The new 2000 Discovery Team Roster was announced yesterday. I have to say it looks really weird to not see Lance’s name leading the list. We have a great bunch of riders, but we are also losing a lot of our American guys. One of my favorite guys is Tony Cruz, and I really hate to see that his name is not on the list. He is a dedicated, hard-working rider and has given so much to the team over the years. Much appreciation and best of luck to Tony, Creed, Pat and Ryder.

We now have George, Tom and Jason to carry the Stars and Stripes into 2006 for the American fans. Gee, it will be weird to not see the Texas flag along the roads next year. But we may still see it, since Lance will be riding in the team car at some races... But no Texas flag flying on top of Le Crillion ever again.....

We still have our brilliant Directeur Sportif, Johan Bruyneel, with Dirk Demol, Laurenzo Lapage and Sean Yates as Assistants. These astute and experienced directeurs will bring out the best in the 2006 team, and of course, Lance will be very present as an owner/manager. The best of the best, leading the best....

I saw a press release from Richardson’s Bike Mart this morning in Florida Sports Magazine. Here is part of the PR:
“Inspired by Lance Armstrong's record Tour De France accomplishments, and his mission to inspire / empower people with cancer to “Live Strong”, we have created the ultimate bicycle to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. To honor his record setting 7th win, we have commissioned Alan Friedman to design and manufacture a “Diamond 7” plaque which will be affixed to the front of the bicycle. The plaque is made in 14K white and yellow gold and contains “7” one carat intense vivid yellow cultured Gemesis diamonds(each diamond representing his 7 winning yellow jerseys) and 300 full cut white diamonds.

“This is a special bike honoring a very special person. We designed a “Diamond 7” emblem set in a spoke pattern glittering with diamonds and set it on a reproduction of the bike that Lance rode victoriously into Paris. Trek has kindly donated a Trek Madone 5.9 SL one of a kind bicycle to the project” said Jim Hoyt, owner of Richardson Bike Mart. “Lance Armstrong is a inspiration to us all, I can think of no better way to contribute to his cause”, said Alan Friedman

This bicycle will be auctioned at the annual Lance Armstrong Foundation Gala in New York on October 19. Our goal is to raise in excess of $100,000 for the foundation. This could make it the most valuable bicycle in the world.

One of the other interesting points of the project is that this bike was built in the US, the diamonds were made in the US, the “Diamond 7” was designed and manufactured in the US. This is rare in both the bike and the jewelry industry. What better way to honor the only rider, an American, to ever get seven Tour de France wins. Lance Armstrong’s career began at the Richardson Bike Mart. What better place to unveil the Trek Diamond 7 bicycle."

Sunday, October 16, 2005
4:00 – 5: 00 Press conference
5:30 – 6:30 Unveiling of the bicycle
Richardson Bike Mart, 1451 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080