the team was set up in 1991 as team telekom, sponsored by deutsche telekom. in 2004 their name changed to the t-mobile-team. it has 29 riders, 9 physiotherapists or nurses, 9 mechanics and service persons, and has 22 partners. the team is managed by bob stapleton and rolf aldag. former leaders include olaf ludwig, walter godefroot and eddy vandenhecke (managers), luuc eisenga (spokesperson) and brian holm, valerio piva (sports directors).