|
10.08.2007/Tailwind Sports, owner and operator of the current Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, announced today that it
will cease operations at the conclusion of the 2007 cycling season. The Team, with roots back to 1989, has operated under
the Tailwind umbrella and seen tremendous success over its tenure including eight Tour de France titles, a Tour of Italy and
a Tour of Spain title, and numerous national championships. Team manager Johan Bruyneel told Belgian TV programm Sporza that
he will retire from pro cycling.
|
| Discovery Channel will not defend their title at the 2008 Tour de France (picture: Heinz Zwicky) |
"Tailwind has had an amazing ten years of success with U.S. Postal and more recently Discovery Channel as its title sponsor.
This is arguably the most successful sports franchise in the history of sport," stated General Manage Bill Stapleton.
"This was a difficult decision, not made any easier by our recent Tour de France success. We were in talks with a number
of companies about the opportunity and were confident a new sponsor was imminent. We have chosen, however, to end those discussions."
Sports Director Johan Bruyneel has been the driving force behind the Team's success since his arrival to the team in 1999.
In only nine years, Bruyneel has created a legacy that will live on in cycling history, and his departure from the sport was
not an easy choice.
"When I came to direct this team in 1999 I never would have imagined that we could achieve this level of success.
It was an amazing time in my life and the lives of all the staff and riders associated with this team," commented Sports
Director Johan Bruyneel.
"What I will miss are the staff, riders and the excitement of the races, but not all the in fighting between the
teams. This team has become my family and I am very sad to think that we will not be together next season. 2007 has been our
most successful season ever and I expect the remainder of the season to continue on that same path."
Bruyneel told Belgian TV programm Sporza that he will retire as a sports director from pro cycling. Bruyneel said: "I
will stop myself as well. After Lance Armstrong I wanted to win the Tour one more time, that happened with Alberto Contador."
Bruyneel added that the rumour that he might join Rabobank is not true and just a rumour. He thought about leaving pro cycling
for a long time and said: I wanted to stop at a peak level and this is the ideal moment."
But Bruyneel has still some energy left: "I will concentrate on other projects. I am writing a book and I will be
involved with training youth in the United States."
Tour winner Alberto Contador seemed to be surprised when he heard the news: "For me this is a surprise as well. But
I will not comment it before next week."
Belgian national champion Stijn Devolder said: "Its no surprise but fine is something else. This is a desaster for
the sport." Devolder added that he will find a new team, probebly a Belgian team. Rabobank and CSC also seem to be interested
in signing devolder.
Eddy Merckx said: "Its a sad case. Also and especially for all those people who will lose their jobs. Actually cycling
becomes again a blow with the hammer." Merckx continued by saying: "The scene is getting smaller and smaller with
only a few big teams. We have to hope for better times. I hope these times will start soon and that new investors will come."
7 times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has been intricately involved in the team both as a rider and as an owner.
"I do not think you have seen the last of this organization in the sport but clearly things need to improve on many
levels, with a more unified front, before you would see us venture back into cycling," added Armstrong, co-owner and
seven-time Tour de France champion.
The Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team will continueTailwind Sports owns and operates the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling
Team. Founded in 1989, the team has established itself as one of the best in the world and is the only American team to have
won each of the sports premier events: the Tour de France, Tour of Spain and Tour of Italy, including Lance Armstrong's historic
seven consecutive victories at the Tour de France.
Earlier this year Discovery Channel was critized for signing Ivan Basso. Later Basso terminated his contract and confessed
that he was a client of Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.
Tailwind has partnered with Capital Sports & Entertainment (CSE), an experiential event and sports marketing firm
based in Austin, Texas to manage the sponsorship and operations of the team. Tailwind supports both USA Cycling and the USA
Cycling Development Foundation to help identify and develop future American cyclists.
Related stories:
Other stories
|
