Word for word

Like many in the cycling world I've been puzzling over the arrangements made between the Leopard Trek and RadioShack teams, or more specifically, the controlling entities behind them.

Based on their respective press releases there are a several things that we do know but also questions that need to be answered by both parties.

I've matched up the press release statements and quotes and from that we know the agreed on branding of the team, the length of the sponsorship arrangement (2012/2013) the licensing arrangements (Luxembourg based), its physical base (Luxembourg), Marketing arrangements, management and confirmation of some riders.

The detail that needs to be independently confirmed by Leopard Trek money man Flavio Becca is the exact status of Johan Bruyneel within the team structure.

Maybe there was an arrangement between the two where Bruyneel would later flesh out some of the detail confirming his involvement. However, the omission of Bruyneel's name in the original Leopard Trek press release was interesting enough to raise eyebrows. One would think that important.

Usually when mergers are announced there is agreement on the kind of language used and information given and the press releases are almost word-for-word matches. This wasn't the case early on with the Bruyneel question sitting in the room like the proverbial Elephant - until the RadioShack release dropped confirming his direct involvement.

Leopard Trek - [Headline] Luxembourg-based team Leopard-Trek is proud to welcome RadioShack and Nissan as new main sponsors.

RadioShack - [Headline] RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Cycling Super Team Links Top Riders and Sponsors

LT - Leopard announces that RadioShack and Nissan are joining the Leopard-Trek World Tour Team as sponsors for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

RS - CSE Pro Cycling LLC is proud to announce that RadioShack and Nissan are joining the Leopard-Trek World Tour Team as sponsors for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

LT - Leopard will continue to hold its existing UCI World Tour License. The team will be rebranded as RadioShack-Nissan- Trek Professional Cycling Team as of next year.

RS - The team will hold a license in Luxembourg and be named the RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Professional Cycling Team.

LT - The team will continue to call Luxembourg its home.

RS - All marketing operations will be operated out of Austin, Texas by CSE Pro Cycling LLC. All sporting operations will be managed by Johan Bruyneel Sports Management in both Belgium and Luxembourg. The team will continue to represent LIVESTRONG in the global fight against cancer.

LT - The final line-up will be announced in due time.

RS - The staff and roster will be a combination from the current formations. Further details and specifics will be released by September 15th.

LT - Time trial World Champion Fabian Cancellara as well as Tour de France runners-up Andy and Fränk Schleck will continue to lead the team in its ambitious plans for the seasons 2012 and 2013. They will be joined by Tour of California Champion Chris Horner, two-time Tour de France runner-up Andreas Klöden, and National Champions Matthew Busche, Jani Brajkovic, Nelson Oliveira and Robert Wagner.

RS - Key Riders on the Team will be: Time trial World Champion Fabian Cancellara; Andy and Fränk Schleck, the second and third place finishers at the 2011 Tour de France; Tour of California Champion Chris Horner; two-time Tour de France runner-up Andreas Klöden; respective national champions Matthew Busche, Jani Brajkovic, Nelson Oliveira and Robert Wagner; standout neo-pros Jesse Sergent and Ben King; all-around powers Jakob Fuglsang and Haimar Zubeldia; and sprinter Daniele Bennati.

Quotes: Flavio Becca

"As we stated in January, 2011 would be our apprentice-year. We intend to improve upon our results. In modern cycling you cannot move forward without strong sponsors. It is in this respect that today is a further milestone in the development of this exciting young project, which has gained the trust of two well-established players in the world of professional cycling. I continue to believe in the bright future of our athletes and have high expectations for the performance of this team. This is a major strategic move for all partners involved."

Quotes: Johann Bruyneel

"With our sponsors' continuing commitment and the professionalism of our riders, I'm confident that RadioShack-Nissan-Trek will dominate cycling for years to come. With Team RadioShack, we won 30 races and dominated the most important American races in 2011. Now thanks to the presence of riders like Fabian Cancellara and the Schleck brothers, we have the potential to win not only Classics and major stage races but Grand Tours as well. We will form a team of 30 riders, in regulation with the UCI rules. All contracts with riders and staff that are already signed with Team Leopard-Trek or Team RadioShack will be respected. We are grateful our sponsors believe in this project. This is a great milestone for our team and our global sport."