Fernando Alonso buys Euskaltel's license

[the asian]

Alonso is a massive cycling fan, so good news. Bertie is his good friend, so as someone suggested the team could be his retirement home.

Interesting to see if Banco Santander sponsors the team. Weren't Banesto a related company of Banco Santander?

 

[Parrulo]

Banesto was bought by Standander.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If Santander is in this they'll want someone from Cantabria in the team. I can understand Manolo can't be in, but Cobo?

Nuh-uh. There's only one Cantabrian king of the road.

 

[lejarreta]

I'm glad for the riders and staff, cause their short term situation was really bad before this. But I'm really annoyed that not one of the Basque companies would support the project that helps riders from the country, was raised by plain people from the country giving money (no refund), and has been supported by lots of fans.

Just my reaction. If Banco Santander ends up sponsoring the team, I will take my few cents out of BBVA. The same if any of the main competitors of a Basque company puts money on the team and I buy from them or give them any business.

It has been such a long time seeing Euskaltel-Euskadi in the peloton, that now I have to recall my teenage times living in Amorebieta, being a volunteer to the organization (Klasika Primavera) and no orange wave, no "naranja digital", yes, no "bleeding carrots", but lots of cycling fans anyhow. Now, I will be a "regular" cycling fan, just with preferred riders.

For this Vuelta: papi, papi, papi chulo.

 

[Txapeldun]

I'm glad for the riders and staff, cause their short term situation was really bad before this. But I'm really annoyed that not one of the Basque companies would support the project that helps riders from the country, was raised by plain people from the country giving money (no refund), and has been supported by lots of fans.

Just my reaction. If Banco Santander ends up sponsoring the team, I will take my few cents out of BBVA. The same if any of the main competitors of a Basque company puts money on the team and I buy from them or give them any business.

It has been such a long time seeing Euskaltel-Euskadi in the peloton, that now I have to recall my teenage times living in Amorebieta, being a volunteer to the organization (Klasika Primavera) and no orange wave, no "naranja digital", yes, no "bleeding carrots", but lots of cycling fans anyhow. Now, I will be a "regular" cycling fan, just with preferred riders.

For this Vuelta: papi, papi, papi chulo.

^this. It's a real slap in the face for supporters of Basque cycling. Nevermind the Basque banks that didn't step up, how about the big boys like Iberdrola? Maybe a consortium of businesses could have pooled together 10-12 million Euro.

Now we will not see Orbea in the peloton.

Nor will we see the ikurrina

Many questions for this team that represents 'Green Spain'.

 

[hrotha]

On the bright side maybe now someone will feel compelled to save the Fundación Euskadi team.

 

[lejarreta]

^this. It's a real slap in the face for supporters of Basque cycling. Nevermind the Basque banks that didn't step up, how about the big boys like Iberdrola? Maybe a consortium of businesses could have pooled together 10-12 million Euro.

Now we will not see Orbea in the peloton.

Nor will we see the ikurrina

Many questions for this team that represents 'Green Spain'.

My gas or energy provider is not Iberdrola, it's not a provider in my city. Ama, mesedez, take my advice.
The ikurriña WILL be seen anyhow.

 

[hoerpi]

^this. It's a real slap in the face for supporters of Basque cycling. Nevermind the Basque banks that didn't step up, how about the big boys like Iberdrola? Maybe a consortium of businesses could have pooled together 10-12 million Euro.

Now we will not see Orbea in the peloton.

Nor will we see the ikurrina

Many questions for this team that represents 'Green Spain'.

We don't know that yet?

 

[HeadFirst]

Any time a team is saved from extinction is a good thing. Fernando Alonso is an avid cyclist and a fan of the sport, so who better to head up the effort. He has been talking about owning a cycling team for years and I guess the right opportunity has presented itself. Good luck to Fernando and his "new" team.

 

[Txapeldun]

We don't know that yet?

I hope to see them. Rumors are Colnago or the Asturian MMR.

 

[Txapeldun]

The ikurriña WILL be seen anyhow.

On the kit of course How about the Ikurrina & The Asturian flag, that'd be cool? The revenge of North Spain!!

 

[Txapeldun]

On the bright side maybe now someone will feel compelled to save the Fundación Euskadi team.

You're right. Seeing as how Orbea (Mondragon), Iberdrola, la Fundacion, and iberdrola got embarrassed by having their home team taken away from them maybe now they can chip in a half-million Euro each.

The Pro-Conti team needs to survive. And needs to stay 'solo vasco'.

 

[Peter von]

Anything about budget?

Hope they sign Flecha, it's too late to give him the support he needs to win the biggest races, however he is a very good rider and could make them stronger overall in le Tour and give them something to do in the classics on the short term.

But cool, with Europcar, Belkin, Vacansoleil and Euskaltel all facing imminent doom when the summer started, only Vacansoleil is going down right now, but luckily IAM seems to be ready to take their place.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Current team is merely Continental. Would be interesting to see them step up to ProConti if they got that funding though, make a good parachute for the leftover Euskaltel riders as well as a development team, so it'd be more like, say, Topsport Vlaanderen than Rabo/Astana Continental or Itera-Katyusha.

Pipe dream, mind.

 

[Netserk]

You're right. Seeing as how Orbea (Mondragon), Iberdrola, la Fundacion, and iberdrola got embarrassed by having their home team taken away from them maybe now they can chip in a half-million Euro each.

The Pro-Conti team needs to survive. And needs to stay 'solo vasco'.

AFAIK the Euskadi team is continental, not pro continental.

EDIT: Third time that I was sniped recently... How have I gotten so slow

 

[hrotha]

On the kit of course How about the Ikurrina & The Asturian flag, that'd be cool? The revenge of North Spain!!

The Basque flag together with the flag of the most fervent Spanish nationalists? I'm not sure I can see it.

 

[lejarreta]

Current team is merely Continental. Would be interesting to see them step up to ProConti if they got that funding though, make a good parachute for the leftover Euskaltel riders as well as a development team, so it'd be more like, say, Topsport Vlaanderen than Rabo/Astana Continental or Itera-Katyusha.

Pipe dream, mind.

Keep on dreaming

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Doubt it. The new team will be based in Asturias and will focus on riders from that region

hah. no way in hell that is true

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

This made me happy. Who are Alonso's sponsors?

alonos makes 50 million a year? he can easily miss 6 million a year

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Risk management. While these 6M might be a lot for a license, but it nigh ensures him a place in WT without having to face stiff competition.

there is no stiff competion. there is actually a shortage of wt teams. he didn't buy the license. he took it over for 6 million wich is exactly the budget of euskaltel. he basiclaly takes over all salary ect that sponsor would've been forced to still pay and gets the license with it

 

[Txapeldun]

The Basque flag together with the flag of the most fervent Spanish nationalists? I'm not sure I can see it.

How about as a compromise, a big bottle of (unmarked) sidra

A shame IGGy is still going to be there. Is Frerie still working for Katusha? Galdeano wanted him to join up last year. Maybe Santander can convince him.

It will be very interesting to see how and if they keep ties with PV, aside from the riders. This will most likely be Samu's team to lead in three years or so ala Vino. You better believe ever loyal Sammy will continue a strong relationship with the Basque Country in some manner.

Will be a shame if Orbea is out of cycling in general with Equipo Euskadi probably folding? Aside from some scrub American squad.

 

[lejarreta]

there is no stiff competion. there is actually a shortage of wt teams. he didn't buy the license. he took it over for 6 million wich is exactly the budget of euskaltel. he basiclaly takes over all salary ect that sponsor would've been forced to still pay and gets the license with it

Apparently he buys Basque Cycling Pro Team (BCPT), so its assets and liabilities. The license should be an asset, isn't it?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Apparently he buys Basque Cycling Pro Team (BCPT), so its assets and liabilities. The license should be an asset, isn't it?

by buying they mean he takes over all salaries and equipment etc

 

[lejarreta]

by buying they mean he takes over all salaries and equipment etc

No, he is buying a company.

I mean this is a "sociedad limitada".

 

[Archibald]

Probably Ferrari wants to sell more bicycles next years

bye bye Orbea, but can see it now - McLaren/Specialized Venge vs Ferrari

Meanwhile, Chapeau Fernando!