Lance Armstrong, RadioShack launch cycling team for 2010 Tour de France

Safin

Lance Armstrong is teaming up with RadioShack to form a new Tour de France cycling team next year, and it appears that the electronics retail chain may even sponsor the seven-time tour winner in other events outside of cycling.

"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," said a statement posted at the Web site of Armstrong's foundation.

Armstrong, 37, came out of retirement last fall to mount his current return to competitive cycling after retiring at the top of his sport in 2005. In the last four years, he has run marathons, raised money for anti-cancer campaigns, and fought against a flurry of accusations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career.

In a video statement disseminated through his Web site, Armstrong pointed out that cyclists rely on the kind of products that RadioShack sells at its outlets around the country.

"Technology is so important in what we do as a cycling team and now as a society, and I can't think of a better partner to help us progress the team," Armstrong said.

Press Release: http://ir.radioshackcorporation.com/...leaseID=398636

Armstrong's old friend and strategist Johan Bruyneel, indicated this week that he doesn't plan to stay with Astana next year. Bruyneel is expected to work with Armstrong on the new team.

This is gonna be one heck of team next year

I am alreayd waiting for 2010

Sudarshan_SMD

That was expected, which came through very good performace from Armstrong.

I want him to win.......He is just 'NEVER GIVE UP'.

What will be the team...possibly?
surel, conty will not be there.

Agnel

Does Radioshack have enough money to support him? I mean, what if they need a bailout?

Safin

Originally Posted by Sudarshan_SMD

That was expected, which came through very good performace from Armstrong.

I want him to win.......He is just 'NEVER GIVE UP'.

What will be the team...possibly?
surel, conty will not be there.

Conty i am not sure. He won't be with this team for very obvious reason that Lance would want to win himself

Astana is a no go for Conty also with Vino coming in next year.

Come to think of it, Conty is in for some team hunting

(Not that it will be tough

)

medpal

i know it since yesterday.

i follow live strong on twitter and they were the first ones to announce this team.

and the way vinokourov staged his press conference in monaco it was sure that conty would not like to be in Astana next year.

Contador is being chased by so many team, most ahead is Garmin - Slipstream

Contador for Garmin? Vaughters won't comment
By Agence France Presse
Published: Jul. 24, 2009

Garmin chief Jonathan Vaughters said Friday that while Tour de France leader Alberto Contador is a "fantastic rider," he would not confirm rumors his team was hoping to hire the Tour de France leader.

Contador, of Astana, has a virtually unassailable lead of 4min 11sec over second-placed Luxembourger Andy Schleck ahead of Saturday's 20th and penultimate stage to the summit of Mont Ventoux.

Two days before the end of the race a huge question mark is hanging over the future of the Astana team, whose leaders are Contador and seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.

A day after Armstrong announced the creation of a new team for 2010, Team RadioShack, rumors began circulating in Spain that the American team is looking to sign Contador.

Vaughters, a former professional racer with U.S. Postal and Credit Agricole, declined to comment on those rumors.

"Alberto Contador is an incredible rider and would be a fantastic rider to have on any team,” he said. “But negotiations with riders is not something that we would discuss."

Garmin has a strong reputation as a “clean” team, embracing a no-doping policy and requiring its riders to submit detailed medical backgrounds before negotiations could progress.

Coming a day after Contador dodged reporters' queries about his performances - following doubts expressed by former Tour de France winner Greg Lemond - Vaughters added that Contador, just as any other rider, would have to follow strict ethical rules before even being considered.

"Every single rider who has come to the team has had to release to us their health records including blood profiles and we go through them very thoroughly through independent analysis."

Garmin was said to be in the running to sign 2008 Tour winner Carlos Sastre before losing a bidding war with the new Cervélo team.

Source : VeloNews - The Journal of Competitive Cycling

medpal

this is what is lance armstrong is twitting right now after todays stage

Yo! I'm alive. Complete disorg @ the finish today. Just got my bags and phone. Sorry, twitterati.

St19 wasn't easy. Peloton was flying all day chasing a group of 20. Gradual but long climb b4 the finish blew it up. Cav made it over to win

Big day 2morrow... The "Giant of Provence" Mt. Ventoux. Know it well, we're old friends but haven't always gotten along. Two times 2nd. Ugh.