Team Lance

Captain Havoc

Just saw this on twitter

Lance Armstrong: Making a very cool announcement on Thursday re: a new American partner for our team in 2010 (and beyond). Stay tuned!

Anyone a bit more savy?

blorg

The Kazakhs are going to fire Lance, Bruyneel et al after the tour.

Vinokourov will make a triumphant return to a Kazakh-Spanish Astana with Contodor as leader.

Bruyneel, Lance and Levi will form a new Something-Livestrong team with other like-minded riders.

robs1

i heard the other day that garmin were trying to get contador.by the way lance cant be sacked he doesn't get paid...............that was a joke im not trying to start a row

Bunnyhopper

I guess the obvious candidate would be Nike, maybe with Trek, too.

scottreynolds

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/tour-de-france-news-roundup-stage-16-22497/?mp=0

Bruyneel leaving Astana
Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel announced he is set to quit the Kazakhstan-backed outfit.



"It's time to turn a page in my career," Bruyneel told Flemish language channel VRT just before the 16th stage in Martigny, Switzerland.

With current yellow-jersey holder Alberto Contador and seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in his team, Bruyneel is in charge of arguably the strongest outfit on the Tour, but he insisted the team has no future.

Internal trouble has been brewing since Monaco when banned rider Alexandre Vinokourov, who the Astana team was created around, gave a press conference saying either he or Bruyneel must quit the team after the Kazakh's doping suspension ends on July 24.

"We still had to talk about his possible return, but he gave a press conference in Monaco the day before the race started in our team hotel," said Bruyneel. "Then some whispers from the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation reached my ears and things have started to become very clear for me. Astana is finished!"

Rumours at the Tour de France suggest Bruyneel may launch a new team with Armstrong as his leader.

Yellow-jersey holder Contador, who finished Tuesday's stage with a 1:37 lead over second-placed Armstrong, said he will only consider his future once he reaches Paris.

The Spanish media reported last week Spain's two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso is planning to create a cycling team headed by his compatriot Contador, the 2007 Tour de France winner.

"I won't say anything at the moment," said Contador. "I can only concentrate on the race and there are still five days to go. Only when I arrive in Paris will I think of my future and that of the team."

Vinokourov and his Astana team were forced out of the 2007 Tour when he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning the 13th stage. Bruyneel did not manage the team at that time. He and Contador won the 2007 Tour for Discovery Channel before the team folded.

Vinokourov retired last year, then said he planned to race again.

The Kazakhstan Cycling Federation banned Vinokourov for only one year, but cycling's governing body the UCI appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which lengthened his ban to two years, which runs out on Friday.

No doubt that a new Livestrong team will be announced soon. Will be most likely Nike Livestrong I'd say. Lance says announcement Thursday on his twitter but I can't see that happening till after the tour..... its too disrepectful unless Astana have sold there rights to Bruynell / Armstrong then it make sense to announce during the race as it would just be a continuation of the team .

Esroh

This is what they are saying on bikeradar though it all hearsay

Apparently, on yesterday’s rest day, former pro riders Rominger and Lombardi met with Bruyneel and Armstrong at the Astana hotel, It’s rumoured the meeting had to do with the formation of a new LA team with a sponsor called Oracle.

Oracle are a Californian software company, owned by reputedly the 4th richest man in the world, Lawrence Ellison. Ellison also has a foundation to support those with cancer, so there’s a common theme between the main men involved.
Armstrong didn’t speak to the press yesterday, two bodyguards not letting the press get close.
Supposedly, Bruyneel will move to the new team too. He and Rominger met yesterday, probably to discuss Kloeden’s move to the new team (Rominger being Kloeden's manager).

In order to be part of the discussions, LA cancelled attending a UCI function at nearby Aigle, something he’d previously agreed on paper with the UCI to do. Contador was also supposed to attend to the function at Aigle, but also didn’t.

Running Bing

Nike Livestrong would be good for the sport imo. Would give a lot of exposure, would add a bit of excitement to the Peleton and depending on which side of the fence you sit it will give you someone new to cheer for or a bad boy to boo.:D


Possible line-ups? Lance, Levi, Popovich, Hincapie, Vande Velde, Roche;)

blorg

It will be class if Oracle sponsor a team led by Lance. The two of them would mesh very well together... And not just the cancer foundation, Ellison is truly a xerox copy of Lance in the business world... Ellison's authorised biography is titled "The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison: *God Doesn't Think He's Larry Ellison."

Captain Havoc

Running Bing wrote: »

Possible line-ups? Lance, Levi, Popovich, Hincapie, Vande Velde, Roche;)

Roche will be too busy winning the TdF as team leader with AG2R next year (what?, I am aloud to dream) than playing second fiddle to grandpa Armstrong.

Chips Lovell

Oracle is an interesting potential sponsor alright. I've met Larry Ellison. Larger than life is one way of describing him.

I'd expect to see Armstrong and Bruyneel form their own team with a new sponsor.

Contador will probably end up at Caisse d'Epargne or Alonso's new team if that happens.

Vino will rejoin Astana and they'll get invited to nothing.

Bruyneel and Armstrong would be foolish to hire Kloedi. You get the feeling that the clock is ticking on that guy after the Freiburg report.

I can see Roche staying with French teams.

Liamo08

jerseyeire wrote: »

Roche will be too busy winning the TdF as team leader with AG2R next year (what?, I am aloud to dream) than playing second fiddle to grandpa Armstrong.

You never know sure from were he is now all he has to do is lose a couple of KG's and he'll be running away with it .

petethedrummer

It's not Oracle. My sources tell me its going to be Wavin-Livestrong. That's why he's coming to Ireland later in the year.

mmclo

jerseyeire wrote: »

Roche will be too busy winning the TdF as team leader with AG2R next year (what?, I am aloud to dream) than playing second fiddle to grandpa Armstrong.

well maybe someday, he is certainly an all rounder in terms of mountains, breakaways and sprints and sacrificed a lot of time this year for the team and what's his face, how is he on TT's??

RobFowl

el tonto wrote: »

Oracle is an interesting potential sponsor alright. I've met Larry Ellison. Larger than life is one way of describing him.

I'd expect to see Armstrong and Bruyneel form their own team with a new sponsor.

Contador will probably end up at Caisse d'Epargne or Alonso's new team if that happens.

Vino will rejoin Astana and they'll get invited to nothing.

Bruyneel and Armstrong would be foolish to hire Kloedi. You get the feeling that the clock is ticking on that guy after the Freiburg report.

I can see Roche staying with French teams.

Are we the same person :eek:
Unhealthy obsession with SuperMario to boot

warrfla

blorg wrote: »

It will be class if Oracle sponsor a team led by Lance. The two of them would mesh very well together... And not just the cancer foundation, Ellison is truly a xerox copy of Lance in the business world... Ellison's authorised biography is titled "The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison: *God Doesn't Think He's Larry Ellison."

http://www.oraclecycling.com/

just tweeted by cycling news, even If this is true I'd have thougt Livestrong would be involved in the title sponsor role !!!

Aoibheann

Maybe they don't want to spoil it until the announcement tomorrow? :P

blorg

warrfla wrote: »

http://www.oraclecycling.com/

just tweeted by cycling news, even If this is true I'd have thougt Livestrong would be involved in the title sponsor role !!!

Hmm, strange one, that is NOT Oracle's logo and the domain is registered to these guys, registered in Feb 2009:

RadSport Technik
12360 Riverside Drive #227
Valley Village, CA 91607-3658
US

http://www.radsport.com/programs.html

Could be, they are at least a cycling related operation. I guess we will see tomorrow!

warrfla

originally posted by cyclingweekly on twitter
RT Bonnie_D_Ford No official confirmation yet, but TeamRadioShack.com domain is registered to Lance Armstrong's management company.

??

Captain Havoc

As mentioned by Eurosport:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2009/news/story?id=4349772

Captain Havoc

Check it out now!!!!!

http://www.teamradioshack.com/getready/

kmart6

Must be costing them a lot if they can't seem to afford much web design!

Captain Havoc

This just in: http://ir.radioshackcorporation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=398636

blorg

jerseyeire wrote: »

Check it out now!!!!!

http://www.teamradioshack.com/getready/

I'm so fecking excited, I clicked around that page like crazy for five minutes! :pac::D

But nothing happened

Now I'm sad

Captain Havoc

blorg wrote: »

I'm so fecking excited, I clicked around that page like crazy for five minutes! :pac::D

But nothing happened

Now I'm sad

Yes, I posted the link during my excited phase.

warrfla

FORT WORTH, Texas and AUSTIN, Texas, July 23, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) is proud to announce a partnership with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong to form a new American Pro-Tour cycling team. Beginning in 2010, Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France.

From the press release on cyclingfans Twitter

looks like old lancey is going back to his roots, I'd say he's defintely gonna make a stab at the Ironman, he's as much as said it himself a few months back. Wonder will he do a qualifying race or just buy his way into Kona for the world champs

scottreynolds

warrfla wrote: »

cyclist, runner and triathlete

Ah, it finally happens. All the cool kids are doing it.... who's up for a triathlon

jwshooter

i heard today from a guy in the know LA is coming to ireland to race in the is the irish masters ,i think as i was on a poor mobile phone at the time .

mloc123

The Irish masters.. isn't that a snooker tournament?

Anyway, more importantly.. glad to see Lance is finally taking up a proper mans sport... he must have a good shot of winning a few IMs.

Nietzschean

does sound more like he knows he just can't win in cycling so is going to have a go at some softer targets....

kmart6

jwshooter wrote: »

i heard today from a guy in the know LA is coming to ireland to race in the is the irish masters ,i think as i was on a poor mobile phone at the time .

Coming here for the Tour of Ireland is he not?!

blorg

mloc123 wrote: »

The Irish masters.. isn't that a snooker tournament?

The term is used a fair bit in swimming, I think in running too... he was probably referring to the latter.

mloc123 wrote: »

Anyway, more importantly.. glad to see Lance is finally taking up a proper mans sport... he must have a good shot of winning a few IMs.

Haha, he is no stranger to that "sport"... I agree he would have a good shot at winning IM, as it is substantially easier

lukester

blorg wrote: »

Haha, he is no stranger to that "sport"... I agree he would have a good shot at winning IM, as it is substantially easier

You just had to post that picture, didn't you? :pac:

Swallowing back the sick.

Vélo

blorg wrote: »

The term is used a fair bit in swimming, I think in running too... he was probably referring to the latter.

Haha, he is no stranger to that "sport"... I agree he would have a good shot at winning IM, as it is substantially easier

Has he no shame!

scottreynolds

I don't understand how Radio Shack fits in at all with Livestrong -- I'm sorry Lance. I mean LS is trying to get a global presence, the reason LA came back to the sport. Then he aligns his new Team with a US only company -- its makes no sense... no strategic fit. Why not Nike, Adidas, Citi, HSBC, Gusiness .... something global....

mloc123

blorg wrote: »

Haha, he is no stranger to that "sport"... I agree he would have a good shot at winning IM, as it is substantially easier

By easier I presume you mean there are less drugged up spaniards stealing wins from true heros like himself.

Captain Havoc

scottreynolds wrote: »

I don't understand how Radio Shack fits in at all with Livestrong -- I'm sorry Lance. I mean LS is trying to get a global presence, the reason LA came back to the sport. Then he aligns his new Team with a US only company -- its makes no sense... no strategic fit. Why not Nike, Adidas, Citi, HSBC, Gusiness .... something global....

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

lukester

scottreynolds wrote: »

I don't understand how Radio Shack fits in at all with Livestrong -- I'm sorry Lance. I mean LS is trying to get a global presence, the reason LA came back to the sport. Then he aligns his new Team with a US only company -- its makes no sense... no strategic fit. Why not Nike, Adidas, Citi, HSBC, Gusiness .... something global....

I've thought the same. Nike was the most obvious contender.

Makes me wonder if these global corporations are nervous about sponsoring someone who has such big question marks over their reputation. It may be just that cycling is too niche for their brand.

LA coming back was partly for Livestrong, but a lot about the fact that he was bored and wanted to race again, and had nothing to lose.

If his comeback was a failure, oh well. If he won the Tour, it would only add to the Lance legend. And his monumental ego.

Bluefoam

mloc123 wrote: »

By easier I presume you mean there are less drugged up spaniards stealing wins from true heros like himself.

Don't know much about the sport, but I do know that Lance's record on drug taking is under serious scrutiny...

petethedrummer

scottreynolds wrote: »

I don't understand how Radio Shack fits in at all with Livestrong -- I'm sorry Lance. I mean LS is trying to get a global presence, the reason LA came back to the sport. Then he aligns his new Team with a US only company -- its makes no sense... no strategic fit. Why not Nike, Adidas, Citi, HSBC, Gusiness .... something global....

There are about 5 countries in the world, in decreasing order of size they are USA, Europe, Iraq, Russia and France. Radio shack would cover the biggest of the 5, so why bother with the others. The World Series of Baseball doesn't.

blorg

mloc123 wrote: »

By easier I presume you mean there are less drugged up spaniards stealing wins from true heros like himself.

Putting aside the question of drug use I don't think you would find many people claiming that racing Ironman in Kona is tougher than doing the Tour de France. This is not to say it is not tough, of course it is tough, but the Tour is a step above... As to Lance, he could certainly win it, his marathon running has been getting better, if he can put in a respectable split there I would imagine he would solidly beat most pro triathletes on the bike leg (which is where there is most scope for gaining or losing time.)

EDIT: He needs to work on getting out of a wetsuit though:

blorg

Bluefoam wrote: »

Don't know much about the sport, but I do know that Lance's record on drug taking is under serious scrutiny...

I hadn't heard anything about this, could you provide some more details?

petethedrummer

will you stop posting inappropriate pictures of 16 year old boys.

Bluefoam

petethedrummer wrote: »

There are about 5 countries in the world, in decreasing order of size they are USA, Europe, Iraq, Russia and France. Radio shack would cover the biggest of the 5, so why bother with the others. The World Series of Baseball doesn't.

Don't want to sound pedantic, but Europe is not a country & the others are listed in any descending order whether its size, population or other....

petethedrummer

Bluefoam wrote: »

Don't want to sound pedantic, but Europe is not a country & the others are listed in any descending order whether its size, population or other....

If Europe isn't a country where do all guys coming to the US on holidays learn to speak European??

Oh yeah and I forgot to add Austria to the list. I'm big Cadel Evans fan.

titan18

petethedrummer wrote: »

If Europe isn't a country where do all guys coming to the US on holidays learn to speak European??

Oh yeah and I forgot to add Austria to the list. I'm big Cadel Evans fan.

You mean Australia I presume.

Captain Havoc

titan18 wrote: »

You mean Australia I presume.

:rolleyes:

petethedrummer

titan18 wrote: »

You mean Australia I presume.

Spell it how you like, same country in the end.

scottreynolds

jerseyeire wrote: »

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Money isn't everything. The history of US companies sponsoring is spotty at best. They tend to get in, get what thy want and get out. They tend to take a shorter term view of things -- Discovery, Postal etc..... I think its fairly short sighted IMHO --

lukester wrote: »

I've thought the same. Nike was the most obvious contender.

+1

lukester wrote: »

Makes me wonder if these global corporations are nervous about sponsoring someone who has such big question marks over their reputation. It may be just that cycling is too niche for their brand.

To risky I'd say to be related to cycling because of the massive risk in being associated with a drug taker.... I'm sure Di Luca story isn't helping.... Cycling authorities are doing there best (even putting LA out forcing him to get up early) but its a bad wrap for any company to be intertwined.....

10 year old future tour star,"Mummy, Can I do drugs to beat Jimmy".
"Whattttt, No don't be silly, they are bad for you", says Mummy coughing after her third ciggy in 5 minutes.
"But mummy, if I want to be a Cyclist I have to. That Nike team do it"

blorg

titan18 wrote: »

You mean Australia I presume.

I believe they enter a single team in international sporting competition, much the same way the Brits are representing Britain, rather than the Isle of Man, Scotland, England, etc.

Fun fact: none of the Britons in the tour were born in Britain, had Dan Martin started he would have been the only British-born rider in the race.

scottreynolds

blorg wrote: »

I believe they enter a single team in international sporting competition, much the same way the Brits are representing Britain, rather than the Isle of Man, Scotland, England, etc.

Fun fact: none of the Britons in the tour were born in Britain, had Dan Martin started he would have been the only British-born rider in the race.

Nicolas Roche (born July 3, 1984 in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, France)

mloc123

titan18 wrote: »

You mean Australia I presume.

I love these Lance threads but sometimes I get confussed... are people being trolled, or trolling also.