Team RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel has spoken out about the changes for next year concerning him joining the Leopard-Trek set up. As reported previously, Bruyneel’s current sponsors RadioShack and Nissan will join Leopard Trek to form a team called RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Professional Cycling Team, with the Belgian likely to be the general manager.
Leopard-Trek yesterday confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Bryan Nygaard to vacate his position as general manager.
Writing on his personal blog, Bruyneel said the final roster would be announced by September 15. Among the riders who have already been named to be part of the team is Tour de France runner up Andy Schleck along with his brother Frank. World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara has also been confirmed with Chris Horner, Andreas Klöden, Matthew Busche, Jani Brajkovic, Nelson Oliveira and Robert Wagner.
“In addition to some riders currently on Team RadioShack, I am very much looking forward to working with some talented riders from the current Leopard-Trek squad,” Bruyneel wrote.
“Fabian, Frank, Jakob Fulsang, Maxime Monfort and Daniele Bennati to name just a few. Of course we'll also have Andy Schleck - a rider that has worn the Yellow Jersey for the past three years, but has always fell one place short of wearing it in Paris. Obviously he is one of the most talented riders in cycling and it is my goal to help him achieve the goal of winning the Tour de France.
“As with every rider, there are always improvements to be made and I think with these adjustments and the team we will put together, Andy will have his best chance yet of standing on the top step in Paris.”
Bruyneel has vast experience when it comes to directing a rider to Tour de France victory as he has done so seven times with Lance Armstrong and twice with Alberto Contador.
The team has been dubbed a “super team” with Bruyneel admitting he will have his work cut out for him next year, especially when it comes to Tour de France selection.
One rider who is likely to be missing from his new squad is Levi Leipheimer, who is widely rumoured to be joining Omega Pharma – Quick Step for next season. The American has had a successful season with Team RadioShack, winning the Tour de Suisse, Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado. He also finished second overall in the Tour of California behind team-mate Horner.
Meanwhile the International Cycling Union yesterday issues a statement saying they are aware of the situation involving the two teams and were studying the matter.