[Strategy]

Discussion on this has been spread out over a couple of thread, but it's probably worthwhile to collect the discussion in one place.

Early rumors had Brian Nygaard said to be leaving the team - a rather surprising development, given that the rich man behind the team - Flavio Becca - had specifically requested Nygaard for the job. It is interesting to note that at no time has Nygaard gone out into the press to deny this development.

This was followed by new rumors of a merger between Radioshack and LT, followed by additional rumors of Nygaard leaving the team. A Leopard-Trek spokesperson has repeatedly denied these allegations, but it is noteworthy that the Schleck's have done little or nothing to deny the rumors, and that the DS's of the team have repeatedly made statements suggesting that they too are uncertain about the team's future.

Today's L'Equipe adds additional grist to the rumor mill. According to their latest information, the Leopard-Trek project will be dissolved before the end of September. Supposedly:
- Flavio Becca has decided to pull out of the team. Since there is no head sponsor = no money to continue running the team.
- 11 Leopard-Trek riders including Feillu, Wegmann, Rohregger, Mortensen, Pedersen, Stamsnijer, Pires, Lund, and Vigano must find new teams.
- Bruyneel has recently returned to Spain after a trip to Luxembourg.

Link to the L'Equipe article.

This post has been edited by Strategy: 05 September 2011 - 10:21 AM

[Strategy]

This is official now.

Flavio Becca has just sent out a press release.

Following riders are confirmed on the new team, which will be called Radioshack-Nissan-Trek.

Fabian Cancellara, Andy + Frank Schleck, Robert Wagner, Andreas Kloden, Chris Horner, Janez Brajkovic, Nelson Oliveira and Matthew Busche.

This post has been edited by Strategy: 05 September 2011 - 07:05 PM

[Strategy]

Can't help but say: Karma bites for Kim Andersen? According to his comments to the media, he was not himself aware of the fusion happening before the press release was sent out. Ouch.

A pity for all the riders now left riding high and dry. This is why Sports should not become the playground of rich people.

This post has been edited by Strategy: 05 September 2011 - 07:08 PM

[Jayhawk]

Kloden should retire, IMO, & make room for Feillu.

[Burkni]

Jayhawk, on 05 September 2011 - 07:21 PM, said:

Kloden should retire, IMO, & make room for Feillu.

Klödi has had a fine season, he could spring some surprises yet ...

[N.B.O.L.]

I need the most important detail. Where is JENS! going??????

[Burkni]

N.B.O.L., on 05 September 2011 - 08:30 PM, said:

I need the most important detail. Where is JENS! going??????

If he doesn't retire, he goes nowhere.

Dare I say it? ASchleck will be hogging the Tour from now on ...

[Jayhawk]

Burkni, on 05 September 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:

Klödi has had a fine season...

That's why he should retire now: Go out on top instead of fading into a shell of his former self. Don't be like Lance, Klodi!

[Strategy]

More rider names:

Fabian Cancellara, Fränk + Andy Schleck of course. From RadioShack Andreas Klöden, Janez Brajkovic, Matthew Busche, Haimar Zubeldia and Chris Horner. Also Jesse Sergent and Ben King.

Jakob Fuglsang, Daniele Bennati, Stefan Denifl, Joost Posthuma, Maxime Monfort and Giacomo Nizzolo are also supposed to be on the team.

Bruyneel takes over as responsible for the sporting side. Early comments by Kim Andersen made it sound as if he might continue on the team, but it seems pretty obvious that he has been degraded to second-string, assuming he is part of the new project at all. Given that the rumors have sent Nygaard to GreenEdge for a while now, it would surprise me if Andersen continues on the team.

[Strategy]

Now official: Brian Nygaard out, Johan Bruyneel in.

As yet no confirmation about what role - if any - Kim Andersen will have.

[wildeone]

N.B.O.L., on 05 September 2011 - 08:30 PM, said:

I need the most important detail. Where is JENS! going??????

i am so disgusted with all of this but, when push comes to shove, this is the only thing that matters to me.

whilst i would actually rather that Jens!!! go support ABA, but he has chosen to ride his guts out in support of the Schlecklett for years... if his contract is not renewed, i will hate this team with a passion.

honestly, i already do (how could they leave so many riders and staff hanging without warning? how classless!), but if they leave Jens!!! out to dry

just as i was starting to feel a little sorry for Andy, this happens! no regard for the sport whatsoever... f***ed over cyclists and support staff alike just to make sure he could ride under the Kingmaker (known for his "miracles") and make sure his brother had to be taken as well.

pffffffffffffffffffffft!

[The Rake]

wildeone, on 07 September 2011 - 09:30 AM, said:

i am so disgusted with all of this but, when push comes to shove, this is the only thing that matters to me.

whilst i would actually rather that Jens!!! go support ABA, but he has chosen to ride his guts out in support of the Schlecklett for years... if his contract is not renewed, i will hate this team with a passion.

honestly, i already do (how could they leave so many riders and staff hanging without warning? how classless!), but if they leave Jens!!! out to dry

just as i was starting to feel a little sorry for Andy, this happens! no regard for the sport whatsoever... f***ed over cyclists and support staff alike just to make sure he could ride under the Kingmaker (known for his "miracles") and make sure his brother had to be taken as well.

pffffffffffffffffffffft!

Much I would love to see Jens! remain in the peloton - though not as a Bruyneel worker bee - I guess we can't hide the fact that he does turn 40 on the 17th!! However, somebody please give him some kind of a job so we still get to hear from him

[Burkni]

The Rake, on 07 September 2011 - 10:04 AM, said:

Much I would love to see Jens! remain in the peloton - though not as a Bruyneel worker bee - I guess we can't hide the fact that he does turn 40 on the 17th!! However, somebody please give him some kind of a job so we still get to hear from him

Jens! is one rider who should be easily able to land a job as a DS or the like ... he is smart, amicable and has good relations with other riders, and knows who to tell legs to shut up!

Regarding the Schleck X 2 - Bruyneel collaboration I have the following to say:
I believe that the gap in their abilities, which is steep, long climbs (Pena Cabarga, Mendé, Mur-de-Bretagne ...) will magically be filled. That and they will be able to TT all of a sudden.

[Burkni]

Bjarne Riis throws down the gauntlet, with a loud clang!

Quote

"It will be fun to beat them. That's how I see it. I still have the best man."

[wildeone]

Burkni, on 07 September 2011 - 12:38 PM, said:

Bjarne Riis throws down the gauntlet, with a loud clang!

bravo!

[N.B.O.L.]

The Rake, on 07 September 2011 - 10:04 AM, said:

Much I would love to see Jens! remain in the peloton - though not as a Bruyneel worker bee - I guess we can't hide the fact that he does turn 40 on the 17th!! However, somebody please give him some kind of a job so we still get to hear from him

Yes he turns 40 on the 17th. Still, when he gets on the front to drive the peloton young boys still cry for their mommy.

[wildeone]

N.B.O.L., on 07 September 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

Yes he turns 40 on the 17th. Still, when he gets on the front to drive the peloton young boys still cry for their mommy.

+100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[Strategy]

It is now being reported that Maxime Montfort, Jakob Fuglsang and Danielle Bennatti have all asked their agents/managers to find them a new team for 2012. Pretty telling, when you consider that they are officially among the riders who are "in" on the new team. According to HLN, they are pissed off at the way they have been treated by the team.

Mercedes - who are a sponsor with Leopard-Trek - have also sent out a press statement that makes it clear that 1) they were not told of the fusion prior to it happening and 2) they are not at all happy with their team suddenly becoming Radioshak - Nissan - Trek.

No news about Jens, unfortunately.

This post has been edited by Strategy: 07 September 2011 - 12:59 PM

[Strategy]

I'm really very dissappointed in Andy + Frank and Fabian in this situation. Given their complete silence about the merger + their position as the undisputed overall team captains of the new team, it seems obvious that they have had foreknowledge of this deal. One wonders how they have been able to look their teammates in the eyes for the past couple of weeks. But perhaps this is the real explanation for Andy's sudden toothache and Fabian's desire to go home to prepare for the world championship.

[wildeone]

i honestly hope they get the cold shoulder they deserve!

good for Montfort, Fulsang, and Bennatti! i don't blame them one bit... how can you ever trust this bunch again?

and i do hope Mercedes pulls out too.

this was done with such appalling sense of anything remotely close to integrity... the more i hear of it, the madder i get!

whilst i will always support the mighty Jens!!! wherever he lands, i will take a special joy in all failures of this team. as disgusting as the mass exodus from Saxo was last year, this is ten times worse.

(and i know this is a pipe dream, but i would love for Jens!!! to go back to Riis and help Contador crush these vermin )