The foundation of Team Radio Shack begin to fall into place?

[Delicato]

Retire, yet again. I just can't see the UCI wasting a license on what is going to be left at Astana after September 1st. Has anyone heard ANY rumors of riders transferring TO Astana? I know I haven't....

Paolo Tiralongo

 

[scribe]

Say Shack's Schlecks 5 times real quick and then try to tell me that would work out.

 

[ilillillli]

These aren't classics riders, they're "flats" riders for the TdF. They're here incase George doesn't sing. With Rast, the other guy, Paulinho, and Lance, that's alreaddy 4/9 of the proposed TdF roster.

 

[Mellow Velo]

McQuaid has already made some obtuse references to pulling PT spots from established teams, at the TOI.
I assumed immediately he was referring to Astana. He tried hard enough, to do just that, back in June.
Then he'll hand one out to Rock Racing 2.....sorry, I mean the Shack.
Contador stuck in a backwater and out of Tour contension. Nice move.
Politics, politics.
A terrific step forward for the sport.
Hope they are stupid enough to sign Landis, as that would mean the Tour invite gets blown away, too.

 

[CycleViking]

"Armstrong doesn't rule out Landis joining RadioShack"

Wow.

Landis is, after all, known for his ability to MAN himself up (using testosterone though...)

 

[racerralph]

Okay, breaking news: Sebastien Rosseler a Time Trial Specialist from Quickstep, has signed with The Shack. And there are RUMORS that Geert Steegmans might be putting pen to paper soon for The Shack.
It's going to be interesting to see just how much the French(Tour de France organizers specifically) love Lance, when they make the TdF route up for 2010.
I'm sure that if The Shack found a Genie's bottle the first wish The Shack would wish for is that they are admitted into the Pro Tour. Second is, that if not admitted into the Pro Tour, they become an almost automatic wild card, like Cervelo Test Team was this year. And finally, and this is a really BIG one, that there is a Team Time Trial in the 2010 TdF. With Lance, Levi(signed yet?), Rosseler, you can see the handwriting on their wall. A replay of the advantage the Astana riders gained this year, after the TTT, would be a dream situation for Lance's efforts.

 

[Jonathan]

I like it that the Shack is putting together a competitive classics team, but I'm not sure if it's a good choice for any Belgian rider targeting the spring. US Postal and Discovery rarely did very well there, never managing to win either of the big two. Only in the Driedaagse de Panne were their tactics really effective. So I don't see Steegmans being successful there.

 

[hfer07]

If LA is considering FLandis for the team- he should call Roberto Heras since he's looking for a "comeback" as well ......

 

[manolo]

New Radio Shack kit

Found these images of the 'supposed-to-be' considarations of the new Radio Shack kit:

These were at:

http://www.blogsciclistas.com/2009/10/los-disenos-del-maillot-del-radioshack.html

 

[Cobblestones]

Found these images of the 'supposed-to-be' considarations of the new Radio Shack kit:

These were at:

http://www.blogsciclistas.com/2009/10/los-disenos-del-maillot-del-radioshack.html

Ugh, the first one is just tacky, the black lines on the second one look like smoke coming from a smoldering cable, the third reminds me of a deer cadaver.

 

[luckyboy]

I can't see those being real. Where is the little yellow Livestrong bit on the sleeve? And Sram, Trek etc?

 

[Publicus]

Found these images of the 'supposed-to-be' considarations of the new Radio Shack kit:

These were at:

http://www.blogsciclistas.com/2009/10/los-disenos-del-maillot-del-radioshack.html

Pretty hideous if you ask me.

 

[franciep10]

Found these images of the 'supposed-to-be' considarations of the new Radio Shack kit:

These were at:

http://www.blogsciclistas.com/2009/10/los-disenos-del-maillot-del-radioshack.html

Ugh, not horrible just bad, honestly if it looked like the best jersey in the world I would have something bad to say.

 

[blaxland]

Okay, breaking news: Sebastien Rosseler a Time Trial Specialist from Quickstep, has signed with The Shack. And there are RUMORS that Geert Steegmans might be putting pen to paper soon for The Shack.
It's going to be interesting to see just how much the French(Tour de France organizers specifically) love Lance, when they make the TdF route up for 2010.
I'm sure that if The Shack found a Genie's bottle the first wish The Shack would wish for is that they are admitted into the Pro Tour. Second is, that if not admitted into the Pro Tour, they become an almost automatic wild card, like Cervelo Test Team was this year. And finally, and this is a really BIG one, that there is a Team Time Trial in the 2010 TdF. With Lance, Levi(signed yet?), Rosseler, you can see the handwriting on their wall. A replay of the advantage the Astana riders gained this year, after the TTT, would be a dream situation for Lance's efforts.

now just make it a 100km TTT and we know who will benefit???shack,shack,shack

 

[manolo]

New Radio Shack kit

I can't see those being real. Where is the little yellow Livestrong bit on the sleeve? And Sram, Trek etc?

From the same page:

http://www.blogsciclistas.com/2009/10/los-disenos-del-maillot-del-radioshack.html

Maybe they're not real... I really have no idea...

 

[luckyboy]

Ah right, should've checked the link. I don't like the designs anyway..

 

[richwagmn]

And finally, and this is a really BIG one, that there is a Team Time Trial in the 2010 TdF. With Lance, Levi(signed yet?), Rosseler, you can see the handwriting on their wall. A replay of the advantage the Astana riders gained this year, after the TTT, would be a dream situation for Lance's efforts.

They'd need a 100k TTT to make for Lance's lost time in the ITT and mountains. It's good to dream though.

 

[Boeing]

Looks like a McDonalds uniform

is it me or is there a Radio Shack nest to every Trek Super Store?

 

[manolo]

Ah right, should've checked the link. I don't like the designs anyway..

I don't like the design myself too much either... I was expecting a 'full-red' kit, sort of like Cofidis, but with black instead of yellow... I have no idea if these are real or not, the article doesn't mention its source... they may be an artists conception... I hope none of these are the final kit...

 

[racerralph]

With so much other stuff going on, it's ben a while since I visited this thread. But in reviewing just who has signed with the Shack up to this point, I must admit, I'm a bit astounded. I must hand it to the "Legend in his own Time" status of LA. He has poached/signed almost all of the Discovery/Astana riders from the current Astana team, except Noval and Popovych. And he now has Rosseler, Steegmans, and McCartney, coming back from Saxo Bank.
After this review, I would be amazed if Astana's license was renewed, because other than Contador, they no longer have a viable Pro Tour level team. Especially when you take into account the fact that the UCI left Cofidis and Bbox off of the Pro Tour roster for next year, for what seems to be, performance shortcomings.
IMO, LA has successfully completed a demoralizing step one in his quest to upset AC, and that is, to have stolen the heart of the team right out from under him! And so, in that respect, LA and Radio Shack are off to a great start.
Although, when all is said and done. The final words will be spoken on the roads. And as many of us on the forum have noted, LA will more than have his hands full with other riders, besides AC.

 

[Mellow Velo]

RR: Popovych has signed for the Shack, too. Never in question, IMO.
Very faithful to the cause.
The way things are again, between the French and the UCI, I don't think having a PT licence, or not, matters much.

Were Shack not given a PT licence, I think the French would definitely still offer them a wildcard.........providing Mr McQuaid doesn't rattle their cage, too much.
Same for Contador, whoever he eventually ends up with.

As for demoralizing Contador. I think Vino has succeeded, where Lance has failed.

 

[Publicus]

With so much other stuff going on, it's ben a while since I visited this thread. But in reviewing just who has signed with the Shack up to this point, I must admit, I'm a bit astounded. I must hand it to the "Legend in his own Time" status of LA. He has poached/signed almost all of the Discovery/Astana riders from the current Astana team, except Noval and Popovych. And he now has Rosseler, Steegmans, and McCartney, coming back from Saxo Bank.
After this review, I would be amazed if Astana's license was renewed, because other than Contador, they no longer have a viable Pro Tour level team. Especially when you take into account the fact that the UCI left Cofidis and Bbox off of the Pro Tour roster for next year, for what seems to be, performance shortcomings.
IMO, LA has successfully completed a demoralizing step one in his quest to upset AC, and that is, to have stolen the heart of the team right out from under him! And so, in that respect, LA and Radio Shack are off to a great start.
Although, when all is said and done. The final words will be spoken on the roads. And as many of us on the forum have noted, LA will more than have his hands full with other riders, besides AC.

I actually think LA and JB are doing AC a pretty big favor here. By stripping the cupboards completely bare, there's pretty much no basis for Astana to continue as a ProTour team next year. As such, Astana loses its license, AC gets out of his contract (for little or nothing) and goes to Caisse or Garmin. I wouldn't be surprised if he sent them flowers.

Nothing demoralizing about that. As for RadioShack being off to a great start, I guess. They've just taken the 2009 Astana team except its BEST RIDER BY A LARGE MARGIN. Which makes them . . . a slightly above-average Pro Tour team. They'll be in the mix, but I don't think any of their top guys poses a serious threat to AC, AS and others.

 

[montagna lunga]

AC doesn't care whether he has a team or not,
remember? He doesn't need one. The Shack wouldn't take him for free, and not because you all think LA has it out for him. If AC is so good he must be on dope.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

This one looks pretty sharp

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Yikes! That's even uglier! Wow, that really is a clash. But I can see that, or the first one form the other link being true. They smack of that Nike "in your face" attitude that fits Lance pretty well. Plus, this second one has swooshes all over it. Very Nike looking.

Lance is indeed going to need a very long TTT, and some easy mountains to win the Tour next year. Remember, it wasn't only Contador he couldn't keep up with. Contador was also held back for much of the race. Even following wheels and getting pulled by Kloden for most of the climbs, Lance still was fortunate to place where he did. Next year, he'll be a year older, as will several of his teammates.

They'll be in the mix, but I don't think any of their top guys poses a serious threat to AC, AS and others.

That's what I see. Though I do see them thumping their chest a lot on the way to the finish line.

If LA is considering FLandis for the team- he should call Roberto Heras since he's looking for a "comeback" as well ......

Remember the discussion a few weeks ago. It could happen with Floyd. But IMO it shouldn't. Though I would like to see Lance, or someone, toss Heras a lifeline. He's still a few years younger than Lance, Levi, Horner, Hincapie, etc. and seems fairly contrite about his past.