Specialized-lululemon Team Stories
by Jen See on Dec 19, 2011 3:47 PM EST
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PrintSo, as you maybe noticed, I was at the Specialized-lululemon women's team camp last week. Yes, it was pretty awesome. I have two stories up at Bicycling.com, a quick first look at the team. And, a second more complete story (with quotes!) about how the team came together and what they hare hoping to achieve in the coming season.
The sponsorship agreements for the team run for the next season, and Kristy, the team owner, said that the team very much started out as an Olympic year project. But she is also increasingly optimistic that the project may prove longer-lived than just next year. If so, that would be fab news for the team and the sport, more generally.
One thing I thought was especially interesting about being at the team camp. We talk a lot about the benefits of linking men's and women's teams together. The joint teams share sponsors, staff, and equipment, of course. But it was also cool to see a well-funded, top-level women's team that is really centered on the women. Certainly, as a writer, it meant I could devote my full attention to the women and not worry about chasing interviews around the men's roster, too.
Anyway, my conclusion? More like this. And I really hope they can keep it going beyond 2012.
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I saw that Lululemon
(or is that lululemon? Or LuLuLeMoN? ANd should there be an EDGE in there somewhere) were with BMC last year. Do you think there’s a chance of a linkup?
A link-up
between the women’s team and BMC? That would surprise me, really.
It’s lulu-lemon. Lemon, like the fruit. And they don’t cap the first letter, go figure.
~ Gavia ~
good people.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
not yet.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
not according to the DSM-5.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
I thought a restraining order counted as connected...
by JustJoshinYa on Dec 20, 2011 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
that order clearly says HTC-Highroad
not lululemon. Sui said i’m in the clear.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Wait, you're taking legal advice from Sui?
I’ll bring you a cake with a file in it on visiting day.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Oh dear
and now I’m going to pronounce it to rhyme with G-G-Groin injury
So you're saying you're tired of chasing men?
The boy will be relieved.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Link Up
Just because two completely separate professional cycling teams share a common sponsor doesn’t necessarily mean there would be the possibility of a link up. Don’t read too much into it.
I always thought it was funny that the HTC-Highroad men’s and women’s teams hardly spoke a word to each other – even at made-for-media events like the traditional Amgen Tour of California pre-race team press conference. The uneasiness between the female and male riders spoke volumes.
by Chief Commissaire on Dec 20, 2011 5:35 AM EST up reply actions
Well & even in men's cycling.
Garmin were one of Lampre’s sponsors last season, oddly.
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
And for a couple of other bits of good news re sponsorship
Honda signed up a second sponsor in Faren, and Italian chemical company, who actually shelled out enough Euro to get no 1 sponsor space.
And BePink announced a sponsorship deal with wheel maker Ambrosio.
Emilia fahlin is there
I am in! Go lulu-lemon!
Always attack as late as you possibly can, but before the others do. --Tim Krabbé, The Rider
Evie
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
and pictures?
That would’ve been a good question. “Evelyn, did you ever think you’d become a highly successful sport… hearthrob?”
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I really hope Specialized can harness the marketing potential this team has.
Of any bike company that might be able to, they have a great shot.
What would Deming do? (+8:00 GMT)
Oh, fabulous!
Thanks so much! So exciting, I can’t wait to see the team on the road!
Aka Pigeons!
by Sarah Connolly on Dec 20, 2011 11:47 AM EST reply actions
I'm kind of a bit immune to PR...
but having said that, I think they’ve done their launch, the training camp last week etc. really very well indeed. I like the sound of Kristy & I wish them lots of luck indeed. & if this team/set up can’t get a sponsor next year, then I really do despair.
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
Tend to agree
If Kristy, with her experience in the sport, and a roster like this one, if they can’t find a sponsor, I think you’re right it’s looking pretty grim.
~ Gavia ~
If you really want to write stories of little girls riding bikes
you should totally write a feature on Drew.
Trying to grease the wheels of popular opinion again Drew?
I'm not just a smartarse. Other parts of me are sometimes clever as well.
by omnevelnihil on Dec 21, 2011 8:05 AM EST up reply actions
Lululemon is a smartly run organization
Like you, I hope they can stick around. After piloting Charleston, Lululemon is opening a store here… we’re getting so hip.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
We have a store here too!
Which, is totally not really that surprising.
I so hope they’re in. And, if they decided to make cycling clothes? That might be pretty cool, too.
~ Gavia ~
I was surprised to see one here on the weekend though.
Goes to show what I know about yoga clothing.
I'm not just a smartarse. Other parts of me are sometimes clever as well.
by omnevelnihil on Dec 21, 2011 1:50 AM EST up reply actions
Santa is bringing me boatloads of their stuff
If they get into cycling gear, our new team (made up of me so far) will be all over it.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
lucky!
You have an excellent Santa.
I confess, I’m more of a Patagonia girl, myself. But I defo like the lulu clothes. The fabrics are super scrumptious.
~ Gavia ~
I can't get Patagonia 50% off... ;)
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
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