pinky

From the mouth of McCormack, "Haedo will be winning stages in Grand Tours in 2-3 years." The boy seems to have impressed a hell of a lot of people recently, so screw Landis and Levi, what about our Latin sensation?
Side note: With Rujano still garnering attention (Quick-Step though?!?) is South America the next place for cycling to start fishing for talent.

EventServices

I believe it. Saw what he did in California and on Sunday in Georgia.

He's fast. And he's one of the nicest guys. Great sense of humor.

classic1

Would not be surprised in the least.

Veloduo

Haedo is fast and strong. Neg word on him is that he needs to get lighter so he can ride 200+ klicks and still be there for the sprint. And as far as South America goes, what about all the Colombians who've been racing in Europe for the last two decades?

pinky

Forgive my ignorance (seriously) but other than Penna what other Columbians have been riding in Europe? I know there's a Brazilian on one of the DII teams (bright orange jerseys) but who else?

OC Roadie

Maybe Ivan Parra?
How long do you give Haedo, before he's snatched from Toyota/United Pro? Will he last the season with them?

Veloduo

Off the top of my head, in addition to Parra:

Santiago Botero, 2002 world tt champ, 2001 world tt bronze medalist, TDF polka dot jersey wearer, 3 TDF stage wins

Victor Hugo Pena, former teammate of LA, wore yellow jersey in '03

Martin Rodriguez, world pursuit champ around 1970

Samuel Cabrera, finished high in TDF in 80s (10th-12th, I think)

Edgar Corredor, also top 20 TDF finisher in the 80s

Perhaps the greatest: Luis Herrera, polka dot jersey winner in TDF

Most of these guys were great climbers -- Spanish teams began signing these guys after seeing them just ride off in the mountains in amateur races. The original question, though, is a good one: will the next big wave come from Brazil and Argentina, great international sporting nations in soccer, motor racing, basketball, etc.?

bigskymacadam

leipheimer thinks so too, "[ToC] It's a great opportunity for them to improve their game and to show if they've got what it takes to move up, and in my opinion, there's really only [Juan Jose] Haedo who showed he's worthy of moving on to the ProTour."
https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/20...hp?id=levi0609

jj is doing great.

thunder

Maurilo Fischer is Brazilian and would be with Rujano, the two best talents in SA cycling, taking into accoutn Ardila, Botero, Pena.

thunder

Argentineans at Ceramiche Panaria,

Rubens Bongiorno, hello Rubens if you are reading,

and Richeze, also Argentine.

Guillermo Ruben BONGIORNO actually.
Chavez.

Ceramiche are pretty tight in their budget, good place to scout cheap riders.
Julio Also Perex Caupio the Mexican former climbing sensation. and another mexican,