Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[BillytheKid]

I'm sorry, what has Fuglsang said that's so bad? I'd like to see how you handle being unpaid and mobbed at your work place.

Why take down the main sponsors, when the problems at the Leorpard S.A. level?

I am not denying him his right to complain, but his antics are only hurting his future prospects. Directors do not need to be dictated to, or at least Fuglsang has not reach the level where he might get away with it.

For all we know he has been paid, just not to the account of his liking.

I really think he is hurting himself more than helping.

ttp://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang ... ck-colours

 

[Sophistic]

why the hell are they still not releasing from his contract???RSNT doesnt have to worry about getting edged out the license ranking, they would save money, he could get points and a better contract than after doing nothing for the rest of the season. It seems its just about hurting him financially...

 

[BillytheKid]

why the hell are they still not releasing from his contract???RSNT doesnt have to worry about getting edged out the license ranking, they would save money, he could get points and a better contract than after doing nothing for the rest of the season. It seems its just about hurting him financially...

He's damaging himself, by grabbing headlines like this, but his intent may be forcing a release.

It will be remembered. Maybe I'm wrong. The full details may never emerge.

 

[Christian]

What's ironic about this is that Fuglsang complained about the exact same problem when he was leaving Saxo Bank two years ago. I am trying to find the article but it's pretty difficult right now. By the end he had no contact at all with the management anymore. Of course this is even worse but it seems for the management to ignore certain riders is not all that uncommon.

Another funny detail is the reason why Fuglsang left Saxo Bank in the first place:

"One of the problems with Riis' contract was over the salary and the way it was paid over the three years."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang-elaborates-on-move-to-leopard-trek

 

[hrotha]

Why take down the main sponsors, when the problems at the Leorpard S.A. level?

I am not denying him his right to complain, but his antics are only hurting his future prospects. Directors do not need to be dictated to, or at least Fuglsang has not reach the level where he might get away with it.

For all we know he has been paid, just not to the account of his liking.

I really think he is hurting himself more than helping.

ttp://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang ... ck-colours

Yeah, I read that. Where does he say anything against the sponsors?

Honestly, if he has the balls to talk out against a bunch of mafioso types that aren't paying his wages, kudos to him. More people should do the same instead of cowering before their bosses and allowing them to tread on them all the time. It's sad that you would side with the employer who isn't paying Fuglsang's wages rather than with the worker who is not getting paid but is still expected to show full commitment to the company. Screw that.

 

[Race Radio]

This is - at least partially - false. Leopard S.A. lost €7 million in the first business year, which was in reality 18 months since the company was started around May 2010. The number that you are refering to is from the first report which was done in december 2011. Also the debts of others towards Leopard S.A. are €3.6 million.

According to the press agent of Leopard S.A. the company calculated with this loss from the beginning and had foreseen it in their business plan which they (I believe) submitted to the UCI. The press agent also said that finding a sponsor was part of the business plan for the second year.

That being said I agree that losing such a large amount of money does not bode of financial stability. However, while I am unaware of the financial details of other teams, I imagine most of them are money-losing-machines

Do you have a link for this?

The English Language media had many reports http://road.cc/content/news/61904-r...rd-sa-denies-press-reports-financial-meltdown on the Süddeutsche Zeitung article

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/rennstall-radioshack-nissan-aufstand-der-volkshelden-1.1412418

All clearly refer to 6 months and 7.6 million Euros. Did they report it wrong?

 

[Antianti]

At the end of the day, Fuglsang is able to produce good results and will sign with a new team who will pay him a high salary.

Rasdioshack-Leopard will be left with this:

"Fuglsang's fall out with RadioShack has been one of the ingredients of what has largely been a disastrous season for the Luxembourg team. His overall wins at the Tour of Austra and the Tour of Luxembourg have provided some of high points on the road, but these have been offset by Johan Bruyneel's charges from USADA, Frank Schleck's irregular urine samples at Tour de France earlier this month and rumours of financial irregularities."

Punishing Fuglsang just seems like the last bitter contortions of a dying team and a desperate manager.

 

[Machu Picchu]

Why take down the main sponsors, when the problems at the Leorpard S.A. level?

I am not denying him his right to complain, but his antics are only hurting his future prospects. Directors do not need to be dictated to, or at least Fuglsang has not reach the level where he might get away with it.

For all we know he has been paid, just not to the account of his liking.

I really think he is hurting himself more than helping.

ttp://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang ... ck-colours

Well these are his comments from your link above and I don't really see the problem:

"I have no more races in my programme, I asked the team if I could ride the Tour of Colorado and some other races in the build up to the World Championships but they haven't responded. At least I can ride the Tour of Denmark with the national team. The coach Lars Bonde emailed me and told me I could have a spot if I was unable to compete for RadioShack."

 

[BillytheKid]

Do you have a link for this?

The English Language media had many reports http://road.cc/content/news/61904-r...rd-sa-denies-press-reports-financial-meltdown on the Süddeutsche Zeitung article

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/rennstall-radioshack-nissan-aufstand-der-volkshelden-1.1412418

All clearly refer to 6 months and 7.6 million Euros. Did they report it wrong?

One press report, Süddeutsche Zeitung, is not enough to rely on. If other media do their own reporting, and if more comes out then we will know much more. Never trust all of what you read, especially from one source.

They could be on to something, but if it fades into obscurity, then I am more dubious at to the extent of the problems.

 

[JPM London]

What's ironic about this is that Fuglsang complained about the exact same problem when he was leaving Saxo Bank two years ago. I am trying to find the article but it's pretty difficult right now. By the end he had no contact at all with the management anymore. Of course this is even worse but it seems for the management to ignore certain riders is not all that uncommon.

Another funny detail is the reason why Fuglsang left Saxo Bank in the first place:



http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang-elaborates-on-move-to-leopard-trek

Not the "exact same problem". I agree the way the article is put together it can be a bit difficult to get the right side up on the story.

What's talked about in the article is the future terms. It had been published that he had signed, which he apparently hadn't done at the time because he wasn't completely happy about the details for the coming 3 year contract term.

It's important to distinguish between Leopard's not paying on a current contract and there being disagreement regarding a future one...

However, great spotted, because it does point to something which is not that publicised - ie that contracts for riders (maybe only of a certain level) is a very intricate affair and not just about salaries, but to a high degree how it's split into salaries, bonuses, image rights and how and when these are all paid.

It'd be really interesting to get a deeper look into some of those contracts

 

[Race Radio]

One press report, Süddeutsche Zeitung, is not enough to rely on. If other media do their own reporting, and if more comes out then we will know much more. Never trust all of what you read, especially from one source.

They could be on to something, but if it fades into obscurity, then I am more dubious at to the extent of the problems.

Süddeutsche Zeitung is not the only source for riders appealing to the UCI for non-payment. The UCI even confirmed it. They are also not the source for the fact that they are not paying vendors, like their mobile kitchen company. They are also not the source for Becca's offices being raided by the police and being under investigation for tax issues

 

[BillytheKid]

At the end of the day, Fuglsang is able to produce good results and will sign with a new team who will pay him a high salary.

Rasdioshack-Leopard will be left with this:

"Fuglsang's fall out with RadioShack has been one of the ingredients of what has largely been a disastrous season for the Luxembourg team. His overall wins at the Tour of Austra and the Tour of Luxembourg have provided some of high points on the road, but these have been offset by Johan Bruyneel's charges from USADA, Frank Schleck's irregular urine samples at Tour de France earlier this month and rumours of financial irregularities."

Punishing Fuglsang just seems like the last bitter contortions of a dying team and a desperate manager.

I guess it's OK to take a U.S. sponsors money and then demand they have no American riders on the team. It does not have to be Horner vs. Fuglsang.
Monfort could have gotten the cut as well. I don't think the Schlecks, Jens had the right to demand for Fuglsang on the team if that was the case. Horner willingly worked as a domestique. Stage 8: thats him pulling Zubeldia and Schleck up to the VdB, Cadel and Sky over they final climb.

 

[BillytheKid]

Süddeutsche Zeitung is not the only source for riders appealing to the UCI for non-payment. The UCI even confirmed it. They are also not the source for the fact that they are not paying vendors, like their mobile kitchen company. They are also not the source for Becca's offices being raided by the police and being under investigation for tax issues

I was refering to the 7.6-Euros figure. What I wonder is how many media outlets are just cloning the story from Zeitung? Maybe all are doing a better job that the American press which is reeling eocnomically and you don't have healthy competition that avoids cut and paste journalism or the pooling of resources that sometimes gives you the work of a single reporter in the place of what use to be many.

 

[roundabout]

SZ is not a tabloid. Even if the other media is just doing a copy paste job, it doesn't really matter, as the source they are copying from is a reputable newspaper.

 

[BillytheKid]

SZ is not a tabloid. Even if the other media is just doing a copy paste job, it doesn't really matter, as the source they are copying from is a reputable newspaper.

I was drilled never to trust one source, but also not to disregard it either.

 

[Anonymous]

He's damaging himself, by grabbing headlines like this, but his intent may be forcing a release.

It will be remembered. Maybe I'm wrong. The full details may never emerge.

Probably not.

He reminds me of Horner when everything went sideways at Mercury. I think he sued Wordin (iirc with Floyd) and he's done just fine.

If JF keeps progressing he'll be employable for some time.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Oh, how I hate this joke of a team.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang-may-not-race-again-in-radioshack-colours

 

[Christian]

Do you have a link for this?

The English Language media had many reports http://road.cc/content/news/61904-r...rd-sa-denies-press-reports-financial-meltdown on the Süddeutsche Zeitung article

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/rennstall-radioshack-nissan-aufstand-der-volkshelden-1.1412418

All clearly refer to 6 months and 7.6 million Euros. Did they report it wrong?

I am pretty sure they got it wrong, because it appears the business report was from December 2011, so one and a half years after the foundation of the company. Here some more information:

Tageblatt has access to the balance of accounts of 2011 of Leopard S.A. It shows a loss in the first year of €7.6 million. Meanwhile, in the international edition of Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) of this Saturday, one can read that "Insiders are of the opinion that Flavio Becca will soon lose his license"

According to the document from auditing-company Deloitte, Leopard S.A. finished the first business year (26.07.2010 to 31.12.2011) with a loss of €7.618.109,60.

The conclusion of the auditers: with such a huge loss, the board of directors are required by law to summon a general assembly of the share holders, which will decide whether the company will be terminated or not.

http://www.tageblatt.lu/nachrichten/luxemburg/story/Vor-dem-Aus--23058974

Some further numbers from the balance of accounts:

Salaries for riders: €10.6 million
Salaries for employees: €1.5 million
Salaries for doctors: €300.000
Participation at UCI biological passport program: €120.000
Corporate identity: €400.000
Traveling expenses: €1.4 million

Input of Flavio Becca's financing company Promobe Finance SPF: €5.5 million
Debts towards others: almost €7.7 million
Debts of others towards Leopard S.A.: almost €3.6 million
Input of sponsors: €9.5 million
Other gains (Leopard-Trademark): €2.5 million
Penalties for enticing riders away from other teams: €618.500
Amount to pay to riders for image rights: €1.3 million

Promobe Finance SPF acts as a guarantor for losses or debts of Leopard S.A.

Source: Tageblatt print edition

It's important to distinguish between Leopard's not paying on a current contract and there being disagreement regarding a future one...

Ah yes, it appears I misinterpreted that one. Still it seems interesting to me that there seems to have been some disagreement already between Fuglsang and Riis as to "how" the money was paid ... the same problem he now (allegedly) has with Leopard S.A.

 

[Race Radio]

I was refering to the 7.6-Euros figure. What I wonder is how many media outlets are just cloning the story from Zeitung? Maybe all are doing a better job that the American press which is reeling eocnomically and you don't have healthy competition that avoids cut and paste journalism or the pooling of resources that sometimes gives you the work of a single reporter in the place of what use to be many.

As Christen posted Zeitung was not the only source. He even gave detail on the financials, the only question is the time period. Leopard even confirmed the loss but said the cause was "Secret"

Chaos follows Johan.

 

[Christian]

Leopard even confirmed the loss but said the cause was "Secret"

Where did you find that? I found this:

"From the beginning of (Leopard's) activities in cycling and its demand for a license with the UCI, the business plan foresaw an important deficit for the first season which would be covered by its shareholders.

The balance of accounts concluded on 31 December 2011 is conform to these previsions. The company's and the UCI's auditors have not only validated all the team's accounts but also confirmed the financial capacity to continue its activities."

http://sport.rtl.lu/cyclissem/news/280095.html

 

[Race Radio]

Where did you find that? I found this:

Sorry, mixed up the atribution. The word used to explain why salaries were not being paid was "Private"

"They were looking for the reason that wages were delayed, and they found it.” The reason for that is “private.

I find it hard to believe a dispute over such a significant amount of money is only due to a bank account. Appealing to the UCI is usually a tactic of last resort

 

[learn to ride]

Zubeldia turns down Nibali/Astana approach to stay with RadioShack Nissan

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-approach-to-stay-with-RadioShack-Nissan.aspx

 

[Cancellator]

This is so terrible: http://shop.radioshacknissantrek.com/united-states/shop/key-ring-6-pcs-for-60/product-en.htm?or=6589370567&cu=euro

Only 80 Euros for some of the worst-looking key rings imagined? No wonder their finances are going so well...

 

[Christian]

Sorry, mixed up the atribution. The word used to explain why salaries were not being paid was "Private"

I find it hard to believe a dispute over such a significant amount of money is only due to a bank account. Appealing to the UCI is usually a tactic of last resort

Ah, but now you are talking about two different things - the huge loss and the delayed wages. Of course both might be related though as you correctly infer!

This is so terrible: http://shop.radioshacknissantrek.com/united-states/shop/key-ring-6-pcs-for-60/product-en.htm?or=6589370567&cu=euro

Only 80 Euros for some of the worst-looking key rings imagined? No wonder their finances are going so well...

Lol yeah this is pretty bad. I assume the bald one is Chris Horner, the others are indistinguishable

 

[ciranda]

This is so terrible: http://shop.radioshacknissantrek.com/united-states/shop/key-ring-6-pcs-for-60/product-en.htm?or=6589370567&cu=euro

Only 80 Euros for some of the worst-looking key rings imagined? No wonder their finances are going so well...

Hahaha, 80 euros. They are great though, especially Andreas Klöden who looks even meaner than the others. Frank Schleck is raging, looks like he has rabies. The Bruyneel one is great too.

WANT