Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[pmcg76]

This would be terrible if it happened, it would also mean at least a team of riders would be left scrambling for contracts. At least with the Omega/Qucik Step merger, Lotto are continuing with a team meaning a lot of those guys will still get contracts.

The idea of a new team coming into the sport and then possibly merging with another team after just one year is really bad for cycling for a number of reasons. I really hope it doesnt happen.

Talking of guys being ****ed off, what about Ben Hermans, he seemed quite peeved at RadioShack and joined Leopard but now could end up back under Bruyneel.

 

[virandociclista]

sounds like a good idea to me. Instead of having to split my hatred in two directions I can now aim it all firmly at just one team again.

x10000

Bring on this "new" dirty-team! I'm ready!

 

[H2OUUP2]

And what about the "villain", the other key character of this movie, Alberto Contador? Lance worst enemy in the road, a rebel and a traitor for Johan and biggest rival of Andy. Will Andy fall in the trap of Johan and Lance. Has Lance want to protect his record of 7 TdF? Does Lance think Contador is a threat?


Many questions for me. My opinion is that this a war and a busness of others and Andy don't have to get involved.

That's why I think this will happen. It's the reason I thought Lance came back out of retirement. AC is 28. If he's cleared in November, and does what he said he was going to do after this years TdF, then he is a threat to Armstrongs 7 TdF wins. And we all know Lance won't like that.

 

[Race Radio]

There is also the option the Johan just leaves Tailwind and runs Leopard

 

[ElChingon]

A Joe-Han sighting in Lux.

http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/sports/story/24449038
30 août 2011 09:36; Act: 30.08.2011 18:45

Bruyneel in Luxembourg, Rumor Grows
LUXEMBOURG - Despite the denials, "L'Equipe" and the "Gazzetta Dello Sport" predict an upcoming Leopard-RadioShack merger.

If Leopard-Trek made denials Monday of any proposed merger with the American team RadioShack, the newspaper L'Equipe Tuesday just strengthened the insistent rumor. According to the sports daily, Johan Bruyneel, manager of RadioShack, was in Luxembourg the last few days and not just to visit the headquarters of his team.

L'Equipe assures that the Belgian came to "resolve the first details of a future merger." He also invited HTC-Highroad team staff "to wait a little bit" to find a job... The Gazzetta Dello Sport wrote that as the owner of Leopard-Trek, Flavio Becca hopes that Bruyneel can help Andy Schleck to win the Tour de France as he did with Armstrong (seven times) and Contador (twice).

According to the newspaper, the future team would be known as RadioShack-Trek and would rely primarily on the current staff of RadioShack. Contacted, the French Sports Director of the American team, Alain Gallopin, said "nothing to say otherwise but team RadioShack-Nissan will continue to exist next season". The current manager of Leopard, Brian Nygaard, is announced as Press Secretary of the GreenEdge team.

Nicolas Martin and Denis Berche

 

[eleven]

I hope the Leopard person who made those denials has updated his resume - it's a tough job market for unemployed PR folks.

 

[hfer07]

I wonder if Becca knows what people in the sport think of Bruyneel?

Is crazy to be that blind -or rather "greedy" to disregard all the nasty facts behind him & LA's success-which BTW brings me to this question : how is Becca going to deal with possibility of getting stuck with Bruyneel when he gets summoned by the GJ here in the US to testify on LA's case? the Liability is hard to calculate when the Schleck Bros begin to "win" tours on the hog's care, while the world is being informed of what "really" made the US Postal the best team back then...........

 

[VeloFidelis]

I wonder if Becca knows what people in the sport think of Bruyneel?

It would seem that quotes from much more notable riders than Eric Boyer and Joaquim Benoit, and quotes which are very much in support of Johann Bruyneel, could be found with a fraction of the effort that was expended to find these.

I am sure that what most "people in the sport" think about Bruyneel is that he wins Grand Tours with greater regularity than anyone currently in the game. And I am sure that just like Vince Lombardi, Red Auerbach, and Billy Martin, he is probably a pathological liar who just happens to have presided over a dynasty, and the best record in his sport.

That's how it works. Is it really that difficult to understand the interest of Becca or TREK to put Bruyneel in charge of their program?

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

That's how it works. Is it really that difficult to understand the interest of Becca or TREK to put Bruyneel in charge of their program?

It certainly is when Bruyneel could be indicted at any moment. Of course, Trek is not known to care about these things.

 

[Race Radio]

It would seem that quotes from much more notable riders than Eric Boyer and Joaquim Benoit, and quotes which are very much in support of Johann Bruyneel, could be found with a fraction of the effort that was expended to find these.

I am sure that what most "people in the sport" think about Bruyneel is that he wins Grand Tours with greater regularity than anyone currently in the game. And I am sure that just like Vince Lombardi, Red Auerbach, and Billy Martin, he is probably a pathological liar who just happens to have presided over a dynasty, and the best record in his sport.

That's how it works. Is it really that difficult to understand the interest of Becca or TREK to put Bruyneel in charge of their program?

What most in teh sport say in private about the Hog is not as kind as these quotes

Given that The Hog does not come to the U.S., runs from the police in Italy, and is the target of criminal investigations in multiple countries it is difficult to see why anyone would take such a risk. Sounds like the Hog did a good sales job to a gullible, desperate, customer.

 

[uphillstruggle]

New thread: - Canc to BMC?

Or to SKY. They courted him a bit last year, he would have a great team behind him and would be a great asset for Wiggins or Cav.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Sounds like the Hog did a good sales job to a gullible, desperate, customer.

Maybe that is the key right there. Desperate. The moneymen cannot be happy with their super team failing at its every objective. Even Cancellara, who should have been a shoo-in for a big win or two, has been a letdown. He is riding like crap right now and will not get his customary world title.

If Bruyneel goes to Leopard, brings key personnel with him, and indictments are handed down for him and his staff then how does the UCI handle that? Does the team get suspended? Do races withdraw their invitations?

 

[Bicicleta]

There is also the option the Johan just leaves Tailwind and runs Leopard

I always wondered if a condition of Radio Shack renewing their sponsorship was that the Hog hit the road.

Does Luxebourg allow for extradition to the US

 

[Nielsa]

If Bruyneel goes to Leopard, brings key personnel with him, and indictments are handed down for him and his staff then how does the UCI handle that? Does the team get suspended? Do races withdraw their invitations?

I'd think the UCI would bend a lot of principles to keep Andy riding in the TdF. But with ASO, who knows? They denied Menchov for less and Andy isn't really a huge star in France. (At least that was my impression from living there last year.)
(I know, RadioTrek would be a WT team unlike Geox, but the indictment scenario is serious business, no?)

His exclusion for a year wouldn't hurt the Tour's attraction anywhere but for certain media outlets who seem to build their entire coverage around the prospect of Andy conquering Contador.

 

[veganrob]

Who is pulling the strings at Leopard? Is it Schlecks? If so, why would they want Johan there? He is not the warm, fuzzy guy Andy wants. Johan is cold, calculated killer. That is why he and Lance had such success. Under Riis' hard shell he at least does appear to have a heart. Not Bruyneel. None there at all. And he has an awful lot of baggage now.

Cancellara, no way he goes to BMC. With Thor and Cuddles on the team. Not a shot. Saxo actually does make sense. Him and Riis will make up, they want the same thing. To win. That had to kill Fabian when Nuyens won. AArrggghh. Still hurting over that one.

 

[VeloFidelis]

What most in teh sport say in private about the Hog is not as kind as these quotes

Given that The Hog does not come to the U.S., runs from the police in Italy, and is the target of criminal investigations in multiple countries it is difficult to see why anyone would take such a risk. Sounds like the Hog did a good sales job to a gullible, desperate, customer.

Interesting ad hominem. Let's check back in a few days and see where the dust settles. If it turns out that our favorite pathological liar is running a new team, then you'll have to let "most in teh sport" know that no one really cares what they think.

 

[Race Radio]

Interesting ad hominem. Let's check back in a few days and see where the dust settles. If it turns out that our favorite pathological liar is running a new team, then you'll have to let "most in teh sport" know that no one really cares what they think.

Most in the sport think Johan is nuts and have taken a certain amount of pleasure in watching his fall. If he is successful in convincing Becca to work with him that will not change anyone mind.

 

[Race Radio]

Who is pulling the strings at Leopard? Is it Schlecks? If so, why would they want Johan there? He is not the warm, fuzzy guy Andy wants. Johan is cold, calculated killer. That is why he and Lance had such success. Under Riis' hard shell he at least does appear to have a heart. Not Bruyneel. None there at all. And he has an awful lot of baggage now.

Cancellara, no way he goes to BMC. With Thor and Cuddles on the team. Not a shot. Saxo actually does make sense. Him and Riis will make up, they want the same thing. To win. That had to kill Fabian when Nuyens won. AArrggghh. Still hurting over that one.

It is not the Schlecks. They have made it clear from the start they are not owners and do not run the team. It is Becca's deal

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Anyone know what happened to the contracts of contracted (ugh I know) CTT riders that didn't join Garmin-Cervelo?
Were they all on expiring two-year contracts?

I can't remember the exact details of the CTT/Garmin merger but a couple of riders ended on the Chipotle team.
As for outstanding contracts - the team would have to honour those contracts unless the riders are picked up by another team - where the original team would have to pay the shortfall.

Eg: Rider A has a contract of 100,000 p.a. and gets signed for a new team at $90,000 p.a. - the original team would have to pay the rider the shortfall of $10,000.

Interesting ad hominem. Let's check back in a few days and see where the dust settles. If it turns out that our favorite pathological liar is running a new team, then you'll have to let "most in teh sport" know that no one really cares what they think.

It would only be an ad hominem if you are Flavio Becca.

If you are Flavio Becca - then there would be no need for you to sit on the fence as you could clear up this issue of whether theres a merger or not.

Also if you are indeed the nice Mr. Becca hurricane Irene just washed away my summer home in the Floridian mountains, could I borrow $10 million to get it fixed as the banks dont open again until Friday, thanks.

 

[Christian]

"Tageblatt" talks of a secret meeting during the Tour de Luxembourg 2010 between Armstrong and "whomever else".

John Burke, "big boss of Trek", was at the Champs-Elysées for the arrival of the Tour and spent a lot of time with team LEOPARD TREK and Becca.

They also say that Bruyneel flew from his summer vacation in Bali to Luxembourg.

According to their sources, Nygaard is not resigning, but fired because people are unhappy with him. They point out Nygaard's latest tweet: "Integrity is what we do when others aren't watching", which stands in no reation to his previous tweets and sounds disillusioned.

http://www.tageblatt.lu/familien_anzeigen/story/Die-Geruechtekueche-brodelt-29059246 (German)

 

[Izzy eviel]

As a Schleck fan, I have this to say http://youtu.be/WWaLxFIVX1s

 

[jobiwan]

As a Schleck fan, I have this to say http://youtu.be/WWaLxFIVX1s

I'm right there with ya!

 

[Christian]

It's been there all along

No Schlarmstrong conspiracy, huh?

Then how come if you rearrange the letters in "Leopard" you get "LA Doper"?

Hah! Answer THAT, fanboys!

 

[ksmith]

Well IMO, you needn't worry, at least for the forseeable future. I don't see it happening considering the obstacle of the previously mentioned multiple contracts over the established limits. I'm sure though if Bruyneel could swing it he would, considering he has no big gun in the grand tours like he's accustomed to having. Using the multiple geezer approach for his shot at Tour success doesn't seem to be working out too well.

How about a couple of years down the road when some contracts have expired. Next years tour, Radioshack and Leopard working together for the Schlecks.

 

[Parrulo]

too be totally honest i have mixed feelings for the shack.

while i dislike armstrong and bruynnel to me its just impossible to ignore the fact that the sack is the only world tour team that is actually investing on portuguese cycling, not much but still they are letting machado having a free role again even tho he hasn't really delivered in the giro and isn't doing it at the vuelta(was 27th before the itt, 16th after. . . ) they also have oliveira who is young and even have cardoso who tbh is at best a fifth tier sprinter.

so i don't know what to think about this. if the merge were to happen and paulinho moved to saxo (back to his good friend contador) and took all the portuguese guys( cept cardoso ofc cus he sucks ) to saxo, i would be all for it if not meh i don't care