Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[Nielsa]

Well Contador doesnt seem to like the idea of the schlecks learning tactics.

I think Contador is just paying mind games.

 

[Race Radio]

Classy of Johan to do this close to the end of the season. This insures that dozens of riders and staff will not have a job next year as most rosters are full already.

Think The Hog cares? Nope, he is more concerned with delaying his irrelevancy by a few more months

 

[Maxiton]

All I can say is, I hope our friends in LA take the stinger out of this new combo. Otherwise, I predict Andy Schleck will become the world's fastest man in a time trial. And, who knows, maybe a new kind of Blue Train does happen. Either of which would be ridiculous and disgusting.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Well Contador doesnt seem to like the idea of the schlecks learning tactics.

LOL. Contador is laughing because he knows the two teams cannot coexist, since the RadioShack chiefs will be heading over to other teams.

Think Horner is excited about riding for Andy? Maybe it'll rival his excitement at riding for Cadel.

My guess is that Contador would like for this to happen, since Saxo will likely pick up some of the departing riders.

 

[eleven]

This is Leopard's last gamble to find a big sponsor. If they don't find one, they will have to merge. They publicly denied negotiations, why on earth would you want to do that if the negotiations are happening?

in this case, because the person making the denial is clueless.

The aforementioned Contador interview contains an interesting quote from the best GT rider on the planet: "Johan Bruyneel is the best team leader I know of, and if his experienced crew takes the Schleck brothers under their wings, it becomes almost impossible for me.”

 

[H2OUUP2]

All this just to try and beat the best rider in the world in one race. AC should be flattered.

 

[rickshaw]

Dear El Puerco

"Originally Posted by thehog
The reason Trek fronted up was that Speclized are killing them in sales. Smashing them in fact. Trek had to do something and sponsor Leopard was it. Specialised are still cake walking the sales."

With all due respect, could you please share your sales figures for Trek and Spec? Also the source? All I see around me are Trek Trek Trek. Also I don't understand "cake walking". Confused.

Thanks in advance.

I still have not seen any facts from you that Specialized "are killing (Trek) in sales". Please I'd really like some proof, the lack of which calls your credibility into serious doubt. I sincerely hope you are not making up "facts" because you have an ax to grind vis a vis Trek. Please prove me wrong.

 

[this_is_edie]

Classy of Johan to do this close to the end of the season. This insures that dozens of riders and staff will not have a job next year as most rosters are full already.

Think The Hog cares? Nope, he is more concerned with delaying his irrelevancy by a few more months

well if the merger does happen, it wouldn't the first time that Bruyneel left riders & staff high and dry now would it? Anyone remember Discovery in 2007?

 

[Cobblestoned]

Classy of Johan to do this close to the end of the season. This insures that dozens of riders and staff will not have a job next year as most rosters are full already.

Think The Hog cares? Nope, he is more concerned with delaying his irrelevancy by a few more months

Oh, how heartbreaking.

Still not finished with your propaganda-mission about your own-built myths here, hmmm ?
Wasn't just everything surrounding Johan and RS, dirty and bad ?
Good they are out of the sport and don't find a job.
At least when it comes to RR.
Reminds me of the heartbraking story about those poor riders/teams who were forced to miss out the Lombardei-race because RS was starting.
Of course nothing came like the haters predicted.
Awesome how same people care about everything, when its about RS, but don't give a **** about other teams doing the same.
So predictable and obvious that I am bored right now.
Really surprising that the clinics' crew are the top-posters in here.

Like always when it's about something regarding RS - the haters and their propaganda-leader will fail again.

 

[Race Radio]

well if the merger does happen, it wouldn't the first time that Bruyneel left riders & staff high and dry now would it? Anyone remember Discovery in 2007?

It is even worse now. Disco announced they would not continue in early 2007. Riders and staff knew the team was done at the Tour.

At the rate this is going riders and staff may not know until just before the Worlds. Really bad timing to be looking for a job. Doubt Johan is concerned at all

 

[Cobblestoned]

well if the merger does happen, it wouldn't the first time that Bruyneel left riders & staff high and dry now would it? Anyone remember Discovery in 2007?

That would also mean that any DSs who merged or didn't find a follow-up sponsor, left their crew and riders high and dry.
Of course only Johan does this. He is a very bad person and of course has no clue about anything.

Slowly, I am just amused again by the CN-doublestandards and focus on RS and Johan.
Propaganda is working perfectly.

 

[Cobblestoned]

Saxo, Leopard, and others are still trying to deal with the financial reality of the sport today. RadioShack has a story that has nothing to do with the "expert commentary" of posters in this forum. It's clear that teams are having to make decisions that they would not have considered even two years ago. Thanks for noticing Saxo's stealth. I don't think any of us are smarter than Riis, Bruyneel, and the others at what they do. If Bob Stapleton can't get a team sponsor, then it becomes very clear that this a tough time.

Wow, a reasonable post.

Congrats.

 

[Race Radio]

Does anyone have a link to Johan actually saying that Radioshack would continue sponsoring the team?

When Johan announced the team would continue he never mentioned Radioshack, just said "Our current partners". Radioshack never issued a press release that they would continue sponsoring the team.

odd

 

[Race Radio]

That would also mean that any DSs who merged or didn't find a follow-up sponsor, left their crew and riders high and dry.
Of course only Johan does this. He is a very bad person and of course has no clue about anything.

Slowly, I am just amused again by the CN-doublestandards and focus on RS and Johan.
Propaganda is working perfectly.

*** edied by mod *** but even you realize there is a difference in letting your staff know the team is over before the Tour and letting them know at the end of the season? Even the most ardent groupies can understand this.

Teams fold. Riders and staff are let go. It is never good when it is this late in the season, which is why most ethical managers try to notify there staff earlier. It appears this is not a concern for Johan

 

[LukeSchmid]

If this goes ahead, what is the future of the Trek Livestrong Under 23 team? Would that continue?

 

[Cobblestoned]

*** edited by mod ***

I think all parties care about finding the best possible solution, a good solution that also makes sense, hurts as less people as possible and they also care about their riders and stuff.
Sometimes you have no choice, but doesn't mean that people are not interested to find a fitting solution for everyone.

*** edited by mod ***

 

[Forunculo]

Contador was in spanish tv invited to talk about Vuelta stage and he says he was worried because an hipotetical last climb with 7 radio-treck against him alone every stage. No chance for him in that situation.

He speak too that his 8 partners must peak for only Tour and he can has a powerfull team. The BMC signs of Gilbert and Thor hasn't a direct impact in a stage race and isn't afraid of them.

And talk about the Saxo adds that Riis ask advice for a potential signing and maybe he recomended a spanish rider.

And the rest the only important thing is if he is cleared he choose some important races to compite for the win and a long rest to the big goal of Tour. At the end of the Tour he try the Vuelta too if he is good condition.

And a thing very interesting to me is that if he had won the Tour he was going to be in Vuelta. And is possible to race the three races in a row in his opinion.

 

[royalpig180]

**** edited by mod ***

I think all parties care about finding the best possible solution, a good solution that also makes sense, hurts as less people as possible and they also care about their riders and stuff.
Sometimes you have no choice, but doesn't mean that people are not interested to find a fitting solution for everyone.

*** edited by mod ****

Ok now look. There is clearly a very strong anti-Johan, anti-LA, anti-RS bias in this forum.

That said, this latest move for a possible merger clearly involves throwing many individuals under the bus, if you will. The facts are that two teams with upwards of 35-40 riders contracted for next year are looking to combine to form one team for next year with an absolute maximum of 30 riders. That means that at least 5-10 riders will be without a team. This is late in the season to be looking for a contract, given that much of contract negotiations occur during the TdF or in early August.

And that's just the riders. This one new team won't have a need for the support staff of the two existing teams. Half of this cumulative staff will have to be let go, again late in the season.

Sure, some riders and staff will have no problem finding work for next year (though they'll have options that are more limited than had this happened a month ago), but some riders may not be able to find a team for next year. People will be screwed over. Does Johan care? Well we're not Johan so it's not for any of us to say, but he sure isn't helping is he?

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Cool it with the personal comments and "haters" stuff. This is an official warning.

Susan

 

[Sophistic]

Cool it with the personal comments and "haters" stuff. This is an official warning.

Susan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sF0RaIEVzY

 

[cyclelicious]

Oh, how heartbreaking.

Still not finished with your propaganda-mission about your own-built myths here, hmmm ?
Wasn't just everything surrounding Johan and RS, dirty and bad ?
Good they are out of the sport and don't find a job.
At least when it comes to RR.
Reminds me of the heartbraking story about those poor riders/teams who were forced to miss out the Lombardei-race because RS was starting.
Of course nothing came like the haters predicted.
Awesome how same people care about everything, when its about RS, but don't give a **** about other teams doing the same.
So predictable and obvious that I am bored right now.
Really surprising that the clinics' crew are the top-posters in here.

Like always when it's about something regarding RS - the haters and their propaganda-leader will fail again.

...Mr Cobblestoned is perceptive as usual

 

[cyclelicious]

That would also mean that any DSs who merged or didn't find a follow-up sponsor, left their crew and riders high and dry.
Of course only Johan does this. He is a very bad person and of course has no clue about anything.

Slowly, I am just amused again by the CN-doublestandards and focus on RS and Johan.
Propaganda is working perfectly.

how correct you are Mr. Cobblestoned

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Awesome how same people care about everything, when its about RS, but don't give a **** about other teams doing the same.

Maybe you can point us to another two teams that are conspiring to screw half their riders and staff.

Yeah, I thought not.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Gerard V.'s take.

http://gerard.cc/

 

[eleven]

It is even worse now. Disco announced they would not continue in early 2007. Riders and staff knew the team was done at the Tour.

At the rate this is going riders and staff may not know until just before the Worlds. Really bad timing to be looking for a job. Doubt Johan is concerned at all

What in the world are you talking about? First, you claimed yourself that this has been in the works since before the Tour. Second, the team ownership of both teams can't base their negotiations on when it would be convenient.