You think forcing a large amount of work onto all users of the Pike repository is a better method?
I think it's necessary if that work is ever to be done. Otherwise we'll be stuck with CVS forever.
I don't see why you need to link that to a new release.
Well, apart from the fact that it ought to be linked to something to actually happen, it is linked to the split because making another bastard-split by copying the CVS repository will again increase the work needed to switch.
Updating all dependent tools need a stable and official new-style repository which, as others mention, can co-exist with the CVS repo for some time until the rest of the world catches up.
It has already existed for a long time. That apparently does not in itself actually change anything.