He is exactly what the sport doesn't need right now, or ever.

Anybody this aggressive and reckless in an interview will not cut it in the world of pro bike racing. If his personality trickles down to the riders, they will be pariahs in the peleton. Things get sorted out rather quickly on the road, and that's not something he'll have a say over from the team car or behind his desk.

First off, I don't think he gives a shit what anybody thinks especially us here, and for better or probably worse, that's just the way it is, but good lord he has the MONEY! The sport needs the money so damn badly right now, take it and say thanks!

Well, that's me as a bike racer and happy to have a job...but I wouldn't mind making Rock Racing money...

1.) The team has more money than Switzerland, or something like that. They've got riders on that team making upwards of six figures (if not more, I just know the one at 80,000). There are very very few teams, if any, that can boast those kinds of figures, so of course, anyone with the chance wants a piece of that - I wouldn't mind.

2.) Yeah, he's bordering on crazy, so? The team didn't come off as pariahs this year. Kayle can be a real piece of work, but apart from that, Frankie Andreu is an incredible guy in person, most of the riders were friendly - he's just the owner. I know that's not the best, but if he has the money to throw around and an image that he likes, what's the problem? We might think it's bad to see a team roll up in Escalades to a race, but do you know how sick that looks just driving down the street?

I mean, we're driving to a stage start at the Tour of Virginia in a rented Saturn and they pass by in black Escalades. I raise my eyebrows about it, but I think it's so off the wall that it's ok. Flash isn't necessarily a bad thing...attitude isn't necessarily a good thing, but at this point, he's giving almost 20 dudes a job...and a good one at that. I say rock on.

3.) It's humorous to me because my team (racing eh same races as Rock) is focusing so hard on portraying the exact opposite image - one of development (both cycling related and beyond), growth, encouragement of cycling within the community, and then there's Rock...yeah...about that.

4.) And the team kit thing was played up a lot, but not quite true. They got a lot of kits, but not a new one for every race. I think it might have been more like every block of racing. Maybe. I still think that's pretty cool-ish...non-static kit,  but still the same basic design and idea.

So basically, I don't know...one part of me think it's funny and moderately cool, and another part of me wants to vomit when I read that article...

But, what's going to happen if the owner isn't getting his expected results at each race? Who's he going to take it out on and what's going to be their reaction? I just think he comes across as a blowhard and a buffoon to the general public. I'm sure more than a few of his team, and the other teams, take this with a grain of salt and smirk. But his trying to come across as the new, ultimate badass team owner (win of you're fired!) makes him sound like a poor cross between Steinbrenner of the 90's and Donald Trump.  

Actually, I did talk to him once in a bike race and he ignored me. He must not have known who I was. I'm kind of a big deal.

ha.

I know that all of us here think that cycling is plenty "cool" enough but domestic racing is largely ignored by the general public and potential sponsors.  If he can get a few more people to pay attention to an incredible sport, more power to him.

The "win or you're fired" attitude is troubling but honestly, isn't that an implied mandate for any professional athlete?

Regarding Horner - his comments weren't totally unjustified.  He has always been pretty high on himself.  After coming back to the US from FDJ, all he did was whine about not being paid more to race in Europe (he also won every domestic race possible but please - a little modesty.)

But my impression is that though he calls for changes in the sport--many needed--he's not going to be a constructive influence on the sport. His comments are too reckless.  

Even if his team meets his demands for success, he will be a pariah in the sport with his current attitude. [R Mc] mentioned upthread that Ball is analogous to Al Davis. A fair analogy especially when one considers the many lawsuits that have occurred between Al Davis  and the NFL.

If there's a cycling equivalent of nouveau riche, it applies to Ball.  I wish his team success--and continued paychecks--and I wish Ball maturity and wisdom.

If I was an owner that demanded success, part of my contract for that success would be my assurance to properly support the riders to give them the best chance for success.  

Is Ball choosing to spend the money to make that happen?  

Or he is cutting corners on support needs and instead spending on things like glitzy Cadillacs?  

I dunno but the answer would be a litmus test to his chances for success.

"Go on, little American pro cyclist, you take your $1,500 a month and you live!"

'Bout time someone turned up and said it didn't have to be like that. "Aw shucks, you mean when the season's finished, I can put these wheels on eBay? Thanks a million!" If he can turn some heads as an a-hole, more power to 'im.

I was very pleased to read Horners rebuttal to all the trash the Mob Boss was spewing.

While I am in full agreement with him that there is a desperate need for a riders union, and I even believe, like he said, that a single person could get the ball rolling (excuse the pun) ...but I would hate to see this douche be the ringleader of that circus.

One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way was the way he talked about crits.  He says he has riders that will be enforcers.  Does he plan to bring hockey goon tactics to road racing?

Can someone point me where I need to go to get in line to give this guy a fierce cock-punch?