Monday Musette – Kit, Bikes, Press Conferences, & Kudos

Here’s this week’s Monday Musette:

1. It’s now 2011, which means teams and riders can finally—and officially—unveil their new kits and sponsors without fear of breaking old contracts.  While we’ve done our best to keep you up to date as photos of new kits and bikes are announced, several have seemed to slip through the cracks since the holiday.  So I ask you, dear reader, which 2011 kits and bikes are your favorite?

My vote goes to HTC-High Road for its retro-looking kit and Movistar for its tasteful use of blue and green in the squad’s Pinarellos.  I’m hoping the Spanish squad makes the trip to Flanders and Roubaix—I can’t wait to see them riding Kobhs.

As for our own 2011 kit, we’re just about ready to unveil its final iteration, along with pricing and ordering information.  Hopefully you saved some holiday money for a chance to spend the year in some pretty fine-looking Vermarc clothing.  For the latest info and to be added to the mailing list, just complete this simple survey.

2. But despite the announcements, photo leaks, and team training camps of the past few weeks, there’s still one team we’re all waiting to hear from: Team Leopard/True Racing.  (Generating buzz must have been the team’s first goal of the season.)  Thursday is slated to be the team’s official presentation—hopefully we’ll have many of our questions answered then.

3. As for Team Geox, many questions still remain for a squad rumored to have “suffered a Pegasus” once the title sponsor learned that the Tour de France was not a guarantee.  As far as we can see, no kits or bikes have popped-up in the press, fanning the flames of the team’s naysayers.

4. Belgium’s eagerly anticipating another announcement: the final decision as to cyclocross star Zdenek Stybar’s long-rumored transfer to Quick Step.  While Stybar’s a popular rider and certainly one of the best ‘crossers in the world, it remains to be seen what kind of future awaits him on the road.  The Czech’s talking about Flanders and Roubaix—is he deluding himself and his fans?

5. And last but not least, we received some kudos today that made us feel pretty darn good.  We’ll be unveiling some new features throughout 2011, but please know that we remain committed to providing the same level of commentary and coverage that you’ve come to expect from Pavé.  And luckily—for those growing tired of headlines dominated by kit, bikes, and sponsorship crises—we’re a little less than two weeks away from the start of the Tour Down Under.

Thanks for reading—feel free to share your comments below.

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.
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4 Responses to Monday Musette – Kit, Bikes, Press Conferences, & Kudos

  1. Josh says:

    I do not like the Saxo kit… Is the eagle really supposed to be a representation of Riis' old nickname? That is weird to me. I love the simplicity of HTC's kit. I love the ridley frames for vacansoleil!

  2. michael says:

    the new Liquigas-Cannondale kit is stellar. can't wait for the rest of the world to have it's first look shortly!

  3. geronimo says:

    Congrats on the kudos. Well deserved.
    G

  4. Adam says:

    Pave's absolutely deserving of the honor, news and in depth analysis are getting harder to come by from the cookie cutter websites, but not here. You are in excellent company among the other listees.

    You're second point hit a note with me. How is it possible that I don't even want to care about the names across the Leopard/True kit this year, but that I'll be watching carefully on the 6th? Nygaard's a master of controlling information and building the mystery prior to the unveiling; hopefully he's as good at the other roles of Director.

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