Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[pig pen]

?? What does rip the Tour apart entail?

Bruyneel has always been a conservative DS. Never one to take risks with long solo attacks etc.

The old model was for one team to ride the peloton off their wheels then attack with 2-3km to go. Then in time trials consolidate the lead. No "ripping" in that approach.

A lot of the reason USPS struggled in one day races was they couldn't attempt the same method.

There will be no ripping. I suspect RadioLeopard will loose time in the opening week which they'll never get back.

I agree, the brothers Schleck do not have the capabilities to rip the race apart even within the very easy 2-3km mark.... coming at the end of a marathon mountain stage. However I do have to disagree with Robbie, racing of any type one needs to be an opportunist. Robbie has shown himself to be an opportunist, seeing as he never had no lead out train and used his exquisite body language to win many of is races. Are not the Schlecks' just as talented but in yet a different manner, in their winning ways?

 

[greenedge]

I agree with Robbie about the Levi part but not the Martin part. There will have to be no attacks at all for Martin to get in the top 5.

 

[Race Radio]

Funny, you would think a guy as important as Johan would at least be mentioned as part of the team management.

http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules...s/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTYzMDE&LangId=1

Remember all those "Paperwork issues" that delayed their license? Distancing themselves from the Hog is a way around those.

 

[Maxiton]

?? What does rip the Tour apart entail?

Bruyneel has always been a conservative DS. Never one to take risks with long solo attacks etc.

The old model was for one team to ride the peloton off their wheels then attack with 2-3km to go. Then in time trials consolidate the lead. No "ripping" in that approach.

A lot of the reason USPS struggled in one day races was they couldn't attempt the same method.

There will be no ripping. I suspect RadioLeopard will loose time in the opening week which they'll never get back.

It's true that he seemed to have only one strategy (or would that be stratagem? ). But having watched some of those one day races they didn't do so well in, I think the reason they didn't do well was more pernicious: I think they didn't want their support riders doing so well that they would consider leaving, or having goals that were greater than supporting Lance. Which has always made me think that Hincapie, for example, was played for a bit of a sucker. It's not that they tried to lose, necessarily - they often just weren't as organized and serious and supportive as they might have been. IMO. For that team the Tour de France was the only race that mattered.

Anyway, I'm hoping Andy won't turn up at the Tour having improved to an improbable degree in one short year. If he does I suggest patting down McQuaid immediately.

 

[pig pen]

It's true that he seemed to have only one strategy (or would that be stratagem? ). But having watched some of those one day races they didn't do so well in, I think the reason they didn't do well was more pernicious: I think they didn't want their support riders doing so well that they would consider leaving, or having goals that were greater than supporting Lance. Which has always made me think that Hincapie, for example, was played for a bit of a sucker. It's not that they tried to lose, necessarily - they often just weren't as organized and serious and supportive as they might have been. IMO. For that team the Tour de France was the only race that mattered.

Anyway, I'm hoping Andy won't turn up at the Tour having improved to an improbable degree in one short year. If he does I suggest patting down McQuaid immediately.

I think Rudi Altig would agree, he hated that about Lance
.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudi_Altig
Bruyneel and Lance/Contador/Salvadelli were mighty successful though.
I think every manager has an agenda and a method he or she sticks to.

 

[Maxiton]

I think Rudi Altig would agree, he hated that about Lance
.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudi_Altig
Bruyneel and Lance/Contador/Salvadelli were mighty successful though.
I think every manager has an agenda and a method he or she sticks to.

Thanks for that. I guess I find myself in good company.

As far as being successful, though, I think it depends on how you define it. When Lance was focusing on and winning one and only one GT a year, everyone (including Merckx) said, "Well, cycling has changed." Turns out, however, cycling really hadn't changed all that much, and scant years after his one-GT reign has ended, Armstrong's reputation is already threadbare and getting worse. True, he made a lot of money, and that's certainly one measure of success, but he's having to hand a lot of it to lawyers. And when the history is written, he's probably not going to look all that successful in the aggregate . . . .

 

[ultimobici]

I think Rudi Altig would agree, he hated that about Lance
.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudi_Altig
Bruyneel and Lance/Contador/Salvadelli were mighty successful though.
I think every manager has an agenda and a method he or she sticks to.

I think you could apply that to pretty much every rider from the previous decade and before. Even indurain's years weren't as self-centred. Also, he tended to do his own devastation rather than just relying on his team to control affairs.

But, clinic issues aside, ask LeMond, Fignon, Hinault, Pantani, Ullrich or Riis and you'll get the same response regarding strategy in GTs v classics.

 

[pastronef]

@KenSommer Dear friends! I have decided to leave @leopardtrek

and @Nygaardbn says: Proud!

 

[doolols]

Funny, you would think a guy as important as Johan would at least be mentioned as part of the team management.

He doesn't appear on their website either http://www.leopardtrek.lu/team although his blog is featured there, and he mentions their first race of this year.

Maybe the website hasn't been updated yet? Mind you, he's listed as "General Manager", and not a Team Director.

 

[ultimobici]

Judging by the fact that Ken Sommer is still on their site too, they're probably too busy to change stuff just now.

 

[Anonymous]

He doesn't appear on their website either http://www.leopardtrek.lu/team although his blog is featured there, and he mentions their first race of this year.

Maybe the website hasn't been updated yet? Mind you, he's listed as "General Manager", and not a Team Director.

thats the old website
the new one is http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/
goes live after the launch on friday

 

[Race Radio]

Judging by the fact that Ken Sommer is still on their site too, they're probably too busy to change stuff just now.

Ken just left 2 days ago. Johan is supposed to be the main guy and he is not even listed on the UCI site. Given his war with the UCI and his legal issues it is not surprising they left him off

Brailsford is listed for Sky
http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules...s/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTYzMDE&LangId=1

Vaughters for Garmin
http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules...s/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTYzMDE&LangId=1

Och for BMC
http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules...s/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTYzMDE&LangId=1

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

why does it say "get ready for a great surprise" on the leopard site?

Armstrong comeback?

 

[just some guy]

thats the old website
the new one is http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/
goes live after the launch on friday

I know it is splitting hairs and all but how do you sell out a free entry event

 

[Anonymous]

I know it is splitting hairs and all but how do you sell out a free entry event

maybe the people who are going have sold out?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

maybe the people who are going have sold out?

Lol, good one

 

[Froome19]

I know it is splitting hairs and all but how do you sell out a free entry event

I don't see what the problem is? even if its free you still have to book places etc

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't see what the problem is? even if its free you still have to book places etc

The tickets are for free, so they don't actually sell the tickets, thus the tickets can't be sold out. Got it?

 

[Dr. Maserati]

The tickets are for free, so they don't actually sell the tickets, thus the tickets can't be sold out. Got it?

I buy that.

 

[Forunculo]

Any live stream this afternoon?

 

[roadbiker]

Any live stream this afternoon?

Team presentation will be shown as a livestream on their website:
http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/

 

[LaFlorecita]

Any live stream this afternoon?

Lol you want to watch? For the 'surprise', I hope?

(I'm not so interested in what surprise it is, but more in whether they're going to wear scarves and if so, what color.)

As to your question, if I were you I'd check their twitter every now and then, I would suppose they'd post a link if there were to be one.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Team presentation will be shown as a livestream on their website:
http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/

Great! I'm already looking forward (to the scarves)

 

[Forunculo]

Team presentation will be shown as a livestream on their website:
http://www.radioshacknissantrek.com/

thanks mate

Lol you want to watch? For the 'surprise', I hope?

(I'm not so interested in what surprise it is, but more in whether they're going to wear scarves and if so, what color.)

As to your question, if I were you I'd check their twitter every now and then, I would suppose they'd post a link if there were to be one.

I'm interested in the atmosphere, the approach, etc. And see how the folk Johan is involved

Last year we learnt that marketing was their prime goal. And the season was overhype their performance. None of the goals were achieved.

And I advise you see this, as fangirl of Alberto you must pay attention to his rival.

I guess Andy is under lot pressure. A superteam build around him and no goal but Tour de France (LBL don't care for them). The team always give him an "easy" schedule year. Presented in luxembourg around luxembourgish fans who ideolise him is another soft environment. His status as second GC rider and potential first can' t afford another performance like 2011.

So the whole stuff make me stay close to this.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm interested in the atmosphere, the approach, etc. And see how the folk Johan is involved

Ah, fair point. I'm interested in that as well.

Last year we learnt that marketing was their prime goal. And the season was overhype their performance. None of the goals were achieved.

I don't think much has changed to that prime goal though..

And I advise you see this, as fangirl of Alberto you must pay attention to his rival.

Thanks for the advice, man.

I guess Andy is under lot pressure. A superteam build around him and no goal but Tour de France (LBL don't care for them). The team always give him an "easy" schedule year. Presented in luxembourg around luxembourgish fans who ideolise him is another soft environment. His status as second GC rider and potential first can' t afford another performance like 2011.

Yes, you're right. I, for one, do think he cannot handle all the pressure. He's not like Alberto (or Lance if you want), I think Johan has a hard time coming.

So the whole stuff make me stay close to this.

You're a fan too, then?