Lampre-Merida

The new 2017 year will see a dramatic Middle Eastern shift with the debut of two WorldTour teams: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

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The last remaining WorldTour team based in Italy heads to the Far East to stay afloat.

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The Italian Lampre – Merida team said it will carry on as a WorldTour squad in 2017, but it will take on a Chinese sponsor.

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Roompot – Oranje Peloton rolled onto the Flanders cobbles with SRAM TK disc brakes, while Lampre – Merida riders are on Shimano discs

Does MPCC actually hold power as a voluntary group? Recent exits of three prominent teams raise questions about the organization's role

Lampre-Merida's Diego Ulissi returns to the Giro d'Italia, where he enjoyed success in 2014 but also ran afoul of anti-doping tests

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After a protracted, convoluted battle over whether or not Diego Ulissi can return to racing, Lampre leaves the voluntary MPCC organization

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Check out Shane Stokes's author page.

Check out Shane Stokes's author page.

The MPCC issues a vague press statement concerning Ulissi, and Lampre-Merida responds to what it feels is unfair treatment in the media

Lampre-Merida general manager Brent Copeland tells VeloNews Chris Horner's age (43) was the reason why the Italian team did not re-sign him

Lampre's Brent Copeland is adamant that Diego Ulissi didn't intend to break any rules, hopes his rider can get back on track this spring

MPCC rules could be problematic for Lampre-Merida when Diego Ulissi returns to racing this spring after nine-month ban

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Once again, Horner, 43, is left adrift in the off-season, without a contract, jeopardizing his 2015 plans

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On the Vuelta a España's first rest day, Global Cycling Network tours the Lampre-Merida team bus

Chris Horner is hoping he can stay with Lampre-Merida at least one more season despite his controversial exit before the start of the Vuelta

Lampre-Merida team management has told star Italian rider Filippo Pozzato to pull himself together — on the bike, and off

Cannondale is working with Italian police to investigate the Tuesday robbery of its service course

New arrivals will complement each other and, according to Costa, avoid conflict when they do race together

Lampre GM says finding the budget for Horner was difficult, but should prove worthwhile for the team's young riders

The 42-year-old is expected to captain the Italian team at the Giro and Vuelta this season

Lampre riders at Tour Down Under say they would welcome the addition of the American Vuelta winner to the team's 2014 roster

Copeland says Horner's talent, experience and popularity make him a valuable property, and he's hunting the resources to bring him to Lampre