Cyclist LeMond, Associate Form In-Store Pro Centers
Champion cyclist Greg LeMond, in conjunction with long-time associate Jeff Sanchez, has formed Team LeMond Pro Centers, an in-store cycle shop available to retail stores nationwide. The store-within-a-store concept will feature cycling apparel and accessories, as well as a full line of bicycles.
A performance apparel collection available in the 'cycling boutique' includes cycle shorts, jerseys, gloves, shoes, socks, fleece separates and a full line of equipment, accessories and other cycling paraphernalia. All carry the Team LeMond label and are competitively priced.
The bicycles, displayed independently from the 24-square-foot Team LeMond merchandise area, range in price from $600 to $3,000 and are hand-crafted by Roland Della Santa of Reno, who designed LeMond's first racing bicycle 12 years ago.
'We just found that the equipment the professionals were using wasn't available to the recreational cyclist,' said founder and general manager Sanchez, who operates a bike shop in Reno. 'Now it is. This is a way for some general equipment bike stores to have a focus.'
Currently, 75 cycling retail stores from California to New York have purchased the LeMond Pro Center concept, according to Sanchez.
A prototype of the Team LeMond Pro Center was first displayed last January at abike trade show in Long Beach, Ca. More than 40 dealers decided to carry the line of products at that time. Another 30 stores purchased the boutique idea in February at the New York show.
'Our goal is to pick up 100 stores in the first year,' said Sanchez. 'The cost has been more than we thought ($50,000 to exhibit at the two bike shows, for example), but the response has been more than we expected, too.'
According to Sanchez, the new company's long-term goal is to place shops in 250 retail stores. No mail or specialty orders will be available. Sanchez added that there has also been retail interest in Japan.
A portion of the proceeds from Team LeMond ProCenters will benefit the sport of cycling. Three per cent of the revenues will be distributed to four areas of cycling within the market area of each retail store. In order, the monies will be disbursed to help develop racing programs, senior cycling development, local racing clubs and general community cycling.
LeMond, who is under contract to several companies including Puma (footwear and apparel), Huffy (bicycles) and Avocet (saddles), is recovering from a near-fatal hunting accident April 20 incurred on the family ranch near Sacramento, Calif.
The 26-year-old former world road race champion and winner of the 1986 Tour de France, suffered major internal injuries after accidentally being shot at close range by his brother-in-law. LeMond has since recovered and while he was unable to compete in this year's Tour de France, he is expected to ride in two preparatory races in late July and then resume his full-time racing career in August.
