Road Bike Racing - Millar for Postal?

I've read rumors that David Millar of Cofidis has
signed a provisional contract with USPS (in Velonews).
However I can't find anything to substanciate or disprove
this rumor.
Anybody heard this rumor also? Is there any buzz
in the European press?

thanks,
Marty

Wow... that'd be amazing! If that's true, USPS would have an almost unbeatable lineup with such a strong sprinter and time-trialist.

During the coverage of the Tour de France on British Eurosport there was an interview of David Millar, about the reshuffle of the management due to the chain fiasco. He roughly said that he was glad there was a reshuffle as someone had to pay, but he also mentioned that he was now the leader of the riders and that his future is commited to Cofidis.

If this happens I would be truly surprised. Millar is just not cut in the mold of the low profile, Postal type. Plus his strengths overlap the other members of the team. He's been beaten time and again by LA in the TT's. He can win short stage races, but so can LA and Heras. He is a chancer on one day races but not consistent there. He's a visceral, meteoric type, not the solid, day-in-day-out workhorse type like Ekimov, Hincapie, Heras, Rubiera, et al that USPS/Johan B. seem to like.

And can you imagine seeing Millar do to Bruyneel what he did to Bondue?

lI've seen this rumour before, but the reputable press seems to stay away from it. Did Velonews report this or was it on the Velonews forum? I think this rumour gets play because Millar speaks English.

Plus USPS has just offered contracts to two up and coming Belgians to bolster it's one day classic presence.

Here's the link to Velonews Story (http://www.velonews.com/tour2003/news/articles/4402.0.html)

and a quote from the same:

Regardless of the changes, Millar's future with Cofidis appeared to be in doubt amid rumors that he had signed a provisional deal for next season with the U.S Postal team of four-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong.

I've heard this rumor before, but never in the cycling press.
it would be interesting, I don't think Millar could pull the same
stunt with Bruyneel, and I don't think USPS would put up with
Millars Primadonna act.

Marty

I don't think USPS COULD put up with a Millar Primadonna act regardless- I'm sure they get enough of that from Lance!

i remember a few years ago, in 2001 i think, that millar said he would love to ride with USPS when his cofidis contract expired. he mentioned he would like to get experience riding with armstrong before he retired.

a possibility is that usps will be looking for an overall gc contender for future tours as lance's time will be up in the next couple of years. david will be coming into his prime over the next several years and will be a contender, if he can focus enough, for overall gc in major tours. david and lance are mates and perhaps armstrong would like someone he knows to take over his mantle? there are no other talented gc contenders within usps. millar is without doubt one of the most talented riders in the pro peleton but hasn't knuckled down yet. he can win when he wants on any given day as he did as an amateur. david will not stay at cofidis after this season after the fallouts this season.

As long as Lance is the leader of USPS Millar needs to stay put. After Armstrongs term is up perhaps he could vie for the new team USPS leader. He is too talented to become a support rider. He needs to focus on winning the TDF in the future, not helping someone else win.

I have faith Millar will be coming into his own soon as far as the Tour goes.

What do people think are the chances of Hamilton succeeding Armstrong at USPS one day?

I don't think Tyler will leave CSC, they have been too
good to him, also Tyler is a bit long in the tooth.

I think Heras is a natural GC contender and that is what
USPS is grooming him for.
I do like the idea of Miller and Armstrong on 1 team, what
a 1-2 punch that would be.

Marty

Originally posted by lotek

I think Heras is a natural GC contender and that is what
USPS is grooming him for.
Marty

That seems to be the story line. But is the USPService really going to fork out millions per year to have a Spaniard contend in the TdF? Is there really a return on that investment? Is it far fetched to think that when Lance is done the USPS team management had better come up with an American contender or the USPS will pull the plug?

I think easyrider(loved that motorcycle) is right. USPS will only ride this as long as there is an American "hook" to the story. Heras has -0- marketability in the US.

But...the USPS team is not run by USPS. It is run by Tailwind Marketing and is an outgrowth of an American team, Thomas Weise Prtnrs. USPS is "just" the primary sponsor. Tailwind and Johan Bruyneel are proven winners and should have no problem continuing in the sport if that is what they see as financially advantageous. Johan is "made". He'll be set for life from this and will be able to pick and choose his next team, just like Phil Jackson.

This combination of elements will be around at least till Lance wins his sixth tour, if Lance decides he wants to do that. They've taken on a Euro sponsor in Berry Floors, and you know they'll have no trouble finding others.

Is it far fetched to think that when Lance is done the USPS team management had better come up with an American contender or the USPS will pull the plug?

no, it's not far fetched at all. have you noticed the new sponsor on the team jersey? it's now USPS / Berry Floor. my prediction is that whenever lance decides to retire, berry floor is gonna take over the whole thing. or maybe they'll do it sooner. but in any case, it seems like USPS wants out... they've stood with the team for 7 or so years now, so why would they have a co-sponsor now?

I must admit I was keen to support Millar (Scot), but having seen him interviewed last night he came across as an arrogant pig. Ok, the lack of a derailleur meant he couldn't get his chain back on very quickly, but on a flat stage why would he need anything other than one chainring?

In comparison with McGee's attitude and the other Aussies, he showed himself up.

I'm switching to support all the Oz riders. (I used to live just outside Sydney anyway) , and Ullrich :thumbup:

Originally posted by chewa
Ok, the lack of a derailleur meant he couldn't get his chain back on very quickly, but on a flat stage why would he need anything other than one chainring?

he didn't need an inner chainring, it's just that the derailleur would have acted as a guarantee that the chain would have stayed on. the derailleur wouldn't even have needed to be conntected to a cable, just bolted to the braze-on and adjusted to keep the chain in place.

Thanks.

I still can't see that the decision would have been mad by his DS and mechanic without consultation.

IMO, I really can't see Millar with USPS either. He's a perpetual whiner and playboy, and doesn't fit the blue-collar mold the Posties bring to the table.

While Heras is the second in command currently, Floyd Landis has shown great potential and could even be considered one of the future american hopes.

Don't forget Tom Danielson of Saturn. This is a kid that won the Tour of Langkawi (sp) in January and broke Tyler's Mt. Washington climb record. Though he's racing domestially now, he's due to head to europe soon. I'd much prefer Danielson over Millar.

With Eki due to retire at 37 years old (but when?), USPS will be looking for a strong man to be there for the TTT and play the role of the ultimate domestique. Think David Millar fits that description?

I think a lot of you guys have Millar sussed- he's been getting paid as a leader but not delivering the results. One of the reasons he dislikes Bondue (who was himself a bigtime prologue/TT guy in Sherwen's era) is because Bondue tells it to him straight. The guy acts like he's doing the sport a favour if he 'dedicates' himself to it for 9 months at a time. Will he jump or be pushed? Will another team want to gamble on his potential or will he be obliged to pay some more dues as a 'domestique deluxe'?

Not sure what his role would be as a helper- he's unproven in the mountains, a bit skinny for a rouleur....

I can see how he might think he can benefit from L.A.'s patronage, but he needs to knuckle down and learn a bit of humility if his career is going to continue to progress.

Great ride in the prologue Dave.........but you lost. It happens. Lose the 'tude, the web site, the playboy stuff- win some races.