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 Olivier Minaire (archives)

Rumours have been rife for a week or so over a possible merger between Leopard Trek and US based team Radio Shack but an article in today’s L’Equipe claims that the team’s owner, Flavio Becca, may pull the plug as early as the end of September.

The news will come as a shock to many who saw the media launch of the team in January this year at the Coque sports centre on Kirchberg (photo). Back then team manager Brian Nygaard told Delano that the team had secured financing for four years. He also said that the team wanted to be much more than just a bunch of pro-cyclists - “a platform for fans and sponsors”. Several local sponsors, including Enovos and Mercedes Luxembourg, jumped on board.

But Nygaard also told Delano that the team would “take account at the end of the season”. That season began and ended with Leopard Trek the number one ranked team in the world, but its riders failed to win any of the major races--which Nygaard had said they could--and despite the Schlecks finishing second and third in the Tour de France (the first brothers ever to share a podium in the race) it seems that was not enough to maintain interest in the team.

It seems that Nygaard is leaving to become communications director at Australian team GreedEdge (his previous job was in the same position at Team Sky). Reports also suggest that 11 of the team’s 25 professional riders have already been told to look for another team for next season. As for Fränk and Andy Schleck, they might well end up riding for Radio Shack next year. Watch this space.