Scott SoCal said:
I'm guessing the team will be pretty strong. Probably not Astana '09 strong, but formidable.
I think the term they use is "experienced".
Probably.
Depends on how competitive they are and if they get a ProTour license.
Crap team. There is no one on board. I got the following:
Jose Azevedo — Former teammate of Armstrong in U.S. Postal Service heydays. The Portuguese rider who finished fifth and sixth in the Tour de France said earlier this week he's signed with RadioShack as a team manager.
Ivan Basso — Long history with Armstrong, but he wants to be a team leader, and there's not enough room room in The Shack.
Janez Brajkovic — It's been more than two years since he was the surprising winner of the 2007 Tour of Georgia. He won't turn age 26 until December. He could mature into a strong a grand tour contender. Count him in.
Johan Bruyneel — Armstrong's guy. Didn't look good for a guy who's have so many Tour de France titles to have to beg for sponsor money on Twitter during the Astana fiasco. Heavy bet says he runs the show with Armstrong
Mark Cavendish — Early rumor Armstrong pursued him. He'll stay with Columbia-HTC.
Simon Gerrans — Armstrong's friend from the Tour Down Under and training partner in Colorado. Count him in.
George Hincapie — Armstrong's guy. He's been loyal during his time with Columbia-HTC. But Hincapie's friendship and likely one more year in the peloton have swayed the 36-year-old, 13-time Tour de France finisher to complete his career with the guy he rode with during seven Tour de France wins.
Chris Horner — Armstrong's guy. He's expected to sign with the new team at the end of his current season with Astana. Late word is he's also negotiating with other English-speaking teams. Horner turns age 38 in October.
Andreas Kloden — Armstrong's guy. Couldn't ask for a better veteran teammate. He'll be 35 by the time the 2010 Tour de France rolls around.
Floyd Landis — Nice sentiment for Armstrong in his newfound ways of "forgiveness" to guys he's had issues with. But just a hunch, here. It won't happen until Landis gets some results.
Levi Leipheimer — Reunited with Armstrong this season and the duo became quick friends. Seems logical he'll sign with RadioShack, although one prominent cycling site has linked the 35-year-old rider with BMC. Can't see it. Expect Leipheimer in The Shack and riding in the Tour again in 2010 at age 36. But, damn, Levi. Stay on your bike.
Sergio Paulinho — He said this week the deal is done for two years.
Taylor Phinney — Young and talented and Armstrong's protege. Count him in, but more likely in 2011.
Yaroslav Popovych — Armstrong's guy. Count him in.
Gregory Rast — Armstrong has seen enough to know what he likes in riders. Count him in.
Andy Schleck — Story goes, the Thin Man from Luxembourg was the first rider Armstrong pursued. No deal.