[Rashadabd]

Trek acquires RadioShack-Leopard for 2014 season

 

[The Tedinator]

Welp, add another $500 to an already overpriced bike.

 

[Rashadabd]

Welp, add another $500 to an already overpriced bike.

You certainly could be right. They will be taking their lessons from BMC and Cannondale. It kind of makes sense for bike manufacturers to be the primary sponsors for cycling teams though since they have the most to lose or gain from the growth or success that pro cycling has or doesn't have.

 

[LostViking]

Suspect some Vacans riders will find a new home here - those Bianchi colored Treks won't fool anybody though!

 

[Rashadabd]

Suspect some Vacans riders will find a new home here - those Bianchi colored Treks won't fool anybody though!

We'll see. It's an American sponsor now though, so you can expect them to try to land some more Americsn talent and racers from other places their bikes sell well. They also will be in search of a new big time GC guy since Andy really isn't producing anymore.

 

[LostViking]

Seems like most of the American talent is spoken for on other teams - Westra (Dutch) and DeGendt (Belgian) come from countries where lots of bikes are sold - just sayin'

Also, I suspect winning races will trump nationality here. I see a very international team with perhaps a Columbian replacing a Luxembourger in Grand Tours and a Swiss as Classics Captain.

 

[Rashadabd]

Their team will definitely stay diverse, but I think they will seek out a few Americans if they can find/steal them. Remember, this is the house that Lance built and if they can get their hands on a Dombrowski, Tejay or Talansky, when their contracts are up, they will likely overpay to do so. Fabian will remain Classics leader as long as they can keep him. There have even been rumors of a merger with Swiss team I AM (a team he has been rumored to be interested in possibly joining).

 

[AdamM]

I'd think the team will pursue Porte or Uran.

 

[LostViking]

Their team will definitely stay diverse, but I think they will seek out a few Americans if they can find/steal them. Remember, this is the house that Lance built and if they can get their hands on a Dombrowski, Tejay or Talansky, when their contracts are up, they will likely overpay to do so. Fabian will remain Classics leader as long as they can keep him. There have even been rumors of a merger with Swiss team I AM (a team he has been rumored to be interested in possibly joining).

They would have to pay top dollar for van Garderen, but could very well run away with Joe or Andrew at some point as you suggest. The IAM cycling aspect could prove interesting in the future - but I suspect Fabian will want to stay with Trek as long as they build a team that can support him in the Spring and keep paying him well. Trek's media profile is also a great plus - except for the Armstrong association that they poured big bucks into building and is now a big negative for Trek's image.

 

[LostViking]

I'd think the team will pursue Porte or Uran.

And would be wise to do so - both if they can get them away from Sky.

 

[LostViking]

Welp, add another $500 to an already overpriced bike.

LOL - C'mon, Trek makes good bikes...don't they?

 

[CabDoctor]

LOL - C'mon, china makes good bikes...don't they?

Yes, yes they do

 

[ToffieBoi]

Suspect some Vacans riders will find a new home here - those Bianchi colored Treks won't fool anybody though!

Does anyone know the reason, why they have that stupid color? When I saw them the first time, I said "if Bianchi were Apple, they would sue Trek for sure"

 

[Richard]

Yes, yes they do

Yes, and I can sell you an American made Project One Madone with full Ultegra for less than some shops want for a Chinese made Cervelo frameset.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

Westra (Dutch) and DeGendt (Belgian) come from countries where lots of bikes are sold - just sayin'

But people there have little interest in the bikes Trek makes. They want Gazelle, Workcycles, Azor, Velorbis, etc.