Geox pull out of cycling

Uncertain future for Vuelta champ Cobo's Geox-TMC team and Diadora-Pasta Zara women

Geox-TMC may be unable to continue racing in the new season, according to blogger Inrng who reports that sponsors Geox refused to put up the required finances for team managers to deposit the bank guarantee - one of the most important of the various requirements imposed by the UCI. The funds are then held in escrow by the bank as a form of insurance ensuring riders can be paid/costs met in the case of an unforeseen event such as a sponsor pulling out mid-season.

The team is home to, among others, this year's Vuelta a Espana winner Juan Jose Cobo; Denis Menchov, winner of the same race in 2005 and 2007, and 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre.

Team officials have stated that, if the Montebelluna-based shoe and outdoor clothing manufacturer does not provide funds as contracted, they will go to the Court of Arbitration in Sport in order to seek payment.

Geox has since confirmed that it will end its "sponsorship agreement with the professional cycling team led by Mauro Gianetti at the end of the current season," leaving the team in dire straits. Riders who had signed with the team for 2012 will also now face problems if a new sponsor willing to take up where Geox left off cannot be found as the end of the transfer period - in which professional riders need to either renew contracts or take up new ones with other teams - is now over.

Geox was also a technical sponsor for the Diadora-Pasta Zara women's team, home to such illustrious names as Shelley Olds,  Claudia Hausler and, returning for 2012, Giorgia Bronzini. Geox own Diadora, having purchased the company along with 70 million euros debt in June 2009. This led to worries that the team might also lose a large part of its sponsorship and be forced to search for a new partner or face closure - however, they are continuing to sign new riders including Rossella Callovi, Alessandra D’Ettorre and Giada Borgato, suggesting that all is well.

LeopardTrek deny Radioshack merger rumours

RadioSchleck?

LATEST ON THE MERGER RUMOURS: CLICK HERE

According to various sources on Twitter - including the respected and trusted blogger Inrng - Geox team boss Joxean Fernandez Matxin has revealed a potential merger between LeopardTrek and Radioshack.

There are no further details available yet and it's very much a rumour rather than news, but should it turn out to be true it'll be one of the biggest stories in cycling this year. A merger would result in what to all intents and purposes would be a superteam, combining the talents of Frank and Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt, Jakob Fuglsang, Levi Leipheimer and others from the two very strong teams.

Matxin himself tweets: "A ver q x aqui hay gente muy sabia e informada..!!! Quien me confirma el rumor de la fusion Leoard - Radio Shak..!!!" which translates as: "See q x here, there are people very wise and informed..! Who confirms for me the rumor of a fusion Leopard - Radio Shack!!!"


However, LeopardTrek spokesperson Tim Vanderjeugde has denied that the story has any basis in reality, also scotching rumours that manager Brian Nygaard is leaving the team after failing to find a main sponsor. "Nobody on our team has heard of any merger. Brian Nygaard is still on the payroll here at Leopard Trek and has not taken any decision to leave the team," he told a reporter from the Danish Sporten website. The French l'Equipe newspaper has speculated that money problems would be behind a merger, should the rumours be true. However, Vanderjeude also denies that LeopardTrek are in any sort of financial difficulty - the team's current roster, existing sponsors (including Mercedes Benz) and ongoing relationship with the Wisconsin-based Trek Bicycle Corporation would appear to confirm this as fact.

Whether it proves true or not (and we strongly suspect not), private comments made by both Nygaard and Radioshack's manager Johan Bruyneel following Matxin's decision to reveal the merger would doubtless be interesting to hear.

LATEST ON THE MERGER RUMOURS: CLICK HERE