Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[ultimobici]

So if you were working for me would I be entitled to withhold your paycheck until you had proved to me that you would not spend it on hookers and blow? Is that how things work in Luxembourg?

While I doubt Leopard's explanation, I can see that verifying the authenticity of the company they are paying the salary to might be a requirement so that they are not assisting an individual to avoid income tax. The fact that Fulsang has had it paid to one company and now has asked to have it changed to another is a little bit fishy IMO. Perhaps he's trying to do the same as Jimmy Carr?

 

[Christian]

If Jakob should choose to use his wages on criminal activity - which I seriously doubt he would - it would be HIM funding criminal activity, not the company he works for. They are not responsible for how he uses his money.

If they seriously think that Jakob is involved in something criminal they should report him to the police, not set up their own little court. But very likely this claim is only a bad excuse to cover one of two possibilities:

1) They are close to bankruptcy (people have lied about this before you know )

2) Holding back wages is Johan Bruyneel's little way of getting back at riders for not letting him treat them as dirt (His usual modus operandi)

Seriously, if this was only about sending a letter do you think Jakob would have bothered to sue?

I agree that Leopard's explanation might not be true and there might be other reasons. Even if it is true there are always two sides to a story and so far we have only heard one.

But my opinion is that if Leopard's story is true, then they were not out of bounds to ask for what they did. It would seem like a reasonable company policy - a little harsh maybe but understandable. The punishment for Fuglsang's alleged negligence however seems definitely excessive. Surely there could have been other ways of enforcing this policy

 

[HL2037]

While I doubt Leopard's explanation, I can see that verifying the authenticity of the company they are paying the salary to might be a requirement so that they are not assisting an individual to avoid income tax. The fact that Fulsang has had it paid to one company and now has asked to have it changed to another is a little bit fishy IMO. Perhaps he's trying to do the same as Jimmy Carr?

At least Jakob hasn't had his home raided by police as part of an investigation into financial crime.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/09/22/uk-cycling-leopard-becca-idUKTRE78L3MC20110922

Becca would probably be better off focusing on his own tax payments.

 

[la.margna]

Although I strongly doubt that one can trust official #RSN communications, it is a matter of fact that numerous jurisdictions require you to have certain information about the beneficial owner, business activities etc. of a legal entity on your records, when you wire them some money. Result of corrupt w..s and money-launderers.

But if it should be true, there are still no acceptable explanations for delayed salary payments to FC & the brothers.

 

[rhubroma]

Why are cyclists such dicks?

I watched the interview with F. Shleck and when asked if he'd been paid he responded by asking the reporter: "Do I ask you how much you make?"

He wasn't asked how much he makes, but if he got paid. Why can't he say just "Sorry, I can't comment on that."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schleck-gives-respect-to-wiggins-for-neutralising-tour-de-france-stage-14

 

[Christian]

Why are cyclists such dicks?

I watched the interview with F. Shleck and when asked if he'd been paid he responded by asking the reporter: "Do I ask you how much you make?"

He wasn't asked how much he makes, but if he got paid. Why can't he say just "Sorry, I can't comment on that."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schleck-gives-respect-to-wiggins-for-neutralising-tour-de-france-stage-14

Well it is kind of odd to ask someone about the state of their bank account, I could see why that might p*ss people off

 

[Armanius]

Well it is kind of odd to ask someone about the state of their bank account, I could see why that might p*ss people off

I thought it was a fair question -- are you getting paid?

Right before the tour started, either Frank himself or Fabian did answer that question with a "yes."

 

[DominicDecoco]

It's a genuine question. Frank is just started to get annoyed at everybody - he really does not look a guy wanting to ride this race.

 

[Christian]

It's a genuine question. Frank is just started to get annoyed at everybody - he really does not look a guy wanting to ride this race.

What is an un-genuine question? A statement?

IIRC the reporter asked about "the state of your bank account", which seems like a very private matter to me, I can definitely see why one would get annoyed about that ... Especially when you're in a bike race and instead of asking you about the race people ask you about your private financial situation ... He really does look like a guy who just wants to ride this race and not be bothered with questions that have nothing to do with it

 

[ElChingon]

Will RadioShack-Leopard Trek be the next le Groupment

Better stock up on those jersey's so you can ride in a defunct kit.

 

[DominicDecoco]

What is an un-genuine question? A statement?

IIRC the reporter asked about "the state of your bank account", which seems like a very private matter to me, I can definitely see why one would get annoyed about that ... Especially when you're in a bike race and instead of asking you about the race people ask you about your private financial situation ... He really does look like a guy who just wants to ride this race and not be bothered with questions that have nothing to do with it

rhubroma stated that the question was 'are you getting paid?'. Not 'how much' but simply 'are you getting paid?'. Considering the news around this matter that is something you would expect to be confronted with. It's really not that personal and, in fact, a genuine, fair question. Couple of other riders have been asked the same on the team - they managed to answer 'yes' or 'no'. He's as bitter as always. Nothing new to that.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Perhaps its time to ask what this team is bringing to the table. I mean the fan base in Luxembourg is tiny and there seems to be endless problems. Its simply not worth having this outfit hanging around. The sport needs to look elsewhere for a WT team.

 

[Armanius]

What is an un-genuine question? A statement?

IIRC the reporter asked about "the state of your bank account", which seems like a very private matter to me, I can definitely see why one would get annoyed about that ... Especially when you're in a bike race and instead of asking you about the race people ask you about your private financial situation ... He really does look like a guy who just wants to ride this race and not be bothered with questions that have nothing to do with it

If i recall correctly, the reporter asked if he was getting paid. Not how much he was getting paid. Frank turned it around and said the amount he gets paid is a private matter and asked reporter how he'd feel if he (Frank) asked him (reporter) how much he makes.

Given the news about Jakob's lawsuit and rumors of Leopard insolvency, the question was a perfectly valid newsworthy question.

 

[BillytheKid]

Perhaps its time to ask what this team is bringing to the table. I mean the fan base in Luxembourg is tiny and there seems to be endless problems. Its simply not worth having this outfit hanging around. The sport needs to look elsewhere for a WT team.

Yes they're in the spot light All valid, but I question the timing. Certain interests are playing the news cycle on top of the Tour. Nissan with Trek seem to to be commeted to the sport. I think Bruyneel will be out. More drama to follow. I would vote, of course, for Horner and others like Bobby Julich to head up a new formation of directors, but that's wishful thinking.

Cancellara is extremely popular and his injury at the start of the Flemish Classics rob the team of it real chance to shine in the early season.
They are the Team GC candidate here and nothing more, but a small chance at a stage.

 

[ggusta]

I used to ridicule the Schlecks with a lot of other people on the message board. (Well, Andy is still ridicule worthy afaic)

Professional athletes' outbursts towards the press get largely a free pass from me so long as no one ends up bleeding or with broken bones. I would hate to be the athlete and empathize with them. The team is crumbling, Canc packed up and left after the TT, Frank definitely looks like he is there out of a sense of keeping his commitment despite the fact that circumstances make it unpleasant and the results have been less than mediocre. And the motivation for going after higher results like a stage win must be like, "Are you high?".

I respect them all hanging in there and trying not to just 'lose it' at least until the tdf is over. It stinks to be them right now.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

So all signs are pointing to this team falling apart at season's end with the salary rumors and the Shlecks going to a new German team. That will be the end of the USPS > Discovery > Astana > Radioshack > RLT Bruneel led train. It is about time.

 

[thehog]

So all signs are pointing to this team falling apart at season's end with the salary rumors and the Shlecks going to a new German team. That will be the end of the USPS > Discovery > Astana > Radioshack > RLT Bruneel led train. It is about time.

Couple all that with LA and Hog being banned from the sport for life.

End of an era.

Just in time for the Sky train to take over!

 

[Marcuccio]

I kinda feel a little for FS..

Any time an interviewer / press comes anywhere near him, he must know that they're going to ask one question about the over all stage, followed straight up by questions about his teams' status / finances / disputes etc..

I think he's handled things pretty good so far.

The press are probably too scared to ask Jens!

 

[Christian]

Frank is just started to get annoyed at everybody - he really does not look a guy wanting to ride this race.

What about that one guy who keeps calling people *** and ***, he must really hate being in this race right now!

Its simply not worth having this outfit hanging around.

100+ employees would disagree I assume

 

[Cimber]

Fulgsang raging over RSNT statements:

http://translate.google.com/transla...trabladet.dk/sport/cykling/article1792428.ece

 

[Marco Pantani]

The press are probably too scared to ask Jens!

Why you think so? Jens, as expected, had no prob to answer that question.
I'm so annoyed of Fränk. Some days ago, he talked an eternity of how many race days he already did, instead of answering the question, if he will compete at the Vuelta. Yesterday he turned a question around, and made a meal of it, instead of just answering.

I'm really ****ed off by him recently.

http://soundcloud.com/cycling-central/tour-de-france-stage-14-jens

 

[BillytheKid]

Why you think so? Jens, as expected, had no prob to answer that question.
I'm so annoyed of Fränk. Some days ago, he talked an eternity of how many race days he already did, instead of answering the question, if he will compete at the Vuelta. Yesterday he turned a question around, and made a meal of it, instead of just answering.

I'm really ****ed off by him recently.

http://soundcloud.com/cycling-central/tour-de-france-stage-14-jens

Frank, unlike Fuglsang, has half-a-brain about it. Going into and during the Tour, whatever the extent of the problems, is not a good time talk about it to the press. Fuglsang may be a rider with talent, but he'll be looked upon as someone who is untrustworthy and I think that will make him less of an attraction to other teams.

He's a loose canon with little team loyalty. Fuglsang does have time and youth on his side, but when you so quickly burn your sponsors....?

 

[Angliru]

Well it is kind of odd to ask someone about the state of their bank account, I could see why that might p*ss people off

It's not odd in light of the reports in the media of riders not getting paid. The media wasn't asking that particular sums be disclosed, just essentially wanting verification. Frank has been a bit touchy with the media ever since the Giro drama.

 

[Angliru]

What is an un-genuine question? A statement?

IIRC the reporter asked about "the state of your bank account", which seems like a very private matter to me, I can definitely see why one would get annoyed about that ... Especially when you're in a bike race and instead of asking you about the race people ask you about your private financial situation ... He really does look like a guy who just wants to ride this race and not be bothered with questions that have nothing to do with it

I agree the way the question was worded was an invitation for Frank's response.

 

[BillytheKid]

I agree the way the question was worded was an invitation for Frank's response.

I glad I am not the only one who thought that. I worked with the word-herders for a long time and they also throw tacks in the road.

A loaded question.