"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - UK National Team for TDF? And thoughts about team identity

Perhaps of interest to some - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7475579.stm
An interview with a fellow from British Cycling who hopes to put together an all-British TDF team for 2010.

What I found more interesting than talk of this idea in particular were comments regarding the lack of cohesive team brand identity that comes with revolving sponsors - a very valid point, I think - whereas in other sports you have an identifiable team whose sponsorship may change, cycling lacks that long-term team identity.

Didn't the Tour start off with National teams?

Didn't the Tour start off with National teams?

nope, that came later.

Perhaps of interest to some - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7475579.stm
An interview with a fellow from British Cycling who hopes to put together an all-British TDF team for 2010.

What I found more interesting than talk of this idea in particular were comments regarding the lack of cohesive team brand identity that comes with revolving sponsors - a very valid point, I think - whereas in other sports you have an identifiable team whose sponsorship may change, cycling lacks that long-term team identity.


This happened somewhat before...in '87, although there was a couple of aussie's in there too.

ANC-Halfords tore up the Brittish circuit winning anything and everything and gained a wildcard spot on the tour. They got beat up and spat out one by one, finished with only 4 riders. The only tour talent was Malcolm Elliot, he managed one third place behind Davis Phinney.

Hopefully 2010 will not be a repeat.

nope, that came later.

ah, thought I remembered them trying that sometime.

ah, thought I remembered them trying that sometime.

1930-61, the again in '67 and '68.

I like the idea. We'll see how it pans out. Euskaltel is a similar team. It's basically a Basque pro-nat team, which is the kind of think Brailsford is talking about.

I like the idea. We'll see how it pans out. Euskaltel is a similar team. It's basically a Basque pro-nat team, which is the kind of think Brailsford is talking about.

basically.

Hopefully 2010 will not be a repeat.

Cavendish, Millar and Wiggins would be a solid start.

Cavendish, Millar and Wiggins would be a solid start.

umm... millar is, at this point, already flirting with hasbeen status.

umm... millar is, at this point, already flirting with hasbeen status.

Eh, good point. He's not useless though. His experience and natural talent would make him valuable to younger guys on the team. I could be totally off base on this one, but really, he's only 31. 33 is hardly too old.

The Aussies are thinking of doing this as well.

The Aussie team is supposed to be up and running next year.

As for the poms, I can guarantee that the sponsor won't be a soap manufactuerer

Doesn't Millar have a stake in the ownership of Team slipstream? Doubt he'd leave that...

Alright, well f**k Millar then :D

Cavendish and Wiggins are plenty. Just need a Brit climber...

Alright, well f**k Millar then :D

Cavendish and Wiggins are plenty. Just need a Brit climber...

don't hold your breath.

Not sure Millar would get a berth. Not everyone is happy with him. Cycling Weekly had some bile filled letters pages a while back. Maybe things have changed.

Lot's of good talent coming through. Who knows if we'll get a climber (well, a male climber. Emma Pooley is a very good climber).