alpha_bravo

Pretty amazing signing since they now have an incredible stage racer in Cadel Evans, a legitimate contender for the cobbled classics, and now the most dominant non cobbled classics rider.

I know each rider has his personal strengths but are there too many leaders on BMC now?

https://www.bmc-racing.com/us-en/team...e-gilbert.html

AnthonyG

If they play there cards right it shouldn't be a problem. I don't think that Cadel rides most of the classics. I'm sure he will be concentrating on defending his TDF tittle next year and as long as everyone in onboard with that it should be all OK. Next year will be Cadel's last.

I'm thinking that there will be moe interest the year after to see who leads between Gilbert and Thor.

Anthony

wxduff

BMC is officially out of control.

If they don't win over 1/2 of the classics and a grand tour next year it will be a let down.

I think Thor is going to find that he gets screwed out of what he wanted by making a move to BMC.

cmh

Thor won't be the leader for too many classics with Gilbert on board, that is for sure. But he will get P-R.

A bit of a hijack - but did Cavendish announce where he will be next year? If so I missed it.

alpha_bravo

Still waiting on that. I believe he's waiting until after the Vuelta out of respect to HTC.

I'm a big BMC fan, and I find it really impressive that they managed to raise this much capital in just two years.

I'd agree that this was as big a blow to Thor as anyone. It's obvious Cadel will be the leader for the Tour (although he has won Fleche Wallone before). One of Thor's major gripes at Garmin Cervelo was the lack of a definite leader among the team. It seems like he's right back in the same situation here at BMC. The way I see it now, it will take some seriously strong management to keep these guys happy for an entire season. I guess all pro teams are beginning to follow the Miami Heat game plan.

Kind of Blued

They all have different strengths and weaknesses, so I don't see it being a problem if they're employed well.

Can anybody explain how a bike company can afford to run a team with so many big names/salaries? I just don't know how the financial structure works...

Vicelord

^^ especially with no secondary sponsor.... I can't believe they are selling that many bicycles.

I have been hearing a lot of people here in Phoenix talk about Cav coming over to BMC as well. Apparently there is a guy "they know" who "knows" the story. Whatever, I'll believe it when I see it. I have a hard time believing they have any money left, especially for Cav.

As for Gilbert, this is now a very star stutted roster. Hopefully they don't all butt heads. They may become cycling's equivalent of the Miami Heat.

Kind of Blued

People seem to forget how good the Miami Heat were last year... If BMC got Cav, just like the Miami Heat, they'd probably be considered a failure no matter what, and we'd hear about every race they lose instead of just the ones they win.

Vicelord

My point is they will be considered a failure if they don't win "it all" and they will have so many stars that butt heads, that they will never have the ability to win it all.

cyclezen

BMC is swiss money laundering for drug cartels