Jumbo - QuickStep merger

[Anderis]

It's just nitpicking, 1 rider more or less, it's still not at a level where Roglic could hope contesting for the Tour win.

He would be at a disadvantage compared to teams like Jumbo or UAE, yes, but you don't need 34 helpers in the group of 20 riders to be contesting for the Tour win.

 

[Samamba]

The fact that Lefevere is so open about this now means he wants to put some pressure on Plugge. Definitely doesn't trust the whole Amazon coming in.

 

[theyoungest]

This post is worthy of that Godfather meme, i.e. "it's not personal... it's strictly business".

I mean I know you defend Jumbo a lot (& go ahead, I'm not stopping you), but right now in this situation where a bunch of people (certainly at Quick-Step) are going to get their severance pay if this merger goes through?

It's business, yes, but it's cutthroat business.

I'm not a fan of this merger, and I hope Amazon coming on board will mean that it won't happen. I'd also consider Cervélo to be a better fit for the team than Specialized. But I'm not so emotionally invested that I think in terms of "poor Roglic" or "poor Cervélo" as you tend to do. That's why I say get real, it's business. But even in this businesslike world, there's room for the human approach, like letting Roglic go rather than keeping him to his contract, which they could easily do. Something you don't give them credit for (not very surprisingly).

 

[pastronef]

Roglic has just confirmed he'll leave Jumbo (I'm happy)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=77&v=tgG3wLCgIH0&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.cyclingnews.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo

 

[Rackham]

I'm not a fan of this merger, and I hope Amazon coming on board will mean that it won't happen. I'd also consider Cervélo to be a better fit for the team than Specialized. But I'm not so emotionally invested that I think in terms of "poor Roglic" or "poor Cervélo" as you tend to do. That's why I say get real, it's business. But even in this businesslike world, there's room for the human approach, like letting Roglic go rather than keeping him to his contract, which they could easily do. Something you don't give them credit for (not very surprisingly).

Sure. I'm happy Rog is leaving (insofar as that's what he wants) but there's also the cynical aspect as well, i.e. Jumbo needs money... right now. It's partially why the whole merger is happening (I heard Bruyneel say the problem with the prospective Saudi investment touted months ago is they wanted ownership of the team, whereas Plugge is only looking for sponsorship).

Jumbo gets its sponsorship & Evenepoel. I think both were of value & both are the driving motivators in the merger. But it's still a raw deal for everyone who'll get blindsided by this & either lose their job or be forced to find a ride elsewhere.

 

[theyoungest]

Sure. I'm happy Rog is leaving (insofar as that's what he wants) but there's also the cynical aspect as well, i.e. Jumbo needs money... right now. It's partially why the whole merger is happening (I heard Bruyneel say the problem with the prospective Saudi investment touted months ago is they wanted ownership of the team, whereas Plugge is only looking for sponsorship).

Jumbo gets its sponsorship & Evenepoel. I think both were of value & both are the driving motivators in the merger. But it's still a raw deal for everyone who'll get blindsided by this & either lose their job or be forced to find a ride elsewhere.

The guy who brought the Amazon news also said that the Saudi story was total BS, they never talked with them. He at least seems to have a source close to the fire, unlike Bruyneel who has no inside information whatsoever.

Of course it's painful for the people who will lose their jobs, but with an Ineos merger that would also have been the case. It could also be that the team was about to fold anyway and this way at least some people will still have a job next year.

 

[joseph89]

The real winner whatever happens is Specialized.

 

[Berniece]

The fact that Lefevere is so open about this now means he wants to put some pressure on Plugge. Definitely doesn't trust the whole Amazon coming in.

Love that he immediately puts a deadline on it for this Monday, knowing full well that all riders and staff of Jumbo now also expect much more information

 

[Boehmand]

On Amazon - it would make a great deal of marketing sense, if they were name sponsor just for the women's team, on top of a media deal for the men's Tour.

It might explain the reported low amount of 15 mil.

Otherwise I see little reason why they should not become a name sponsor outright.

 

[Panda Claws]

Just pretty sad that, once again, our chances of seeing Remco at full strength in a race like Lombardia will be ruined by him having to deal with these distractions.

 

[theyoungest]

On Amazon - it would make a great deal of marketing sense, if they were name sponsor just for the women's team, on top of a media deal for the men's Tour.

It might explain the reported low amount of 15 mil.

Otherwise I see little reason why they should not become a name sponsor outright.

Low amount? 15 million would be significantly more than Jumbo paid. For 15 million you can be name sponsor of about 10 different women's teams.

 

[Boehmand]

Low amount? 15 million would be significantly more than Jumbo paid. For 15 million you can be name sponsor of about 10 different women's teams.

Jumbo reportedly paid 20 mil, and clearly that is no longer enough for a name sponsorship on the team, which is probably why they have ended the sponsorship.

Either way the point was one of language, it doesn't make sense for a mens team to be called "Amazon"

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Jumbo reportedly paid 20 mil, and clearly that is no longer enough for a name sponsorship on the team, which is probably why they have ended the sponsorship.

I think you are on the wrong track here.

- The reports from Netherlands points at a sum in region of 10m per year.
- It’s been widely recognized that the main reason for Jumbo pulling out is that they have had a change of management at the top in the company and the new boss isn’t into sports as the old one was.

 

[DNP-Old]

 

[DNP-Old]

For context, this is Planckaert, who has been QS VIP driver for, what, 15 years?

 

[theyoungest]

Jumbo reportedly paid 20 mil, and clearly that is no longer enough for a name sponsorship on the team, which is probably why they have ended the sponsorship.

Either way the point was one of language, it doesn't make sense for a mens team to be called "Amazon"

No, Jumbo did not pay 20 million. And they also didn't end it because there was a bigger sponsor coming in, why do you think this whole merger panic has developed in the first place.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Remco and Wout on the same team could be fun, to say the least.

 

[theyoungest]

Remco and Wout on the same team could be fun, to say the least.

Two great domestiques for Vingegaard. Already looking forward to the Belgian commentators in next year's Tour

 

[Salvarani]

Remco and Wout on the same team could be fun, to say the least.

Those two really hates each other.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Those two really hates each other.

They seemed to do okay together at WC this year. Remco said he made attacks early because he felt he had no chance and hoped he could drain the others a bit for Wout before dropping and on his Strava he congratulated Wout with the silver. I’m not saying they are best buddies, but it seems a lot better now than back in 2021 after the home WC drama.

 

[Salvarani]

They seemed to do okay together at WC this year. Remco said he made attacks early because he felt he had no chance and hoped he could drain the others a bit for Wout before dropping and on his Strava he congratulated Wout with the silver. I’m not saying they are best buddies, but it seems a lot better now than back in 2021 after the home WC drama.

They definitely cant stand each other.

 

[Boehmand]

I think you are on the wrong track here.

- The reports from Netherlands points at a sum in region of 10m per year.
- It’s been widely recognized that the main reason for Jumbo pulling out is that they have had a change of management at the top in the company and the new boss isn’t into sports as the old one was.

I read 20 mil somewhere, but either way the proof is in the pudding, when 15 mil doesn't buy you a name sponsorship anymore, it makes sense that Jumbo has to bow out - we have to remember they are a minor supermarket chain internationally, so as sponsorship prices rise they can't justify the investment anymore.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Just pretty sad that, once again, our chances of seeing Remco at full strength in a race like Lombardia will be ruined by him having to deal with these distractions.

Preliminary excuse generation duly noted.

 

[AmRacer]

congratulated Wout with the silver

😁

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

😁

Even Remco knows silver is the best Wout can get in a big championship