[zosocane]

Per cyclingnews.com, TRS got the Giro treatment from the Vuelta, so no Vuelta. A team singularly built for grand tours (definitely not for one-day racing) will end up doing just one grand tour this season.

“We really wanted to ride the Vuelta but we weren’t invited,” RadioShack team spokesman Philippe Maertens told Cyclingnews from the Tour de Suisse. “The organisers said we didn’t have a strong team on a sporting level, that other teams are better. That’s strange because we wanted to send a very strong roster.”

Great, in September we get to watch stronger teams such as Pharma-Lotto and Bbox throw their best horses up the Altos de Covadonga.

 

[den bakker]

What is the Giro treatment? Radioshat has made every effort to let us know they never wanted to ride the giro. So of course they were not invited there.

 

[steve_e_f]

definitely a high profile snub. the cyclingnews article at least showed that it was a tough choice.

 

[moonmoth]

One can only guess that there was some hardball negotiations going on, such as "Commit to Armstrong riding" or else you're not in. Sounds like Leipheimer could have been a possible Vuelta rider but maybe RS wouldn't commit 100% to that, either.

This really sucks for Tiago Machado.

 

[Coolhand]

They still hold the Vuelta?

 

[TiBike]

Is Radio Shack, excuse me "The Shack", really going to have an interest in sponsoring a Pro Tour team after 2010? Maybe this is harsh but does a company that is trying to rebrand itself really want to be associated with a once champion in his twilight? Just sayin. And I like watching Lance ride.

 

[zosocane]

This really sucks for Tiago Machado.

It also sucks for Jani Brajkovic (who would likely have been a captain), Chechu Rubiera (who probably won't make the Tour team and this probably would have been his last GT, his home tour also), Levi Leipheimer (another likely Vuelta captain who still hasn't won a GT, now he won't in 2010, and he'll be, what, racing age 36 in 2011?) and Andreas Kloden (I would think Kloden would have done the Vuelta because he hasn't raced much in 2010).

No Tour of Missouri either. September is going to be a LONG month for TRS.

 

[mohair_chair]

I see this as a blessing. Who cares about the Vuelta? Now Radio Shack can dominate these other stage races going on at the same time.

Holland Ladies Tour
Tour de Slovaquie
Kroz Hrvatsku - Tour de Croatie
Tour of Marmara
Tour of Britain
Tour of Bulgaria
Tour de Hokkaido
Kroz Istru / Tour d'Istrie

Imagine the can of whoop-ass TRS could open on Ivaylo Gabrovski at the Tour of Bulgaria. Ivaylo won't even know what hit him.

 

[den bakker]

Assuming they recovered from Nevada city classics.

I see this as a blessing. Who cares about the Vuelta? Now Radio Shack can dominate these other stage races going on at the same time.

Holland Ladies Tour
Tour de Slovaquie
Kroz Hrvatsku - Tour de Croatie
Tour of Marmara
Tour of Britain
Tour of Bulgaria
Tour de Hokkaido
Kroz Istru / Tour d'Istrie

Imagine the can of whoop-ass TRS could open on Ivaylo Gabrovski at the Tour of Bulgaria. Ivaylo won't even know what hit him.

 

[neilg1]

Honestly? People saying who cares about the Vuelta? AKA a grand tour?
Are these the same folks who think the Tour of California is the pinnacle of cycling?
Jeez.....

 

[fab4]

Bruyneel actually submitted a strong roster with Levi, Kloden, Horner, and Jani. Four potential winners. Unipublic's reasoning of not good enough is mind boggling.

 

[fab4]

I guess Radioshack will be fielding a strong team at the US Pro Championship in Greenville, South Carolina.

 

[moonmoth]

No Tour of Missouri either. September is going to be a LONG month for TRS.

Probably their season is effectively over at the end of July after TdF, as far as stage racing goes. Yeah, there is Tour of Poland (August 1-7) I guess, and Tour of Denmark (August 4-8). One-day classics, too, like Paris-Tours, Lombardia, and San Sebastián that will appeal to some of the RS'ers. But I'm guessing Armstrong, Leipheimer, and Kloden will be MIA after TdF.

That proposed new Tour of Colorado can't come quick enough.

 

[Dan Gerous]

But I'm guessing Armstrong, Leipheimer, and Kloden will be MIA after TdF.

Aren't they always?

 

[moonmoth]

Aren't they always?

Armstrong, yes. Leipheimer made his name at the Vuelta and has a couple of podium finishes there. Klöden has started the Vuelta at least five times.

 

[Poppadaddio]

There You Go

I guess Radioshack will be fielding a strong team at the US Pro Championship in Greenville, South Carolina.

Strong team indeed. The New York Yankees of professional cycling.

 

[dave2pvd]

"No, we will not pay your $1M appearance fee".

 

[spookyload]

Maybe show some interest in the World Championships. Both TT and road race. Perhaps the US can field riders from TRS instead of Team Jelly Belly

 

[rikaguilera]

This is a big mistake on part of the organizers of the Vuelta. JB is already talking about starting a "Team's Union" to speak on part of "All" teams, their selections into races, and the race season structure. I see an organized group coming from this. Like or dislike The Shack, but they are good for cycling and promotion of the sport.

 

[Mel Erickson]

Bruyneel actually submitted a strong roster with Levi, Kloden, Horner, and Jani. Four potential winners. Unipublic's reasoning of not good enough is mind boggling.

Well, they're reasoning is quite apparent. After all, Radio Shack is "only" ranked #8 by the UCI.