Following reports yesterday that Brian Nygaard and Leopard Trek have parted ways, the Dane and the team have both officially confirmed the separation today. Nygaard helped set up the squad after being approached by Luxembourg businessman Flavio Becca but after less than a year with the job, he has been pushed aside to make way for a new-look setup next year.
Team RadioShack general manager Johan Bruyneel looks set to have a big role in the team, coming on board after Leopard Trek and Radioshack announced a polling of talent and resources.
“In a common agreement, Leopard SA and the now former General Manager have decided to part ways,” said the team in a statement. “Nygaard was part of the initial build up of the new project and will now leave the management role to the new structure of the team.”
Nygaard was a major part in establishing the team and will have very mixed feelings about moving on. He may well speak about what happened at a later date, but today’s statement steered clear of any regrets.
“I’m proud to have been part of building up a new team in cycling and I’m happy for the experience it has given me,” he said. “I wish the project best of luck going onwards. Personally, I would like to thank the riders and the staff for giving their best to this team.”
He is rumoured to be heading to GreenEdge to work as its press officer.
Meanwhile many of the key riders of both the Leopard Trek and RadioShack teams will remain on board. Those staying put from the Luxembourg structure are the Schleck brothers Andy and Frank, second and third in this year’s Tour, world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara and multiple Tour of Denmark winner Jakob Fuglsang.
Andreas Klöden, Chris Horner and Janez Brajkovic are amongst those moving across from their current squad. The new team will be called RadioShack Nissan Trek. The full line-up will be confirmed at a later point.
Meanwhile the repercussions of the amalgamation continue. Several riders and many of the team staff are left without slots for next year, and some of the current Leopard Trek sponsors have been ousted. Mercedes Benz has expressed its displeasure with how things unfolded, saying that it has a contract valid for two more years, and speaks about ‘consequences.’