Il rapporto dell’Usada sulle pratiche doping di Armstrong comincia a fare effetto. Anche Nike, uno dei più strenui sostenitori dell’atleta americano, ha deciso di prenderne le distanze. Notare bene cosa Nike stessa dicesse solo qualche giorno fa in questo articolo di Cycling News.
Oggi, in un breve comunicato che trovate qui, Nike dice di non voler più sponsorizzare Armstrong in quanto le prove sono diventate schiaccianti e l’azienda americana si rende (improvvisamente?) conto di essere stata raggirata dal ciclista per un decennio. Nike continuerà a supportare la fondazione contro il cancro Livestrong, da cui Armostrong proprio oggi ha dato le dimissioni dal suo posto di presidente.
19 ottobre, anche SRAM abbandona Armstrong:
In 2006, SRAM re-entered the road market and quickly rose to the top ranks in the pro-peloton. Securing both amateur and professional athlete and team relationships was key to SRAM’s success.
In 2008, Lance Armstrong decided to come out of retirement and re-enter the 2009 racing scene. Mr. Armstrong connected with SRAM and had a small share of a minority private equity investment in SRAM beginning in September of 2008. SRAM bought out the private equity investment in June of 2011 that included Mr. Armstrong’s interest. Mr. Armstrong has not had an investment in SRAM since that time.
SRAM is officially terminating its product sponsorship agreement with Mr. Armstrong. SRAM is disappointed with the revelations that the USADA report has brought forth.
Moving forward, SRAM will maintain its support of the Livestrong Foundation, as we believe in its purpose and value. Additionally, SRAM will continue to support the Bontrager-Livestrong cycling team.
