Nygaard denies Leopard name for Luxembourg team

Andy Schleck's new Luxembourg-based team will end the year without a name, despite rumours it will be called Leopard True Racing. General Manager Brian Nygaard told Luxembourg's Wort newspaper that fans will have to wait until the presentation on January 6 to know the name.

"I can assure you," said Nygaard, "that the team's name will not be Leopard True Racing next season."

The team's management name is used for the website, leopard.lu, and displayed on the door at the team's headquarters in Howald, Luxembourg. Nygaard and Team Manager Kim Andersen are there working hard to prepare for January 6.

"The design of the shirts, shorts, etc is ready," said Nygaard. "I think it will find wide appeal."

The presentation comes just seven months after they started signing riders to build their new team. The team has a distinctive Saxo Bank flavour as Nygaard, Andersen and eight riders came from the Danish team.

The 25-man team - including Schleck and Fabian Cancellara - just returned from a training camp in the Swiss Alps.

"The atmosphere was good and I think we've selected the best possible rider combination. I saw that the boys are motivated and ready to do everything possible to shine in 2011. ... Everything worked perfectly. It is not exaggerated to say that this was the best training camp that I've attended."

With Nygaard's and Andersen's work, the team will be ready to present itself at the Coque sports centre in Luxembourg. However, the new first division team suffered a setback high in the Swiss mountains that will jeopardise its debut at the Tour Down Under in Australia on January 16.

Stuart O'Grady crashed while skiing and fractured his ribs. The winner of the 1999 and 2001 Tour Down Under, held in his home town of Adelaide, and the 2007 Paris-Roubaix may be forced to withdraw.

"He told us he's OK and that he's back home in Monaco," his brother Darren told website Adelaide Now. "Look he's fit and he thinks it will take him a couple of weeks to recover. He should be firing by the time the Tour Down Under comes around."

O'Grady is expected to miss the Victoria's Jayco Bay Classic on January 2.

Related links

Cancellara to join Schlecks, confirms Team Luxembourg contract

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