General News Thread

[Ferminal]

I was more thinking that because of firstly T-Mobile 03-04 and secondly Albi 2007. Probably is a nice guy and maybe I am just being stupid.

I think they'd be quite respectful of each other, especially after the Giro.

 

[Luke Schmid]

So Astana and BMC are merging.

 

[jens_attacks]

I was more thinking that because of firstly T-Mobile 03-04 and secondly Albi 2007. Probably is a nice guy and maybe I am just being stupid.

cadel already smashed the lies about albi a few times,of course the papers were talking bullshiit all along.they had the same manager for years,they always respected each other.
that photo is epic anyway,gilbert looks the most wasted.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

I don't think that is Vino. Not sure who it is, but it just doesn't look like him.

Besides, if that is from Paris after this year's Tour, it really can't be Vino. He was in hospital with his broken femur.

Susan

 

[just some guy]

I don't think that is Vino. Not sure who it is, but it just doesn't look like him.

Besides, if that is from Paris after this year's Tour, it really can't be Vino. He was in hospital with his broken femur.

Susan

Except there is the grand day where the route is shown for the 1st or 2nd time today.

Although you should know about that....

BMC were in Como for a end of season catch up and planning for 2012 then they went to Paris for today, So I guess Vino had a drink with them

 

[boomcie]

Sure does look an awful lot like Vino, it's what I thought as well.

Really cool picture by the way.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Except there is the grand day where the route is shown for the 1st or 2nd time today.

Although you should know about that....

TRue.

I still don't think it is him, though. But who knows.

Susan

 

[just some guy]

Uncertain future for Euskaltel team; decision expected by next May/June whether to continue beyond 2012. (L'Equipe)

 

[El Pistolero]

TRue.

I still don't think it is him, though. But who knows.

Susan

It's him, it's one of the only pro cyclists I can easily detect without their helmets on. Otherwise Vino has a doppelgänger à la Samus Aran.

 

[Moondance]

So how to make money in China when nobody in China is going to see the race?

Chinese government might pay some cash to the UCI, but that's where it ends with a race like this that no one watched.

Besides, it's naive to think that economical reasons are the only reason why big sponsors don't want to invest in cycling. (directed to Moondance)

Not the only reason, no, but it is a significant one. For instance, HTC Corporation has lost nearly 40% of its value since April (albeit after doing very well the previous few years), despite posting strong earnings. The economic climate is so horrid, especially in Europe (which is the primary big-name advertisers want to reach if they invest in cycling) that a company like HTC might be reticent to commit a multi-year 8 figure sum.

And that's a decision every advertiser has to make. Even harder for a new advertiser because at least in HTC's case they didn't even have make the decision to invest in the first place, it was merely about continuing what already existed. However, when you make multi-year commitments like sponsoring a cycling team, you have to make some type of assessment. What is my market? How is this market right now? Where do I see my market in 3, 5, 10 years time? And the answer to that last question is probably, "nowhere good". So why invest millions?

Now, who knows, maybe in the specific case of HTC's, their decision had nothing to do with basic economics. After all the original deal was signed sometime in early 2009, when it was hardly more of an optimistic climate (although HTC were booming at the time). Maybe they feel comfortable with their smartphone market share as is. Maybe they feel they've already saturated the (European) market. Maybe they've decided sports sponsoring isn't worth it, or else that other sports are better. All pretty valid arguments. Maybe someone should give them a call.

 

[The Hitch]

Heres another photo of 2 legends.

 

[ramjambunath]

Are there any links for this year's Tour du Faso?
Tour of Hainan starts tomorrow and all there is on that website is that the race will take place in Hainan province. Who'd have thought that?

 

[El Pistolero]

Not the only reason, no, but it is a significant one. For instance, HTC Corporation has lost nearly 40% of its value since April (albeit after doing very well the previous few years), despite posting strong earnings. The economic climate is so horrid, especially in Europe (which is the primary big-name advertisers want to reach if they invest in cycling) that a company like HTC might be reticent to commit a multi-year 8 figure sum.

And that's a decision every advertiser has to make. Even harder for a new advertiser because at least in HTC's case they didn't even have make the decision to invest in the first place, it was merely about continuing what already existed. However, when you make multi-year commitments like sponsoring a cycling team, you have to make some type of assessment. What is my market? How is this market right now? Where do I see my market in 3, 5, 10 years time? And the answer to that last question is probably, "nowhere good". So why invest millions?

Now, who knows, maybe in the specific case of HTC's, their decision had nothing to do with basic economics. After all the original deal was signed sometime in early 2009, when it was hardly more of an optimistic climate (although HTC were booming at the time). Maybe they feel comfortable with their smartphone market share as is. Maybe they feel they've already saturated the (European) market. Maybe they've decided sports sponsoring isn't worth it, or else that other sports are better. All pretty valid arguments. Maybe someone should give them a call.

He's not talking about HTC leaving, but about Team HTC not finding a new sponsor. Despite the bad economic climate, the best team for the past few years should have found a different sponsor.

You know what is one of many reasons for economical crisis? Ineffective leadership. Cycling has the same problem.

 

[Thomsena]

Heres another photo of 2 legends.

What a brilliant picture.

 

[Moncoutie]

Yeah really cool pic!

 

[Arnout]

From this pic you wouldn't say that they only differ 3 or 4 years...

 

[greenedge]

Tony Martin has finally said he will not be going for a GC position at the TDF, but will attempt for Olympic Gold. That's good maybe he can use his ITTing skills to next year compete in a few races like P-R ( over cobbles might suit his ITTing skills )

 

[auscyclefan94]

Aus nationals will be shown live for the first time either on the Internet and/or Cycling Central.

 

[Ferminal]

Aus nationals will be shown live for the first time either on the Internet and/or Cycling Central.

Wow, great news. They doing every stage of the TdU finally too?

 

[auscyclefan94]

not sure. Just read a tweet about Nats. Also, women's race may be live.

 

[craig1985]

Aus nationals will be shown live for the first time either on the Internet and/or Cycling Central.

That's fantastic. Is it just the RR, and not the TT?

 

[auscyclefan94]

That's fantastic. Is it just the RR, and not the TT?

Just Road race.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cadel is coming into the giro offices soon and the you can send through some questions through the Giro d'Italia twitter feed. I have already sent through 5 questions!

 

[Parrulo]

Tony Martin has finally said he will not be going for a GC position at the TDF, but will attempt for Olympic Gold. That's good maybe he can use his ITTing skills to next year compete in a few races like P-R ( over cobbles might suit his ITTing skills )

itt capacities don't make you a good rider for the cobbles. . . bike handling skills do and tony's bike handling skills aren't exactly the best.

 

[ramjambunath]

Tour of Hainan stage 1 results

Pretty decent field.