I don't know who will win but it's looking kind of obvious who is losing. Cyclingnews saying @40+ riders wo a contract and big title sponsors as always not plentiful. The move to ditch one for the other is shortsighted in my opinion..I know that Alpecin is a good fit , but I think that the sudden shift to woman's parity could have sponsors underwhelmed when they see the actual participation and interest in women's racing on scale..Ooh, interesting move... who will win, Patrick Lefevere... Magnus Carlsen...?
Lefevere is old, and he looks to be thinking outside the box..I have scale questions about women's Tour dFrance..old school kermesse logic says you have a race of a secondary group using the standing resources. So in both sexes TDF..the barriers,podium,cameras, helicopters already at the ready for the mens race in July..is there money and fan support,advertising appetite for a completely separate set up for women? Before or after the July men's competition? I am curious to see what a stand alone women's TDF will look like
I don't see how premier stage race events can exist separately for men and women..the teams? If it looks like women's raw now..6-8 Dutch women,everyone else..where does Lefevere or anyone else get 6-8 teams a depth of female racers that can contest classics and stage races? I would love to see it sure, but I don't know that the product is available.
I am wondering if his visions of the future may actually dilute the talent pool further.I am sure he knows a hell of a lot more about getting and keeping a pro team funded and viable and w women's racing nobody is going to know until it's tried..but it looks like a super long shot to me. I wish him luck..
I hope more sponsors come soon,I don't care the reason.
I know for sure if they are looking for a deep female talent pool in the United States, look elsewhere. We have great,fast female racers just not many of them..