Discovery Channel Cycling Team Disbands
By JIM VERTUNO
The Associated Press
Saturday, August 11, 2007; 4:06 AM
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Lance Armstrong era in cycling is over. Citing fractious leadership in the sport, constant doping allegations and the struggles of finding a new sponsor, Armstrong and the owners of his former Discovery Channel team said Friday the squad will disband after this season.
Armstrong said it was the perfect time to go out on top: Discovery's Alberto Contador of Spain won the team's eighth Tour de France title in nine years last month.
"It's a sad day for cycling. Certainly a sad day for American cycling," Armstrong said. "We're proud of our record."
The decision shuts down the sport's only elite professional team based in the United States. Armstrong retired from riding in 2005 but remained a visible co-owner of the team operated by Tailwind Sports.
Discovery announced in February it would not sponsor the team beyond this year. Team General Manager Bill Stapleton acknowledged difficulty securing new sponsorship with the sport under the constant pressure of doping allegations.
"It's not an environment right now that's conducive to a lot of investment," Stapleton said, adding the team was in talks with several potential sponsors. "This was a difficult decision, not made any easier by our recent Tour de France success."
Armstrong said he believes a sponsor could have been found, but the ownership group decided now was the time to quit.
There are several different versions of this story that have come out over the past few days. The team couldn't find a sponsor. No, they had a sponsor in the wings but decided the timing wasn't right. The doping allegations scared sponsors away. No, but the climate isn't right for trying to launch a new identity just now. Bruyneel was going to retire anyway. Lance wants to spend more time with his family ... just kidding on that one.
That gust of wind from the east over the weekend was the French heaving a giant sigh of relief. "The Lance Armstrong era in cycling is over." No more American teams in the Tour? What about American riders on the podium? Leipheimer and Hincapie won't have any trouble finding a new home, but with what status? My fear is that, with the demise of the USPS/Discovery Channel team, America's brief love affair with international cycling will wane. What a shame.
