Do Bike Companies make better team sponsors?

[CerveloFan]

As the name might indicate, I'm inclined to say yes. Given the history of teams in the Tour, I think this is an interesting question.

Pro:
1) Bike companies (like Cervelo, Specialized, Trek) have a long-term interest in the health of professional cycling - in order to advertise their products - in comparison to television stations or banks, which have none.

2) Bike companies will be as concerned with researching/developing the performance of their bikes, and will be less concerned with great results - thus (ideally) less pressure for riders to dope.

3) Bike company sponsors will be more informed about professional cycling, and will understand that results are due to luck and timing almost as much as tactics, speed or strength - thus, again, less pressure to dope.

Con:
1) Bike companies cannot afford to support top teams on the level that banks and lotteries do.

2) Bike companies may be extremely concerned with showing off their products in races, and thus apply more pressure for good results (and thus encourage doping)

3) A sport only sponsored/supported by the makers of its major product could become insular and fail to attract a broader audience.

Thoughts?

 

[Epicurus]

2) Bike companies may be extremely concerned with showing off their products in races, and thus apply more pressure for good results (and thus encourage doping)

If a bike "survives" the power of a doped professional rider, then it's durable enough for everyone. An extreme advertising approach...

3) A sport only sponsored/supported by the makers of its major product could become insular and fail to attract a broader audience.

I agree with this. Cycling will be more hardcore and "confined".

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I will leave the doping issues for the other forum - but at least when a team like Cervelo Test Team get involved it is in their interests to build up the sport from the grassroots up and get more bum's on bike's.

C.T.T. also show good videos on their website

 

[fatandfast]

The makers of bike products at least see that after their sponsorship cash starts to take affect that they see increased sales.Other association products(floor covering,vacuum,oil drilling,banks)try and distance themselves after their sponsored athletes get into trouble(car crash,drugs,beating their wife).I will be interested to see how Radio Shack works out.They have no bicycle products,their stores are empty,their company profile is used for jokes about a throwback/old style/outdated biz model.If putting their name on Armstrong's back makes them money then we are all better off.Cervelo and others look like the best fit for the sport but we will see.I sure hope if their are lots of positives in the tour they announce them quick so we can see which sponsors say enough.