RadioShack gets ProTour license

[Hugh Januss]

They forgot to put Lance Armstrong on that list

They had try-outs.......he didn't make the team.

 

[progressor]

But, But, it just sounds better that way. No?

of course, hell why not be petty enough to refer to his age for 2010 consistently as 39 rather than 38. That'll help slap down all those lesser intellects who won't agree with you on all your 'facts'.

 

[CentralCaliBike]

Controversy is interesting - looks like cycling next year will in fact be interesting.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

As Craig1985 pointed out Disco had a contract for 3 yearsand part of that was LA had to ride at least one Tour.

RS getting a ProTour licence is not even remotely surprising and I actually think ALL ProTour teams should be awarded 4 year licenses - and should be awarded every 2 years to ensure stability.

This year Milram got a Pro Tour licence of 1 year and their sponsor is ending this year - if they had the guarantee of a licence it would make it easier to entice an investor.

The current system is all about Money - Bbox & Cofidis e7million budget replaced by Sky 15 million & RS probably $10m+.

 

[Mellow Velo]

This is simply not true. Armstrong never agreed to ride for Disco for three years. For any additional proof one might need, look at the fact that when he retired Disco did not use that clause in their contract to get out of the deal. Despite this alleged breach of contract and loss of the world's most well known cyclist, they remained as sponsors.

OK, I stand corrected, but you said it yourself, there was a clause in his contract. Disco were not happy.
Look what happened when JB went looking for a post Disco, US sponsor.

Anyhow, once again, Dr M has nailed it. All about the cash.

So, yes, there are 3 US PT teams, ( 2 being more anglo) but don't forget BMC are on the up, too.
4 major squads (5, if you include Sky, the UK being stuck in the middle) propping up an essentially European sport.
Shows how in terms of the media, the world is no longer the great divide.

 

[craig1985]

Gerolsteiner still had another year to run on their PT licence when they folded. But in saying that though, if they had gained a new sponsor, after Schumacher and Kohl tested positive, the sponsor would of almost certainly have pulled out.

 

[progressor]

Controversy is interesting - looks like cycling next year will in fact be interesting.

Absolutely. If armstrong can rack it up a notch, and I think he might be able to, it could be a hell of a tour, with three or more serious competitors. Contador's potentially weaker team could really open the door to that for both LA, schleck and hopefully a couple of others. If contador attempts to smash LA rather than just beat him, that door might just open even wider.

 

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. If armstrong can rack it up a notch, and I think he might be able to, it could be a hell of a tour, with three or more serious competitors. Contador's potentially weaker team could really open the door to that for both LA, schleck and hopefully a couple of others. If contador attempts to smash LA rather than just beat him, that door might just open even wider.

And in theory, monkeys could come flying out of my butt at some point. If I were a betting man, and I'm not, I would bet on that over Armstrong beating Contador in anything. Maybe Contador will show the class that Mr Armstrong shows no indication of having and let the old guy take a stage for nostalgia? I for one hope that does not happen.

 

[Moondance]

Yes, when the leadership at Discovery Channel changed hands and the new president had no interest in cycling, they decided not to renew the sponsorship.

By this logic, one would have to conclude that CSC and T-Mobile were not "successful" cycling teams.

You were the one who brought up results, or 'success'. I merely said that I doubt RadioShack is interested in sponsoring a team which does not have Lance Armstrong involved.

RadioShack is pretty much only based in the US, as such that's where the sponsor wants the attention going. Few in the US outside of serious cycling fans know who Andreas Kloden, Yaroslav Popovytch or Geert Steegmans are. A handful probably know Levi Leipheimer. If you're RadioShack, who have no interest in advertising in Europe or Australia (or other non-US countries) why do you want to spend a couple of million if all you've got are riders who don't get mainstream attention in your primary market (if Lance retires after next season)

Discovery Channel, on the other hand, operates channels in a bunch of countries outside North America, and therefore did have at least some interest in continuing their sponsorship of a very successful team which does get mainstream attention in countries where cycling is a mainstream sport.

 

[CentralCaliBike]

And in theory, monkeys could come flying out of my butt at some point. If I were a betting man, and I'm not, I would bet on that over Armstrong beating Contador in anything. Maybe Contador will show the class that Mr Armstrong shows no indication of having and let the old guy take a stage for nostalgia? I for one hope that does not happen.

Didn't Armstrong allow Pantani to take a stage once?

 

[Moondance]

Didn't Armstrong allow Pantani to take a stage once?

Yep, 2000, it was on the Mont Ventoux as well. I personally don't understand giving away a victory on the Mont Ventoux, plus he hadn't won a stage in that years Tour yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPXHK7I1iQ&feature=related

 

[Anonymous]

Believe me, even when LA retires as a rider he'll still be a very visible part of the team, most likely to mentor Taylor Phinney when he finally makes the jump to the big leagues. So Radio Shack will still probably have an interest in sponsorship after two years.

But anything can happen. After two years it may be Team Walmart or Team I Can't Beleive It's Not Butter for all we know.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Absolutely. If armstrong can rack it up a notch, and I think he might be able to......

I think you'll be racking it up by more than the odd notch, come May/June, next year.

Believe me, even when LA retires as a rider he'll still be a very visible part of the team, most likely to mentor Taylor Phinney when he finally makes the jump to the big leagues. So Radio Shack will still probably have an interest in sponsorship after two years.
After two years it may be Team Walmart or Team I Can't Beleive It's Not Butter for all we know.

It's going to take a fair bit longer than 2 years, for Taylor Phinney to make an impact on the pro racing scene. Barely 21 by the time the 2011 TDF is over.

 

[Hugh Januss]

of course, hell why not be petty enough to refer to his age for 2010 consistently as 39 rather than 38. That'll help slap down all those lesser intellects who won't agree with you on all your 'facts'.

I think we can all agree to compromise and just call him "older than dirt". We're all reasonable people and can agree on this, no?

 

[Anonymous]

Believe me, even when LA retires as a rider he'll still be a very visible part of the team, most likely to mentor Taylor Phinney when he finally makes the jump to the big leagues. So Radio Shack will still probably have an interest in sponsorship after two years.

But anything can happen. After two years it may be Team Walmart or Team I Can't Beleive It's Not Butter for all we know.

I think a Team Snuggie would also be in order.

 

[Moondance]

I think a Team Snuggie would also be in order.

That's just disrespectful. Although snuggie-fabric jerseys would certainly help with the early season classics.

 

[BroDeal]

Believe me, even when LA retires as a rider he'll still be a very visible part of the team, most likely to mentor Taylor Phinney when he finally makes the jump to the big leagues.

If Amrstrong mentors Phinney the same way he mentored Contador then Phinney had better watch his back.

 

[lagartija]

If Amrstrong mentors Phinney the same way he mentored Contador then Phinney had better watch his back.

i think the smartest thing taylor did was not going pro with the shack......i cant see armstrong really being a " mentor " its just not in his makeup, i see taylor going elsewhere in a year or two.....which will also be a smart move on his part.............

 

[craig1985]

Didn't Armstrong allow Pantani to take a stage once?

And Pantani took it as an insult (apparently LA's attempt to speak Italian backfired when he tried to tell him he could take the stage win).

Yep, 2000, it was on the Mont Ventoux as well. I personally don't understand giving away a victory on the Mont Ventoux, plus he hadn't won a stage in that years Tour yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPXHK7I1iQ&feature=related

Just one thing I want to know is, did Pantani still hold a grudge against LA, because I know the following year they had dinner at the Tour of Murcia to settle the hatchet, but I know a year or two later Pantani went on a massive rant against LA.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Just one thing I want to know is, did Pantani still hold a grudge against LA, because I know the following year they had dinner at the Tour of Murcia to settle the hatchet, but I know a year or two later Pantani went on a massive rant against LA.

Wow, Pantani had a moment of emotional instability. I am shocked!
I mean no disrespect, but you almost never see that in drug addicts.

 

[craig1985]

Wow, Pantani had a moment of emotional instability. I am shocked!
I mean no disrespect, but you almost never see that in drug addicts.

Turn it up, I read the book on Pantani. I was actually asking an honest question trying to find more info out. But you are entitled to your opinion sir.

 

[RTMcFadden]

That's just disrespectful. Although snuggie-fabric jerseys would certainly help with the early season classics.

Depends.

(Did anybody else notice that there is a minimum 10 character limit for posts.)

 

[Anonymous]

Depends.

(Did anybody else notice that there is a minimum 10 character limit for posts.)

Yes.......

 

[Cobblestones]

Depends.

(Did anybody else notice that there is a minimum 10 character limit for posts.)

No........

 

[krebs303]

Depends.

(Did anybody else notice that there is a minimum 10 character limit for posts.)

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