Once upon a time, money was what people left; today, money is what people stay. Cycling history is full of excellent riders who became domestiques for even better riders who, at a certain point, lured by the attention of other teams, switched jerseys. It usually happens in the teams of dominators, who like to surround themselves with super wingmen. Ayuso and Del Toro Will they therefore become the plot of a detective novel? The opening photo refers to the happy days of the Tirreno-Adriatico, although there is no doubt that for today's press conference at 15pm UAE Emirates he will have put every piece back in its placeWhat happened yesterday (like what happened at the last Tour on the day of the Galibier) has given us food for thought, however.
If you are born and raised a winner, accepting to be a gregarious is certainly rewarding, but it tramples on your natureBut if you agree to play the game, then you have to respect the rules. Otherwise, walk away. History teaches us that Rarely does the one who leaves manage to beat the one for whom he worked, if nothing else, however, he will have experienced months and years of projects and strong sensations.
Between riders and agents
Of course, there must be a shared vision between the athletes and their representatives. Cycling is a profession and must provide food, preferably in abundance. In fact, the abundance concerns the rider's pockets and, to a variable percentage, those of his agentIt remains to be seen whether the athlete's motivation is solely profit or whether the desire to reach the top and win still exists. The feeling is that the most talented young people are now being offered the safe and prolonged gain, removing from the deck or trivializing the other side of the coin. Which instead becomes insurmountable due to ever-increasing termination clauses.
We say this thinking about the situation we are experiencing at UAE Team Emirates. It is legitimate to secure Tadej Pogacar with a contract until 2030It is also understandable for the team to hold on to Ayuso (until 2028), Del Toro (2029), Christen (2030), Adam Yates (2028), Almeida (2026), Morgado (2027). We are certain, however, that the riders are aware of what it means. to be tied to a super team for so long where there are objectively few roads?
The clear tactics
Ayuso never completely resigned himself to being Pogacar's gregarious, so much so that he memorized a couple of standard answers for when he is asked about his relationship with Slovenian. The last one after the arrival of Tagliacozzo"I haven't seen Tadej in a long time. I bumped into him in Granada before leaving for the Giro, but only for 30 seconds. So I haven't had much time to talk to him."
Now the Spaniard finds himself in front of the exuberant Del Toro, who knows well what it means to pedal out of anger rather than love. Yesterday the Mexican lived with dull eyes the feat that earned him the pink jersey and only occasionally did we see him laughIt must have been the real emotion, as he was quick to explain, and let's hope so. Do you think Pellizzari wasn't dying to attack on the Sassotetto from whose top can you see Camerino? The team told him to stay with Roglic and so Giulio did. And if really... Del Toro he fell into the mistake of turning his back on his captain, what was the point of having the flagship behind him?
The salary cap
The team managers of the richest teams they oppose the establishment of a salary cap, with the approval of the agents who have the imperative to make the highest number of athletes earn (possibly well) in order to earn money themselves. It is a united and common front thatUCI should face it sooner or later: at the moment the Association of sports groups chaired by is dealing with it Brent Copeland.
The point in our opinion it's not making war on someone in favor of someone else, as the French teams would like. We're fairly certain that if tomorrow the poorest French team found the richest budget, it would automatically defend its right to overpay its riders. The point is to protect sport and its credibilityAnd the respect for talent, which the certainty of long-term, lavish earnings inevitably devalues. If even Checco Zalone ultimately gives up a permanent job for love, the question is: who truly cares about cycling?
