iShares/Phonak troubles
 

The Swiss newspaper Blick has an article today suggesting that iShares may withdraw from sponsorship of the current Phonak team and that the results will devastate Swiss riders, because of the implosion of AR Cycling... yes it's in German.
http://www.blick.ch/sport/rad/artikel41669

"Floyd Landis ist nicht nur der erste Tour-Sieger, der positiv erwischt wird. Der Ami hat auch unseren Profi-Radsport zerschlagen. 2007 wird es kein Schweizer Profi-Team mehr geben.

Klar ist: Nach diesem neuerlichen Dopingskandal wird Andy Rihs (63) den Bettel hinwerfen. Seine ARCycling AG entweder verkaufen oder auflösen. Denn der neue Hauptsponsor iShares (USA, Anlagefonds) wird sich trotz Vertrag (2007 bis 2009) als Hauptsponsor zurückziehen."

My rough translation:

Floyd Landis is not only the first Tour champion to test positive. The American has also destroyed our (Swiss) professional cycling. In 2007 there will no longer be a Swiss professional team.

The following is clear: After this most recent doping scandal, Andy Rihs (63) will chuck the whole thing in. He will either sell or dissolve his ARCycling, because the new major sponsor iShares (USA, Investment trust) will inspite of its contract (2007-09) withdraw as major sponsor.

i didn't check the website but there was a story on CNBC yesterday that said that phonak had already erased all mention about the landis TdF win from their homepage.

ed rader

**** PHONAK

(sorry)

Cyclingnews has picked up the Blick story, with a little more information than I provided from the article.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...ul06/jul29news

9 doping scandals in 2 years!......I guess the UCI is second guessing their decision to give 'em a Pro tour licence in the 1st place. For the sponsors, all publicity isn't necessarily publicity they'd want. Any business that maintains an involvement with any team, when the principals involved with 9 doping scandals, are also still involved, isn't making a sound business decision. I guess it comes down to what they are hoping ato achieve from the sponsorship & who they are looking to market to. I.shares are kiddin' themselves if they think cycle fans have any money....we've all spent it on the latest 'lighter, go faster' bits......:D

Ishares is an American company. So Floyd would be back to racing for an American team, essentially. So whatever the swiss folks were saying, it kind of doesn't make sense. They don't have a swiss professional team anymore since Ishares took over.

Koffee

I thought Phonak as set to pull out at the end of this season anyway, correct me if im wrong.

iShares is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investments which is itself part of Barclays Bank which is I believe a British company. But then again, I don't think many people regard CSC as a US team even though CSC the company is US-based.

Yes. They had intended to pull support even before the Tour. I guess this just solidifies their decision. And now it seems like iShares might also pull out which would pretty much spell the end for the team unless it can be bought and sponsored under a new name.

As someone has already pointed out, ishares is a subsidiary of Barclays and is therefore a UK company.

Why is it that the so called "nationality" of a team is based on where it's major sponsor has it's head office or which exchange it is listed on?

Surely that is laughable to the average person of average intelligence?

I think there was only one team at this years tdf where all its riders were of one nationality. Other than that team, all the others seem to be "international".

You Lie Hans Blick!!!!!!

http://www.spacejunk.org/reviews/mov...rldpolice2.jpg

ARCycling (Andy Rhis).... is Swiss... that is the Swiss connection, isn't it? That's who have managed the Phonak team, promoted Swiss riders, especially up and coming talent.

You Rie Hans Bricks!!!!!!

Rwahaha!

....anyone who had any Pro tour knowledge whatsoever, knew that Phonak had decide to end its association with this team well before this years TDF...9 positive test in 2 years for 1 team?, any wonder the marketing guru's had made a decision about how better to spend their funds....It remains to be seen whether I.shares will have any interest in Pro cycling given their latest 'introduction'

iShares is a British company

ARCycling is the Swiss ownership and management of the team. It had signed a 3-year contract for primary sponsorship by Barclay's-iShares. That contract is now in jeapordy. ARCyling is now considering throwing in the towel. The Swiss management has always supported Swiss riders. That's the news. That's why Landis' dilemma does not affect him alone, but his team, the riders, their families.

BTW... ARCycling holds the ProTour license.... not Phonak, not iShares.

Duh. That's why ISHARES was written across the team's butts, and that's why ISHARES had 200 seats reserved for themselves at the finish line of the last stage. That should clear up your confusion some.

Duh. Yes ishares was a minor sponsor for the 2006 Phonak team. I think you may have missed the point (again). The question remains whether ishares will want to become the principal sponsor for the team with the drugged up leader. The indications so far are that it may well withraw.