Specialized dump Quickstep

Looks like Tommeke's antics / the prospect of the Accountantriding their bikes was too much for Specialzed so they're dumping Quickstep (who are now likely to become even more Belgian and ride Merckx bikes)

So guess that means Specialized think their bucks are best spent on sponsoring big GT teams - Saxo and Astana - which I suppose makes sense given I guess the US is their prime market and so they'll get most exposure from le Tour

about 2 years ago thebongolian 19 comments 0 recs |

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This explains why Eddy knew something about Contador and Specialized.

For Eddy Merckx bicycles it will be a big deal, I bet he can’t wait to get that first victory in a cobbled classic.

"Drawing on my fine command of language I said nothing."- Groucho

by Mark Frank on Nov 20, 2009 7:13 AM EST reply actions

Juicy detail

Boonen Sr works for Specialized.

by tedvdw on Nov 20, 2009 7:39 AM EST reply actions

So he does...I'd forgotten that!

I’m not that keen on Merckx bikes…meh.

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 20, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions

The real problem here is...

…no TT bike as far as I can see.

by Ed K on Nov 20, 2009 8:15 AM EST reply actions

you don't need a TT rig for RVV or P-R

so what’s the problem?!

by thebongolian on Nov 20, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions

You might want to keep your protour status...

…by being a credible team outside of those races.

by Ed K on Nov 20, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

It's a problem

if Boonen is going to try and become a TT specialist. Oye, I wonder what Tommeke thinks about this.

by cyclingdiva on Nov 20, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

Yep

and it doesn’t seem like a high-tech company that will be able to develop something useful from scratch, in a few months.

by tedvdw on Nov 20, 2009 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

OTOH

If they don’t even have a crappy model (that no selfrespecting pro would ride anyway) they probably aren’t so fuzzy about the team riding re-branded bikes from another producer?

It’s worse like in the case of Scott where they market a TT rig but Columbia riders shun it.

by Jens on Nov 20, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions