Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[Polish]

I just wonder how they're going to fit that name on their kits!

RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Professional Cycling Team

I suppose they can use the CURRENT kit.
The one Horner rode to victory in California.
Levi wore to victory in Utah and Colorado.
It IS a nice looking kit:

 

[VeloFidelis]

RS has 13 riders under contract for next year. LT has 27. Regardless of who is let go LT riders will make up the majority of the team.

As predicted, the dust is settling. I am curious what "most in teh sport" are saying about it now. And have they figured out yet that obviously, no one really cares about what that is?

 

[GroupDK]

Note that "inner circle" riders stay. I'm surprised Canc signed on with no classics team. Its fairly obvious the Shlecks were approached and agreed to the plan with Becca. What's sad is Andy and Frank asked a lot of the Saxo riders to get on board the Leopard train to now abandon them.

Yeah they dearly ****ed up the saxo bank team after the 2010 team when they took 25 people out of saxo bank squad of 50 people, to start the new leopard team.

and now a good part of this have there a.s.s hanging in the win.

but a shock that the number 1 maneger guy Kim Andersen is getting this news thrue the media.

The only reason why Becca with his easy money got his hands on Schlecks was because of he could get Kim Andersen (a father role for the schlecks on Saxo bank) to turn on Riis and Saxo bank, and now he totally gets fu cked over..ouchh
Kim Andersen likely called Andy today "why my son, why are you doing me like this ??"
Andy = "get a grib old man, do you got any money ?? I didnt think so, -wake up...Im Becca´s toy-boy from now on)

I think Riis is whispering "karma is a bi-tch"
Riis should get jens voight back in one way or the other to the team.

But no sorry feelings from here, didnt like the approach of just bying 50 % (70% 2010 tour trup) of the saxo bank pro cycling squad & staff and calling it Leopard, instaed of building a new team.

 

[richwagmn]

Seems like they could be a pretty strong team. Not sure if anyone can teach Andy to TT though.

Still no word on Levi officially.

Maybe AC can shop some of those let go. His TDF 2011 team was pathetic.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

My guess would be that Paulinho will go to Saxo.

 

[SilentAssassin]

What this means is that Bruyneel is in the driver's seat once again and will make Andy the best rider in cycling.

 

[dlwssonic]

Hopefully Bruyneel can knock some sense into those Schleck tactics.

 

[Martin]

As predicted, the dust is settling. I am curious what "most in teh sport" are saying about it now. And have they figured out yet that obviously, no one really cares about what that is?

Do the cyclists have some union, which protects their interests and rights? Probably not, otherwise we would have been hearing from it often /especially when they have to organize themselves to boycott some dangerous descents/.

 

[la.margna]

If I were Cance, I'd run away from RadioSchleck, but he is trapped through the tactical license move.

 

[Maxiton]

<snip>
The only big outstanding questions are what will the UCI's response will be and what happens to the U23 team.

As to that first question, UCI has already called Leopard-Trek the "team of the future." Phil & Paul have called Andy the "people's champion" (they meant certain Austin people, of course), and the Schlecks "great losers" )). ("The Schleck boys, what can you say? Great champions. They did lose, but they're still great. In order to have great winners you have to have great losers, and the Schlecks are great losers.") All that was build up to this. So, no matter what the official word, if any, from UCI, you can bet they will find some way of conveying their hearty endorsement (while continuing to subject Contador's blood to extraordinary scrutiny).

Of course Becca is holding the license. If Leopard folded, Cancellara, Schlecks and others would be free to go. This way they are under contract so they have to stay because there is "no change" just a new sponsors and even though that technically Shack is just joining the Leopard team, in reality they are taking over.

Exactamundo. I trust my favorite rider, Cancellara, can find a way out of this if he wants out. Which I'm pretty sure he does. Although the Schlecks, I think, must be pretty happy about it.

The UCI seem irrelevant these days.

Get with it, Ferminal. It's Bruyneel who's irrelevant.

<snip>
I think Riis is whispering "karma is a bi-tch"
<snip>

Seems like they could be a pretty strong team. Not sure if anyone can teach Andy to TT though.
<snip>

You just watch.

 

[the asian]

I am hoping the next season of Shack-Trek to be an epic failiure.

 

[pugdog]

I am hoping the next season of Shack-Trek to be an epic failiure.

Why? What have they done to you? And where are they different from the other big teams?

 

[goober]

Why? What have they done to you? And where are they different from the other big teams?

Just let it go - don't need to hear reasoning for wiener comments.

 

[spalco]

The Schlecks have no loyalty. If I was one of the riders/staff being let go now, I would have a lot of anger in my stomach at them.

 

[dlwssonic]

Their climbing team for next year's TDF will be really good though.

 

[just some guy]

Their climbing team for next year's TDF will be really good though.

Maybe but so it was for this year on paper.

I hope the ASO put in a long TTT with some cobbled sections and and Long ITT and a a few short shape hill finishes as predicated.

 

[dlwssonic]

Maybe but so it was for this year on paper.

I hope the ASO put in a long TTT with some cobbled sections and and Long ITT and a a few short shape hill finishes as predicated.

That would suit evans rather well.
Long TTT with cobbles is advantage Evans and Schlecks.
Contador will lose some time,
What good riders does contador have for next year, I haven't been following the trasnfer market.

 

[thirteen]

The Schlecks have no loyalty. If I was one of the riders/staff being let go now, I would have a lot of anger in my stomach at them.

+1

this definitely leaves a sour taste in the mouth... i didn't think it could get worse than the mass exodus from Saxo last year, and yet, here it is. leaves a very sour taste in the mouth.

i truly feel bad for riders/staff that are being let go now, rather than being warned earlier when they may have had a better chance at going to a good stable team... it just sucks!

whilst i'm concerned about many, my biggest worry is Jens!!! he has ridden his guts out for those boys and yet i'm not seeing his name

 

[Cimber]

Note that "inner circle" riders stay. I'm surprised Canc signed on with no classics team. Its fairly obvious the Shlecks were approached and agreed to the plan with Becca. What's sad is Andy and Frank asked a lot of the Saxo riders to get on board the Leopard train to now abandon them.

Aye they promised them the world but no abandon them in the gutter. I am sure most of them will find a new team, but if I were them I would be ****ed at the bros.

Evn there close friend and DS Kim Andersen (supposedly) didnt know anything. Will be interesting to see if he goes to the new team or not. Cant really see him and Johann working together.

whilst i'm concerned about many, my biggest worry is Jens!!! he has ridden his guts out for those boys and yet i'm not seeing his name

Jens will surely find a new team. Maybe GE. And if nothing else I am sure Riis will be happy to take him back.

 

[dlwssonic]

+1

this definitely leaves a sour taste in the mouth... i didn't think it could get worse than the mass exodus from Saxo last year, and yet, here it is. leaves a very sour taste in the mouth.

i truly feel bad for riders/staff that are being let go now, rather than being warned earlier when they may have had a better chance at going to a good stable team... it just sucks!

whilst i'm concerned about many, my biggest worry is Jens!!! he has ridden his guts out for those boys and yet i'm not seeing his name

Jens will be with the schlecks and canc, he is invaluable to the team. No worries.

 

[Cimber]

if that's true, I find it too bad that Fuglsang is staying with that team. I personally think he should go back to Saxo or gone to a different team. With so many GC men either for grand tours, or for week long stage races, I dont think he will be able to ride for himself anymore. If Johan will be still around I am sure he wants Klodi, Jani and Horner going for the week long stage races

Fuglsang should move to a team where he doesnt have to work for a supreme star. He need to get his own shot more often. Guess he really should aim for the 1-week stage races as he seem to fall apart in the highest mountains.

 

[Marcus135]

I have gone from being a strong fan of the Schlecks last year to disliking them now. Its just wrong to jump ship twice in two seasons and leave so many others without a contract. I will just make me much happier to see Andy looking up to the middle step in Paris for a fourth time next year .

 

[just some guy]

Funniest thing is this.

nygaardbn Brian Nygaard
As one my good friends said the other day: integrity is what we do when others aren't watching.
25 Aug

Except when the shoe is on the other foot I guess.

Andersson response http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/leopard-radioshack-merger-announcement-came-as-a-surprise-to-andersen

ie had no idea and doesn´t know where he will be next year.

End season races at Leopard should be fun.

Blokes riding for themselves for points

 

[Nearly]

Stuey might be on the phone or in the ear of some of his spotted mates on behalf of GE - either that or he has known all along and volunteered to make an extra space available on the merged roster in the face of an equally attractive alternative.

 

[killswitch]

I have gone from being a strong fan of the Schlecks last year to disliking them now. Its just wrong to jump ship twice in two seasons and leave so many others without a contract. I will just make me much happier to see Andy looking up to the middle step in Paris for a fourth time next year .

The Saxo Bank exodus was wrong, but is there an official statement about the Shack-LT merger from the Schlecks? Can't find anything (haven't read every post though).