Whole Tabriz Petrochemical team from Iran is on LWs.

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ciclismo-espresso.com

Nice!!

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Exp001

so no bike or group-sponsor, just wheels...

nice wheels though!

They're based in Iran (and train at 7,000' elevation). Getting products into that country can be an ordeal, depending on the manufacturer and origin. If cycling products were routed and produced by (South) Korea, it would be incredibly easy... almost too easy to get whatever you want. Products from Germany and the rest of the EU are also viable, but elsewhere it is very difficult. Traditional/known sponsors are hesitant on sponsoring the team as they are racing mostly in the Asian Tour (which is not the usual market) and there are sometimes unfortunate political/social garbage that clouds the sponsorship. Actually, they are sponsored by Ridley and Giant. Not sure what the situation is though as they aren't able to get the bikes in?

Most likely they had someone just simply buy a lot (a lot!!) of Lightweights and bring them back to Iran. Then again, Lightweights are from Germany and getting German products in Iran isn't difficult at all.

Either way, sponsor or not they are a very talented team!!

http://www.tptcycling.com/index.php

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Exp001

so they have Ridley written on their shirts and they ride Giant and Wilier too? What's going on?

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A light bike does replace good fitness.

And ride Sram and Shimano.

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EX Colnago C50
TREK Madone 5.9 SL #7

I tell you what. You try to run a professional cycling team out of a country that is under heavy embargo, then get back to me with your complaints about equipment availability.

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Exp001

It's a Continental team, it's common to have mixed brands.
And beside that, they have been dominating the Asian cycling in the past 2 years.

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ciclismo-espresso.com

Which you never hear in the News, other than propaganda malice.

8 spoke front:

Stybar's new wheels:

To the top - bc this is my favorite thread.

Anyone have anything to update?

The chicken and D. Cassani

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-Deacon Doctor Colorado Slim

That would have been interesting if they were in the same photo

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I never took drugs to improve my performance at any time. I will be willing to stick my finger into a polygraph test if anyone with big media pull wants to take issue. If you buy a signed poster now it will not be tarnished later. --Graeme Obree

I could be wrong but is Menchov possible on Lightweights for the Olympic RR?:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/2012-olympic ... tos/233283