A judge in the Minnesota has ordered former Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and bicycle manufacturer Trek to attend a settlement conference on 28 January 2010 and thereby avoid what is expected to be a stormy trial between the parties later in the year.
We reported in detail last month on the background to the dispute, which arose from the contract Trek had with LeMond to manufacture and distribute the range of bicycles that bear his name.
Trek sought to terminate that agreement last year, claiming that LeMond failed to honour his part of the contract, including remarks he made in an interview with The Sunday Times in 2001 regarding Trek-sponsored Lance Armstrong’s links with the Italian sports doctor Michele Ferrari.
LeMond, meanwhile, claims that the range had not been properly supported by the manufacturer due to pressure exerted by Armstrong, who rode the brand’s bikes to his seven consecutive Tour victories and remains its leading brand ambassador today.
Suggestions are that if the case were to go to full trial, Armstrong would be called as a witness, but Magistrate Judge Janie S Mayeron is eager for the parties to reach settlement before that happens, according to the website of the US trade publication Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
Under an order signed by the judge, lawyers from both sides will be required to meet face to face by January 18 at the latest to undertake “in a full and frank discussion of settlement.”
Should they be unable to reach settlement as a result of their meeting, each attorney will need to supply the court with a confidential letter outlining progress made,the issues they consider to be outstanding, the merits and otherwise of their client’s case and an outline of testimony that will be provided by witnesses with respect to quantum of damages ahead of the January 28 settlement conference.
Should the case still be unresolved after that, a full trial is expected in the Spring, with a jury making the ultimate decision.
ICAN't
Think he was already disqualified from driving too....
I know people that vilify Millar for doping but were happy to cheer on that wheelsucking doper Valverde. Go figure.
"'It's lucky no one was killed' says Malvern home owner after car ploughs into house" . Did the car plough into the house on its own?
Well done that man (also - nice trike)!...
I wish road.cc would bring their review up to date with regards to new bikes
intervals.icu is a good free alternative to TP
Absolutely fine - they're Shimano ICE tech rotors & pads which helps. It's fairly hilly where I live (Dorset) and I'm 87kg so they get tested...
That top picture of the team really does hammer home the skills and trust involved in riding a TT bike on a banked circuit at 40+mph, centimetres...
In essence, that's the difference. I have been lunged at by numerous Collies and consider them the most dangerous breed I come across on the paths,...