Rock not rolling at Tour de Georgia

by Cyclingrush on Mar 20, 2008 5:59 PM EDT Comment 44 comments

According VN, the following teams are in:
Astana
CSC
Gerolsteiner
High Road
Saunier Duval-Scott
BMC
Slipstream-Chipotle
Symmetrics
Bissell
GE-Marco Polo
Health Net-Maxxis
Jelly Belly
Jittery Joe's
Team Type 1
Toyota-United

I'm not a happy camper. Wanted to see all the hubbub that Rock brings.

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Doh

I feel a little bad for some of the Rock Riders. But there are multiple goods out of this: Team Type 1 in AND Michael Ball probably just put a hole in the nearest wall. I suspect the thought that he'd get some return from the money he put into the race last year (he sponsored the podium girls, natch).

And I'm also digging the Marco Polo team making it to the US.

(You're not missing anything with the hubbub. You're in Atlanta, right? If you want the same feeling, go hit the Peachtree/Five Points cruising circuit tomorrow night. Same pretension, same pointlessness. Boom boom bap.)

by Sui Juris on Mar 20, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

prediction:

(for what it's worth, which is nothing):

Rock Racing cycling team will disband before July.

by R Mc on Mar 20, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How can you say such a thing

Mr. Ball said he was going to save cycling. ;-p

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. - G. Marx

by flying dog on Mar 20, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WAIT!

CN reports they're bringing in Axel Merckx as DS. Can RR be rehabilitated by the Merckx name?

by Chris... on Mar 20, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh please..............

.......................

sigh

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Mar 20, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're serious!?!

I automatically assumed that you were kidding about them talking to Merckx...but no! CN actually is reporting that.

by Hons on Mar 21, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Axel should be working with THR

Starting some sort of developmental squad in the USA with younger riders and funneling that talent to the parent squad would be a great way for Axel to meet his goals and for THR to keep rolling as an American based team.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. - G. Marx

by flying dog on Mar 21, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good List of Teams

I'm a fan of Team Type 1. Their philosophy of using cycling to raise money for Diabetes research and to show diabetics that they can live an active lifestyle fits in with the Tour of Georgia.

The Tour de Georgia raises money for cancer research so it seems to fit.

Team Type 1 has some big name riders including Matt Wilson and they did well at the Tour of Taiwan, so they are no slouch as a team.

I'd much rather have them at Georgia than Rock Racing.

It should be a good Tour and I'm looking forward to it. Astana may pound out their frustrations at the race.

by John.. on Mar 20, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Talk About Leveling The Playing Field...

Levi will only be going as fast in the team time trial as the four other teammates that can hang with him on his road bike around the Road Atlanta circuit.

That about guarantees it will still be a race by the time the slopes of Brasstown Bald come calling on the penultimate stage.

by Chief Commissaire on Mar 20, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is just stupid

You let a team in that has suspected dopers and an apologetic DS(Bruneel)that has proven that he will hire a doper for his own cause and you cast off the ones that have served there time. Even if all the "clean" riders for Astana ride, the principal is the same.

I'm no fan of TH but it seems like everyone is afraid his old ass might actually win. Then what would they say?? I just don't think one asshole is better than another, that's all.

by CannonDowell on Mar 20, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually...

had high hopes for Rock Racing when they were talking about upping their game and hiring tainted riders who deserved another chance.

Then they hired Cipollini and I thought that this was a way to run a more serious team with European races in mind- especially after the whole incident of not knowing you couldn't race in the races you intended to race in because you were set up as a Conti Team, instead of a Pro Conti Team.

Now, once again we are given the pleasure of one of Michael Ball's summary dismissals, "From a business perspective and from an overall team standpoint, the relationship between Mario Cipollini and Rock Racing was not advantageous, and would not work long-term," said a brief statement. "We have terminated his contract and wish him luck in future endeavors."

It becomes more apparent that Rock Racing is becoming nothing more than a U.S. crit racing team with the budget and riders of a Pro team.

From a business perspective and from an overall team standpoint, how long can that really last?

Now they want to bring in Axel Merckx? Why? To be Michael Ball's new bi-atch? Does anyone believe that one is going to last? Especially with Floyd Landis doing consulting work for R&R? I don't know if those two are friends, but working your ass off to win the tour for him and then getting the team win yanked from you can't be good for a working relationship.

Someone had mentioned they couldn't see the team going past July. I think that might be about right!

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Mar 21, 2008 12:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I suspect this decision

was more a commentary on Michael Ball and not some team members. If you look at all of Ball's Polemics at the TOC, press conferences, challenging AEG directors and saying he never wants to work with them again, outfits with barbed wire as protests, etc.
I cant blame the Tour of Georgia for not wanting to see what next bi-polar stunt Ball might pull that could be an embarrassment to the race.

The Tour of Georgia almost died last year due to lack of sponsors and its now looking good and getting some respect. Onward and upward.

by roadside on Mar 21, 2008 10:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How do you relly feel Michael?

Velonews has spoken with both Michale Ball and Jim Birrell (managing partner at Medalist).

Its an interesting read for sure.

by Hons on Mar 21, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mitch got fired?

I had contacts with Mitch regarding sponsorship for one of my alleycat races. He declined.

I wonder if his canning had anything to do with registering the team wrongly?

The Wrath of Ball is instant and SEVERE!!!

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Mar 21, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Essentially

Ball is a micromanager, they've parted ways with two prominent members of the racing community (Frankie and Cipo), created more of a stir for who isn't racing, entourages, and team vehicles, while posting few impressive results. Other than that they're having a break out year. I can't see why they weren't on the short list for Georgia based on that resume.

Teams get bumped from races all the time - Astana from everything ASO, Symmetrics from TdG last year, Slipstream from Gent Wevelgem this year. Shut up and race your bikes and maybe you'll get an invite to Missouri and Utah.

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 21, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sex Pistols

I'm beginning to think that getting to see the RR caravan-of-bling at the Tour of California this year is about to become the cycling parallel to seeing the Sex Pistols play live...

by Jimbo... on Mar 21, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw the somewhat tamer version

of RR at the Hanes Park Crit last year. I should has asked them for an autographed sock.

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 21, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Found This On The Rock Website

Looks like these guys were pretty popular at the Tour of California.

by Chief Commissaire on Mar 21, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm in that picture

too funny

by Jimbo... on Mar 21, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The mohawk?

by Chris... on Mar 21, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or the skateboard helmet?

by Hons on Mar 21, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

The red haired chick next to the guy with the High Road sign

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 21, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You mean

the one averting her eyes in disgust?

by Hons on Mar 21, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Jimbo

have any idea what he was opening himself up for?

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 21, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's

been around here long enough to know how it works.

Especially on a Friday afternoon.

by Hons on Mar 21, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

(nodding!)

You're right, he really left himself open there :-)

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 21, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another weird thing

It sure looks like the R&R rider closes to the camera is wearing a bear trophy hat.

by Chris... on Mar 21, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bear hat is disguised

as a fuzzy microphone from the TV camera....

by Cyclingrush on Mar 21, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also Not At Georgia

by Chief Commissaire on Mar 21, 2008 6:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gotta be

cheap.

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 23, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does that mean...

will have pics of Axel Merckx and Michael Ball doing little "devil horns" in every picture?

I hope he realizes that Axel Merckx is not the same as Axl Rose, who would ROCK the peloton!

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Mar 21, 2008 7:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh man . . .

axl rose and michael ball were just made for each other--

by R Mc on Mar 21, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm

the moonwalking bear...

by Jimbo... on Mar 21, 2008 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

where...

are you?

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Mar 21, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way in the back....

Skinny white guy in the red shirt, blue backpack (only one strap is visible), brown hair at about 11 o'clock... no mohawk, no skateboard helmet, no stupid ski hat on a sunny, 65 degree day, only one X chromosome...

by Jimbo... on Mar 21, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what

bear?

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 23, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rock Press Release

http://www.rockracing.com/press/2008-03-20_Rock-Racing-Disappointed-By-Tour-de-Georgia-Exclusion.php

by roadside on Mar 23, 2008 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

According to the press release...

"The most dynamic and compelling team in professional cycling will apparently not be part of this year's Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T."

I thought Slipstream-Chipotle was in!?!?!

Racing for Victory and Free Beer!

by DemonCats on Mar 23, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe This Is Proof...

According to Bicycling.com, Rock Racing is by far the most popular team in the peloton.

And it's not even close.

by Chief Commissaire on Mar 23, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you know

there's something there that needs to be acknowledged. Somehow, this douchebag in a gas-guzzling box has excited fans (?) in a way that all of the existing talent and promoters could not. While I'd personally rather the sport devolve to its weekend crit/road race roots than evolve into some sad XFL wannabe, Rock Racing is the only thing bringing in new fans that I've seen in years. And before that, I have to say that it was just the Go Go USA Lance phenomenon. I have no other examples of fan infusions in my own experience (which admittedly starts in the mid/late 90s). Depressing from my perspective, but perhaps it's a net good? Dunno.

by Sui Juris on Mar 23, 2008 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs