Liberty Seguros 2011 - “al estilo del Rabobank” (Ampliación)

[canyonball]

You said it yourself, only two continental teams confirmed for next season, which leaves a lot of (quality) riders out in the cold. With the economic mood surrounding Portugal, I don't expect any company to take the leap and sponsor a team.

Galp and EDP would be our best shots. They have the money. But do they have the motto? Maybe if were talking about a competitive team who could make their way on the spanish races/market (?)

Anyway, it seems like a dark year to cycling in Portugal so far.

 

[Fester]

It seems like Liberty Seguros' Portuguese arm has been keen on the project but have been overruled by their superiors on the basis of the two previous projects. I totally understand the reasons but wish they'd run it by the superiors first if this was a risk. On the bright side of what is a pretty crap piece of news, the likes of Rui Sousa and José João Mendes could help Tavira and Barbot secure sponsorship. Loulé I think are already kaput, though I've heard rumours of a split Spanish-Portuguese team forming from the remainder of Loulé and Xacobeo.

Vitor Rodrigues is planning a career outside of cycling if this project is indeed a no-go, and that would be a shame.

I am not sure Tavira could lend such a hand to many riders, as they have woes of their own. Also they have their leaders for the future. If the team goes forward.

The "Iberian" project you mention I believe is all on track, but not quite as you detail it. I think that another continental team will be formed in Galicia to scoop up most of the ex-Xacobeo riders.

I think any cyclist outside the pro tour has to have another card to play for situations like these... Vitor Rodrigues must have been intelligent and planed for such.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I was not meaning that Tavira would lend a hand, but that the possibility of picking up some useful riders like Sousa and Mendes might encourage somebody to stump up the cash to bring them in and stabilise Barbot or Tavira.

It's a forlorn hope, so please don't crush it!

 

[Parrulo]

vitro rodrigues and jose mendes could find some proconti european team for them. the rest will be in some serious troubles to find a new team.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Have Caja Rural stopped recruitment yet? They were looking at ProConti, so could perhaps offer a useful place for some of them to go. NetApp is also a possibility (they signed Jesús del Nero from Loulé) but given Germany's reaction to cycling at the moment, signing people from the notorious Portuguese scene could be semi-verboten.

 

[Kwibus]

Liberty Seguros have pulled the plug unfortunately.

I was happy that Portugal were about to have a team for portugese talent, but they withdrew:/

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/6304/Liberty-Seguros-reverses-plans-to-once-again-back-a-Portuguese-team.aspx

 

[Libertine Seguros]

http://jornalciclismo.com/liberty-segurossm-feira-contrata-luis-afonso

Though the Pro team may have been nixed by the superiors, Liberty Seguros-Santa Maria da Feira will continue on their merry way in 2011.

They've taken Fabio Silvestre back for another year of development, which means we'll see him do his thing in pretty much all the big Portuguese races except Algarve and the Volta (though he may make the national selection in the latter), though Marco Coelho no longer being under 23 means his status is uncertain.

Luís Oliveira and Rubén Castro will be promoted from the São João de Ver junior team, while red hot prospect Rafael Reis is also rumoured but unconfirmed as a signing for Liberty-SM Feira.