Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[BillytheKid]

Looks like RSH is done in pro cycling, with a loss like that no financial institution would participate in any kind of rescue plan, unless they skip their involvement in cycling. It looks pretty bad for the team.

Radio Shack is probably no worse off than a lot of retailers right now. There small store format is limited to other larger "warehouse" outfits. The company has survived since the 1960's, but I would not be surprise if they close downsize to only profitable locations.

They had the money to place ad after ad during the TdF, they are becoming a cell phone outlet. They may have more staying power than most think, but they yet to reinvent themselves sucessfully.

 

[Fidolix]

Radio Shack is probably no worse off than a lot of retailers right now. There small store format is limited to other larger "warehouse" outfits. The company has survived since the 1960's, but I would not be surprise if they close downsize to only profitable locations.

They had the money to place ad after ad during the TdF, they are becoming a cell phone outlet. They may have more staying power than most think, but they yet to reinvent themselves sucessfully.

"They had the money" = is the key word.

Stocks are almost down to nothing, meaning there are no credit, no capital and only very little goodwill. They tried to change gear, be a factor on the cell phone market, they failed. A company in this kind of financial trouble do not have the means to support a pro cycling team as main/co sponsor, and nobody would initiate a rescue plan if the money are used to support a sponsorship, its probably close to 10 - 12 million dollars, and nobody gonna support that. I know I wouldn´t.

 

[Race Radio]

"They had the money" = is the key word.

Stocks are almost down to nothing, meaning there are no credit, no capital and only very little goodwill. They tried to change gear, be a factor on the cell phone market, they failed. A company in this kind of financial trouble do not have the means to support a pro cycling team as main/co sponsor, and nobody would initiate a rescue plan if the money are used to support a sponsorship, its probably close to 10 - 12 million dollars, and nobody gonna support that. I know I wouldn´t.

And it is clear they are not happy. The guy who decided, without board approval, to sponsor the team was recently fired.

 

[Herr Katt]

From The Inner Ring twitterfeed

Radioshack sponsor Enovos breaks its contract with team, bemoans "values" and "image" of the team http://www.enovos.eu/lu/fileadmin/d.../Communique_de_presse_Enovos_RNT_31072012.pdf (in French)

Enovos says it can accept lack of results from Radioshack-Nissan but too many other negative headlines, Schleck doping case was final straw.

That team is seriously screwed

 

[pugdog]

It would be nice if RadioShack, Nissan and Trek could get rid of the Luxembourg connection altogether, and re-form the team with Gallopin at its head.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Or perhaps the 2 Gallopins and wht is salvageable of the team should move on.... In terms of image, this is all not terrible, i suppose that there are better teams to be found or it would be preferable to start with an new structure without the package to be born from the hog.... There does not seem to be any teamspirit anyway, so better pack up and leave

 

[Roude Leiw]

From The Inner Ring twitterfeed

Radioshack sponsor Enovos breaks its contract with team, bemoans "values" and "image" of the team http://www.enovos.eu/lu/fileadmin/d.../Communique_de_presse_Enovos_RNT_31072012.pdf (in French)

Enovos says it can accept lack of results from Radioshack-Nissan but too many other negative headlines, Schleck doping case was final straw.

That team is seriously screwed

I suppose that Enovos, being the state monopolist in electricity and natural gaz for households here in Lux, where an "unwilling" sponsor and only committed through some political "encouragement" to help build a team Lux. They are more than happy to leave the ship, there is nothing to be gained for them, as they could only capitalize on the schlecks and they are "poisoned" or injured. Noone gives a *** here about any exploits by Horner or Zubeldia (outside of the diehard cycling fans, who are def not the target audience for a company like Enovos)

 

[Fidolix]

I suppose that Enovos, being the state monopolist in electricity and natural gaz for households here in Lux, where an "unwilling" sponsor and only committed through some political "encouragement" to help build a team Lux. They are more than happy to leave the ship, there is nothing to be gained for them, as they could only capitalize on the schlecks and they are "poisoned" or injured. Noone gives a *** here about any exploits by Horner or Zubeldia (outside of the diehard cycling fans, who are def not the target audience for a company like Enovos)

Do you have any idea how much Enovos involvement was worth in sponsor money?

 

[thehog]

They probably shouldn't have offloaded Mercedes back in January.

 

[Christian]

I suppose that Enovos, being the state monopolist in electricity and natural gaz for households here in Lux, where an "unwilling" sponsor and only committed through some political "encouragement" to help build a team Lux. They are more than happy to leave the ship, there is nothing to be gained for them, as they could only capitalize on the schlecks and they are "poisoned" or injured. Noone gives a *** here about any exploits by Horner or Zubeldia (outside of the diehard cycling fans, who are def not the target audience for a company like Enovos)

Agree and disagree. Very few people in Lux care about Zubeldia and Horner as you say - but then again, Schleck(s) is/are pretty sure to bounce back some time. It is very risky to sponsor top notch cyclists but on the other hand you can almost be certain that Schleck(s) will celebrate more wins in the future. In that sense, I am surprised that they withdrew their sponsorship altogether - especially since the Tourist Ministry put a lot of money and effort into the Tour de France.

To me, this can only mean one thing - Enovos (and thereby, the State of Luxembourg) think that the team is folding and want to save some money instead of investing in a dead structure, especially since no results are to be expected of the Schlecks during the remainder of the season.

Do you have any idea how much Enovos involvement was worth in sponsor money?

The sponsorship of the team is €15 million. The biggest sponsors are: Flavio Becca, Radioshack, Nissan and Trek. Enovos must not spend a huge amount, I think the team can "wing" it. On the other hand, this surely does not bode well for the future!

 

[Fidolix]

It seems to brighten for Jakob Fuglsang on Team RadioShack.

The Dane is still not running World Tour races as sports director, Johan Bruyneel, as a punishment for the Dane, do not want Fuglsang to take World Tour points with him over to a new team next season. But an economic dispute seems to have fallen out to Jacob Fuglsang advantage.

The Dane has sued the company Leopard SA, which is behind the cycling team Team RadioShack, because he believes he has just over one million Danish kroner for good in salary from last year. The money should, according to the contract signed by Jakob Fuglsang nearly two years ago, to be paid to Jakob Fuglsang private company after last season, but it never happened.


http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/fuglsang-vinder-millionstrid-med-leopard

Imo it´s harassment from Becca, just a show up in court and he gets his money without any problems?
I really hope this jerk is done in cycling for good, and hopefully it´s the last time we see some rich one man show sponsoring a pro team.

 

[JPM London]

I really hope this jerk is done in cycling for good, and hopefully it´s the last time we see some rich one man show sponsoring a pro team.

So because Becca is rich and we conclude - based on a cursory glance at media reports - he's a jerk we can also conclude that having any rich people involved in the sport is a bad thing and that we should avoid rich people at all costs because they're inherently evil?

 

[DominicDecoco]

So because Becca is rich and we conclude - based on a cursory glance at media reports - he's a jerk

You really haven't read the quotes of Brian Nygaard, have you?

 

[Christian]

So because Becca is rich and we conclude - based on a cursory glance at media reports - he's a jerk we can also conclude that having any rich people involved in the sport is a bad thing and that we should avoid rich people at all costs because they're inherently evil?

Have to agree with Domenic, Becca sucks ... but also agree that rich people funding teams is not always a bad thing. In this case it is though

 

[JPM London]

You really haven't read the quotes of Brian Nygaard, have you?

To be honest I stopped caring about that team pretty much when it was formed. Don't misunderstand my point - Becca could likely be the devil incarnate - it's just that I don't care about making that judgement based on a lot of "he said / she said" from all parties. That organisation - from the outside - looks like a kindergarten playground.

My main point was the last bit - concluding that any rich person involved in the sport is per definition bad is a whole world of silly...

 

[JPM London]

Have to agree with Domenic, Becca sucks ... but also agree that rich people funding teams is not always a bad thing. In this case it is though

He probably is and I don't contend he's the bestest nicest bloke around, merely that it doesn't confer judgement on anybody else who might happen to be loaded and a cycling fan.

Just like the weather really - I can safely say the weather her in the uk is generally grey and boring and wet. Because statistically it is, but I couldn't argue it on the mere fact that today is one such day... I'm sure it's rained in Sahara at some point in history as well...

 

[Fidolix]

So because Becca is rich and we conclude - based on a cursory glance at media reports - he's a jerk we can also conclude that having any rich people involved in the sport is a bad thing and that we should avoid rich people at all costs because they're inherently evil?

if thats how your brain works fine with me...

But no, my point is he withheld wages with purpose course hes not sastisfied with the results... How little do you now about cycling then, to him its a toy, a new adventure without any kind of knowledge how the sport works, he withheld wages like a little child course he didnt get his will, and think its his personal playground. And look where that took the team...
No wonder other sponsors jumps the sinking ship, sponsors who support within the known limits, not acting like kids, sponsors the sport needs, and if you think that is a good thing... then cheers mate.

 

[JPM London]

if thats how your brain works fine with me...

But no, my point is he withheld wages with purpose course hes not sastisfied with the results... How little do you now about cycling then, to him its a toy, a new adventure without any kind of knowledge how the sport works, he withheld wages like a little child course he didnt get his will, and think its his personal playground. And look where that took the team...
No wonder other sponsors jumps the sinking ship, sponsors who support within the known limits, not acting like kids, sponsors the sport needs, and if you think that is a good thing... then cheers mate.

Sorry mate - I've not defended Becca in any way. Let's just say for one moment he's the worst person in cycling. Period.

The thing I had a problem with is that you made a generalisation about rich folk and said that hopefully we would never see any other wealthy individual invest directly in cycling again. Which is silly as Becca is Becca and doesn't represent the rest of the world's affluents...

 

[Fidolix]

Sorry mate - I've not defended Becca in any way. Let's just say for one moment he's the worst person in cycling. Period.

The thing I had a problem with is that you made a generalisation about rich folk and said that hopefully we would never see any other wealthy individual invest directly in cycling again. Which is silly as Becca is Becca and doesn't represent the rest of the world's affluents...

No I didn´t try to generalize mate, I called Becca a jerk, and not rich people in general. I just hope we won´t see more of his kind in cycling, playboys with a toy you can say.
I don´t know if he´s the worst person in cycling, I could point fingers of a few other people also, but then we would be in the Clinic.
No worries mate, misunderstandings occur in any public fora.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

i'm glad fuglsang got paid. 134k euros is not chump change any way you slice it.

 

[BillytheKid]

i'm glad fuglsang got paid. 134k euros is not chump change any way you slice it.

Got a new banker I guess. Wierd issue.

 

[Race Radio]

http://www.deia.com/2012/08/19/deportes/ciclismo/mi-relacion-con-lance-esta-por-encima-de-todo

Interesting interview with Johan. Talks about the Schleck. Also says he does not own any of the team, just an employee. Says the main sponsors still have 1 year left

 

[Ney the Viking]

http://www.deia.com/2012/08/19/deportes/ciclismo/mi-relacion-con-lance-esta-por-encima-de-todo

Interesting interview with Johan. Talks about the Schleck. Also says he does not own any of the team, just an employee. Says the main sponsors still have 1 year left

Anyone could give highlights in english?

 

[DominicDecoco]

Don't know if this is the same.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...s-radioshack-nissan-tackles-the-vuelta_234808

 

[Forunculo]

Bruyneel did few interviews today in Spain and he told Andy, Frank (depends of doping case) and Cancellara stay with the Team and his next goal is to win TdF with Andy