Cervélo leave CSC, form TestTeam

[El Loto]

From cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/aug08/aug28news3

Rumors of a new Cervélo professional cycling team have been confirmed, at least in part, by a formal announcement by the Canadian bicycle manufacturer on Thursday. The Cervélo TestTeam represents a co-operation between bike industry leaders Cervélo, Zipp, Speedplay, Vittoria and 3T, who will use the squad as a proving ground for product development. Contrary to previous rumours, the team will not be led by Christian Henn, and will not be taking over much of the soon to be defunct Gerolsteiner team. Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen told Cyclingnews. "We will not take over half of the Gerolsteiner team as had been rumored and Christian Henn is not [being] considered for a position." The team will seek a Professional Continental license, but Vroomen said that the team's main goal will not be to get top results. "Currently pro cyclists are judged only by their racing results, which places a lot of pressure on them to perform," he said in a statement. "Race performance is only one component of Cervélo TestTeam. Our riders will also be involved in field-testing and providing technical feedback. In addition they will participate in activities with our customers, making them more accessible to cycling fans." This comment seems to run contrary to rumours that Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre will sign for the squad. The statement confirmed that the new Cervélo TestTeam will be managed by Cycling United Racing in Switzerland, the same company which runs the women's professional squad Cervélo-Lifeforce. The team is seeking a title sponsor in addition to the five companies, so the name may change before the 2009 season. The formation of this new squad represents a shift for Cervélo, who has sponsored the CSC team since the 2003 season. The company will no longer be a part of the Danish squad's service course. "We are proud to have played an important part in taking Team CSC from fourteenth to first in the team world ranking and in Carlos Sastre's Tour de France victory," said Vroomen. "It was the dedication to excellence by both the equipment sponsors and the team that made it happen. Most of all we appreciate the confidence Bjarne Riis had in us back in 2002 and thank him for these past six years. The financial realities of pro cycling today have caused a change in priorities for the team, and we respect that." It is still unclear who will fill Cervélo's shoes at CSC-Saxo Bank, although rumors suggest Specialized has submitted a substantial equipment sponsorship bid that extends far beyond just bicycles.

 

[Bro Deal]

What will happen to Scott? The Scott-American Beef team is now just the American Beef team. What a horrible name for a team. Is Scott pulling out so it can sponsor a new team or are they pulling out of the euro peloton completely?

 

[Powerful Pete]

I though Scott were going to sponsor Columbia?

Edit: ran across an article on bikeradar confirming this.

 

[whiteboytrash]

I though Scott were going to sponsor Columbia?

Edit: ran across an article on bikeradar confirming this.

Bjarne Riis has chosen Specialized Bicycles to be the official supplier of complete bikes and shoes to Riis Cycling/Team Saxo Bank for at least three years.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Bjarne Riis has chosen Specialized Bicycles to be the official supplier of complete bikes and shoes to Riis Cycling/Team Saxo Bank for at least three years.

"I chose Specialized based on our common vision, their excellent bikes and equipment, combined with their ability to develop future materials that will help us win," he added.

"For my team, the bikes and equipment must be perfect. During my visits to Specialized, I have met with the engineering team and ridden the materials personally. I am very impressed with Specialized bikes, equipment and the Specialized development process overall. I know we will push Specialized to constantly improve, and I know Specialized will make the materials that will help us win races," Riis said.