Following the RadioShack-Nissan-Trek-Leopard-Mercedes-CSE-JohnBruyneelManagementCo-Livestrong announcement of their 2012 Tour de France roster, race director Christian Prudhomme made a shocking announcement. At a surprise press conference in Paris, the Frenchman countered team owner Flavio Becca’s controversial Frankenstein-like team roster that saw Jakob Fuglsang left home in favor of Chris Horner. In a stunning twist, Prudhomme declared,
“After careful consideration, we have decided to ask Becca’s strange creation to stay home for this year’s Tour de France. We are doing this to protect the good name of the ASO and the reputation of our hallowed race,” declared a muted Prudhomme.
Prudhomme (2nd from left) during Schleck's 2010 Jersey presentation. Prudhomme refused to appear on stage with Johan Bruyneel (photo courtesy RadioShack-Nissan
Prudhomme prepared a power point presentation highlighting the marketing challenges the team has presented in 2012:
- A dearth of a clear management structure for the first half of the season
- Steadfast refusal to participate in 2.1 races in 2012
- Failure to protect Andy and Fränk Schleck from harm
- Airing out team dirty laundry in the press
- Failure to protect Fabian Cancellara from harm
- Withholding Jakob Fuglsang from Grand Tour participation
- Creating a PR disaster by changing the Chris Horner story four times
- Withholding Andy Schleck from the Tour
- Failure to keep team minions in line with their public comments in reference to fellow teammates
- Failure to divulge details of Johan Bruyneel’s May disappearance
- Failure to divulge Johan Bruyneel’s involvement with USADA investigation
- Allowing Alain Gallopin obvious familial nepotism
- Ejecting Kim Andersen from active management duty
- Failure to divulge team doctor involvement in alleged organized doping schemes
- Failure to pay salaries to team members and support staff
- Failure to represent sponsors in an agreed-upon manner
- General mistreatment of the cycling fan base
Prudhomme suggested these reasons were just the tip of the iceberg.
“Frankly, many of these reasons could eject any team from the tour. The straw that broke our back, however, was the refusal of team owner Flavio Becca to help fund our foray into Middle Eastern construction projects. This Becca character squeaks when he walks, and frankly, doesn’t live up to his obligations as a partner with the ASO,” commented a frustrated Prudhomme.
When asked if the dodgy associations, the pending charges against Bruyneel, and allegations involving key support staff gave him a moment’s pause, Prudhomme continued rather candidly, “No, no, no. Bruyneel has been a ‘yes’ man for us for years. He’s like shit passing through a Christmas goose. Whatever we asked, he made sure everyone participated. He’s a great facilitor if the price is right.”
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek-Leopard-Mercedes-CSE-JohnBruyneelManagementCo-Livestrong representatives were typically unallowed to comment on the ejection of the team from the 2012 Tour de France.
Team owner Flavio Becca was also unavailable for comment as he was attempting to extort land out of the Luxembourg government for an American-style Waterpark/Shopping Center/Used Car SuperMall in the outskirts of Niederanven.
The ASO does not plan to replace the team’s spot for the tour, despite Team NetApp’s application via wire transfer.
No Comments