RadioShack and Lance to Form New Cycling Team in 2010
by gregm on Jul 23, 2009 12:57 PM EDT
115 comments
Video announcement from Lance.
"To be able to compete for an American team comprised of the world’s top cyclists, supported by the best coaches and staff — I couldn’t be happier to partner with RadioShack, a truly iconic American brand."
From VeloNews:
RadioShack Corporation will form an American ProTour team, and, beginning next year, Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack "as a cyclist, runner and triathlete," the company announced in a press release.
Google news search on "armstrong radioshack."
RadioShack sells Garmin!!
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didn't they hear that radios are banned in the TdF ?? !!
by peterfish on Jul 23, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
did i see correctly that they will be a pro tour team?
by gavia on Jul 23, 2009 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
saw that too
that’s somewhat presumptuous to assume that they’re getting a PT license IMO … wasn’t the deadline for applications a few days ago or something (remember reading something about the Sky application going in just in time)? if so and they’ve already applied for PT status, means they’ve been planning this for a while… (or I could be wrong and they still have lots of time to apply for PT status)
by guidemd on Jul 23, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This will have been in the works for months now...
… no way a corporate sponsor signs on the dotted line in a few weeks time. Also, I doubt that someone as rightly knowledgeable about the sport and it’s politics as JB and LA would allow a single thing to slip through the cracks…
Oh… that’s also the group that signed Basso to Discovery :D
Respect the Shit List; it respects you.
by crashdan on Jul 23, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What the hey...
When is Basso’s suspension over? Ethics101
by RoadRash911 on Jul 23, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Already is
unless he’s been suspended again and I missed it somehow
by Le Comte on Jul 23, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, the deadline was 3 days ago
And UCI will announce the licenses in September. 5 licenses expires this year, but it’s possible that more than 5 teams are interested in a license.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Jul 23, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a little known fact that the managing partner
will be Michael Ball . . . (snark!)
by R Mc on Jul 23, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McQuaid
thinks that’s somewhat presumptuous also
http://www.ciclonews.it/news_scheda.php?id=18353
by lucybears on Jul 24, 2009 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NY Times article
by Juliet Macur says that the team does not yet have a pro tour license.
by gavia on Jul 24, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
75 75 75 75 75 75...
ahahahahahahahahaha!!! What happened to talking about one’s favorite way of preparing hot dogs?
Respect the Shit List; it respects you.
by crashdan on Jul 23, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
uh oh
I zapped that thinking it had to do with word count.. was that a Radio Slack joke??
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris... on Jul 23, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No... I think it was the way he built the fanpost up to the 75 word minimum....
… I had forgotten all about that since I have blog superpowers.
Respect the Shit List; it respects you.
by crashdan on Jul 23, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, that's it
I later added some additional text, which made the filler unnecessary. Thanks, Chris!
by gregm on Jul 23, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since when is Radio Shack an "iconic" American brand...
It almost feels as if I am in Bizarro-world
by Vlaanderen90 on Jul 23, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
big confusion about Radio Shack in Canada last few years...
the Canadian division was sold off, bought by Circuit City but some sort of lawsuit so then they couldn’t use the Radio Shack name and all the stores got switched to “The Source by Circuit City”. Except then with Circuit City’s bankruptcy the stores were bought by someone else (?Bell). and along the way, Radio Shack tried to re-open separate stores in Canada but I’m not sure that actually worked as I can’t recall actually seeing a Radio Shack store anywhere here recently…
by guidemd on Jul 23, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
big confusion about Radio Shack in the USA too
As in why would I ever step foot in the place?
by ursula on Jul 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To buy an adapter cord for your Ipod to Stereo.
Or other random electrical crap.
by brunopitton on Jul 23, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strobe lights
and alkaline batteries, and phone cords, and fuses, and project boxes?… the place is geek heaven. Makes perfect sense to me. Cyclists are geeks, and geeks love radio shack, so they have a huge untapped geek pool to pull into cycling…
by Jimbo... on Jul 23, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was waiting to come across someone who might
buy my Vex Robotics kits . . .
by Sui Juris on Jul 23, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm watching you, Gimp
Seriously. I’m watching you. Right now. So stop doing that…
by Jimbo... on Jul 23, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Remote controlled cars
I have 14 of them from RadioShack. All broken.
by roadrash on Jul 23, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
apparently, they’re hoping to change your mind about that ;-)
by gavia on Jul 23, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
calls to mind this awesome Onion article:
by plinytheelder on Jul 23, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wonderful!
Thanks link.
Is Mervyn’s gonna co-sponsor as rumored?
by thisisntthezodiac on Jul 23, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is a bizarre article. Why would a company CEO say that stuff?
by ZoeRochelle on Jul 24, 2009 4:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because it's The Onion?
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2009 4:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK. I feel dumb. I didn't even look at the url. Sheesh. Yes yes. I know what The Onion is.
by ZoeRochelle on Jul 25, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh...
Rereading my comment makes me think that it sound harsh, and that was not intended. I’m sorry for that.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Jul 26, 2009 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it’s actually a joke paper, check out their current front page about how they sold the paper to the Chinese, classic comedy right there
by plinytheelder on Jul 24, 2009 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
check the sports section
NASCAR: Why Is It Not Done On Thousands Of Bicycles?
Dude, I can see my house from here
by shades on Jul 26, 2009 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, ZR . . .
what a wonderful world awaits you.
by Sui Juris on Jul 24, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, to be young and naive again
and discover the Onion all anew.
by tedvdw on Jul 24, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they meant
ubiquitous.
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris... on Jul 23, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's all coming clear now
This is why Lance & co have been slagging on Garmin this week. RSLS would never have chased down a fellow American, cause it’s a real all-American team.
"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten
by Hons on Jul 23, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
...but RadioShack sells Garmin products! Haha!
by gregm on Jul 23, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
do they sell CSC’s too?
"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten
by Hons on Jul 23, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey folks
I can understand the joking humor and slagging here really, I’m a fun loving kind of gal! I’m just wondering how people are missing how awesome this is, to have another American based (Hopefully Pro) cycling team.
Regardless of your opinion of Lance and Johan Bruyneel, this is a good thing, isn’t it?
Go Lance!
by bethie on Jul 23, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1 million
(I’ve never done the + whatever thing before).
I’m a bike fitter, so this is the best news I could possibly receive. My disdain for LA and JB aside, they are good for my business. I hope they help Trek sell a trillion Madones that don’t quite fit people (well, at least in the San Diego area) :-)
by The Team Chef on Jul 23, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if this will lead to some movement on the...
…annoying UCI rule about NC races being unavailable to ProConti and higher teams in the US? It makes all kinds of sense in Europe, and absolutely none whatsoever in the US, Canada, and other non-european countries with more limited domestic calendars.
Also, where the hell are LA, JB & Co going to find enough high level riders to fully staff a ProTour team? One wonders just how much of Astana the think they’re bringing along. Contract issues anyone? Or perhaps they think they are taking the PT license with them?
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure they will probably try to bring up a few of those kids from the U25 team (Trek-Livestrong) though I do not think any of them are ready for that level at all...
They are going to probably take as many riders off of the domestic circuit that they can and then they will bring guys over from Astana and then some from any other team that might be moving down or folding…
by Vlaanderen90 on Jul 23, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Looks like they are trying to pull a Felt-Garmin/Rabobank: development + proteam all in one. Makes sense. And as long as they feel enough external pressure to play the “drug-free atmosphere from juniors up” card. PR wrangling aside…i’d be all for another act like that.
"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten
by Hons on Jul 23, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and as long as Radio Shack sticks around after Armstrong retires
I haven’t been following very closely, perhaps they’ve made a long committment.
by plinytheelder on Jul 23, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree on that score....
…I just hope they don’t poach the living shit out of everyone else’s development squads, especially that involves prematurely bringing riders along to make numbers. You may be right about saving the tushy of a few guys who’d be out of work otherwise, but the real question is whether all of this is going to be enough to make them competitive.
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Taylor Phinney thing immediately springs to mind, I'm afraid...
by civetta on Jul 23, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn't it just...
…and the degree of predictable adolescent hero worship coming from Taylor re: Lance just upsets me. There is no way that’s a healthy attitude. Mentors should surely be trusted and listened to and confided in, but not, I think, idolized.
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More the pinching of young riders from other teams for me.
We all pick our own heros & not necessarily wisely, but if people have put time & effort into developing young riders, & then some other team comes along & buys them up (or they perceive that team to be more glamorous, potentially successful etc.), rather in the manner in which the top football clubs go round hoovering up promising young players from lower league clubs, well…
by civetta on Jul 23, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Part of it is the market.
The young riders absolutely should be able to maximize their value, and I sure as hell don’t want them to end up in some sort of indentured servitude to a farm club. That’s no good. So offering guys opportunities they might not get within they system where they currently are, say b/c there just aren’t spots for all the good junior riders on the senior team, isn’t inherently bad at all.
That said, poaching Phinney seemed ugh. I wonder whether he wasn’t getting quite the support, given his focus on the track, from Felt/VMG as Trek/Livestrong promised. That’s an impression one could get. But he also got one of the super hot prototype felt track bikes, and most of the rest of the senior US team didn’t rate those, so I really don’t freaking know what happened there.
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Truth in that.
But in football, for instance, quite a few top clubs pay lip service to the idea of a youth academy & then fill it up with talented 16/17 year olds nicked from elsewhere. When it comes to the senior side ( & admittedly unlike in cycling, there are no limits on the number of players to a squad), you get the most powerful clubs essentially hoovering up players not because they really want or need them but so that no one else can have them. Players are happy to go along with this because none of them want to think that they’ll be the one sitting on the bench just collecting the cheque all season. When I look at, say, the concentration of talent on Columbia, it reminds me a bit of that. Not that I’m saying it was intentional on their part, but it does seem quite a few of their riders will be upping sticks at the end of the season…
by civetta on Jul 23, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
indeed
though who is on it?
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris... on Jul 23, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm happy about a new American team and that there is a new sponsor.
and retain the right to hold judgment on how satisfying this is until I see how it plays out.
Did I miss it or was there any information on how long the sponsorship is for? Is it only for the 2010 Lance team?
by ZoeRochelle on Jul 23, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If so they're going to have a hell of a time recruiting...
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lance says its for many years to come but you never know what radio shack will do
by adammoney on Jul 23, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seems like they're saying that Lance is going to be
a cyclist, runner, and triathlete for them, so maybe he will continue the team somehow in that way even after he’s done with pro cycling?
by tricycle on Jul 23, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It makes sense, as popular as triathlon has become in the States.
In fact, I’d imagine that RadioShack is probably looking at more revenues from the ancillary streams than it is from the strictly “cycling” portion of the team. Also, Lance’s age is actually a benefit for that because, bottom line, he inspires older professionals (like me) to get back into our respective sports and continue to compete—at whatever level we can. And it’s the older professionals that have the money to buy all the super-expensive gear.
As for recruiting, I’d imagine that they already have a pretty good idea of who they’ll have on the team. They probably had that worked out a month ago. These guys are two organized for any other result.
Wait ‘til they announce that Andy Potts is also on the team… or something like that. Clearly, it’s a broader brush approach, and I’d imagine it’s a MUCH larger level of funding to achieve the effect, at least initially. If it shows results, then that’s good. if not, well, that’s when you’d see the one-season-and-done team next year.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
by DannoE on Jul 23, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good point re: triathalon
It’s getting really popular here too, & it is often “older” returnees to sport who get involved. My brother, who was a really good runner & swimmer when he was younger, has just started to do a bit…
by civetta on Jul 23, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, when you're in your later 30's or so...
…you just can’t keep up with the kids in the primary events. I mean, I can’t put in the time to even get close to keeping up with them. But I can do multi-sport and significantly cut down their advantage because 1) endurance seems to improve (some) with age, and 2) I have a lot more experience with a lot more kinds of sport than I did when I was in HS and college.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
by DannoE on Jul 24, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm "Team Radio Shack"... TRS...
TRS-80!!!!!!!!
Respect the Shit List; it respects you.
by crashdan on Jul 23, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shit I had a boyfriend who had one of those
Go Lance!
by bethie on Jul 23, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I had one of those!
Most of the kids I knew who had one of those, well, didn’t have girlfriends. :P
My fave app was a “graphical” (really text characters floating around) space game that used fake writes to the cassette(!) tape drive for sound. You put an AM radio next to the computer, and the fake tape writes made sound effects. It was so awesome!!! Sound from a computer!!!
by gregm on Jul 23, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
guy I went to hs with wrote programs for the local bank on a trs80
paid cash for his first car . . .
went to work for ms straight out of college.
filthy rich.
by R Mc on Jul 23, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anybody know the contract lengths for the astana riders? If Astana stays alive, how
are they going to bring riders over? Bert has 1 more year, so maybe theyll bring him over after Lance rides 2010 on his own? I assume they want Horner and Levi. Chechu is a lock if he still wants to ride. I wish there was more info about team budgets and rider contracts.
by Cycho on Jul 23, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
JUst read that JBs company holds the Astana contracts and can take the riders to a different team?
doesnt make sense to me?
by Cycho on Jul 23, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I think that's right.
The Kazakhs have the licence & JB’s company has the rider contracts. The interesting question would then be what are the terms of JB’s contract with the Kazakhs?
by civetta on Jul 23, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh Christ, so...
…lordy lordy. Radio Shack could essentially be Astana, with Astana having to start from scratch. Here Vino, it’s all yours. Enjoy it.
Oh that’s actually kinda funny… in a slimy underhanded sort of way.
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah silly me I'd assumed he was going to have to recruit a team...
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
by Ed K on Jul 23, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if i remember correctly, there's a clause in the riders's contracts that if jb leaves astana for another team, the the riders's contracts are null and void
or, i believe at least conta’s is…
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
by umwolverine on Jul 24, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, he still could still drag Bert witrh him to Radio Shack?
that will surely not happen, but dear god that would suck!
Vamos Alberto!!!(Contador not Ricco)
by Phil H. on Jul 23, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
suck indeed!
no…I’m hoping that he’s soooo in love with LA he’ll just let Bert go.
by rbjhan on Jul 24, 2009 5:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a very hard time
conceiving of any minimally-lawyered deal that would give him the power to do that. I suspect everything just gets voided (with some ridiculous and interminable attempt to prove that the JB-Astana split was for cause, in the background).
by Sui Juris on Jul 23, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Send it to the Hague; if that fails, hello United Nations?
Mon coeur appartient aux les forçats de la route.
by Josenka on Jul 23, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep
there must be some contractual agreement between the Kazakhs & JB
by civetta on Jul 24, 2009 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Problem is enforcement.
In Kazakstan, no less. A few palms crossed with silver can make all the problems disappear.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
by DannoE on Jul 24, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, those contracts aren't
under Kazakh law. Be sure of that.
by Sui Juris on Jul 24, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm imagining my reaction to a Kazakhstan choice of law clause
1. Coffee on keyboard
2. Pull out red pen . . .
by Softie on Jul 24, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JB's twitter today
Every choice you make has an end result.
what do y’all suppose that’s supposed to mean?
by Le Comte on Jul 23, 2009 10:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he saw that I unfollowed @lancearmstrong?
1.5M minus 1, baby. HA!
by gregm on Jul 24, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
indirect in your face
to Kazakh federation?
by Cycho on Jul 24, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
means about the same as his previous tweet:
It is easy to sit up and take notice, what is difficult is getting up and taking action.
by plinytheelder on Jul 24, 2009 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fortune cookie wisdom
Wonder what his lottery numbers are?
by Jimbo... on Jul 24, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
someone here referred to Bruyneel as owning a “platitude generator,” that was a good line, I think that was Gavia actually
by plinytheelder on Jul 24, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A Team Radio Shack nickname?
I haven’t seen any good attempts yet à la Sexy Bank or Disco, etc
It seems a difficult name to have fun with
sometimes life is a false flat
by Willj on Jul 24, 2009 3:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
there’s some B-52s angle but…ah maybe too predictable
by plinytheelder on Jul 24, 2009 4:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TRaSh
If Jens! Voigt was a planet, he' be the "World of Hurt"
by flying dog on Jul 24, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BATTERY OF THE MONTH CLUB!!!!!!!
Interesting news. Back in the day when I was getting my free 9 volts we called it Rat Shack.
Team Rat Shack. Nice ring, no?
by tshawytcha on Jul 24, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The setting: TdF, 2010
French cycling authorities: Welcome to the Tour, Team RadioShack.
Lance: Thank you.
French cycling authorities: We understand that RadioShack is a company involved with, how you say, the technologies.
Lance: Why yes, RadioShack is a source of electronic consumer goods for 30 million customers a year, and did you know it has 35,000 employees…
French cycling authorities: Pee into the cup, please.
Lance: What? No, you don’t understand. RadioShack sells gadgets, not drugs. It has nothing to do with…
French cycling authorities: Pee into the cup, Monsieur Armstrong. S’il vous plait.
Lance: Can I have some privacy please?
French cycling authorities: Non! We need to make sure it is your pee, not some fake technology pee. Merci, and welcome to the Tour.
What's another word for Thesaurus?
by roadrash on Jul 24, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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