Lampre signings

Chips Lovell

Huh? I hadn't read this anywhere else yet:

Damiani's experience will be helpful for Saronni's two new stage racers: Michele Scarponi (4th at the Giro d'Italia) and Danilo Di Luca (2007 winner). Both riders are not without controversy; Scarponi served a suspension for his involvement in Operación Puerto and Danilo Di Luca is serving a suspension for an EPO positive.

Bit of a bad PR move given the amount of hot water the team is in at the moment, signing two guys with such a history. And Cunego, one of the few top guys you feel is genuine who says that he is riding clean, is leaving.

ROK ON

It wad admitted by Scarponis agent a few weeks back that Androni Gio...........(Whatever) were having issues raising cash to keep him.

But it hardly a surprise that an Italian team would hire (ex) dopers. Won't be an issue in a few years if the sport keeps growing cash ajd big budgets will probably dominate. Ciuld make Italian teams even smaller.

crumliniano

el tonto wrote: »

And Cunego, one of the few top guys you feel is genuine who says that he is riding clean, is leaving.

I'd love to see Cunego win a classic / grand tour stage or two next season, or this season. What's left of note this year? Vuelta, Lombardy, Worlds? Anyone know if he will be riding these?

RobFowl

Surprisingly enough Geox (a main sponsor) and Cunego are mow off to a new team.
They're joining the footon team with Geox a main sponsor.

NickDrake

I thought Di Luca had retired?? This guy should have been banded for life.

1 for his positive test for Epo Cera. Made a mock of the Giro.

2. His suspension for being involved in Oil for Drugs.

He should never be allowed back. Rode dirty for years

SACH Central

el tonto wrote: »

And Cunego, one of the few top guys you feel is genuine who says that he is riding clean, is leaving.

Personally, I have my doubts about his 'cleanliness' Didn't loads of Italians claim to de riding clean - Rebellin springs to mind.

c montgomery

SACH Central wrote: »

Personally, I have my doubts about his 'cleanliness' Didn't loads of Italians claim to de riding clean - Rebellin springs to mind.

Every single doper has clamed to be clean at some stage or another, not just italians.

NickDrake

SACH Central wrote: »

Personally, I have my doubts about his 'cleanliness' Didn't loads of Italians claim to de riding clean - Rebellin springs to mind.

Cunego was riding with a hemocrit of 50% when he won the Giro. Claimed to have it natuarally. That has since been proven wrong and his value is way down.

Lampre are very dodgy. Lost list of positives and under investigation at the moment again by Coni. See Petachhi.

Chips Lovell

ROK ON wrote: »

But it hardly a surprise that an Italian team would hire (ex) dopers. Won't be an issue in a few years if the sport keeps growing cash ajd big budgets will probably dominate. Ciuld make Italian teams even smaller.

That's true that Italian teams often sign disgraced riders, but I thought this case was particularly notably. Di Luca has served not one, but two suspensions and it this stage you'd think he'd be toxic for almost everyone.

crumliniano wrote: »

I'd love to see Cunego win a classic / grand tour stage or two next season, or this season. What's left of note this year? Vuelta, Lombardy, Worlds? Anyone know if he will be riding these?

He usually gives Lombardia a good whirl and I'd say we'd see him do at least part of the Vuelta. Don't think the Worlds suits him this year as the course favours sprinters. Past two years was his real chance to win it.

RobFowl wrote: »

Surprisingly enough Geox (a main sponsor) and Cunego are mow off to a new team.
They're joining the footon team with Geox a main sponsor.

That's interesting. I've seen him linked with Garmin and Sky but not Footon before. Where'd you read that?

SACH Central wrote: »

Personally, I have my doubts about his 'cleanliness' Didn't loads of Italians claim to de riding clean - Rebellin springs to mind.

True, lots of them claim to be when asked. But Cunego has been constantly banging on about it the past couple of years, something most dopers don't really do. Plus he's been riding like a clean rider in the latter part of his career.

IM0

el tonto wrote:

And Cunego, one of the few top guys you feel is genuine who says that he is riding clean, is leaving.

dont know about that one, he started out as a GT rider and winning the giro, and then poof disappeared out of that career path suddenly no?

Chips Lovell

me@ucd wrote: »

dont know about that one, he started out as a GT rider and winning the giro, and then poof disappeared out of that career path suddenly no?

Exactly. Something's changed.

IM0

el tonto wrote: »

Exactly. Something's changed.

oh yeah! :rolleyes: damn friday

RobFowl

el tonto wrote: »

That's interesting. I've seen him linked with Garmin and Sky but not Footon before. Where'd you read that?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/493524/geox-takes-over-footon-protour-team-welcomes-cunego.html


"Italian footwear company Geox will take over sponsorship of ProTour team Footon-Servetto in 2011 and welcome Italy's Damiano Cunego.
Geox management and Swiss Mauro Gianetti, according to Italian paper La Gazzetta dello Sport, signed yesterday a five-year agreement worth €50 million."

Chips Lovell

That's interesting. Of course Footon are the only Pro Tour team without a big star.

I bet Cunego is hoping that Geox make them change the kit;)

Almost forgot, as that article mentions, Kashechkin has also been signed by Lampre.

IM0

el tonto wrote: »

That's true that Italian teams often sign disgraced riders, but I thought this case was particularly notably. Di Luca has served not one, but two suspensions and it this stage you'd think he'd be toxic for almost everyone.

in some ways [morally yes] but pro cycling is a bizness so as long as their guy is in the papers with the winning jersey, I dont think sponsors really care how their riders win...if their sponsors are Nike or Oakley or a brand thats asseciated with athletics or outdoors and pureness and that kind of marketing then yes, but if its liquigaz or another kind of household product like that, the man on the street isnt worried or know about who is riding clean, he's got enough going on to try and stay warm and feed himself and keep his kids and family going.

ROK ON

Slightly related. Caisse are having difficulty securing enough sponsorship. Possibly lose protour license.
Sanchez going to Rabo, while SamSanchez reportedly going to Caisse.

IM0

ROK ON wrote: »

Slightly related. Caisse are having difficulty securing enough sponsorship. Possibly lose protour license.
Sanchez going to Rabo, while SamSanchez reportedly going to Caisse.

Id say this is where Alonso and Santandar are going to step in and save it, they've been talking about it during the year 'when conditions are right' its tilting more in their direction now..

emtroche

me@ucd wrote: »

in some ways [morally yes] but pro cycling is a bizness so as long as their guy is in the papers with the winning jersey, I dont think sponsors really care how their riders win...

Not sure about that. Festina comes to mind!

Chips Lovell

Written back in January, but it still made me laugh.

"Paperwork, the damn paperwork is killing Giuseppe, every year the paperwork. What about lunch and sexy women and shopping for stylish clothing in Milan? What happened to handshakes and honor and who are all these lawyers that keep calling incessantly? It’s an affront to his dignity....."