This makes nine US 'pro' Teams stopping for 2004

[Ronde Chumpion]

Hey,

I've always held a special place in my heart for these underdogs. It's really sad for the US
racing scene to see them go.

This is from www.cycling4all.com:

Dec 19, 2003. Also USA TT/III Sportbook.com is disappearing. From the existing riders is Josh
Beck (Usa) = to: Duathon and Triathlon sport; Ronald Hudson (Usa) = to: Colombia-S.I. Adam
Myerson (Usa) = possibly to TT/III Lemond-Crazy Soap TT3 - Nathan Rouse (Usa) = to: Elite 2: Hawley-
atabike and Matthew Svatek (Usa) = to: Elite 2: Fior di Frutta Team The other riders are all
without a contract (thanks Bill Laudien)

That's actually the most press most of those Bozos got all year.

Thanks, Ronde Chumpion (still)

others come and go.....

 

[Chris]

You will surely be awarded with Laudien's full wrath for talking such heresy...Is Lemond-CRA-Z-
Blender Soap still around?

It is sad to see Beck move back to Duathalon, because he surely had the talent (and was the right
age) to go far. I doubt Hudson will make it far, though; from what I hear he has difficulty keeping
the rubber side down on anything but a straight, uphill road.

I think this is the biggest problem with ambitious D-3's. They offer huge opportunities, but can
often lack stability to carry on past a year. I was surprised so many teams were formed last year,
though, with the economy in the **** can.

CH

[email protected] (ronde chumpion) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Hey,
>
> I've always held a special place in my heart for these underdogs. It's really sad for the US
> racing scene to see them go.
>
> This is from www.cycling4all.com:
>
> Dec 19, 2003. Also USA TT/III Sportbook.com is disappearing. From the existing riders is Josh
> Beck (Usa) = to: Duathon and Triathlon sport; Ronald Hudson (Usa) = to: Colombia-S.I. Adam
> Myerson (Usa) = possibly to TT/III Lemond-Crazy Soap TT3 - Nathan Rouse (Usa) = to: Elite 2:
> Hawley-atabike and Matthew Svatek (Usa) = to: Elite 2: Fior di Frutta Team The other riders are
> all without a contract (thanks Bill Laudien)
>
> That's actually the most press most of those Bozos got all year.
>
> Thanks, Ronde Chumpion (still)
>
> others come and go.....

 

[Ronde Chumpion]

Hey,

This was known for like five months. The following was found on the Dec 18th round-up at
www.dailypeloton.com:

Prime Alliance News

We have heard today from Tom Irvine, owner of Prime Alliance, that the team members will be going
their ways for next season, despite high praise for his riders and a never-say-die effort to keep
the group together for next year. Tom says we will be hearing about signings in the very near
future, and in the meantime, he has plenty of cycling irons in the fire for next year. We wish them
all the best for the future.

 

[BJC]

Originally posted by Chris
You will surely be awarded with Laudien's full wrath for talking such heresy...Is Lemond-CRA-Z-
Blender Soap still around?

It is sad to see Beck move back to Duathalon, because he surely had the talent (and was the right
age) to go far. I doubt Hudson will make it far, though; from what I hear he has difficulty keeping
the rubber side down on anything but a straight, uphill road.

I think this is the biggest problem with ambitious D-3's. They offer huge opportunities, but can
often lack stability to carry on past a year. I was surprised so many teams were formed last year,
though, with the economy in the **** can.

CH

[email protected] (ronde chumpion) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Hey,
>
> I've always held a special place in my heart for these underdogs. It's really sad for the US
> racing scene to see them go.
>
> This is from www.cycling4all.com:
>
> Dec 19, 2003. Also USA TT/III Sportbook.com is disappearing. From the existing riders is Josh
> Beck (Usa) = to: Duathon and Triathlon sport; Ronald Hudson (Usa) = to: Colombia-S.I. Adam
> Myerson (Usa) = possibly to TT/III Lemond-Crazy Soap TT3 - Nathan Rouse (Usa) = to: Elite 2:
> Hawley-atabike and Matthew Svatek (Usa) = to: Elite 2: Fior di Frutta Team The other riders are
> all without a contract (thanks Bill Laudien)
>
> That's actually the most press most of those Bozos got all year.
>
> Thanks, Ronde Chumpion (still)
>
> others come and go.....

Who among these riders truly deserves a pro contract? I mean seriously! Even the "baddest climber in the US" doesn't deserve a job.

 

[Tritonrider]

>From: BJC [email protected]

>Who among these riders truly deserves a pro contract? I mean seriously! Even the "baddest climber
>in the US" doesn't deserve a job.
>

I'd say at least Svatek, he's a horse and creates one hell of a draft, and Myerson is still fast
enough to win a lot of sprints if he isn't doing a dozen things other than training, and if he is
set up within reason. Bill C

 

[Chris]

Yeah, but both Svatek and Myerson are old. I still Josh Beck had the most potential and he was still
young. I think Hudson is pretty old too.

It's all moot, though, because the contracts are all but gone and really, there are quite a few very
good riders without one, but while Myerson can rider for virtually nothing (and probably find a
team), a Danny Pate wants and deserves some cash, but few teams can afford his quality.

CH

[email protected] (TritonRider) wrote in message news:<20031220230526.01826.00001295@mb-
m18.aol.com>...
> >From: BJC [email protected]
>
> >Who among these riders truly deserves a pro contract? I mean seriously! Even the "baddest climber
> >in the US" doesn't deserve a job.
> >
>
> I'd say at least Svatek, he's a horse and creates one hell of a draft, and Myerson is still fast
> enough to win a lot of sprints if he isn't doing a dozen things other than training, and if he is
> set up within reason. Bill C

 

[Kurgan Gringion]

"chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Yeah, but both Svatek and Myerson are old. I still Josh Beck had the most potential and he was
> still young. I think Hudson is pretty old too.
>
> It's all moot, though, because the contracts are all but gone and really, there are quite a few
> very good riders without one, but while Myerson can rider for virtually nothing (and probably find
> a team), a Danny Pate wants and deserves some cash, but few teams can afford his quality.

Dumbass -

Sure they can. The pro circuit in N. America is a nearly pristine example of a truly free and
open market. If not a single team can afford an asking salary, then that particular asking salary
is too high.

K. Gringioni rbr economist

ps. if that situation upsets you, lobby your local congressman like the Agriculture Industry does

 

[Mark Fennell]

"Kurgan Gringioni" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

<snip>

>
> Sure they can. The pro circuit in N. America is a nearly pristine example of a truly free and open
> market. If not a single team can afford an asking salary, then that particular asking salary is
> too high.
>
>
> K. Gringioni rbr economist
>
>
> ps. if that situation upsets you, lobby your local congressman like the Agriculture Industry does

A little off the topic, but this reminded me of something funny I heard on a group ride a couple
weeks ago (from a reputable source). It seems as though a few of the top US domestic pros are
talking about forming some kind of labor union or something. I guess the idea is to hold some power
over promoters (and maybe also teams?) for things like safer and better courses and maybe medical
insurance. How about a minimum wage? The main guy behind it posts here sometimes--maybe we can get
the full story?

Also, Henry, you'll love this one, it seems as though erstwhile pro and grizzled old roadie Chris
Walker is going to the Dark Side and joining up with Labor Power masters.

Mark Fennell

 

[Kurgan Gringion]

"Mark Fennell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Kurgan Gringioni" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:<[email protected]>...
>
> <snip>
>
> >
> > Sure they can. The pro circuit in N. America is a nearly pristine example
of
> > a truly free and open market. If not a single team can afford an asking salary, then that
> > particular asking salary is too high.
> >
> >
> > K. Gringioni rbr economist
> >
> >
> > ps. if that situation upsets you, lobby your local congressman like the Agriculture Industry
> > does
>
> A little off the topic, but this reminded me of something funny I heard on a group ride a couple
> weeks ago (from a reputable source). It seems as though a few of the top US domestic pros are
> talking about forming some kind of labor union or something. I guess the idea is to hold some
> power over promoters (and maybe also teams?) for things like safer and better courses and maybe
> medical insurance. How about a minimum wage? The main guy behind it posts here sometimes--maybe we
> can get the full story?

That sounds like to me something that is not going to work.

> Also, Henry, you'll love this one, it seems as though erstwhile pro and grizzled old roadie Chris
> Walker is going to the Dark Side and joining up with Labor Power masters.

Are they going to pay him per victory like the deal with MS last year?

I guess this means CW will be doing Masters Fattie races which is a shame because his never-ending
strong performances in the 1/2 races is great evidence for the redundancy of separating
categories/masters.

 

[Bill Laudien]

[email protected] (chris) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> You will surely be awarded with Laudien's full wrath for talking such heresy...Is Lemond-CRA-Z-
> Blender Soap still around?
>

*sigh* how can one man not 'get it' with such consistency ?

> I think this is the biggest problem with ambitious D-3's. They offer huge opportunities, but can
> often lack stability to carry on past a year.

Why is the decision to carry on for just one year a problem ? And who's problem is it ? And what was
so overly ambitious about our program ?

For a year, a dozen cyclists were able to do a bunch of really good races, with a fair amount of
support. In the case of Sportsbook.com, the sponsors were satisfied, the riders were given
opportunity, and the staff was able to learn a lot. At the very worst, the situation of the riders
and the sport is no worse than at the end of lest year. At best, riders gained experience and in at
least one case garnered a contract for 2004.

What happended with this program is far different from things that have occurred in the past
with other teams. The 'demise' of this team isn't accompanyed by sponsors who were let down, or
riders that weren't given what they were promised by managment, or a team that ran out of money
and was pooly run ( if I do say so myself). Those teams left the sport in worse shape than when
they started.

In a nutshell, for what it was I think the Sportsbook.com team was a limited success. I'm sure,
giving the experiences of the year, that we could have done a better job in 2004, and it's
unfortunate that circumstances this year wont allow that to play out. If I could go back there were
things that I would have done differently, but we reached almost all of the goals that we laid out
at the beginning of the year and we exceeded many of the expectations that our sponsors and the
general public laid out for us. Barring some of the minor personality differences that often rear
their heads when people are required to travel together and acknowledging the fact that not fielding
a team for 2004 is disappointing, I think that each of the riders and myself can walk away from the
year with good feelings that it was a positive experience.

 

[Steve]

On 12/22/03 10:28 AM, in article
[email protected], "Kurgan Gringioni"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Also, Henry, you'll love this one, it seems as though erstwhile pro and grizzled old roadie Chris
>> Walker is going to the Dark Side and joining up with Labor Power masters.
>
>
> Are they going to pay him per victory like the deal with MS last year?
>
> I guess this means CW will be doing Masters Fattie races which is a shame because his never-ending
> strong performances in the 1/2 races is great evidence for the redundancy of separating
> categories/masters.
>
Another fuzzy logic BS argument......

You keep trying to use the accomplishments of the TOP 1-2% to justify your subjective agenda.

Unless you can show that is the case for AT LEAST half the participants (how about even 25%....)

The top 1-2% of ANY group is usually far above the rest......

Give it up Henry! Your subjective slip is showing............

 

[Kurgan Gringion]

"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:BC0C95C3.8984B%[email protected]...
> On 12/22/03 10:28 AM, in article [email protected], "Kurgan
> Gringioni" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> Also, Henry, you'll love this one, it seems as though erstwhile pro and grizzled old roadie
> >> Chris Walker is going to the Dark Side and joining up with Labor Power masters.
> >
> >
> > Are they going to pay him per victory like the deal with MS last year?
> >
> > I guess this means CW will be doing Masters Fattie races which is a shame because his never-
> > ending strong performances in the 1/2 races is great evidence for the redundancy of separating
> > categories/masters.
> >
> Another fuzzy logic BS argument......
>
> You keep trying to use the accomplishments of the TOP 1-2% to justify your subjective agenda.
>
> Unless you can show that is the case for AT LEAST half the participants
(how
> about even 25%....)
>
> The top 1-2% of ANY group is usually far above the rest......

Wow, the top 1-2% is usually far above the rest? Who knew?

BTW, for the ones who aren't as good as Walker, there's Cat 3, Cat 4, and Cat
5. Walker only proves that in local racing (not professional racing), age is no excuse for sucking.
That guy will be in 45+ soon.