Katusha? Astana? what other teams have an Italian DS or connections?

seems spazio says its pro conti team.

A&S my tip... probably just said flip it we're going to dominate every race now that you've snubbed us.

They were snubbed a few months ago and I was expecting them to try and embarrass RCS but so far they have not done much to show they warranted inclusion in this years Giro.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nicholas-roche-puts-off-contract-talks-to-work-on-results

Roche re contract talks

“My form is so, so. I had a difficult start to eh season and I’m lust getting there now. I’m not trying to rush things now.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nicholas-roche-puts-off-contract-talks-to-work-on-results

Roche re contract talks

This has all the appearance of Ag2R not offering anything like what he has been getting in wages and so he is putting his name out there. 

Michele is saying that Nibali has signed for Astana.

really seems weird -

ps what did Michele say about coming over and saying hi ?

Never invited him again after i did 3 months ago lol

That's a big FU to Gianetti if it's true.

Vasconsoliel makes an offer for Sep vanmarcke while Pieter serry (Topsport Vlaanderen) is already in agreement with vasconsoliel.

Vasconsoliel makes an offer for Sep vanmarcke while Pieter serry (Topsport Vlaanderen) is already in agreement with vasconsoliel.

Serry looked quite strong in one of the races, can not remember which one, BP? is a guess. Good to see he gets the chance to step up

That reminds me: RAI was interviewing a LIQ rider and they did discuss Astana and Nibali (I think - I only speak Italian with my hands and feet). Well, sometimes I get the jist, but this was well beyond me. Did anyone catch that? Is it confirmed then?

Agnoli pretty much confirmed the part about nibali.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-to-leave-liquigas-cannondale-team-announces

Our offer was made (1.8 million Euros per year), we gave the boy time to properly evaluate our proposal, but we have not received any response,” team manager Roberto Amadio told tuttobicwebi.it.  “For us the matter is closed.”

The Boy - bit of a kick in the ass on the way out the door

wonder if they will not ride him for the rest of the year

I'd hate for Nibali to leave Liquigas, but if he has to, I hope he goes to Astana rather than BMC. Nibali should be team leader for races like Liège-Bastigne-Liège and Giro di Lombardia, but at BMC he'd be nothing but a workhorse for Gilbert in those races. He'd have to split up the GT's with Evans, and probably be left with little to no support when doing the Giro. In contrast, at Astana he'd be team leader at pretty much any race he wants, including the Giro. He'd have much better team support in guys like Tiralongo and Kiserlovski and be free to unleash his inner-Vino at whatever classic he wants.

Will be interesting to see if others follow Nibali. Agnoli seems likely since he's his training partner, but perhaps others will follow too. I still have hope Nibali will re-sign at Liquigas though, in team support I don't think he can do any better than them, and I'd very much like to see my favourite rider stay at my favourite team.

I. Do wonder if my fav polish rider will ride as a leader next year at leaky

If so I kind of hope nibbles leaves.

I struggle to see him at both BMC and Astana

Wonder if Riis will find 2.5 ?

He must have a few offers to turn down 1.8million plus bonuses.

I sure he does

When I say struggle I mean not as good fits as leaky

Yeah I agree. Cant see Evans being happy to have Nibali there either.

What big money team does not have a GT contender? OPQS?

I'd hate for Nibali to leave Liquigas, but if he has to, I hope he goes to Astana rather than BMC. Nibali should be team leader for races like Liège-Bastigne-Liège and Giro di Lombardia, but at BMC he'd be nothing but a workhorse for Gilbert in those races. He'd have to split up the GT's with Evans, and probably be left with little to no support when doing the Giro. In contrast, at Astana he'd be team leader at pretty much any race he wants, including the Giro. He'd have much better team support in guys like Tiralongo and Kiserlovski and be free to unleash his inner-Vino at whatever classic he wants.

Will be interesting to see if others follow Nibali. Agnoli seems likely since he's his training partner, but perhaps others will follow too. I still have hope Nibali will re-sign at Liquigas though, in team support I don't think he can do any better than them, and I'd very much like to see my favourite rider stay at my favourite team.

I think BMC could give Nibali some okay support for the 2013 Giro. The current BMC squad for the Giro has Pinotti, Tshopp, Frank, Santaromita and Santambrogio. The first 4 can be mountain helpers and Santambrogio can help on hilly stages as well. They also have Cummings, van Garderan, Moriabito, Moinard as climbers who will probably be at the Tour with Cadel this year. BMC are no longer the 2010 team with no climbers.

However I am not keen on Nibali at BMC.

Astana have Kreuziger, Brajkovic, Kessiakoff and Kiserlovski. The first 3 would probably see themselves as GT leaders and Kiserlovski could develop into one. The also have Seeldraeyers and Tiralongo who can also be very strong in a GT. Not sure they need Nibali.