Trek v. Greg LeMond
Trek filed a complaint against Greg Lemond in the Western District of Wisconsin today, requesting declaratory relief that (i) it has not breached the “best efforts clause” of the LeMond/Trek Licensing Agreement and (ii) Trek has a right to terminate the agreement.
The basic allegation is that LeMond’s comments about Lance has hurt both the LeMond and the Trek brand and thus LeMond has breached his obligation to “render his services hereunder in a professional and conscientious manner.” Trek is hoping to get out of the licensing agreement, which was set to run through 2010.
There are other allegations that LeMond was taking advantage of the employee discounts, but obviously that’s not the real fireworks here.
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Posted on: April 8th, 2008 By: Tyler Ford In: Cycling News
April 8th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I think that LeMond should sand behind American cycling, not bring it down. I used to like Lemond and cheered for hi when he was in the tour. I am very disappointed with him a would not buy one of his bikes.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
If Trek is going to stand behind a liar and a cheat like Lance, LeMond should be happy to part ways with the company.
The frames are over-priced garbage anyway.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:08 am
In some ways I agree with LeMond that Trek never really gave his bikes the prestige they deserve. Especially in the beginning when the LeMond OCLV bikes were just rebadged Treks. The latest top end carbon bikes were finally bikes that I would have considered buying.
On the otherhand Gregs remarks about other American tour contenders always left a bad taste in my mouth. Even if he’s right, it comes accross as a has been bad mouthing the new generation.
In the end I hope parting ways will be a good thing for both parties. Maybe LeMond Bikes will really reach the potential that lives up to the name.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Probably best for both parties. I like Greg, but over the last few years it seems that he has become more hostile towards American riders. I hope that he remains part of the cycling community and an activist against doping.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
It is interesting to note that Trek used the LeMond name on the ‘bleeding edge’ bikes, that is those they wanted to see what worked and what did not. I bought a 2007 Triomphe Zurich, which I really like the ride of., specifically because it was a LeMond. Trek took this frame and moved it to the higher end Madone’s this year.
I expect Trek to find another ‘great’ and use there name in place of LeMond. Sad to see Greg bash American riders and this may make him stop and think before saying such things again.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Well, wow, have you checked out the trekbikes.com website? They have a link, type in the search box greg lemond suit, it will link you to media.
It has Greg LeMond’s lawsuit there that he filed in March, and theirs recentlly filed April 7 or 8. Anyway, Mr LeMond has truly lost it. Check out page 10, paragraph 49-88 and paragraphs 141 through 151 which ends on page 31. It’s basically a rant against Lance Armstrong. He seems to be saying that Lance did drugs, and part of Greg’s “proof” is a lot of quoting from David Walsh’s book L A Confidential: Les Secrets de Lance Armstrong. Actually, there is nothing in the book except a lot of speculation and a couple of ex employees swearing they saw “evidence”, none of which they could verify. This is Greg’s proof that Lance doped. LeMond even drags Floyd Landis into the lawsuit. If you are wondering what Landis, much less Lance, has to do with his dispute with Trek, well, I don’t know either. He seems to be trying to justify his personal remarks against both men so that Trek will be found in the wrong for trying to “silence” him. Never mind that Trek didn’t care what he said about doping in general. They just didn’t want him to name names without proof. This is , apparently, Greg’s “proof”. Lots of luck, Greg, unless you get Judge Ito.