Andreau leaves Rock & Republic

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I don't thnk Andreau can work for Slipstream unless the ASO signals that it is willing to excuse the actions of people like him. Vaughters has to be very careful if he wants to get into the TdF.

But David Millar is a part owner of Slipstream, who like Andreau, confessed to EPO use.

But David Millar is a part owner of Slipstream, who like Andreau, confessed to EPO use.
For whatever reason, Millar gets a pass.

Perhaps Vaughers could sound the ASO out about Andreau. Hiring him and hoping for the best looks risky.

This is what happens when the people who actually know what they are doing don't have a say in things. From the Boulder Report:

Finally, the breakneck speed at which Rock is traveling seems to be producing some confusion about the team’s slate of races. When I interviewed Ball just before Christmas about the Hamilton signing, he alluded to some hoped-for invitations to top-tier European events. But a recent USA Cycling press release grouped the team with 16 other UCI Americas Continental Tour teams, meaning Rock isn’t eligible for wild-card invitations to some European events. According to UCI rules, a Continental team may not race any event rated higher than 1.1 (one-day races, for example Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne or Cholet Pays de Loire) or 2.1 (Tour of Murcia, or Vuelta Castilla y Leon). Races that Ball is said to be interested in, like the Giro d’Italia or Milan-San Remo, were ProTour events in 2007, the highest possible designation.

Even if the 2008 season sees those events proceed outside the ProTour calendar, as is currently forecast, they will almost assuredly get a UCI ranking of 2.HC and 1.HC, meaning they’re still off-limits to Continental teams. To gain a wildcard entry, Rock would have to be a UCI Professional Continental team, a tier above its present designation.

When asked about the discrepancy, Ball replied, “I’m pretty sure we’re Pro Continental. Yeah, I know we are. If not, we’ll definitely lobby to make sure that’s corrected and that we have the opportunity to go into some different major league races other than the Tour of California and Tour de Georgia.”

But the deadline for those applications has already passed; currently, there are only two American-registered teams listed as Pro Continental: Slipstream-Chipotle Presented by H3O and BMC Racing.

This is what happens when the people who actually know what they are doing don't have a say in things. From the Boulder Report:

Finally, the breakneck speed at which Rock is traveling seems to be producing some confusion about the team’s slate of races. When I interviewed Ball just before Christmas about the Hamilton signing, he alluded to some hoped-for invitations to top-tier European events. But a recent USA Cycling press release grouped the team with 16 other UCI Americas Continental Tour teams, meaning Rock isn’t eligible for wild-card invitations to some European events. According to UCI rules, a Continental team may not race any event rated higher than 1.1 (one-day races, for example Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne or Cholet Pays de Loire) or 2.1 (Tour of Murcia, or Vuelta Castilla y Leon). Races that Ball is said to be interested in, like the Giro d’Italia or Milan-San Remo, were ProTour events in 2007, the highest possible designation.

Even if the 2008 season sees those events proceed outside the ProTour calendar, as is currently forecast, they will almost assuredly get a UCI ranking of 2.HC and 1.HC, meaning they’re still off-limits to Continental teams. To gain a wildcard entry, Rock would have to be a UCI Professional Continental team, a tier above its present designation.

When asked about the discrepancy, Ball replied, “I’m pretty sure we’re Pro Continental. Yeah, I know we are. If not, we’ll definitely lobby to make sure that’s corrected and that we have the opportunity to go into some different major league races other than the Tour of California and Tour de Georgia.”

But the deadline for those applications has already passed; currently, there are only two American-registered teams listed as Pro Continental: Slipstream-Chipotle Presented by H3O and BMC Racing. I wonder what will happen when the riders realize that they are not going to be racing in anything other than 1.1 races. If they stay in the team, at least they may be able to get Ball the "results" that he is demanding. :p

If Ball doesn't get some seasoned European help soon, I can see him ditching the team by the end of the year like a frustrated spoiled kid. You can imagine the sound bites: "The Europeans black-balled us cause they can't handle what I've got to say. Screw 'em. At least we won two stages at the Amgen Tour. Rock on bro!"

Between this guy and the guy trying to organize the Tour of America...it's like they think they're Donald Trump or something, and everyone's just going to jump when they snap their fingers, even though they have both confessed to knowing nothing about cycling...:rolleyes: They're both in fantasy land if you ask me.

bumped

Let's speculating on the next DS shall we?

What about the TMobile ex-DS... aren't they looking for work?
I wouldn't be surprised top see Nathan ONeill take on the assistant DS title.Nice call. I wouldn't be surprised to see that at all. He's a very intelligent stage racer and a doper as well. I could see him cutting his teeth there. Even without a DS, this team is going to dominate NAm. racing.

Also, if you consider what he's doing with the hiring of riders from big time systematically doped teams -- Botero, Hamilton and Landis -- it seems he's trying to create and inner doping circle to begin his own program. He maybe a nut job, but if he can get some solid sources and make a dry run in N.Am., he might be able to successfully take his game to the Pro Tour and compete against the likes of Astana.

He maybe a nut job, but if he can get some solid sources and make a dry run in N.Am., he might be able to successfully take his game to the Pro Tour and compete against the likes of Astana.
Not without a lot bigger budget.

Nice call. I wouldn't be surprised to see that at all. He's a very intelligent stage racer and a doper as well. I could see him cutting his teeth there. Even without a DS, this team is going to dominate NAm. racing.

Also, if you consider what he's doing with the hiring of riders from big time systematically doped teams -- Botero, Hamilton and Landis -- it seems he's trying to create and inner doping circle to begin his own program. He maybe a nut job, but if he can get some solid sources and make a dry run in N.Am., he might be able to successfully take his game to the Pro Tour and compete against the likes of Astana.It really depends if the other teams & US cycling hang him out to dry as the sacrificial lamb for the domestic right on racing. Given that he's a complete outsider to the sport, I think his position is very risky.

Well they got Sevilla now....... whats teh Chicken doing this days ? He didn't get bumped so he could ride as well !

http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/13879.0.html

Well they got Sevilla now....... whats teh Chicken doing this days ? He didn't get bumped so he could ride as well !

http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/13879.0.html
They do need a team doctor. With Ali the Chemist banned in Italy, he might be available.

They do need a team doctor. With Ali the Chemist banned in Italy, he might be available.Ball said he will use Fuentes supervised by an Italian who can not be named as doctor...

Get Ulle out of retirement ! to think he could be Governor of California in 3 years time after winning a couple of crits....

Fromthe story on cyclingnews:
Several companies told Cyclingnews that they experienced inconsistent treatment from Michael Ball and Rock Racing. Indeed, the musical chairs it has played with bike sponsors in the past six months is the most salient example. For the 2007 season, Rock Racing was riding Scott bicycles. According to Adrian Montgomery of Scott USA, the team was slated to ride Scott bikes again in 2008. "We had an agreement, but not a contract, for the 2007 and 2008 season," said Montgomery. "I couldn't get a good contract ... he (Ball) has to be able to opt out of anything."

Montgomery indicated that Ball had "good lawyers" and as such, he found the legal process difficult. He said his experience was "the same thing he is doing with his athletes".

This confirms what Horner said about contract negotiations with Ball. It is interesting that it extends to sponsors. He wants extremely one sided contracts. You would need to be desperate or stupid to deal with Ball.

Yow. I just grabbed this off the Boulder Report. Ball is a nutter.

For anyone watching the apparel business, Mr. Ball’s (Rock Racing) behavior in the world of cycling is mild, so far. In 2007 he was sued for sexual harassment, defamation, assault, extortion, breach of contract and other charges at Rock & Republic. Papers filed in one case refer to Ball’s “criminal activities, acts of violence, court ordered psychiatric treatment, Ball’s own use of a false social security number (which he presented to police upon his arrest and sentencing), and evidence that at least three different social security numbers were used…two examples of are attached hereto as arrest and sentencing report and Solis v. Ford, L.A. Superior Court, Case No. BC 228258.”

Seems that all we know about Ball in the cycling world is what he said about himself in his R&R biography, “In the late ‘80s, Michael was considered one of the fastest, smartest and most aggressive cyclists on the circuit. The avid athlete had discovered he had the stamina to succeed at any task he took on. Michael won the LA Tri-Sprint Series and then went on to the national track rankings where he conquered the Velodrome. However, an unfortunate racing crash forced him to put his racing aspirations on hold.”

This confirms what Horner said about contract negotiations with Ball. It is interesting that it extends to sponsors. He wants extremely one sided contracts. You would need to be desperate or stupid to deal with Ball.
Like.....Tyler Hamilton?

Fred Naggar vs. Rock & Republic / Michael Ball
NATURE OF ACTION


1. This action arises from the wrongful and intentional acts of both
corporate defendant Rock & Republic Enterprises, Inc. ("Rock &
Republic"), a manufacturer of designer denim jeans and apparel, and
its CEO, founder and head designer, Michael Ball, a/k/a Michael F.
Ball ("Ball").


2. Despite the overwhelming success and revenue plaintiff Fred Naggar
("Naggar") brought to and generated for the defendants, turning what
was a fledgling jean company into a fashion empire, Rock & Republic
and Michael Ball deliberately and without reason, refused to pay
Naggar substantial monies owed, effectively ostracized him, and forced
him to resign.


3. Defendants then publicly humiliated Naggar by having him escorted
from their offices by security, while summarily and illegally evicting
him from his own home by having the locks on his door changed and by
retaining his personal property. Such acts of humiliation and
intimidation were immediately followed by the filing of a frivolous
lawsuit against Naggar's related company, that had also generated
millions for Rock & Republic.


4. In furtherance of a pattern and practice of intimidation directed
at both Naggar's person and profession, in May 2007, defendant Michael
Ball, without provocation or warning, then violently assaulted Naggar
physically and verbally, in a well-known, popular nightclub intending
to and causing physical harm and embarrassment before a crowd of
onlookers and business associates. Plaintiffs bring this action to
recover damages resulting from the aforesaid intentional and wrongful
acts and omissions of the defendants.


2.) New information was filed today in the Klinko vs. Rock & Republic
case. A Memorandum of Law was filed supporting the case. In
addition, documents were filed with the court about Ball's violent and
criminal past, arrest and sentencing records and use of false social
security numbers. An excerpt follows and the document is attached.


Excerpts from Klinko vs. Rock & Republic / Michael Ball


Introduced to the court 6/15/2007


23. In fact, as plead in the Complaint, prior to Michael Ball's
threats and extortion against me, I was well aware of his violent
behavior, criminal history and psychological instability, as revealed
to me by Ms. Fernanda Romero. Compl., paras. 23-25. Such a history
and predisposition has been corroborated by numerous witnesses,
further substantiating my fear and apprehension regarding his threats,
as well as his motivation to silence my knowledge of the same.
Attached as Exhibit "C" is the Affidavit of Cynthia Pinot ("Pinot
Aff."), which was also submitted in opposition to defendants' motion
to strike. The car chase and brutal assault by Michael Ball against
Ms. Fernanda Romero, detailed in the Pinot Affidavit, has been further
corroborated by both Alex DeFelipe and Pascal Azoulay, the gentlemen
who were also assaulted and chased by Ball through the streets of Los
Angeles. Both DeFelipe and Azoulay have also corroborated Ball's
pattern of intimidation against those that would expose such criminal
conduct.


24. In addition to the above, our ongoing investigation has also
corroborated various allegations made in the Complaint pertaining to
defendant Michael Ball's motive to threaten and extort plaintiffs,
such as my knowledge of criminal activities, acts of violence, court
ordered psychiatric treatment, Ball's own use of a false social
security number (which he presented to police upon his arrest and
sentencing in the matter attached), and evidence that at least three
different social security numbers were used by Fernanda Romero,
corroborating both Romero's and Ball's admission that Ball assisted in
obtaining the same. Two examples of the above are attached hereto as
Exhibit "D" (arrest and sentencing report; Solis v. Ford, L.A.
Superior Court, Case No. BC 228258).

But I'm still baffled as to why Frankie didn't want to work for this guy. Just kidding.

Rock's team kit is not too bad.