Bike World News

Duck Season! Wabbit Season! Duck Season!… Definitely not cycling season.

Another slow news day as Quick Step and Astana bicker over Specialized, Niels Albert loses some ‘cross cred, and, Lemond and Armstrong bicker over Trek…

With transfer season nearly over, it’s seems like the time has come for teams to start re-working their equipment contracts.
- The Jelly Belly Pro Cycling team will switch from GT to Focus Bikes for 2010. They’ll be riding the same Focus Izalco frame ridden by Milram Pro Tour squad this year.
- The Ceramica Flaminia team will be riding Bianchis next year.
- There were rumors that Specialized was pulling their sponsorship at Quick Step in favor of getting the Astana team on their equipment. Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevre denies this, citing a contract with the American manufacturer that goes through 2011.
Young Flemish rider Kristof Vollon has signed with the Amore & Vita team for 2010. He’s 23 years old and only started racing at age 18.
Neils Albert, who up until now could seemingly do no wrong in Belgium, found himself booed and jeered at during yesterday’s Jaarmarktcross race when he struggled on a hill and forced Sven Nys to dismount.
Germany’s new NetApp team already had their first team meeting, November 3rd to 6th in Lucca, Italy. They did not train together, but spent time discussing tactics, handing out kits, doing photo and video shoots and interviews. The team is hoping to move to the Pro Tour within three years.
Oral arguments have begun in the court case between Greg Lemond and Trek Bicycles. The judge has suggested that the two parties consider an out of court settlement to avoid a long and ugly trial. If they are not able to come to a settlement, there will be a trial in Minnesota in March.
The Elk-Haus team has officially disbanded after failing to find a new title sponsor. Management hopes to continue looking for a back for a possible return in 2011.

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