From a Belgian mate on another forum Dailypelotonforums.com

So, one of the reporters of my paper is down under to cover the TdU and get some news on the teams and riders there. He got hold of Baden Cooke, the new team leader for Unibet this season, and the interview was hilarious. I think Unibet should give the man a bonus for his masterful way of handling the press. rolleyes.gif I'll translate it here, it's really short anyway thanks to Cookie's answers. laugh.gif


Reporter: Why did you choose Unibet.com?

Cooke: Because the team has confidence in me.

R: Unibet.com isn't part of the ProTour, so it's kind of a step backwards, right?

C: (slightly irritated) That's what you say. I don't think Unibet is a small team. On the contrary, there's the ambition here to become a part of the PT. And I got in just in time to help with that.

R: But you will be dependent of wild cards in the big races.

C: With riders like these we'll get invited anywhere. I'm not completely sure about the GT's, but we should be good for the classics. Which will be my primary goal anyway. The Belgian riders at Unibet are experienced in those races, which is what I'll need as a team leader.

R: Did you have to leave FDJ.com, by the way?

C: (remains silent)

R: It's said that manager Madiot screwed you over.

C: (short) They pulled a dirty trick on me there. I was very disappointed in them.

R: Story goes that he used a contract loophole to get rid of you.

C: (starts talking to Matthew Wilson -also Unibet next season- about the choice of tires)

R: But to be fair, your results last year didn't exaclty put you in a position to make high demands.

C: (agressively) Oh, you're one of those, are ya? I almost won a stage in the Giro and I had a nasty crash just before the Tour, but you don't want to hear about that right? All those lame excuses. I'd rather keep it at this if nobody's interested in hearing my side of the story.

R: Well, see you in Belgium.

C: (sarcastic) I guess.



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