ONCE - it's official

Quoted message said:

Today the foundation announced they quit the cycling team sponsoring at the end of the season,
after 15 years. Eroski won't step up to main sponsoring.

So ends Beloki's career. Maybe we'll spot him herding goats next to the road in some future
Vuelta stage.

Can Postal scoop up any of their climbers to help Lance next year?????

Van Hoorebeeck Bart said:

Today the foundation announced they quit the cycling team sponsoring at the end of the season,
after 15 years. Eroski won't step up to main sponsoring.

With ibanesto quitting as well, and Kelme having been on the edge already (and having lowered in
quality), this is all pretty sad for Spanish cycling.

big time transfer market opportunities for DSs.....

"Van Hoorebeeck Bart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Today the foundation announced they quit the cycling team sponsoring at the end of the season,
after 15 years. Eroski won't step up to main sponsoring.

With ibanesto quitting as well, and Kelme having been on the edge already (and having lowered in
quality), this is all pretty sad for Spanish cycling.

big time transfer market opportunities for DSs.....

I thought they were set for one more year? Any idea why the change?

"Callistus Valerius" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Today the foundation announced they quit the cycling team sponsoring at the end of the season,
after 15 years. Eroski won't step up to main sponsoring.

So ends Beloki's career. Maybe we'll spot him herding goats next to

the

Quoted message said:

road in some future Vuelta stage.

cyclingnews.comnewsOpen ↗

Rabobank interested in Beloki and Mayo

In light of its ongoing lack of success in the overall classification of grand tours, the Rabobank
team is looking for more options. According to De Telegraaf, team manager Jan Raas was in Spain
last week to negotiate with Joseba Beloki and Iban Mayo, two riders who will be free next year.
Mayo has already indicated his interest in Rabobank, and perhaps having Beloki as a teammate would
seal the deal.

De Telegraaf also reported that José-Antonio Pecharroman, winner of the Bicicleta Vasca and Volta a
Catalunya, will sign for Quick.Step next season. Together with Juan Miguel Mercado, Pecharroman will
strengthen the team in the mountains.

Spanish professional cycling is in a little bit of a crisis at the moment, as two of its four
division I teams (iBanesto and ONCE) will lose their title sponsors next year. While the top riders
shouldn't have too many problems finding new employers, a number of Spanish riders will have to step
down a division or two, or retire.

<snip><end

the direction board is renewed.....

i wonder where Manolo Saiz will end up ? last i heard, ONCE was sponsoring until 2004 then Eroski
would take over 2005 and on. i guess they changed their minds, they will be missed. although this
could be an open door for kelme to pick it up again, ONCE is a team with some serious talent that
many teams would love to get a hold of.

shawn

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Can Postal scoop up any of their climbers to help Lance next year?????

Van Hoorebeeck Bart said:

Today the foundation announced they quit the cycling team sponsoring at the end of the season,
after 15 years. Eroski won't step up to main sponsoring.

With ibanesto quitting as well, and Kelme having been on the edge already (and having lowered in
quality), this is all pretty sad for Spanish cycling.

big time transfer market opportunities for DSs.....

Van Hoorebeeck Bart <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Today the foundation announced they quit the cycling team sponsoring at the end of the season,
after 15 years. Eroski won't step up to main sponsoring.

With ibanesto quitting as well, and Kelme having been on the edge already (and having lowered in
quality), this is all pretty sad for Spanish cycling.

big time transfer market opportunities for DSs.....

I read today that Würth, already a minor sponsor of the team, may step up with Eroski to
continue the team

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

With ibanesto quitting as well, and Kelme having been on the edge already (and having lowered in
quality), this is all pretty sad for Spanish cycling.

big time transfer market opportunities for DSs.....

I thought they were set for one more year? Any idea why the change?

Because they're tired of Manolo's race "tactics"...

Bart schreef:

Quoted message said:

the direction board is renewed.....

they see no point in further sponsoring as 98% of the Spanish population knows ONCE. they will focus
on sponsoring more in line with their social aspirations, i.e. the Paralympics.

"swj" <[email hidden]> wrote in message:

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i wonder where Manolo Saiz will end up ? last i heard, ONCE was

sponsoring

Quoted message said:

until 2004 then Eroski would take over 2005 and on. i guess they changed their minds, they will be
missed. although this could be an open door for kelme to pick it up again, ONCE is a team with
some serious talent that

many

Quoted message said:

teams would love to get a hold of.

shawn

Yeah, that is the last report I had too. Saiz is hoping to hold the team together. If the team is
gone, I am sure he will be adrift (as aposed to taking a lower job for a while at another team).

"Van Hoorebeeck Bart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bart schreef:

Quoted message said:

the direction board is renewed.....

they see no point in further sponsoring as 98% of the Spanish population knows ONCE. they will
focus on sponsoring more in line with their social aspirations, i.e. the Paralympics.

It makes sense. It is unfortunate but certainly possible to be too successful in sponsorship.