Looks like the bulk of the old Discovery team went to Astana, and now Trek will be their bike supplier next year.

i thought this was going to be about tlc. "in a fix" or something.

It really sucks not having an american team in the European peleton. It amazes me because their are many great companies which sponsor euro teams. Why not assemble some of those companies and form an "American" team. Granted, it would take 1 large company to be the primary sponsor, I just don't believe that it couldn't be done.

they won't be a "Pro Tour" team this year, but the Slipstream team will be a Euro team this season. a lot of heavy-hitter Euro guys are now on that squad.

I just hope that some of the American tour races that are planned for the next season, dont have the sponsorship probs they did last year. I would like ot go to the Tour De Georgia, but I think they had a money prob last year, and it almost didn't happen.

I read somewher that the financial issue will not be a factor as it was last year. I will say that it was cool for the local goverment to step up last year and provide the funding needed to continue the race.

It just will not be the same with domestic pro team in the Euro peleton. These teams have been a spring board to many great carears such as

Andy Hampstein
Davis Phinney
Ron Keifal
Steve Hegg

Which eventually lead to Motorola and the birth of american superstars:

Lance
Hincappie
Andreu

Which lead to the Discovery powerhouse.


Truely a shame. Discovery gave the United States a legitimate team in a sport where americans were essentially unwanted and not respected. No doubt Americans will go on to have great carears on Euro teams, but the days of discovering the domestic talent and blending them in to the euro peleton may go back to the way it once used to be. Sadly, that being it was extremly difficult for an American to get a shot in the European peleton as younger rider.

Unfortunately, the Tour de Georgia is continuing to struggle. Once Lance retired, America quickly lost interest, so every year it is getting harder to get a title sponsor for the race. I had high hopes that Ford would stick with it past 2006. As far as the local and state governments picking up the tab, I am really hopeful that they will continue to do it. Atlanta is constanly rated as one of the most cycling unfriendly cities in the country, but many of the smaller towns that host stages are friendly and really seem to go all out for the race.

Anyone who gets a chance should definitely come to Georgia for the race this year! There is nothing like standing on Brasstown Bald as these guys come through. Over the years, I have gotten to push some of the best cyclists in the world up the 20% Wall!!!

If it happens this year, I'll be here!

Hey Bill...first off..go to Ga.you will dig it for sure...2nd,hit Allentown pro race this year..thats not far from you...and ya got to go to Philly....Slipstream will do fine in Euro land...they are a little lite for the Classics but they will win at least one stage in a major tour this year...I hope Jonny V can find the money to keep the team going...as far as Astana goes...the world (French) is still P Oed about Lance winning 7 tours (+1) and this is a nice way to get back at Johann..there are quite a few teams that doped as bad as the old Astana team did and they are racing everything....cya soon Bill and we can keep this conversation going in staging....

Was stoked to hear Slipstream and High Road were amonst the teams selected for the Tour.

John, looking foward to it, see ya at the races, let me know when Allentown is, I'll hit it up

If I don't go to Spartanburg, I'm thinking about going to Brasstown Bald this year. In the past, the Tour of Georgia has had a stage that started in the town where I work, but they switched it up this year.