Note also that Performance Bike is offering a similar deal to its Team Performance members. That is
certainly quite proper in a business sense. I do have a vague recollection that Adam Myerson was
doing some writing for the Performance email magazine last year. I can only assume that CTS is in
the process of squeezing out the competition and apparently doing a good job of it.
There was an argument made by the old Competitive Cyclist that given the ABL/USAC monopoly on
governance of the sport, the granting of official/formal status to one producer was an illegal
tie-in violating anti-trust laws. The trial court ruled against CC, IIRC, and an appeal by VeloNews
(under Barbara George) and USAC was abandoned. That may still be a valid argument against the
USAC/CTS deal but litigating it is not inexpensive---just ask Les Earnst.
"Andy Coggan" <acoggan@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:cTbxa.638$rO.83794@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> I don't think that there's any question that this arrangement is unfair to all non-CTS,
> USAC-licensed coaches (who represent maybe 2-3% of all USAC members, and pay perhaps 5% of all
> license fees?). If the point of the program is to promote coaching (for the benefit of either
> riders or coaches), it's too bad that it wasn't handled this way (an idea suggested
to
> me by somebody else, but one that I think is a very good one): provide all licensed riders with a
> certificate redeemable for 1 month (or whatever) of free coaching by *any* participating
> USAC-licensed coach. If the issue is one of perceived coaching quality, you could limit the
> program to, e.g., only those who hold elite coaching licenses. Similarly, there would be no
> requirement that a coach would have to participate - just the opportunity
to
> do so. (Of course, such a program wouldn't generate the income for USAC
that
> the deal with CTS probably does, but I'd hate to think that USAC basically sold out part of their
> constiuency in pursuit of the almighty dollar.)
>
> As it stands, I'm not sure what would motivate somebody to renew their coaching license with an
> organization that is basically steering customers away from them and to somebody else...
>
> Andy Coggan
>
> "Soidirectr" <soidirectr@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:20030515101819.16473.00000081@mb-m17.aol.com...
> > Carmichael Training Partners With USA Cycling
> >
> > MAY 15, 2003 -- COLORADO SPRINGS, C0 (BRAIN)--USA Cycling members can
get
> free
> > and reduced-cost training assistance from Carmichael Training Systems
> under an
> > agreement USAC and the coaching group just signed.
> >
> > As a start, all new and renewing USA Cycling members will get one month
of
> free
> > Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) coaching via a USAC-licensed coach, a
> free
> > copy of the CTS Train Right video, and a 25 percent savings on continued coaching, said Sean
> > Petty, vice president of marketing for the cycling association.
> >
> > "There are several strong components of the partnership, ranging from membership programs,
> > coaching seminars, event participation, camps and scholarships. The key benefit is designed to
> > help USA Cycling members
> improve
> > their performance with the assistance of CTS coaches," Petty said.
> >
> > "Whether a rider's goal is to win their category, finish ahead of their
> friends
> > or just have more fun cycling, this is an opportunity for all USA
Cycling
> > annual members, regardless of skill level, to experience the value of a structured plan and
> > coaching," he added.
> >
> > USAC will recognize CTS as an official sponsor and the official training partner of USA Cycling.
> >
> > For more information visit www.usacycling.org or www.trainright.com.
> >
> >
> >
