Lelangue gets offer from ASO

Phonak manager John Lelangue, who needs to find a different position since the team will cease its activities at the end of the season, has admitted that Tour de France organiser ASO has made him a job offer. Lelangue, who has close ties with ASO since he spent 11 years with the company prior to starting his functions within a cycling team, nevertheless remains committed to the peloton.

"Unibet is a possibility," the Belgian said, "but there are other offers, too." Lelangue used to be Press and Communications Manager at ASO in the nineties, then moved up to become Deputy Director of ASO Cycling, until Phonak owner Andy Rihs asked him to lead the squad out of the crisis in 2005. His father, Robert Lelangue, was a professional bike racer in the 60's, then became directeur sportif at Molteni, Fiat and Kas in the 70's. He has been managing Eddy Merckx' bike factory since 25 years, and conducted race director Jean-Marie Leblanc's car in the Tour de France.