Poor (ex) Argos-Shimano

iainf72
iainf72 Posts: 15,784
edited April 2014 in Pro race
Their new sponsor pulled the plug. Fortunately Giant have stepped in for 2014 but they need to find a new headline sponsor with money going forward.

Team will be Giant-Shimano for 2014
Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
«13

Comments

  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I thought their new bikes looked like Rabo/Belkin/Giant's from the start of last season. What does a team have to do to get a sponsor these days? Express anti doping manifesto, multiple grand tour stage wins, upcoming GC rider, semi-classics potential, and still they are struggling ... :(
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    The news reports just say 'an American charity'

    Poor show
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    The news reports just say 'an American charity'

    Poor show
    Shall we try and start a rumour that it was Livestrong and see how far it gets?

    Seriously, though, they are a low budget team with some quality riders who punch above their weight. They would provide an excellent opportunity for a German company with interests elsewhere in Europe, especially France. They could lead 'the rebirth of German cycling'. It would be a drop in the ocean for the likes of Lidl or Aldi.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,905
    Why is it such a struggle to find sponsors?
  • LeePaton
    LeePaton Posts: 353
    Poor PR... No one really wants to be the next Livestrong.

    Which is bad really as the exposure from being main shirt sponsor is phenomenal compared to other sports.
    It's not so much about winning, I just hate losing.
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    TheBigBean wrote:
    Why is it such a struggle to find sponsors?

    I don't think the risk of historical skeletons inflicting brand damage exists to the same extent in other sports. Which sponsor is mentioned in same sentence as Dwaine Chambers, Ben Johnson... Given the limited talent pool, and toxic pond, even peripheral figures like Leinders can land you in an unflattering Sunday Times feature.

    Cycling is arguably more advanced than other sports in confronting today's problem, but if Vino - to pick a random name - were to retire to write his memoirs, many may feel uncomfortable.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • smokey_bacon
    smokey_bacon Posts: 1,639
    Shame, but they are still here which is a bonus. Not sure if I could say that if Felt were still the bike supplier.
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,905
    I just don't think it is that damaging - I don't think US Postal, Discovery Channel, Nike, Oakley etc. have been damaged by the Armstrong fall out.
  • dsoutar
    dsoutar Posts: 1,746
    RichN95 wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    The news reports just say 'an American charity'

    Poor show
    Shall we try and start a rumour that it was Livestrong and see how far it gets?

    Seriously, though, they are a low budget team with some quality riders who punch above their weight. They would provide an excellent opportunity for a German company with interests elsewhere in Europe, especially France. They could lead 'the rebirth of German cycling'. It would be a drop in the ocean for the likes of Lidl or Aldi.

    I like what you did there - very subtle

    You should be in Marketing :wink:
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    TheBigBean wrote:
    I just don't think it is that damaging - I don't think US Postal, Discovery Channel, Nike, Oakley etc. have been damaged by the Armstrong fall out.

    Perhaps more through luck than skill or judgement, and I doubt their peers would care to repeat the experiment.

    Without the shadow of historical doping 'bombshells', the global coverage offered by the TdF may become marketable as unique, like Champions League failball, Supperbowl etc
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • trek_dan
    trek_dan Posts: 1,366
    An Aldi pro cycling team would be unreal. They could all wear the Aldi own make cycling gear, and as Kittel's lead out men fall to the back hand the 'This Weeks Special Offers' flyers.
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    trek_dan wrote:
    An Aldi pro cycling team would be unreal. They could all wear the Aldi own make cycling gear, and as Kittel's lead out men fall to the back hand the 'This Weeks Special Offers' flyers.

    Has potential.

    DS Radio: "Rouleur to Echelon 2, please"
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Macaloon wrote:
    TheBigBean wrote:
    I just don't think it is that damaging - I don't think US Postal, Discovery Channel, Nike, Oakley etc. have been damaged by the Armstrong fall out.

    Perhaps more through luck than skill or judgement, and I doubt their peers would care to repeat the experiment.

    Without the shadow of historical doping 'bombshells', the global coverage offered by the TdF may become marketable as unique, like Champions League failball, Supperbowl etc



    Depending on the sponsor, some brands can be incredibly bomb-proof to such trivial issues as dopers amongst their athletes. Hell, if the Nike sweatshops didnt damage the brand, then Lance (expecially Lance from years ago) was never going to cause a smidgeon of damage to their brand. They've still got A-Rod on their books, non?
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    edited January 2014
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Depending on the sponsor, some brands can be incredibly bomb-proof to such trivial issues as dopers amongst their athletes. Hell, if the Nike sweatshops didnt damage the brand, then Lance (expecially Lance from years ago) was never going to cause a smidgeon of damage to their brand. They've still got A-Rod on their books, non?
    Not just bomb-proof, bullet-proof too:
    2-14-13-nike-bullet-chamber.jpg
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • mr_poll
    mr_poll Posts: 1,547
    Macaloon wrote:
    trek_dan wrote:
    An Aldi pro cycling team would be unreal. They could all wear the Aldi own make cycling gear, and as Kittel's lead out men fall to the back hand the 'This Weeks Special Offers' flyers.

    Has potential.

    DS Radio: "Rouleur to Echelon 2, please"

    Being Aldi they wouldn't provide free mussettes - imagine scenes at the top of climbs with team staff with armfuls of gels and bars whilst juggling bottles for the riders.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    edited January 2014
    mr_poll wrote:
    Being Aldi they wouldn't provide free mussettes - imagine scenes at the top of climbs with team staff with armfuls of gels and bars whilst juggling bottles for the riders.
    Either bring your own bags or pay 5p. Why do the English have so much trouble with this? It's not difficult.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Depending on the sponsor, some brands can be incredibly bomb-proof to such trivial issues as dopers amongst their athletes. Hell, if the Nike sweatshops didnt damage the brand, then Lance (expecially Lance from years ago) was never going to cause a smidgeon of damage to their brand. They've still got A-Rod on their books, non?

    If you're big enough you can take more risks. Having survived the sweat-shop damage, Armstrong was relatively minor for Nike. But if the sport is too risky for 80% (complete guess) of the available sponsor pool, there may be difficulties.

    If doping is not the main issue, maybe the sport is merely missing the presence of a miracle-worker from a faraway continent.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    RichN95 wrote:
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    The news reports just say 'an American charity'

    Poor show
    Shall we try and start a rumour that it was Livestrong and see how far it gets?

    Seriously, though, they are a low budget team with some quality riders who punch above their weight. They would provide an excellent opportunity for a German company with interests elsewhere in Europe, especially France. They could lead 'the rebirth of German cycling'. It would be a drop in the ocean for the likes of Lidl or Aldi.

    I have to disagree there, they are becoming far less of a low budget team.

    Belkin are becoming Vacansolei
    Argos are becoming Belkin/Rabobank

    Look at all the sub sponsors of the teams. Argos will soon need a budget the same as what Belkin/Rabobank had last years.
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    This is pretty sad and pretty low balls that they pull out at the last minute. If I was the team manager I would name and shame.

    It is a bit unusual that there are so few sponsors particularly when I really dont think a doping scandal would have much of an effect on sales.

    The most important thing the UCI can do is to try and completely reshape the funding of the sport so that there is a huge less reliance on sponsors. The amount of money someone like ASO get for tv rights etc...that should be fed back into the team's budgets. I understand it is by far an easy task but it would be good if they were at least looking into it.

    I think many sponsors are only interested in a 1 year sponsorship...it gives them a relatively cheap huge increase and the sales resulting from 2nd year exposure I would doubt are particularly high.

    Although Belkin's idea of sponsoring for parts of the year is innovative, I think it is unrealistic as creates too much variability and huge added requirement for the teams to find sponsors.

    I can understand the bike companies being big on sponsorship and long term one at that - it is a huge way to increase sales in addition to improving your products.

    ps. check out Nike's share price over the last 5 years.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Markwb79 wrote:

    I have to disagree there, they are becoming far less of a low budget team.
    How are they becoming less of a low budget team? They've just lost their prime sponsor.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Paul 8v
    Paul 8v Posts: 5,458
    Glad they've still got a team, they've got some cracking riders
    Road
    MTB
    NEW Cross
    Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    RichN95 wrote:
    Markwb79 wrote:

    I have to disagree there, they are becoming far less of a low budget team.
    How are they becoming less of a low budget team? They've just lost their prime sponsor.

    All their other sponsors actually 'charge' more this year vs last year.

    Kit, bikes etc
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    Macaloon wrote:
    TheBigBean wrote:
    Why is it such a struggle to find sponsors?

    I don't think the risk of historical skeletons inflicting brand damage exists to the same extent in other sports. Which sponsor is mentioned in same sentence as Dwaine Chambers, Ben Johnson... Given the limited talent pool, and toxic pond, even peripheral figures like Leinders can land you in an unflattering Sunday Times feature.

    Cycling is arguably more advanced than other sports in confronting today's problem, but if Vino - to pick a random name - were to retire to write his memoirs, many may feel uncomfortable.

    I think when Dick Pound, when asked about doping in cycling, and states 'Put it this way I don't watch the tdf any more', it resonates with potential sponsors. The fallout from LA and the rest is still top of mind, and as is well documented my view and that of most of the world is that there is still a major problem in the sport. It's no different than Athletics.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDRQRt1-wC8

    Moving on I do like Argos-Shimano, they have definitely been punching above their weight and have been quite exciting, much down to 3 men though. It will be interesting to see how Barguil races this season.

    Good luck to them.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Economic performance of firms (retail especially) is still pretty weak.

    QE is the main reason for such a bouyent equity performance at the moment.
    _
  • argyllflyer
    argyllflyer Posts: 893
    Did Kittel not sign a new deal recently? Their budget must have jumped a bit to allow for that.
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    madasahattersley wrote:
    Markwb79 wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Markwb79 wrote:

    I have to disagree there, they are becoming far less of a low budget team.
    How are they becoming less of a low budget team? They've just lost their prime sponsor.

    All their other sponsors actually 'charge' more this year vs last year.

    Kit, bikes etc

    :?:

    haha, well thats definitely the case for some things.

    Whether you call it charge, or sponsor them with less funds. It mounts to the same thing.
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • dsoutar
    dsoutar Posts: 1,746
    Is the sponsor that pulled out the one referred to by Inrng or is that somwthing else ?

    "Argos Shimano > ????

    Finally a note of speculation. The team formerly known as Argos-Shimano is due to unveil its new name, kit and website on 13 January. For now the 1t4i.com website is a holding page but mentions a Twitter hashtag #KeepChallenging.

    Nobody owns those two words but eagle-eyed Dutch readers on the Wielerflits website have spotted the same hashtag has been used by Cognizant, a large American IT consultancy and outsourcing firm.


    You can wait for opportunities or we can help you create them. See how we help companies #KeepChallenging ,on our newly redesigned site!

    — Cognizant (@Cognizant) June 24, 2013

    Is this just coincidence or is this the identity of the new team sponsor? It’s not obvious, if the team and sponsor want to keep things under wraps then using a shared Twitter meme in public seems to give the game away. At the same time if they weren’t linking up why would the team employ a mantra closely-linked with another firm? All will be revealed this time next week."
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Giant stepping in story came after INRNG's post. There's a little part of me that hopes that the Giant rumour is a red-herring. The keep challenging site is still up...
  • dsoutar
    dsoutar Posts: 1,746
    dish_dash wrote:
    Giant stepping in story came after INRNG's post. There's a little part of me that hopes that the Giant rumour is a red-herring. The keep challenging site is still up...


    Yeah - that's what I'm hoping...
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    BXVGovyCAAI-nUf.png
    Contador is the Greatest

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