Approaches to Teambuilding -- Riis vs. Bruyneel

musette

It is quite telling, as to Riis' view as to how to win the TdF with Basso, how Riis is recruiting with his recently-found CSC sponsorship renewal funds. It is a very different approach to what Bruyneel has done to build a team in support of LA.

Riis has recruited Cancellera. That is a very good addition, if one's goals are to (1) try and win Prologues or possibly certain types of ITTs (but more Prologues), and (2) bolster the TTT prospects. However, what Riis is probably different from Bruyneel's historical approach on is that he is not insisting that a large portion of the TdF team be at least fair (if not good or better) at climbing.

Bruyneel's approach, with respect to the TTT, is to try and recruit a lot of strong climbers whom he tries to have able to TTT as well, and then to have a few rouleurs who are very strong in the TTT. He is not choosing ITT specialists like Luke Roberts and Cancellera, who are not useful at all in the mountains.

What do people think? I think Riis's approach is not as good as Bruyneel. Among other things, Riis should consider that Basso has had the benefit, over the last few years, of the LA domestiques in the mountains and LA himself (as fellow riders he could be with in the high mountains). Those dynamics will change a little bit when LA is gone.

thebluetrain

I saw the other day where Riis had Team CSC out in BootCamp at the start of the season. The camera showed Basso and he looked like he had an expression on his face of Do I really have to be here. Of course I could be wrong as Basso always kinda looks like this. I guess Riis's approach to teamwork paidoff as Team CSC look strong this year and next year look to be stronger. I doubt you are ever going to see Discovery in BootCamp. Discvovery just has that work your ass off mentality. Pete Carroll the headcoach of the Back to Back NCAA Football Champion USC Trojans takes his team to the beach on the first day of practice for BBQ and Beach Volleyball. Different strokes for different folks.

musette

I mean, instead of integrating the recruited riders, the way they choose people for the team (including the TdF team).

JensCph

Sure, if you could afford to only have that one goal of getting one rider to win the TdF, then Brunell's approach is 'better'. But CSC's season is a hell of a lot longer than Discos. And their money is alot less. You have to make do with what you have. I think Riis is getting both fantastic riders and results with what he has to offer.

tcklyde

Given Cancellara's age and amazing TT, he was an excellent pick up for CSC.

Illes Balears may become quite the force, but I haven't checked their contract obligations.

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Harry

musette

But Riis now has a top GC contender in Basso. So it's still a legitimate comparison who they are choosing different strategies for their TdF teams when each had a major GC contender. Recent Riis acquisitions of Cancellera, who will definitely be on TdF team, shows Riis is taking a different approach. Riis has more money now.

Cancellera is a very different type of domestique to Basso, if he's willing to put himself in that role, than the DC domestiques for LA. The DC domestiques (except Padrnos) are all fair or strong or better climbers as well as reasonably good TTTists.