Beloki Leads modest new team

Saiz was thought to be joining Stayers until recently (see CyclingNews). However, if I was Beloki,
I'd have to consider Saiz's rather abysmal record in 3-week stage race GC. The '03 Vuelta is just
the latest example. But even Jalabert noted in the mid '90's that Saiz's approach to racing didn't
prepare the riders properly for the Tour.

Dan

Nick Burns said:

I just read the article again about Beloki and I am wondering why he left Saiz after he had stated
his intent to stay? There is always the possibility that the money is better but I really thought
Beloki was most concerned about being on a strong team.

The roster on his new team looks pretty weak and I guess he is counting on a wild card invitation
to the Tour based in his excellent previous results.

Any other ideas or comments?

"Nick Burns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I just read the article again about Beloki and I am wondering why he left Saiz after he had stated
his intent to stay? There is always the possibility that the money is better but I really thought
Beloki was most concerned about being on a strong team.

The roster on his new team looks pretty weak and I guess he is counting on a wild card invitation
to the Tour based in his excellent previous results.

Any other ideas or comments?

I think Cyclingnews had some comments from Saiz about the same time the Liberty Seguros team was
announced that Beloki needed to ask Saiz for a spot on the team, that Saiz wasn't going to come
forward to ask him to join.

cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗

"Carl Sundquist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Nick Burns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I just read the article again about Beloki and I am wondering why he

left

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Saiz after he had stated his intent to stay? There is always the

possibility

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that the money is better but I really thought Beloki was most concerned about being on a
strong team.

The roster on his new team looks pretty weak and I guess he is counting

on a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wild card invitation to the Tour based in his excellent previous

results.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Any other ideas or comments?

I think Cyclingnews had some comments from Saiz about the same time the

Liberty Seguros

Quoted message said:

team was announced that Beloki needed to ask Saiz for a spot on the team,

that Saiz wasn't

Quoted message said:

going to come forward to ask him to join.

cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗

OK, lemme see if I have this straight...Beloki held out for a while during the sponsor search.
Beloki and Saiz both eventually come to an agreement (tentatively at least) with Stayer to join that
team (as opposed to taking over ONCE sponsorship) and then a few days later Saiz announces the
liberty Seguros insurance company sponsor that will take over ONCE and that Beloki needs to take the
initiative to ask for a spot on the Liberty Seguros team? (all in one breath)

Nick Burns said:

I just read the article again about Beloki and I am wondering why he left Saiz after he had stated
his intent to stay? There is always the possibility that the money is better but I really thought
Beloki was most concerned about being on a strong team.

The roster on his new team looks pretty weak and I guess he is counting on a wild card invitation
to the Tour based in his excellent previous results.

Any other ideas or comments?

Three words...

Venga Venga Venga

"Nick Burns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗

OK, lemme see if I have this straight...Beloki held out for a while during the sponsor search.
Beloki and Saiz both eventually come to an agreement (tentatively at least) with Stayer to join
that team (as opposed to taking over ONCE sponsorship) and then a few days later Saiz announces
the liberty Seguros insurance company sponsor that will take over ONCE and that Beloki needs to
take the initiative to ask for a spot on the Liberty Seguros team? (all in one breath)

It certainly gives the impression that Saiz is a pissy little man with a big ego, doesn't it?

Lombardi's comments today cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗ appear to support
that as well.

In article said:

"Nick Burns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗

OK, lemme see if I have this straight...Beloki held out for a while during the sponsor search.
Beloki and Saiz both eventually come to an agreement (tentatively at least) with Stayer to join
that team (as opposed to taking over ONCE sponsorship) and then a few days later Saiz announces
the liberty Seguros insurance company sponsor that will take over ONCE and that Beloki needs to
take the initiative to ask for a spot on the Liberty Seguros team? (all in one breath)

It certainly gives the impression that Saiz is a pissy little man with a big ego, doesn't it?

Lombardi's comments today cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗ appear to
support that as well.

It seems like Saiz -has- to be in charge of the whole shooting match. No "I'm working for..." in
his world. Beloki stuck by Saiz for a long time while he searched for a new sponsor, possibly
missing out on employment by a couple of decent teams. I think it's ridiculous that Saiz expected
Beloki to go with him (and beg for the chance to, at that...) after they had gotten things pretty
much dialed in at Stayer. Who's left with Saiz, anyway? Nozal and de Galdeano are it, as far as I
can remember.

--
tanx, Howard

"Danger, you haven't seen the last of me!"
"No, but the first of you turns my stomach!"
Firesign Theatre

remove YOUR SHOES to reply, ok?

"Carl Sundquist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

It certainly gives the impression that Saiz is a pissy little man with a

big ego, doesn't

Quoted message said:

it?

I never really cared for him. He had a few good ideas but I think the success during the 90s allowed
his head to get even bigger than his gut. I had the sense that it interfered with his riders when
certain patterns emerged. It just does not seem like the racers are allowed to make very many
decisions on their own. I also remember when they brought Giant in with the first sloping top tube
(I think?) frames on the road and he was talking about it as if this was a personal achievement. In
fact, there were many times that he has gloats when he should have pointed to the work of others. I
guess he feels like a wannabe with no racing palmares and a body like the Michelin man, leading some
of the finest athletes in the world.

I hope Beloki does well, but he has to dethrone Lance just to keep people from getting bored with
him! Imagine being in that position! Seriously though, I think Beloki needs to keep up the good work
because I sure appreciate his consistent form, but I would like to see him go for a stage win or
two. I know he sorted of tried once but if I were him in next year's Tour and Lance is battling it
out with Jan, I would definitely put that as a higher priority than he has in the past and probably
at this point far more important than another third behind those two (like he did in 2001).

Nick Burns <[email hidden]> schreef in berichtnieuws
[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Carl Sundquist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

It certainly gives the impression that Saiz is a pissy little man with a

big ego, doesn't

Quoted message said:

it?

I never really cared for him. He had a few good ideas but I think the success during the 90s
allowed his head to get even bigger than his gut. I had the sense that it interfered with his
riders when certain patterns emerged. It just does not seem like the racers are allowed to
make very

many

Quoted message said:

decisions on their own. I also remember when they brought Giant in with

the

Quoted message said:

first sloping top tube (I think?) frames on the road and he was talking about it as if this was a
personal achievement. In fact, there were many times that he has gloats when he should have
pointed to the work of

others.

Quoted message said:

I guess he feels like a wannabe with no racing palmares and a body like

the

Quoted message said:

Michelin man, leading some of the finest athletes in the world.

At the same time, I think he (Saiz) is very involved with what he does. He often phones all his
riders and knows what they are up to. Many of them appreciate this. I think he can be very
motivating. Perhaps they all feel they're part of the team when he's in charge, as he gives
attention to every one.

Jonathan.

Anybody heard how Beloki's recovery is going? He can't be back to 100% yet after an injury like that.