A British Tour de France team!

amc · June 2007

Imagine this - i've just won a zillion quid on the Euro Lottery and after looking after friends and family i'm going to set up a British team to enter the 2007 Tour (as it's imaginery i might as well make it this year's tour with it's London start).

Who should be in the team? How about this for starters?

Director Sean Yates

Team Leader Miller?
No 1 Sprinter Cavendish
Prologue Wiggins
Break away guys Hammond
Hunt
Super Domestic Wegelius
Domestics Geraint Thomas
Downing brothers

Team colours Classic Tommy Simpson-style mainly white with bit
of black. Sponsors could include British Airways &
British Gas.

Bike err Raleigh?

Perhaps the team could have a couple of 'overseas' guest riders to boost it. I'm sure there a few people i've left out and plenty of room for improvement.

What do you reckon?

amc

Unknown · June 2007

Not keen on winning the prologue then? [:p]

kavcp · June 2007

Hmmm, I'd put Wiggins in there and use Dolan bikes.

Unknown · June 2007

They'd have to ride a classic steel bike surely - Mercian? - and only subsist on oatcake n flasks of tea,

Did you get planning permission for that sense of humour bypass?

Unknown · June 2007

Anyhow, don't we have a British Team already - I think one of the Italian teams is registered to the UK - and maybe Barloworld too?

Did you get planning permission for that sense of humour bypass?

Langenberg · June 2007

Well, tehre was an interesting interview with the main DFL sponsor in the comic about his perceived lack of interest from BC regarding a British protour team and focussing on sending riders abroad via the Dave Rayner / Braveheart funds...

Any views? How would people go about it?

=====================
Pas de progrŠs sans peigne.

Unknown · June 2007

Surely it'd line up something like this:

David Millar
Dario Cioni (born in Reading after all)
Charly Weglius
Bradley Wiggins
Geriant Thomas
Roger Hammond
Mark Cavendish
Jeremy Hunt
Steve Cummings

On a related note what's happened to Jamie 'The English Pantani' Burrows? I know he was riding for a Continental Italian team (OTC Doors?) last season but what about in 2007? If he's still a pro he could come in for Cummings and as a specialist mountain domestique.

I quite like the look of that ^ team. Damn good in the TTs, excellent in the sprints with Cavendish and Hunt and plenty of breakaway potential.
And definitely a Top 15/20 potential finish with Millar and/or Cioni ably supported by Weglius in the mountains.

Think I'll start doing the lottery... [8D]

giant_man · June 2007

And I'd get rid of that director straight away!

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

PeteinSQ · June 2007

I don't think I would ride Raleigh bikes either. Condor would be my choice, but perhaps they aren't rich enough?

terongi · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by amc

Sponsors could include British Airways &
British Gas.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What do you need sponsors for, if you are going to be investing a zillion quid?

amc · June 2007

Terongi, i knew someone would quite rightly point out that I wouldn't need sponsors but i was trying to add a hint of realism to this pointless post.

Good shout on Condor bikes - they are in. Likewise Cummings.
Who else instead of Yates (and why not him anyway) and any picks for our foreign ringer. What about Michael Rogers - at least he speaks the lingo?

amc

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by amc

What about Michael Rogers - at least he speaks the lingo?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">How about Robbie McEwen who, I believe, travels on a British passport? He definitely knows a fair few Anglo-Saxon phrases! [;)]

leguape · June 2007

Gotta have more than one DS for a Grand Tour, haven't you? Millar (R) for the mountains, Elliott for the sprint and Yatesy for shouting abuse and keeping them honest. Boardman can cover TT duties.

http://www.atomicecho.com/cycling/index.shtml - My cycling blog. From commuting to crits and sportives.

Mr Bumble · June 2007

I hope the team kit is not made by Rapha or else I would never be able to afford it[:p][}:)][:D]

kavcp · June 2007

Who were the last proper British team to ride the Tour? ANC Halfords? Anyway, I'd put money on this team over them. We just need a Robert Millar style mountain goat to grab some headlines and that'd be a bloomin good squad.

amc, can you spend some of your pretend millions on a hypothetical medical/fitness testing regieme in all primary schools to discover potential top cyclists too. Lovely.

Unknown · June 2007

Let Graham Obree custom build the bikes. At least they'd be distinctive.

And use DB9s as support cars.

TdG

Mr Bumble · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Timoid

Let Graham Obree custom build the bikes. At least they'd be distinctive.

And use DB9s as support cars.

TdG
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Class!!![:D]

Monowai · June 2007

Haven't we overlooked the need for a shadow-y university based "doctor" to provide "medical advice"? Otherwise we'd have no chance...;) lol

"Extensive medical studies now show that training is bad for you. Eat cake and rejoice!"

spen666 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by amc

Imagine this - i've just won a zillion quid on the Euro Lottery and after looking after friends and family i'm going to set up a British team to enter the 2007 Tour (as it's imaginery i might as well make it this year's tour with it's London start).

Who should be in the team? How about this for starters?

...Bike err Raleigh?

...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

All riding Raleigh Choppers?

22nd March can't come soon enough, neither can 26th May 2007

Carbon Footprint what Carbon Footprint?

walkercp · June 2007

I'd give Dave Clarke a Place, for his persistance alone this season

Rhino's are the new Elephant

Ghost Donkey · June 2007

Isn't Magnus Backstedt married to a Welsh woman and based in Wales? Couldn't we draft him in to any UK team?

ContrelaMontre · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ghost Donkey

Isn't Magnus Backstedt married to a Welsh woman and based in Wales? Couldn't we draft him in to any UK team?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

They unfortunately don't make Choppers big enough to accomodate Maggie though!

Herd of gnus?
No! What's the news?

Pink Bananarama!!
ContrelaMontre 310
Noodley 237

amc · June 2007

Good shout on Magnus but what about a foreign 'ringer' with some vague Uk connection who could challenge for the GC?

amc

Olicp · June 2007

Read last weeks comic, Dave Brailsford gives a non too subtle hint that if a sponsor came in with this sort of an offer he'd bite their hand off!
Anyone work for BA then?

Definately condor bikes, USE bits, any other UK components?
Add in some guys off the ODP programme who ride the ToB and you've got a squad to win big and small races.

sponsored by black sheep ales
FGG 1467 & 2387

alan_sherman · June 2007

How much money does it take to run a team? i was wondering if there was the possibility in cycling of a 'supporters' team - basically get a few hundred normal supporters to chip in smallish amounts of money as the base investment to get the thing of the ground. Then they become shareholders of the team.

I know the skydiving tunnel in Milton Keynes ws set up in a similar way..

Actually would it be better to forget about the Olympic legacy and just get the users to chip in to set up a cycling park somewhere else? (although now off topic - should start another thread)

Cyclist, public transport passenger, pedestrian, driver, motorcyclist.
I get on OK with myself, so why can't we all get on with each other?

hevipedal · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by alan sherman

How much money does it take to run a team? i was wondering if there was the possibility in cycling of a 'supporters' team - basically get a few hundred normal supporters to chip in smallish amounts of money as the base investment to get the thing of the ground. Then they become shareholders of the team.

I know the skydiving tunnel in Milton Keynes ws set up in a similar way..

Actually would it be better to forget about the Olympic legacy and just get the users to chip in to set up a cycling park somewhere else? (although now off topic - should start another thread)

Cyclist, public transport passenger, pedestrian, driver, motorcyclist.
I get on OK with myself, so why can't we all get on with each other?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

you mean like Euskatel?

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

Unknown · June 2007

I see Gerraint Thomas is in the TDF. Only 21! I hope he manages okay. Must be a dream come true for him

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/New ... 23031.html

________Our behaviour is a function of our experience.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by alan sherman

How much money does it take to run a team? i was wondering if there was the possibility in cycling of a 'supporters' team - basically get a few hundred normal supporters to chip in smallish amounts of money as the base investment to get the thing of the ground. Then they become shareholders of the team.

I know the skydiving tunnel in Milton Keynes ws set up in a similar way..

Actually would it be better to forget about the Olympic legacy and just get the users to chip in to set up a cycling park somewhere else? (although now off topic - should start another thread)

Cyclist, public transport passenger, pedestrian, driver, motorcyclist.
I get on OK with myself, so why can't we all get on with each other?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmm wasn't there an Australian (or maybe South African) team like this a few years ago?
I seem to remember it was an existing team, but you could become a member via their website and the subscriptions all went towards the sponsorship.

walkercp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by alan sherman

How much money does it take to run a team? i was wondering if there was the possibility in cycling of a 'supporters' team - basically get a few hundred normal supporters to chip in smallish amounts of money as the base investment to get the thing of the ground. Then they become shareholders of the team.

I know the skydiving tunnel in Milton Keynes ws set up in a similar way..

Actually would it be better to forget about the Olympic legacy and just get the users to chip in to set up a cycling park somewhere else? (although now off topic - should start another thread)

Cyclist, public transport passenger, pedestrian, driver, motorcyclist.
I get on OK with myself, so why can't we all get on with each other?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If handed the bikes for free, the kit for free, and Loaned/borrowed cars to sponsor the team, your looking in the region of about œ500k a year minimum, once you've paid wages, travel Accomodation, Pay riders on Performance bonuses alone, coaches and masseuers and physios on a performance basis too. But it will be the tightest team in the world, I think T-Mobile have a yearly budget of about œ5m

Rhino's are the new Elephant

ju5t1n · October 2012

It'd never work

No_Ta_Doctor · October 2012

ju5t1n wrote:

It'd never work

The secret of a good joke is in the timing. Though 5 years might be pushing it....

A British Tour de France team!

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