Team Phonak 2?

[mpetersen16]

Has anyone noticed recently that cyclingnews posted about the creation of a team BMC pro continental team? It seems like they are basically phonak 2, especially since Andy Rihs is involved. Anyone see any potential teams for Floyd if he is cleared? hmmm... could you imagine Scott Moninger riding as domestique for Floyd in the TDF next year? Just thought I might throw this conspiracy theory out there.
Matt

[rocco]

Has anyone noticed recently that cyclingnews posted about the creation of a team BMC pro continental team? It seems like they are basically phonak 2, especially since Andy Rihs is involved. Anyone see any potential teams for Floyd if he is cleared? hmmm... could you imagine Scott Moninger riding as domestique for Floyd in the TDF next year? Just thought I might throw this conspiracy theory out there.
Matt

Andy Rihs is the sole shareholder of BMC and if Landis is cleared then why would he sign with a pro continental team?

[mpetersen16]

but seriously, wouldn't it be convenient to hop onto a pro continental team, and then get a wild card because you happened to have won last year?
Matt

[Einstruzende]

Lets get real. Landis is going to get banned for 4 years at least from "Pro Tour" teams, and probably banned forever from the Tour.

Unlike these folks from Puerto, Landis has tested positive.

[magnolialover]

but seriously, wouldn't it be convenient to hop onto a pro continental team, and then get a wild card because you happened to have won last year?
Matt

No Continental pro team is ever going to get a Tour wild card. Nope, not ever, regardless of who may or may not be on the team.

Rihs started this US pro team because he was sick of the doping scandals that have plagued his ProTour team Phonak, with Landis being the proverbial straw that broke Rihs' back.

Let me repeat, the ASO would never invite a continental team to le Tour, never... There are plenty of D2 teams out there who are a lot more deserving than Continental teams anyway. This would be like Toyota United getting a slot in le Tour de France. This new BMC team would not have the riders to compete in the Tour. Monniger would get shellacked before the moutains even started in le Tour.

[mpetersen16]

Realistically you guys are right, but just out of curiosity was postal a div 2. when they got their invite? (I really am curious and do not know)
Matt

[mtbbmet]

No Continental pro team is ever going to get a Tour wild card. Nope, not ever, regardless of who may or may not be on the team.

Let me repeat, the ASO would never invite a continental team to le Tour, never... There are plenty of D2 teams out there who are a lot more deserving than Continental teams anyway. This would be like Toyota United getting a slot in le Tour de France.

Umm, there is no such thing as a D2 team anymore. That term has been replaced by Continental Professional team.
Here is a list of Continental pro teams that have gotten an invite to a GT within the last year. Agritubel, Ceramica-Pararia, Selle Italia, and Relax-Gam. Plus the Astana team that will surely be a Continental Pro team has already been garanteed a spot in ALL THREE GT's next year regardless of wether they get a ProTour license or not.

And Toyota United isn't even a Continental Pro team. Navigators and Healthnet are (and for 2007 Slipstream will be). And for what it's worth BMC will be a Continental team, not a Continental Pro team. Big difference.

First "Vino never won a GT." Now this. You are talking out of you backside again.

[rocco]

Umm, there is no such thing as a D2 team anymore. That term has been replaced by Continental Professional team.
Here is a list of Continental pro teams that have gotten an invite to a GT within the last year. Agritubel, Ceramica-Pararia, Selle Italia, and Relax-Gam. Plus the Astana team that will surely be a Continental Pro team has already been garanteed a spot in ALL THREE GT's next year regardless of wether they get a ProTour license or not.

And Toyota United isn't even a Continental Pro team. Navigators and Healthnet are (and for 2007 Slipstream will be). And for what it's worth BMC will be a Continental team, not a Continental Pro team. Big difference.

First "Vino never won a GT." Now this. You are talking out of you backside again.

BOT or the bottom line question regarding the OP...

If Landis were to be miraculously be cleared of any doping infractions why shouldn't we figure that highest probability is that he will sign with a Pro Tour team?

[mpetersen16]

wow, really a protour team? where would he go? where do you see a pro tour team without a definite leader? (except for maybe t-mob this year which is kinda empty, but still has Frank Schleck (please step up to the podium Schleck)) and also by the time he is cleared most protour teams are already set as they get the cream of the crop generally, whereas pro continental teams are sometimes left vacant of a gc quality leader (particularly a tdf winner), but still filled with lots of good riders, for example Fassa Bortolo.
Matt