What the Schleck ?

"Just when I thought I was out.....they pull me back in."

I was surprised yesterday to read about the formation of a new cycling powerhouse backed by Trek. The team has been created after extensive planning and negotiation with riders such as the Schleck Brothers (Andy and Frank) who will be dropping their Specialized ties and migrate from Team Saxo Bank. Fabian "Motor Man" Cancellara will also join the crew in what is sure to shake things up on the pro circuit next year. Team Leopard-Trek has also rolled out a new line of Trek products that are sure to turn heads. The new Trek Madone and Trek Speed concept are some slick looking machines.

Now here's where the inquiries will start. The songbird of Trek a year ago was the launch of Lance Armstrong's Team Radio Shack. It seems like there has been a valiant attempt to shift attention away from Team Radio Shack's thunder of a year ago. One would have to wonder if this would have anything to due with the ongoing and bubbling accusations of doping with regard to several riders on the pro circuit? Or would this simply be a business minded decision along with Trek's attempt to stay fresh with a new group of GC contenders? One thing is for sure. If Alberto Contador is convicted of illegal substance use during last year's Tour De France, Trek may have brought aboard another reigning Tour Champion in Andy Schleck.

I'm not quite sure why Trek was so intent on keeping the almost exact color scheme of their then sponsored Team Astana of a couple years ago. If anything amidst the ongoing Armstrong controversy, it would seem these colors have the potential of permanently staining Trek's image. Nine of the last twelve tour winners have been on a Trek product. However, depending how things pan out with allegations, this may be a stat that is referenced with an asterisk (was it the crap or custom carbon) for years to come.

Now for the Good Part: (Eh,um....A.K.A. - How This Effects Me):

This is where I've become a bit perplexed. Trek is once again tugging at my heartstrings. The new Madone looks so very much like my Trek 2.1 that I sold last spring. The Madone was up in my top three options last year prior to my commitment and later pre-Super Week debacle in dealings with the inferior "Milk was a bad choice" Velo Vie. If you haven't seen these bikes yet. I'd heavily suggest taking a peak at Trek's website (link below). If you're lucky to test ride one of these fellas, make sure you leave your checkbook and wallet at home. So now a Trek bicycle will be once again running through my dreams through the spring season. It's a good thing bank account statements and my team leader will be around to keep talking me off the ledge.

If anything, I'm looking forward to watching Team Leopard-Trek this year. Long gone is Trek's jocking of Kazakhstan's Team Astana. Now enter the Schleck Boys from Luxembourg; coincidentally the country of the Galles family name's origin.

TANGENT ALERT: Ever wonder why Galles sounds French? Look into the recent two hundred year history of Luxembourg....duh! This also explains my fondness of baguette and Freedom fries.

The Schleck brothers bring a little punk to cycling. These guys are definitely fun to watch and are in the prime of their careers. They tie into the statistical defying athletic family anomalies with the likes of Thomas and Julius Jones, Peyton and Eli Manning,....and (OK, now I'm pushing it) Carson and Jordan Palmer . This is so rockstar; Last year Andy was removed from the Vuelta a Espana after violating team conduct standards with Stuart O'Grady. As a Get Out of Jail Free option, I would have suggested Andy pose the question to the team hierarchy addressing how difficult it is leaving a bar with an Irishman without imbibing a tasty beverage? But hey, we can't all be geniuses. At least they weren't invited to a steak dinner with Alberto Contador.

Enough rambling....Check 'em out for yourself !!!
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