Update: Dec. 4, 2009 — Judge rules out summary judgment in LeMond-Trek countersuits; jury trial or out of court settlement is the only way to go
The federal judge in the contract dispute between Trek Bicycle and Greg LeMond says both parties should think about an out-of-court settlement to avoid a messy trial on the lawsuits in the spring.
Central in the suit – countersuit are allegations that LeMond made against Lance Armstrong and the Texan's reaction to them. The judge this week said Armstrong would be subpoenaed to testify at the trial scheduled in March.
Lawyers for both LeMond and Trek said they're willing to meet for settlement talks.
LeMond sues
The contract dispute was launched in March 2008 when LeMond accused Trek of failing to adequately market the LeMond-branded bikes that it makes and sells.
At the center of that case are allegations that Armstrong used his influence with Trek to put pressure on LeMond to stop commenting on doping suspicions aimed at Armstrong by some in the media in 2001.
LeMond claims that sales of his brand dropped when Trek stopped supporting it.
Trek sues
In April 2008, Trek countersued LeMond. Trek claimed that LeMond didn't uphold his contractural obligations to the company. The Waterloo, Wisconsin-based bike builder specifically cites LeMond's statements about Armstrong.
The New York Daily News, which is covering the case, quoted a Trek attorney:
“Trek has always supported Greg in his comments about doping in general – those comments are fine, but the specific attacks on individual athletes were not. … 'No comment' would have been a preferable statement to attacks on specific athletes. Trek would have been okay with that.”
Further, the attorney claims Trek lost millions because LeMond's statements.
Armstrong testimony
If the cases make it to court, Armstrong would likely be called to testify. Since the lawsuits involve LeMond's statements and public opinions about doping and Armstrong, the 7-time Tour de France winner would likely be asked about those matters.
The Daily News reported that many questions put to Armsrong's former wife, Kristin, at a recent deposition involved alleged drug use by Armstrong. She refused to answer.
Dominant cyclist
Interestingly, LeMond filed a lawsuit against the owner of Target stores in 2003 after it broke its pledge to put the 3-time Tour de France winner's name of bike accessories it sold. The Target owners told LeMond that Armstrong had emerged as the “dominant American cyclist.”
A jury awarded LeMond $3.46 million in that case.
LeMond/Trek
It will be interesting to see where the current case leads.
For more, the Daily News and BikeRadar reported on Wednesday's court hearing in Minnesota. Further, the Daily News penned a long profile on LeMond last week entitled, “It's Not About the Bikes.”
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