Team Saxo Bank with a new bank co-sponsor?

[The Hitch]

So both Tinkov and Google have announced press conference in London on monday. So it does seem as if Tinkov is taking over

At the same time, though, Danish media reports that Google is gonna sponsor the team.

So is it both a sale to Tinkov and a new sponsor?

Why would Google step in to save a danish team with someone who has the rep.of having been caught you know what, as it's leader and a you know what as it's manager.

If Google wanted to set up a team, it would be a new team, on their terms, American and with all their own setup, not an already existing team.

Biggest issue is, a big company like Google wouldn't want to associate itself with a sport that has the reputation for doping. They'd lose so much more in a scandal than they can get from the sponsorship, which admittedly wouldnt cost them anything.

 

[Cimber]

I learned about Red Bull circa 20 years ago when they were sponsoring Sauber in F1. I did not really notice them before that.

Really? Man, I sure did. Anyways, they would still be no reason for them to continue to sponsor nowadays, if it was only about awareness. But it isnt.

 

[Cimber]

Google and Riis cycling team ?? lolz, no chance, its the danish version daily mail reporting.

I would agree, only DR is not normally considered a daily mail tabloid. DR is basically the Danish version of BBC. But yes it does seem odd indeed.

 

[Nilsson]

But that might be something that they decided they wanted to change.

But anyways, what I also find a bit weird is that if they are indeed considering to sponsor sport, why on earth choose a dodgy team with Tikov as owner and Riis as DS. Why not the Alonso-project?

It would be very surprising, however, not entirely impossible.

It is kind of strange the press conference apparently is at the Google HQ in London. The link with cycling could be Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google and a pretty big cycling fan. As a Russian he could also be the link to Tinkov.

From the sponsoring point of view there could be possibilities with Google Maps and cycling. We'll see.

 

[Christian]

If this is true, then the person who pulled this off and managed to get one of the world's largest mega businesses who have never sponsored anything in sports ever before to sponsor a danish team run by two sleezbags in a niche sport... must be a true genius

 

[Cimber]

If this is true, then the person who pulled this off and managed to get one of the world's largest mega businesses who have never sponsored anything in sports ever before to sponsor a danish team run by two sleezbags in a niche sport... must be a true genius

Just a small comment. Rumours say that the team be Italian based after Tinkov takes over the ownership.

Also it sint a niche sport. Well, at least the Tour isnt (0;

 

[Le Baroudeur]

If this is true, then the person who pulled this off and managed to get one of the world's largest mega businesses who have never sponsored anything in sports ever before to sponsor a danish team run by two sleezbags in a niche sport... must be a true genius

The sleaze-bags left in 2010 iirc.

 

[Christian]

The sleaze-bags left in 2010 iirc.

True - it comparison to those guys, Riis and Tinkov look like wholesome choir boys!

 

[ciranda]

Google and Riis cycling team ?? lolz, no chance, its the danish version daily mail reporting.

Not related to the subject but I just need to say this: in Danish press the word tabloid refers to the format, how news are presented. sporten.dk/BT and EB's coverage of cycling is the closest and best of any media in the country. They don't run made-up stories, I don't get why people keep on repeating it on here. So please don't.

(I don't know wtf Daily Mail is or how British newspapers operate.)

 

[Netserk]

Not related to the subject but I just need to say this: in Danish press the word tabloid refers to the format, how news are presented. sporten.dk/BT and EB's coverage of cycling is the closest and best of any media in the country. They don't run made-up stories, I don't get why people keep on repeating it on here. So please don't.

(I don't know wtf Daily Mail is or how British newspapers operate.)

Really?

 

[DominicDecoco]

Sportendk and EB get most of their stories from secondary sources.

Sportendk do have some decent blogs now and then, though. Their critically views on Riis can only be applauded as well - even though the average Danish Tour-viewer usually is too thick to accept their way of writing about him.

The only reason we are still talking about this being just remotely realistic is that DR is the one bringing the story. They rarely public bs-stories.

 

[Ferminal]

Why would Google step in to save a danish team with someone who has the rep.of having been caught you know what, as it's leader and a you know what as it's manager.

If Google wanted to set up a team, it would be a new team, on their terms, American and with all their own setup, not an already existing team.

Biggest issue is, a big company like Google wouldn't want to associate itself with a sport that has the reputation for doping. They'd lose so much more in a scandal than they can get from the sponsorship, which admittedly wouldnt cost them anything.

Maybe they are finding it harder to dodge a tax bill in Denmark than they are in other countries.

 

[DirtyWorks]

From the sponsoring point of view there could be possibilities with Google Maps and cycling. We'll see.

Either there is some kind of business goal, or somebody has a bought into his/her hobby.

Most of the WT team money is rich people hobby money. You've got Garmin and bike companies who fit the segment well.

Whoever bought in doesn't know what they've got themselves into. They think they know, but they don't know. Especially with Riis.

 

[TheGame]

It is kind of strange the press conference apparently is at the Google HQ in London. The link with cycling could be Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google and a pretty big cycling fan. As a Russian he could also be the link to Tinkov.

or maybe it is just because GCN who are broadcasting the press conference live worldwide just happen to have a studio at Google HQ

 

[Gloin22]

Before this BS rumour of Google goes much further...

Report: Tinkov buys Saxo setup for six million euro, will retain Riis as team manager

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...etain-Riis-as-team-manager.aspx#ixzz2m8DnL9oc

The press conference will be held in London’s Google offices on Monday. Danish media had speculated that the computer giant would come on board as a sponsor but Shift Active Media, which will stream the event via its GCN company on Monday, has indicated that the location is not indicative of financial backing.

It has a partnership with Google, hence the location of the conference.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

So... AC left Astana for this?

 

[LaFlorecita]

So... AC left Astana for this?

Don't be a d*** Vino attacks everyone this is hard enough without your BS

 

[The Hitch]

Contador forgave Armstrong and Armstrong was a bigger **** to him. That feud was way more intense and yet there was Bertie answering a question 2 years later, what cyclists would you most like to be -Indurain and Armstrong.

I can easily see tinkov and Bertie making up. They don't have to be bffs and they don't even work together or see eachother often. The benefits on the other hand are big. Tinkov wackjob as he is, probably transcends cycling more than anyone else in the sport. He is not small time by any means. Stay with tinkov contador, turn the other cheek this once, and. You want vip tickets for socchi Olympics? Join Simon Amman Lindsey vonn and that other bird in the Jacuzzi after the slalom ? No. What about VIP seats for the world cup in a few years after you retire. Be guesst of honour for a semi final. Hell if olegs friend Putin (pronounced puootain) is still power maybe you can even ref one of the smaller games.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

According to La Gazzetta, Riis has told his riders that he will act as team manager for four years [...]

LOL! He'll stay on until his position is no longer tenable is more like it. That could be sometime next year already.

 

[attila]

If the rumors are true about doping revelations, how will he be able to stay on for 4 years?

 

[Netserk]

if the rumors are true about doping revelations, how will he be able to stay on for 4 years?

sol........

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tinkov will be putting 11-13mln into the team and the jerseys and bikes are said to be predominantly yellow. Saxo out?

Think of all the poor riders who signed for team Saxo Bank and will instead ride for Tinkoff Credit Systems. Lol.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Lucky guys!

 

[Carols]

This is disgusting Tinkoff is toxic..... I feel sorry for the entire team, but mostly Alberto.

 

[Gloin22]

While Tinkov is unlikeable very often although hilarious too, I fail to see people critising him for what he said to Alberto.

He was completely right, for the amount Bertie is getting, he did absolutely nothing last year. He deserved criticism, and hopefully that criticism helped him in a way to focus much better for this season.