BREAKING NEWS: ASTANA & HIGH ROAD BANNED FROM GIRO !!!!

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No.. it was because Brajkovic is at least their number four GC rider (arguably). The Giro doesn't want teams using the event as a warm-up for the TdF or leaving out their big guns entirely to rest them for the TdF.Ok, I get what you are saying. Short of changing the date of the Giro, I don't see how they are going to turn things around though. There will probably always be teams who send some of their top riders, who use the Giro for training.

What I've read is that Astana would've send a team with Brajkovic as the leader, but also Klöden, Gusev, Rubiera and probably Levi too...

That roster is very good compared to any other team, so that's a very weak argument to blaim it on the team's "B-roster".

High Road being left out is also a big surprise, Pinotti is a poster boy of intelligence and clean cycling. They have also a lot of horse power for the sprints.

Maybe RCS wants only Italians to win? Dope Di Luca being invited is just hilarious...!It sounds like it could be over something as petty as what was said on a telephone call. Though anything derogatory that was said in the press gets high marks for motivating vengeance. High Road have tipped that scale.

I agree.

But it's not good for cycling to have a "major tournament" without all the best teams, IMO.

Could this be possible in Football or in any other (team)sport? I couldn't figure out any, but I've had a couple of beers already...:cool:

I agree.

But it's not good for cycling to have a "major tournament" without all the best teams, IMO.
True. But things like McEwen bowing out halfway through the Giro has been pissing me off. For High Road, in light of their public statements, I think a case can be made that a smaller, more motivated team would be better in their place.

True. But things like McEwen bowing out halfway through the Giro has been pissing me off. For High Road, in light of their public statements, I think a case can be made that a smaller, more motivated team would be better in their place.Maybe they should have a rule that if a key rider of a team bows out half-way due to reasons other than being injured, then the team forgoes an invitation for the next Giro. Team managers do pull out some of the young talent half-way, so maybe there can be an exception clause for them.

Maybe they should have a rule that if a key rider of a team bows out half-way due to reasons other than being injured, then the team forgoes an invitation for the next Giro. Team managers do pull out some of the young talent half-way, so maybe there can be an exception clause for them.Then you'll just have guys faking injuries. They could get away from this crap by just starting the frickin race in the mountains.

But one of the reasons they don't is because they want the pure sprinters contesting the early sprints and would rather that than have them not start (or not make it past the hills) because of the mountainous obstacle course at the beginning.

Then you'll just have guys faking injuries. They could get away from this crap by just starting the frickin race in the mountains.

But one of the reasons they don't is because they want the pure sprinters contesting the early sprints and would rather that than have them not start (or not make it past the hills) because of the mountainous obstacle course at the beginning.Yeah, starting the race with a mountainous stage won't work, as that will throw out all the sprinters. But they need to do something to prevent some of the big guns coming and using them as a training ground.

With the climbs this year at the Giro, the sprinters must be happy if they survive the last week... It's a torture even for the climbers...

I also hate Robbie bowing out after the first week, but the Giro organizor, Mr.Z, has apparently no problems with that...:mad:

With the climbs this year at the Giro, the sprinters must be happy if they survive the last week... It's a torture even for the climbers...

I also hate Robbie bowing out after the first week, but the Giro organizor, Mr.Z, has apparently no problems with that...:mad:
It gives Peta some easy wins in the last half of the race. ;)

Didn't Cippolini always find a way out once the TdF hit the mountains? I don't think the organizers cared.

Didn't Cippolini always find a way out once the TdF hit the mountains? I don't think the organizers cared.
They stopped inviting his team.

They stopped inviting his team.Good! That is the way it should work with the Giro too...

An american analyse: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5523976.html

And Kloden has left his trainer


Klöden quitte son entraîneur de toujours 11/02/2008 - 11:09
Andreas Klöden, qui a bel et bien repris avec son équipe Astana lors d'un stage au Nouveau-Mexique, a décidé de mettre un terme à sa collaboration de toujours avec son entraîneur personnel Thomas Schediwie. L'Allemand qui a repris la compétition cette semaine à Majorque.

According to Cyclingnews, High Road is back in for the Giro and all other RCS races.

According to Cyclingnews, High Road is back in for the Giro and all other RCS races.
High Road confirmed it in a press relase

So, why exactly are they invited again? Have there been any negotiations to ensure that they would send a team to the Giro with an intention to win rather than use it as training?

So, why exactly are they invited again? Have there been any negotiations to ensure that they would send a team to the Giro with an intention to win rather than use it as training?
No I don't think so.

A personal opinion.... a guess... speculation... Money makes the world go round and Stapleton is tough business man.

So High Road got reconsidered for the Giro without a mis-directed petition to the UCI or anything? Wow. That's gotta irk some people.

Yeah, money does miracles...:D