While Chris Froome struggles hard to save so far disastrous season for Team Sky, away from the action, their manager works on closing British team’s roster for 2015. Dave Brailsford revealed that Bradley Wiggins is about to sign new agreement with the squad and believes that departure of Edvald Boasson Hagen should provide other riders and the Norwegian himself with new opportinities.
While Wiggins is yet to put the pen to paper, Brailsford explained that it is due to more complicated nature of the agreement they needed to work out.
“We’re still negotiating and trying to piece that one together,” Brailford told Cyclingnews.
“We’re still all trying to make something work. It will not be your straight forward style of rider contract though because there’s the opportunity to do something different, which we hope will support Brad right through until the Olympic ambitions, the Hour Record and a chance to ride the Classics next year.
“We want to build that all into a package that works for both Brad and for Team Sky. That’s why it has taken a little bit longer but we’re all working on it and it’s all positive and optimistic that we can sort something out.”
Team Sky is still expected to make few major announcements in regards to the riders strengthening their roster for 2015 season, with Wout Poels (Omega Pharma – Quick Step) and Nicolas Roche being most commonly mentioned. However, Brailsford refused to discuss the team’s transfer targets, adding that the Vuelta was his main focus and that “while we’re here we’re not making any announcements on new riders. We’ll do that in due course.”
British squad manager agreed to comment on already announced departure of Edvald Boasson Hagen to MTN-Qhubeka, claiming that the change should positively boost his motivation and influence further professional career. He also acknowledged that a gap left by the Norwegian classics specialist would provide other Team Sky riders with new possibilities.
“We really battled hard to bring Edvald to the team for that first year and we were really proud when he joined us. He’s been a fantastic member of the team and has won over twenty races with us. He won our first Tour de France stage and he’s taken some of our biggest victories. And on top of that he was a consummate teammate,” Brailsford said.
“Ultimately there comes a point in time where it’s good to have a new jersey and a new impetus. I think Edvald still has some strong ambitions and maybe a change is exactly what he needs in his career and while it’s sad when things come to end, sometimes it feels right. He leaves us on very good terms and we’re very thankful of what he’s brought to the team.”
“There was a certain point in time when he burst onto the scene and it seemed like anything was possible with him. But still he’s had a very solid time with Sky but it’s the right time to change and I’m sure he can still go on and achieve great results.
“Now there are riders like (Salvatore) Puccio and (Luke) Rowe who we’ve developed in the team and at some point in time it’s there opportunity to step up. I think we’ll be looking for the existing guys like (Ian) Stannard, (Geraint) Thomas, (Bernhard) Eisel and Brad to continue their level of performance but then for the Rowe, Puccio and others to take a step forward.”
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