Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[Sophistic]

Fuglschlang, Monfort and Bennati have valid contracts so they have to be released first. Its the RS riders who could opt, dont think Horner wants to finish his career as a domestique when he is the 2nd best climber in the world according to himself.

 

[Boeing]

How this is good for Fabian is beyond me, care to explain why Fabian would do this to himself

I do not imply Fabian did anything by himself. but he didnt object I am sure

simple really. Shack merger has the rider make up to approach the season at 2 levels now. One classic schedule and one GT.

 

[Polish]

How this is good for Fabian is beyond me, care to explain why Fabian would do this to himself

Bruyneel will get Fabian back on track....

"My dream is five monuments and I have three now. There aren&#8217], but in the next few years, it's possible I'm going to work on other ones."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cancellara-dreams-of-all-winning-all-five-of-cycling-monuments

 

[Boeing]

think everyone is forgetting about Big George and his yearly quest for P-R glory while at Postal \ Disco

good point but the make-up of this team and the approach will likely be different IMHO

 

[Christian]

The Shlecks put the name up for suggestion with Becca. The name is staying in the new format.

I don't think that's true. I heard the administration guy registering the company suggested it at random because they needed one and Becca didn't care.

Geoffroy Lequatre: "It was Bruyneel's goal to merge"

"One could read and hear that Bruyneel wanted to get rid of me, but this is in fact not at all the case. I am simply at the end of my contract. We had a meeting with Bruyneel and he clearly told me he wouldn't keep me. (...) In any case, this new UCI points system is not easy for domestiques like me who solely work so that the leaders can collect points. Right now, all teams mostly want to recruit riders with a lot of points."

Did you know about the merger?

"We were not directly informed about it. As for me, the only thing I knew was that I wouldn't be kept on the roster. It was the same for other riders. So we felt that there was something big coming. It's too bad, but that's the way it is. So you can say we knew more or less what was going on. There are many riders in the two teams and now the managers have to make choices. From there on, you have to know to accept the situation. It is my turn now to find something new and bounce back".

http://www.cyclismactu.net/news-int...el-etait-de-faire-une-fusion-raquo-19023.html (French)

 

[pmcg76]

If RadioShack had the budget for a full team in 2012, why didnt they just take over the Highroad team who were of course looking for a sponsor.

Is it a case that Bruyneel and Stapelton would never get into bed together or Bruyneel not having control or perhaps based on the fact that Highroad didnt have a potential Tour winner.

When Bruyneel announce the supposed contract extensions of RdioShack and Nissan, I dont think he ever had any intention to continue with his own team.

Its sad that one of the biggest teams in the world(Columbia) folds necause of not having a sponsor whilst another sponsor throws it lot in with an exsisting team putting even more riders on the dole line.

 

[thehog]

Bruyneel will get Fabian back on track....



http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cancellara-dreams-of-all-winning-all-five-of-cycling-monuments

He said that as he was joining Leopard and look how that worked out. By far the best one day rider out there along with Gilbert. I hope the Hog will bring some love and care that Fabs is missing. But his best years have been with Riis. Period. I just hope Canc doesn't do a runner on Bruyneel like he did with Riis. Time will tell. But anything less than a Classics win in 2012 will be a failure for the new outfit. It will be an interesting year that’s for sure. My personal concern is that Hog is already releasing statements that he's looking forward to working with Andy..... so it’s obvious where his attention lies. At the Tour and winning it with Andy Shleck. Not Flanders or any other race.

 

[thehog]

I don't think that's true. I heard the administration guy registering the company suggested it because they needed one and Becca didn't care

It is true and don't argue with me. Just agree.

 

[Christian]

It is true and don't argue with me. Just agree.

We had a meeting with a notary and when we signed the papers, he asked us what we wanted to call the company. I looked at Becca and we said ‘we don’t care, can you pick a name? ‘” Nygaard explained. “He came back two weeks later with Leopard, and the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. The leopard is a slick, strong, elegant animal, and if we can be something like that with this team, I’d be very happy.”

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/leopard-trek-ready-to-pounce_154786

 

[theyoungest]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/leopard-trek-ready-to-pounce_154786

Slick, they certainly were.

 

[thehog]

Slick, they certainly were.

“To be honest, there’s a lot of bull**** in cycling. Cycling has been taken away from the fans. We want to bring cycling back to its true roots,” Nygaard said. “Cycling is a sport of fit, healthy, clean racers, putting on a number and racing hard. We would like this team to have a soul. We don’t want to be a team that just does everything correct, but does it with a soul.”

 

[theyoungest]

“To be honest, there’s a lot of bull**** in cycling. Cycling has been taken away from the fans. We want to bring cycling back to its true roots,” Nygaard said. “Cycling is a sport of fit, healthy, clean racers, putting on a number and racing hard. We would like this team to have a soul. We don’t want to be a team that just does everything correct, but does it with a soul.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvMduWKHNpY&feature=player_detailpage#t=120s

 

[Dr. Maserati]

“To be honest, there’s a lot of bull**** in cycling. Cycling has been taken away from the fans. We want to bring cycling back to its true roots,” Nygaard said. “Cycling is a sport of fit, healthy, clean racers, putting on a number and racing hard. We would like this team to have a soul. We don’t want to be a team that just does everything correct, but does it with a soul.”

Of course as we all know the team was never called Leopard :

"I can assure you," said Nygaard, "that the team's name will not be Leopard True Racing next season."

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...-denies-leopard-name-for-luxembourg-team.html

 

[Polish]

He said that as he was joining Leopard and look how that worked out. By far the best one day rider out there along with Gilbert. I hope the Hog will bring some love and care that Fabs is missing. But his best years have been with Riis. Period. I just hope Canc doesn't do a runner on Bruyneel like he did with Riis. Time will tell. But anything less than a Classics win in 2012 will be a failure for the new outfit. It will be an interesting year that’s for sure. My personal concern is that Hog is already releasing statements that he's looking forward to working with Andy..... so it’s obvious where his attention lies. At the Tour and winning it with Andy Shleck. Not Flanders or any other race.

Actually, Fabian made the "5 Monument" comment while at Saxo Bank.
Long before he jumped ship to LeOpard.

But I do agree with you that the main focus of Bruyneel's friendly takover attack of LeOpard was Andy.

And the Classics Legacy that is to come to Radioshack-Nissan-Trek and Bruyneel care of Fabian is a wonderful bonus.

 

[Christian]

"I can assure you," said Nygaard, "that the team's name will not be Leopard True Racing next season."

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...-denies-leopard-name-for-luxembourg-team.html

... and it wasn't, was it?

 

[Dr. Maserati]

... and it wasn't, was it?

Oh no - of course not as he explained clearly, so no-one would be confused:

“Leopard True Racing is the name of the project behind the new squad,” Nygaard explained. “The name of this structure should not be confused with the actual team name; both are different things.

“I can assure you that for 2011 the team name will not be Leopard True Racing,” he confirmed.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/6155/Team-Schleck-will-not-be-called-Leopard-True-Racing.aspx

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

“To be honest, there’s a lot of bull**** in cycling. Cycling has been taken away from the fans. We want to bring cycling back to its true roots,” Nygaard said. “Cycling is a sport of fit, healthy, clean racers, putting on a number and racing hard. We would like this team to have a soul. We don’t want to be a team that just does everything correct, but does it with a soul.”

The problem with having a soul is the temptation to sell it to the devil. I guess Becca could not resist the temptation

 

[Race Radio]

Jens just signed a one year deal for next season with Team Porkskins

 

[Cobblestoned]

Actually, Fabian made the "5 Monument" comment while at Saxo Bank.
Long before he jumped ship to LeOpard.

But I do agree with you that the main focus of Bruyneel's friendly takover attack of LeOpard was Andy.

And the Classics Legacy that is to come to Radioshack-Nissan-Trek and Bruyneel care of Fabian is a wonderful bonus.

I think it is much more fun to put some more focus on the (cobbled)classics, when you have Spartacus on team. More fun for Johan.
Also the Schlecks to support Fabian at L-B-L.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Jens just signed a one year deal for next season with Leopard

I'd assumed so...he's good friends with those guys..Cancellara & Schlecks...correct?
ugh...too bad Bruyneel is around

thnx for the news

 

[thehog]

But I do agree with you that the main focus of Bruyneel's friendly takover attack of LeOpard was Andy.

.

Agreed. My concern & I'd love to see Andy do well but baby Shleck is a bit thick. Lance wasn't stupid. He knew what it took to win. Andy even with the greatest minds behind him is prone to stupid mistakes. Even if Kloden, Horner, Jens, Frank towed Andy to the final 3 km's on a MTF I'm not sure he'd know what to do next. He doesn't read a race like Lance or Contador can.

But again. I'm looking forward to next year to see what they can do with him...

 

[Zoncolan]

Jens just signed a one year deal for next season with Team Porkskins

So, another one crosses over to the dark side.
Guess I'll still cheer him on if/when he's allowed to attack.

 

[Anonymous]

this is what i'm hoping for! since they're leaving Jens!!! high and dry for his last year, i truly hope he busts their balls on the team that will regulate Andy (once again) to a lower rung on the podium!

Well...we agree on something.

Jens to BMC.

 

[Anonymous]

Jens just signed a one year deal for next season with Team Porkskins

Should have read further before I posted.

 

[Cimber]

Kim Andesens says that he will stay on the team cos Andy and Fränk asked him to.