Speculate: Who will be going to Lance's new team?

[pankadog]

Armstrong is trying to set up a team to help him win the Tour next year. The question is: Are there other serious riders out there who believe that this would be possible and are they willing to sacrifice their ambitions for Lance?

 

[scribe]

A contract with a team is much like a normal employer's contract. Cyclists are not actually 'bought', but sometimes contracts are made void and then the team is compensated. This is rare, however. Usually cyclists switch teams when their contract ends, or they get a new contract. If a cyclist doesn't fit in with a team, both parties can decide to terminate the contract.

Contracts are usually for two years.

I'm not sure about the criteria you mention; it takes a certain investment and performance. The decision which teams are invited has been the cause for a lot of power struggles; I'm not sure what the current status quo is.

You mean the word 'test' in Cervélo's name? I assume it is meant to indicate that the team tests the bikes of the manufacturer, Cervélo; i.e. they ride the newest material. Bikebrands that are first sponsors of teams are rare nowadays, so this is probably the team's way of drawing attention to what makes them different.

Other members probably have something to add to this.

Where are contracts enforceable in the court of law? It seems to me this would be difficult due to international arrangements typical for these teams.

 

[Martin318is]

Bobridge and Gerrans would be solid choices........O'Grady not so much any more.

I gather you haven't noticed how strong a domestique O'Grady has become? Lance wants to win the tour himself - O'Grady would be perfect for that.

 

[Robert Merivel]

BroDeal, DimSpace...and maybe the moderators?

 

[Robert Merivel]

Armstrong is trying to set up a team to help him win the Tour next year. The question is: Are there other serious riders out there who believe that this would be possible and are they willing to sacrifice their ambitions for Lance?

Are you serious?

Have you been following the tour?

Hello, anybody home?

 

[yourwelcome]

Radio Shack? Really? Dang, maybe they should also get Pic n Pay Shoes. Gotta say that at least Oracle has some cachet, but Radio Shack? I don't know what the European equivalent would be, but think of a store with $99 home theater systems, cell phones, and cheap Taiwan made batteries. Man, The Uniballer was willing to drag the bottom of the barrel for a chance to get second in the 2010 Tour.

Was 7-11 that much better? Companies selling cheap mass market products have a long history in sponsoring cycling teams.

 

[joeags]

I'm sorry, but all I can think about is the movie "Any Given Sunday..." Vino is Cameron Diaz, Bruyneel is Al Pacino, and Contador is Jamie Foxx. JB announces during his press conference to leave Astana that Contador will be following Bruyneel as he realizes that continues to be the best thing for him...

 

[The Falcon]

I gather you haven't noticed how strong a domestique O'Grady has become? Lance wants to win the tour himself - O'Grady would be perfect for that.

O'Gradys best days are behind him.......another 12 months from now and he will be shot. Im a huge "grades" fan, but he wouldnt be on my pick list for 2010.

 

[BroDeal]

Was 7-11 that much better?

Yes, it was. On a really really hot day, in the middle of an epic ride, a Slurpee is damned near the drink of the gods.

 

[BroDeal]

O'Gradys best days are behind him.......another 12 months from now and he will be shot. Im a huge "grades" fan, but he wouldnt be on my pick list for 2010.

He will fit right in with all the other old guys. The team should look into co-sponsorship by Viagra. Viagra's tagline, "Get back in the game," fits nicely with Armstrong's return.

 

[rsd10023]

For commercial reason, why would they want to do that? Isn't TV rating much higher this yearvs previous years?

 

[avanti]

Radio Shack? Really? Dang, maybe they should also get Pic n Pay Shoes. Gotta say that at least Oracle has some cachet, but Radio Shack? I don't know what the European equivalent would be, but think of a store with $99 home theater systems, cell phones, and cheap Taiwan made batteries. Man, The Uniballer was willing to drag the bottom of the barrel for a chance to get second in the 2010 Tour.

The Radio Shack press release says this sponsorship is tied in with a revamp of their stores. In California there is Best Buy and Frys (few stores). Maybe Radio Shack want to replace Circuit City. Their biggest sales area is cell phones.

I would expect that winning the Tour of California will be a target for the team.

 

[Azdak6]

What - top 15?

I'm sure it's not what they have in mind, but there are 11 teams so far this year that don't have a rider as high as 15 in the GC. Just sayin'

 

[scribe]

Radio Shack is extremely tacky and has been for a long time. Nike or Oracle or a Google would have been a great lead sponser.

 

[Publicus]

He will fit right in with all the other old guys. The team should look into co-sponsorship by Viagra. Viagra's tagline, "Get back in the game," fits nicely with Armstrong's return.

Excellent suggestion! Maybe they can get a bidding war going with Cialis and Viagra for sponsorship dollars.

 

[BroDeal]

Excellent suggestion! Maybe they can get a bidding war going with Cialis and Viagra for sponsorship dollars.

Horner and Leipheimer could bring Hair Club for Men aboard. Barring that there is always Gillette razors.

 

[Cribbo]

News reports in OZ are linking Cadel with Radioshack.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25826914-5019105,00.html

But then again, that may be because Cadel is the only cyclist's name they know.

Mark Coucke pretty much states that Cadel will play second fiddle next year at Lotto if he stays.
But then again if he goes to Radioshack, wouldn't he be second fiddle behind LA anyway?

 

[scribe]

I don't see Cadel fitting in with that group. I just don't see the guy fostering a positive team environment.

 

[scribe]

I'm sorry, but all I can think about is the movie "Any Given Sunday..." Vino is Cameron Diaz, Bruyneel is Al Pacino, and Contador is Jamie Foxx. JB announces during his press conference to leave Astana that Contador will be following Bruyneel as he realizes that continues to be the best thing for him...

It's a damn good thing I have never found Cameron Diaz to be attractive.

 

[fletch62]

I assume that Team Radio Shack will be onboard Trek bikes with SRAM?

 

[richwagmn]

I assume that Team Radio Shack will be onboard Trek bikes with SRAM?

LA can only ride Treks.

 

[richwagmn]

News reports in OZ are linking Cadel with Radioshack.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25826914-5019105,00.html

But then again, that may be because Cadel is the only cyclist's name they know.

Mark Coucke pretty much states that Cadel will play second fiddle next year at Lotto if he stays.
But then again if he goes to Radioshack, wouldn't he be second fiddle behind LA anyway?

I kind of believe it. LA picked Evans as the tour favorite this year. Wonder how Evans would like riding in support of LA though?

 

[BroDeal]

Looks like the new Team Evil has some classy people associated with it:

July 13th. AP

A former North Kansas City company CEO and director of RadioShack Corp. pleaded guilty to attempting to possess child pornography.

Ronald Elmquist, 63, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in Kansas City to a charge of trying to obtain illegal pornographic images on a laptop issued to him by QualServ Corp., a North Kansas City stainless steel fabricator that Elmquist used to lead.

Elmquist also resigned from the RadioShack board soon after Clay County prosecutors charged him with possession of child pornography in 2006.

 

[Garry Allen]

http://129.79.22.9/greenspeed/gto/P7177722.html
They've already signed this guy. Trek has started work on the recumbents, the UCI is amending the rules and Lance has started work on his chest warmer and obtained his ham radio license

 

[whiteboytrash]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/cycling/article6725620.ece