Piratello

Yesterday the UCI suspended Team Coast again because of massive financial and structural reasons.
This seems to mark the end of Ullrich´s new team.
2 months ahead of the Tour, Jan stands there without a team ?
If so, his comeback really is in danger.

georgesnatcher

Piratello, What are they saying in Germany about this? Is this finally the end of Coast or is Bianchi going to infuse more money?

Piratello

in fact, nobody knows yet. The News just popped up yesterday evening.
It seems more or less that this is the end of Team Coast and the only way to let Coast survive is Bianchi investing more money.
Bianchi´s lawyers now check out, what Bianchi can do to take over Coast. Also, the UCI said they might help out a little bit.
Meanwhile, Coast-Boss Dahms didn´t pay his riders and seems to be insolvent. So far, he didn´t meet the press until, no statements, no interviews.

Coast (especially Ullrich), quo vadis ?
What a shame for German pro cycling sports !

easyrider

Worst case scenario:

Ullrich leaves Coast and goes to CSC, as he should have in the first place, and the team leadership of Tyler Hamilton gets confused or threatened. As we have seen many times, a two-headed team in a Grand Tour quickly becomes an ugly mess. For that reason alone, I'm hoping Coast saves itself in time for the Tour.

bac

We only need look back @ the last GT - last year's Vuelta. I lost some serious respect for Aitor G, and gained some for Sevilla last year.

georgesnatcher

Will ASO even allow Coast to race in the Tour? I hope Ullrich does'nt go to CSC. Tyler is having such a great year that the inclusion of Ullrich can only hurt him. If they have the money, and Ullrich wants to stay in Germany, I think he would fit in fairly well at Gerolsteiner.

easyrider

Well, Coast is in the Tour as far as the early list of invitees goes. I think that if they get the bills paid and hang on to Ullrich they are in for sure.

stridercc

I would be terribly surprised if the offer is still standing from csc. I think people knew Tyler is a good bike racer, I just don't think they knew he was this good. I think that csc is to experienced to bring in a 2nd team leader, especially when their first one is doing so well.

-Matt-

lotek 

I believe that CSC has stated it won't take both
Ullrich and Rudy Pevanage, which was the main
sticking point last go round. Its also a topic
of discussion with a lot of teams. Jan yes, Rudy no
(even Telkom stated this position).
I don't think CSC will bite, I'm guessing Phonak
or maybe quickstep.

Just my $.02 worth
Marty

roadbuzz

Hmm. Quickstep w/Ullrich. Personality-wise, it feels a little strange, but it seems like it would round out their program nicely.

Piratello

Seems to be mysterious now...
Bianchi promised billions of € and didn´t pay anything yet. A few days ago Pevenage founded a company to run the managing business.
Bianchi now announced they got a new German co-sponsor and will take over Team Coast, naming it "Bianchi-...". But if they do change the organisation, Ullrich might get problems starting the Tour.
Alternatives are Quickstep and Telekom again (!). Godefrot said, the door to the TDF with Telekom is still open for Jan.
Gets interesting...