invasionusa

Anyone know what teams will be in the 09 tour? Or where could someone find that out at? I cant find anything on the official site.

sagginwagin

I believe all of the teams that are members of the UCI's Pro Tour (check cyclingnews.com) get automatic invites plus 2 pro continental teams that are invited by the Tour organizers shortly before the Tour.

USAZorro

Might be more than 2 continentals. I think it depends on the number of UCI Pro Tour Teams that get invites.

ericy

The thing I am noticing is that sponsors are pulling back from all sorts of pro sports. Golf is being hit pretty hard as many of the tournaments have been sponsored by banks and insurance companies. NASCAR is being hit because the auto companies are hurting. There are very few businesses that are doing well in this economic climate, and some may scale back their support of sports. That being said, these things are typically done with multi-year contracts, so it may take several years for all of this to completely unwind.

WRT pro cycling, many of the teams are sponsored by banks of one sort or another - from last season, I count 6 that are either banks or insurance.

• TEAM CSC SAXO BANK
• AG2R-LA MONDIALE
• RABOBANK
• CAISSE D’EPARGNE
• CREDIT AGRICOLE
• COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE