Professional Cycling For the Fans - Team RadioShack finalizes 2010 roster

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/team-radioshack-finalizes-2010-roster



Team RadioShack roster for 2010

Lance Armstrong (USA)
Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn)
Sam Bewley (NZl)
Jani Brajkovic (Slo)
Matthew Busche (USA)
Ben Hermans (Bel)
Chris Horner (USA)
Daryl Impey (RSA)
Markel Irizar (Spa)
Andreas Klöden (Ger)
Levi Leipheimer (USA)
Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra)
Fuyu Li (Chn)
Tiago Machado (Por)
Jason McCartney (USA)
Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz)
Sérgio Paulinho (Por)
Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
Gregory Rast (Swi)
Sébastien Rosseler (Bel)
Ivan Rovny (Rus)
José Luis Rubiera (Spa)
Bjorn Selander (USA)
Gert Steegmans (Bel)
Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu)
Haimar Zubeldia (Spa)
Management

Johan Bruyneel (Bel) - Sports manager
Dirk Demol (Bel) - Sports director
Alain Gallopin (Fra) - Sports director
Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) - Sports director
José Azevedo (Por) - Sports director

There's confusion over Beppu. Skil-Shimano says his contract with them still has a year to go, but TRS has confirmed that he's signed with them. But if he goes to TRS, I doubt he can make the TdF squad.

I'm surprised that the two Spaniards on Astana (Rubeira and Zubeldia) joined TRS instead of staying with Contador and Astana. Won't be surprised if the TRS squad for TdF 2010 will be exactly the same as Astana 2009, just without Contador.

Rubeira has always ridden for Lance. Zubeldia prefers riding for Bruyneel than staying with Astana.

Lot of good talent there, not just a bunch of domestiques for Lance. But no mistake, there are plenty of domestiques to take care of Lance. And Leipheimer. And Kloden.

Considering the uncertainty around Astana paying riders and getting their paperwork and licensing in order, I'm amazed that ANY riders have stayed with Astana.

The inclusion of Steegmans was a bit weird? He is a pure sprinter and classics rider isn't he? Does that he most likely won't feature in the TdF for TRS?

TdF squad prediction:

Lance Armstrong (USA)
Jani Brajkovic (Slo)
Chris Horner (USA)
Andreas Klöden (Ger)
Levi Leipheimer (USA)
Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
Gregory Rast (Swi)
José Luis Rubiera (Spa)
Haimar Zubeldia (Spa)


Say, wasn't Muravyev the "designated Kazahk" this year? I guess he wasn't that bad since TRS hired him. Interesting that he didn't stay with Astana...

I'm surprised that the two Spaniards on Astana (Rubeira and Zubeldia) joined TRS instead of staying with Contador and Astana.
I never got the feeling they were in AC's camp at all. In fact, I'm not sure AC had a camp at Astana, and I see nothing to indicate it will be any different next year. Without the Armstrong spotlight it won't be so loud, but don't be surprised to hear the came type of kvetching all over again.


Won't be surprised if the TRS squad for TdF 2010 will be exactly the same as Astana 2009, just without Contador.
Me neither, though Muravyev is a question mark.

I like your squad prediction but think at least a couple of them won't make the Tour, for various reasons. Kloden may be the GC for the Giro, as Leipheimer and Armstrong will most likely ride the Tour of California. All three will probably split up for the Tour de Swiss, Tour du Romandie and Dauphine Liberere. I could see Paulinho, Vaitkus, Muravyev also making the squad for the TdF.

Steegmans is the obvious choice for the Classics; he should be leading the team in the Spring. I'd like to see more out of this team in the Classics; Bruyneel teams in the past have always focused on stage races.

I wish Contador good luck next year. Even as talented as he is, he'll need all the help he can get. I predict Astana's ability to protect Contador will be severely tested. Hopefully, Contador will keep his wits and not make mistakes.

TdF squad prediction:

Lance Armstrong (USA)
Jani Brajkovic (Slo)
Chris Horner (USA)
Andreas Klöden (Ger)
Levi Leipheimer (USA)
Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
Gregory Rast (Swi)
José Luis Rubiera (Spa)
Haimar Zubeldia (Spa)


Say, wasn't Muravyev the "designated Kazahk" this year? I guess he wasn't that bad since TRS hired him. Interesting that he didn't stay with Astana...

I predict Astana's ability to protect Contador will be severely tested. Hopefully, Contador will keep his wits and not make mistakes.

Somewhere in Luxembourg two brothers have smiles on their faces. Contador with a weak team and a strong team with a lead rider they know they can beat in the mountains. I'm guessing the time trial bike is getting a lot of miles this winter.

TdF squad prediction:

Lance Armstrong (USA)
Jani Brajkovic (Slo)
Chris Horner (USA)
Andreas Klöden (Ger)
Levi Leipheimer (USA)
Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
Gregory Rast (Swi)
José Luis Rubiera (Spa)
Haimar Zubeldia (Spa)
...

Jeebus. What's the average age of this retirement home?

Jeebus. What's the average age of this retirement home?

:D You half wonder if they tried to talk Ekimov into racing instead of riding in the team car!

Oscar Pereiro says he is joining TRS in 2010.

Edit: Cyclingnews says he's joining Astana to help Contador instead.

:D You half wonder if they tried to talk Ekimov into racing instead of riding in the team car!

I heard they called up Phil Anderson but he turned them down.

New kit? http://www.examiner.com/x-1155-Cycling-Examiner~y2009m11d25-Team-RadioShacks-inaugural-kit

I predict Astana's ability to protect Contador will be severely tested. Hopefully, Contador will keep his wits and not make mistakes.

I predict the 2010 TdF will be a great learning experience for Contador, especially in regards to humility. ;)

I predict the 2010 TdF will be a great learning experience for Contador, especially in regards to humility. ;)
he's got Peirero to help him though .... the only recotnizable rider if Vinikourov isn;t racing!

I predict the 2010 TdF will be a great learning experience for Contador, especially in regards to humility. ;)

Unless there is a rider out there that can out TT or climb better than AC, you're dreaming. Teams are important, but I think it gets way overplayed. Separation is made on the big mountain top finishes and the TT. AC was clearly the dominant climber and TT'er, the individual disciplines that separate the great riders. With no TTT, the importance of a great overall team is even more diminushed. AC needs a decent team, but he doesn't need the strongest team because he is clearly the strongest rider.

Maybe, we'll see. My point wasn't necessarily that he's not going to win, but I would be very surprised if it won't be even harder for him than this year.

I think he's going to be more motivated than ever. I can see him attacking early on the big climbs. Building a big lead early and then marking any rival who tries a breakaway and going up the Col du Tourmalet. That's before he puts a nail in the coffin in the ITT. Its possible that Andy Schleck will improve to challenge on the climbs, but AC is also still a pretty young rider with upside to come. Assuming AC rides as well or is better than this year, the TdF will be a larger margin of victory for him next year. It is possible that a team like Columbia could blow apart the peloton on a flat stage again, but its hard to believe that AC would be caught in the mid-pack again. Even then he overcame that loss of time. Given no crashes or circumstances out of his control it is difficult to objectively predict that AC won't win again next year.

Jeebus. What's the average age of this retirement home?

ain't no lie. with the exception of brajkovic, that might be the oldest (on average) team ever.
maybe they can buy out inigo cuesta's contract, add him and put the record out of reach.
gotta believe that with their history of injuries, either horner or leipheimer or kloden will
be unavailable for the tdf. would like to see vaitkus on the roster. rast did a nice, unsung job for astana
last year.

i'm hoping that bruyneel will let brajkovic ride the giro or vuelta and let him be the protected rider.
after his "arrival" in the vuelta a couple of years back, he's been kinda quiet but with armstrong,
kloden, zubeldia, leipheimer et al, there's not many crumbs left. since jani's shelving, some other
young riders have emerged (ebh, lovkquist (sp?), tony martin, andy schleck, the liquigas duo...).
here's hoping he jumps back into the frame with a vengeance.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/432683/sky-vs-radioshack-battle-of-the-new-superteams.html

Based on this article, TRS' average age is 28.8 - not That old.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/432683/sky-vs-radioshack-battle-of-the-new-superteams.html

Based on this article, TRS' average age is 28.8 - not That old.

Yeah, but you know they're commenting about the top guns on TRS. That average age is dragged down by some guys that won't be near the TdF roster.

Outside of the Tour of California, I don't see to many wins for TRS. Built for trying to challenge in the TdF, but realistically the top brass are podium fillers at best. Steegmans will be very hard pressed to win a stage with the Columbia boys out there. TRS probably won't be going all out for the Classics either. I wonder who they'll send to the Giro, although I see one of the Liquigas boys winning it in 2010.

Yeah, but you know they're commenting about the top guns on TRS. That average age is dragged down by some guys that won't be near the TdF roster.

Outside of the Tour of California, I don't see to many wins for TRS. Built for trying to challenge in the TdF, but realistically the top brass are podium fillers at best. Steegmans will be very hard pressed to win a stage with the Columbia boys out there. TRS probably won't be going all out for the Classics either. I wonder who they'll send to the Giro, although I see one of the Liquigas boys winning it in 2010.

yes, sorry. i was commenting (and i think others were too) on DMF's projected tdf lineup-not the average age of the entire 25-man roster. there are either well-worn names or virtual unknowns on the team. bruyneel, ekimov & demol will have some youngsters to work with
but it'll probably be left to demol & eki to develop them; bruyneel seems to like the tried & true riders vs. young guns and seems to prefer
the vuelta instead of the giro. the giro experiment in 2009 was a moderate success but i don't expect the big cheeses to be there this year.
it's always about the tdf and the vuelta gets way more attention from this group of riders/directors than the giro.

on paper, trs has the decent makings of a classics roster with rast, vaitkus, horner, kloden, popovych,
beppu (is he on or off the team?) and steegmans. not the best but certainly not the worst. popovych always
struck me as more of a classics rider anyway with his frame and ability to bury himself for the team (leader)
and his (occasional) breakaway power.

leipheimer (or kloden) will likely get the nod for the giro leadership. brajkovic, leipheimer or kloden will likely
be the gc rider for the vuelta. zubeldia may be too relegated (like popo) to being a super domestique. maybe
they'll throw haimar a bone in one of the lesser stage races (romandie/switzerland/portugal/germany/austria/dauphine).

i've always felt bad for kloden; generally relegated in gt's to supporting riders whom he was arguably stronger than (ullrich,
vinokourov, et al) and still fininshing with a high placing. regardless of his alleged freiburg clinic dealings, he strikes me as a
classy rider that deserves better. would like to see him race some of the one-days. seems like his all-around ability is tailor-
made for some of the spring classics. those two losses on the line in the tdf (one to weening in 2005, the other to armstrong
in 2004(?)) are kind of indicative of his luck-not enough.

agree with orion khan; with the dynamic liquigas duo supported by pellizotti, it's their giro to lose.

i've always felt bad for kloden; generally relegated in gt's to supporting riders whom he was arguably stronger than (ullrich,
vinokourov, et al) and still fininshing with a high placing. regardless of his alleged freiburg clinic dealings, he strikes me as a
classy rider that deserves better. would like to see him race some of the one-days. seems like his all-around ability is tailor-
made for some of the spring classics. those two losses on the line in the tdf (one to weening in 2005, the other to armstrong
in 2004(?)) are kind of indicative of his luck-not enough.


I recall Kloeden saying once that he has no desire to be a team leader. He's good but he doesn't want to spearhead a team's GC charge. A really quiet guy who just does his job.

I recall Kloeden saying once that he has no desire to be a team leader. He's good but he doesn't want to spearhead a team's GC charge. A really quiet guy who just does his job.

Yeah, he's kinda selfless to a fault. But that's what separates the very good from the great one's. Ability and the giant ego to win.

I'm curious about the end goal of TRS. Are they all about just winning the TdF? I think Lance believes he's got another shot at it. But what about the following year? Lance hangs it up to ride in the team car. Then what? I think LA and JB have visions of building a TdF powerhouse. But they don't have any strong young up and comers in the fold. I really think they misplayed the Contador relationship. Sure he might be brash or sensitive or whatever. But you can't deny he is a great grand tour rider. His name very well could be up there with the great ones when its said and done. Seems like LA and JB let their egos get in the way, thinking they don't need AC to win. Well, they're still going to have to beat the guy. And if Andy Schleck improves his TT riding, TRS has no shot at beating him either. Sure TRS will get a lot of media attention, but will they be happy with a podium or top ten spot?

Perhaps they're (LA and JB) plan is to hopefully develop a top American rider down the road.

Armstrong and Hincapie not riding together again. I am incensed.

Armstrong and Hincapie not riding together again. I am incensed.
News best friend: Leipheimer

Perhaps they're (LA and JB) plan is to hopefully develop a top American rider down the road.

Taylor Phinney perhaps?

I recall Kloeden saying once that he has no desire to be a team leader. He's good but he doesn't want to spearhead a team's GC charge. A really quiet guy who just does his job.

Reminiscent of Sean Yates.

Reminiscent of Sean Yates.

And not so much that he's a team leader, but Jens Voigt too. Sorry, I couldn't pass up a chance to mention my heartthrob! :D

I recall Kloeden saying once that he has no desire to be a team leader. He's good but he doesn't want to spearhead a team's GC charge. A really quiet guy who just does his job.

That's a good point. And it might work in his favor. As Lance says, the team leader is not necessarily the strongest rider or top GC contender. It's conceivable that a good team leader could push Kloden to the front if he were determined to have the best chance. Lance is so competitive it's hard to imagine, but it is possible.

But you can't deny [AC] is a great grand tour rider.
Sure is, but at this stage he seems to be a lousy team leader. It's hard to imagine him becoming one of the greats all on his own. But that's why they play this here game. No?

And while we're on the subject of AC, don't underestimate JB's ability to spot and develop young talent...

Sure is, but at this stage he seems to be a lousy team leader. It's hard to imagine him becoming one of the greats all on his own. But that's why they play this here game. No?

And while we're on the subject of AC, don't underestimate JB's ability to spot and develop young talent...

I don't think its fair to evaluate AC's team leadership ability on this year's TdF alone. Astana was fine before Lance showed up. AC had won 3 grand tours prior to this years TdF. There weren't any problems then. So I hardly think he's a "lousy leader."

I don't underestimate JB's eye for talent at all. In fact, I think he's pretty good at it. Personally, I think if JB had it his way, AC would be with TRS. But the LA/AC conflict wouldn't allow it. One thing JB did with Lance was find a really strong young climber like Heras or Contador. They didn't have one this year (if you don't count AC). And TRS doesn't seem to have one. But one may emerge next year. I was simply speculating on the TRS strategy. Seems they're putting a lot of eggs in the TdF basket, but do they realistically have a shot at beating AC, A Schleck, or the Liquigas boys for that matter.

I think if JB had it his way, AC would be with TRS. But the LA/AC conflict wouldn't allow it.
Not to minimize AC vs. LA, but it was obvious toward the end of Le Tour that JB was fed up with him as well.

And for that matter, do you recall a single statement from a teammate in support of AC's position in the matter? I don't. The man won Le Tour and he can't inspire his teammates to support him? To me that's a lack of leadership.


do they realistically have a shot at beating AC, A Schleck, or the Liquigas boys for that matter.
It's way early days, but I believe they have a shot. Would I take an even bet? ... well, maybe not. :)

...And for that matter, do you recall a single statement from a teammate in support of AC's position in the matter? I don't. The man won Le Tour and he can't inspire his teammates to support him? To me that's a lack of leadership. ...


Consider three things here.

1. Where did you get your information from? Think that perhaps it could be a bit biased?
2. Lance was clearly looking for a way to steal a win, and helped to poison Alberto's well. If I were a domestique on that team, in that atmosphere, I would have just kept my mouth shut - like they did - regardless of who may or may not have inspired me.
3. How many statements from a teammate in support of Lance's position in the matter did you hear? How many from Tony Martin's team? How many from just about any team other than Saxo Bank and Garmin did you hear? Seriously, I think you've manufactured a double standard here.

Contador and Leipheimer worked fine in 2007 and 2008, so 'leadership' isn't much of a problem - especially when a strong manager like JB was around.

Not to minimize AC vs. LA, but it was obvious toward the end of Le Tour that JB was fed up with him as well.

And for that matter, do you recall a single statement from a teammate in support of AC's position in the matter? I don't. The man won Le Tour and he can't inspire his teammates to support him? To me that's a lack of leadership.


It's way early days, but I believe they have a shot. Would I take an even bet? ... well, maybe not. :)

So what is it? AC won the TdF by himself, or Astana supported him to his win? I don't recall anyone on Astana not supporting AC other than the foolish "team" strategy that was tried to put into play. I don't recall any statements supporting Lance's position either. Most of them were pretty quiet on the issue, save Lance, Levi, and JB. Most of the commentary was coming from Lance via Twitter. If he was the good teammate, he should have keep it within the team. Lance was the one publically airing the dirty laundry. That's history now. Anyways, Lance has his own team now and can handle it any way he chooses.

..."have a shot." Sure they have a shot. They'll be in the race. Just realize that at the age of the TRS GC guys they're not on the upside of their careers. The Contadors and A. Schlecks are still getting better. There's nothing wrong with rooting for your favorite guy or team. Its the blind nonsense that gets spewed about the pisses off most of the non Lance fanboys.

Personally, I hope Lance's team does well. It will be good for the growth of the sport here in the U.S. This is where my speculation about the direction of the team came from. TRS seems geared only for the TdF. But any objective cycling fan knows that Alberto Contador is the man to beat. After him, probably Andy Schleck. After him, there's a gap. But as others have mentioned, Liquigas has some strong young riders on a strong team. Some think Wiggins could make a run, etc. Sure Lance, Levi, and Kloden are possible podium or top ten guys. But there's no TTT this year. So they can't count on making up time that way. Can't count on Columbia splitting apart the peloton again. So yes, TRS has a shot at winning but there are other riders that have equal or better shots. That leads me back to...If TRS don't win it, what are they left with. The team doesn't seem comprised to seriously challenge for any of the classics. They have Steegmans, but is team going to have a serious sprint finish strategy? JB never really has in the past. And if Columbia and Garmin are in the sprint, you better have a team set up for sprints if you want to challenge. So that leaves TRS with what, outside of the ToC?

You ask some very good questions.

I suppose the answer will depend on TRS' strategic goals, which won't be public. Certainly we can make some educated guesses, like TdF will be at the top. And the team must be competitive enough that the sponsor is satisfied (so ToC is right up there too). Beyond that, I wonder if TRS even knows yet.

Its been pretty cool watching watching Columbia and Garmin go at it. I actually enjoyed seeing Columbia shut Hincapie out of the yellow last year. Makes for a nice rivalry down the line. You gotta figure Garmin want Tyler to break into some of those 70 plus wins that Columbia logged last season.

Lance has the ablility to do what Tiger Woods does for the PGA tour. When Tiger plays, people watch. Same when Lance races. I understand the significance of the TdF, but think about how he could increase the viewership of the Classics by racing in them. How many people watched the Giro this year because Lance was finally in it? Hell, this was the first year that I was able to watch every stage of all three grand tours on tv. If TRS puts together a team that will be seriously competitve throughout the season, it would do wonders for the popularity of the sport in America.

Its been pretty cool watching watching Columbia and Garmin go at it. I actually enjoyed seeing Columbia shut Hincapie out of the yellow last year. Makes for a nice rivalry down the line. You gotta figure Garmin want Tyler to break into some of those 70 plus wins that Columbia logged last season.

Lance has the ablility to do what Tiger Woods does for the PGA tour. When Tiger plays, people watch. Same when Lance races. I understand the significance of the TdF, but think about how he could increase the viewership of the Classics by racing in them. How many people watched the Giro this year because Lance was finally in it? Hell, this was the first year that I was able to watch every stage of all three grand tours on tv. If TRS puts together a team that will be seriously competitve throughout the season, it would do wonders for the popularity of the sport in America.

amen, but for how long? trs (or garmin or columbia) seriously needs to develop the next american wunderkind
to pull in casual viewers and the fickle network/cable coverage. tommy danielson wasn't it. not sure a sprinter
like tyler farrar is going to do it. america needs another great gc rider-period.

TRS reviews Tour Down Under roster ... lot's of non-Astana recruits, including Steegmans and Impy.