensiht.

ridethecliche

While wiggins is being a bit of an ass monkey, I can see why he wants to go to SKY. It's a national pride thing. He wants to race for his country after having medaled for them.

Not saying it's the right thing to do when you have a contract to fulfill.

El Diablo Rojo

Yeah I can see his reasons for wanting to ride for SKY but he's being more than an ass monkey..I look at him and think that he had a one off Tour..I'll be stunned if he matches that performance again in 2010. When you look at who will be there and who he'll have to beat, I see him finishing in the bottom part of the top ten at best.