Discovery is losing its sponsor. Millar and Zabriskie are heading to Slipstream along with Christian Vandevelde. Jonathan Vaughters is planning on having them in the Tour next year. Hincapie is/isn’t joining the team?
What are the chances Slipstream goes after guys like Contador, Popo, etc. and “replaces” Discovery? Do they have the money to do it? With Chipotle on board, they certainly have the burritos to feed the team…
Given that McDonald’s owns Chipotle, I am sure they have the $. However, I can’t imagine that Trek, Giro, Oakley, and others will just allow the Disco team to dissolve. I am sure Trek does not want to be replaced by Felt in the TdF…
I didn’t know zabriskie, millar, and vande velde are going to slipstream… since when did this happen… i mean i heard of rumors but i didnt know it was finalized…
I didn’t know zabriskie, millar, and vande velde are going to slipstream… since when did this happen… i mean i heard of rumors but i didnt know it was finalized…
Here you go.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=afp-cyclingfratourmillar&prov=afp&type=lgns
Vandevelde said yesterday in an interview in the TdF coverage on versus that he was definitely going to slipstream next year. Not sure about the other guys.
Those guys are going, it has been ‘unofficially’ announced.
But Slipstream isn’t becoming the new Discovery, that’s like asking if the Yankees are going to become the Orioles just because they sign some of their players.
Popo, Contador, etc. are all under contracts to ride for Disco and Bruyneel. Those other guy’s contracts were up so they were picked up by Slipstream. Plus, I don’t think Bruyneel is going to be giving up his DS title as he is 8 for 9 in Tour titles.
Good scenario… Here is the important question… Felt or Trek 
Those guys are going, it has been ‘unofficially’ announced.
But Slipstream isn’t becoming the new Discovery, that’s like asking if the Yankees are going to become the Orioles just because they sign some of their players.
Popo, Contador, etc. are all under contracts to ride for Disco and Bruyneel. Those other guy’s contracts were up so they were picked up by Slipstream. Plus, I don’t think Bruyneel is going to be giving up his DS title as he is 8 for 9 in Tour titles.
Well, actually, it is more like Big Stein saying he is no longer going to pay for the Yankees and the Orioles starting to take a couple of their players. But, I agree with what you are saying with Bruyneel.
What happens to those contracts (Popo, Contador, etc.) if the team no longer has a sponsor?
McDonald’s doesn’t own Chipotle…
You are indeed correct. A quick Google search revealed that McDonald’s sold off their shares in September of last year… It appears, since they are now traded on the NYSE as CMG (Chipotle Mexican Grill), that they are an independent, publicly-traded company.
vande velde anounced he was going over to slipstream in an interview with Frankie before the last stage I believe. Maybe before stage 18. One of those.
McDonald’s doesn’t own Chipotle…
Millar, Zabiskie, Vandevelde and an over the hill Big George. What does that add up to? A second or third tear team? Do you think that will challenge Disco or HP/Oracle as they will probably be known next year/
Um… sorry to break it to ya…
“The Denver-based Chipotle chain, acquired by McDonald’s three years ago…”
Um… sorry to break it to ya…
“The Denver-based Chipotle chain, acquired by McDonald’s three years ago…”
You must need a “newer” version of google. Your quote is from 2002. McDonalds dumped its final interest in Chipotle in October of 2006. Here is the financial report of the transaction:
http://www.schwabpt.com/resources/actions/library/MCD_CMGB_12Oct06.pdf
sweeeeet!!! Dude I’m stoked!!!
Very happy knowing that Chi-pot-le is an indy now… uh-oh… dont tell me a private equity firm is pulling the reigns now. 
Lots of rumors floating around still, do you think they are done signing riders? I think JV has already stated he’s not building a 3rd tier team.
2008 is an Olympic year as well, it might be worthwhile to note some of the countries their latest signings are from and the likelihood that they’ll be racing in Beijing after the Tour. Some great TT and one day riders have been mentioned.
Big step up for the team, no doubt, but the cat isn’t out of the bag yet.
-SD
First Edition Cycling News for July 31, 2007
Edited by Greg Johnson & Paul Verkuylen Slipstream signs former Paris Roubaix winner
*By Sue George * Which Roubaix winner has joined Slipstream? Magnus Backstedt is one of five possibilities
Photo ©: Olympia 
Team Slipstream is aiming to be a bigger player in the European road scene in 2008. After team director Jonathan Vaughters confirmed yesterday the signing of Saunier Duval’s David Millar and two Team CSC stars Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie, he revealed today that the team has also signed a former winner of Paris-Roubaix.
Vaughters would be drawn to comment on who the latest signing is, but the list of non-retired recent winners is short, namely: Stuart O’Grady (2007), Fabian Cancellara (2006), Tom Boonen (2005), Magnus Backstedt (2004), and Peter Van Petegem (2003).
“Our singular goal is to do the Tour de France, but we also signed a former Paris Robuaix winner, so that will be a big objective for us, too,” Vaughters told Cyclingnews, not revealing the identity of the that rider. “We’ll be doing the Tour of California and other major US races, too.”
Vaughters addressed the signing of Millar, Vande Velde, and Zabriskie, which was announced to an exclusive group of individuals in France following Sunday’s final stage of the Tour de France. “All three signed two-year contracts with the team,” he said. “They are the first three of the news guys we’re bringing onto the team.”
None of the trio have been signed as a squad’s leader, but their experience will play an important role in the team. “We’re not the kind of team that’s going to have a big solid GC leader,” said Vaughters. “That’s not going to be the style of the team. But those guys will be the leaders in spirit. They’ll be the guys who are captains on the road and will help our young guys get to the next level.”
Vaughters also confirmed he has talked to the retiring Axel Merckx of Team T-Mobile. “I’m certainly interested in him, but Axel wants to live in Canada, not in Europe, so we’re trying to figure out if something can work,” he noted. “We’ve had a preliminary conversation, but we’re a long way from a signing with him.”
“Big step up for the team, no doubt, but the cat isn’t out of the bag yet.”
You tease more than my senior prom date. When would you think we will hear about this new cat?
I suspect right around the Sept date the UCI sets.
Lots of info out there if you want to join the rumor mill. Try searching the euro cycling sites.
Sorry about your prom…