No License for You: UCI Denies Rock Racing License
by Jen See on Jan 8, 2010 12:29 PM EST
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UCI to Rock Racing: No license for you. The UCI has today announced the list of teams who have received a Pro Continental license for the coming season. This announcement completes a process begun back in December, when the UCI announced the teams who had made the first cut. Three teams in particular missed out: Rock Racing, Xacobeo-Galicia, and Androni-Giacattoli. All three appealed, and today's announcement confirmed the licenses of Xacobeo-Galicia and Androni-Giacattoli, while denying Rock Racing.
The U.S.-based team, funded by jeans company Rock & Republic, tried and failed last season to acquire a license at the Pro Continental level, which would open the possibility of the team riding some of the higher level races, including the grand tours. The team has several prominent Spanish rides on its roster, including Francisco Mancebo and Oscar Sevilla, and likely hoped they would open the way toward an invite to the Vuelta a España. This year, the UCI passed over the team in the first round of decisions, but Rock remained confident that they would receive a license before the season began.
That confidence was on display last week when the team confirmed that it had signed an agreement with two-time Giro d'Italia winner Gilberto Simoni. But that agreement depended on the team receiving its professional license. No license, no Simoni. Rumor had also suggested that Floyd Landis might sign with the team, if it received the much-desired license. It seems likely that rumor, which may not have had much grounds in reality to begin with, will now go the way of the downtube shifter.
In the meantime, it was good news all around at Gianni Savio's Androni-Giocattoli team. Now, with less name! The Venezuelan-registered team had appealed the UCI's previous rejection of their license request. Today, the UCI announced that it would in fact grant the team a Professional license for the coming season. Androni-Giocattoli has also applied for wild card status, which makes the team eligible for invitation to the grand tours.
Today's news proved similarly happy for Xacobeo-Galicia, who also received a Professional license. Like Androni Giocattoli (just practicing), Xacobeo-Galicia has also applied for wild card status. The team rode the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España last season.
The case of Lampre-Vini Farnese remains unresolved.
— Sources, UCI Press Release
Full List of UCI Professional teams
Photo Copyright, Christopher See. Used with permission.
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When Will Someone On Here Figure Out..
…that if it’s a “rumor” it always turns out (in the cycling world, at least) to be true?
by Chief Commissaire on Jan 8, 2010 12:38 PM EST reply actions
Bloody cynic!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Any idea what the basis is for denying them?
Is the UCI obliged to give their reasons? I’m curious if this amounts to anything more than Michael Ball being a douchebag.
"Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."
yes
there are too many world sports bodies with too much untransparent power. Leads to corruption. Generally run by old fat guys that love to live in Switzerland and stay in 6 star hotels.
They should publish criteria for licensing and reports on their decision making process for significant acceptances and rejections.
Moo
too many kit changes.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
No
Because this affects the riders a lot more than it affects him.
"Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."
I agree
they should have to publish criteria and should have a hard deadline for making their decision. Here it is Jan. 8th. and just now getting a decision. Even the riders that had a clause in their contract have to find another team and it could be too late for them.
+1
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
you are of course correct
the problem is not really his douche-iness per se, but the symptoms of his douche-iness. Just look at what happened to RR in 2009: M. Ball his too much of a Rock-n-Roller to pay attention to the rules and the result is he ends up pushing a handful of talent riders out of the pro-ranks and damages their careers.
I have some pity for the riders on the 2010 RR team, but anyone who signed a new contract must bear some of the responsibility after what happened in ’09.
Where does the buck stop?
Does Ball, a clothing designer, really run the team on a day-to-day basis? If so, that’s foolish, though any rider signing with a team run by a jeans maker was kinda on notice that they might not have organizational support. Anyway, if it’s on Ball, so be it.
But does he have any proper cycling managers on staff to do this stuff? If so, what have they been up to?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
forgive my ignorance
but what happened in 2009?
by LurkerMcLurkerson on Jan 15, 2010 2:41 AM EST up reply actions
The question is
are there any more reasons needed? Lets try Mancebo, Sevilla, Gutierrez, some shady individuals on the squad as is, not supporting the decision, but I can understand some of their possible reasoning.
by agl on Jan 8, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
They probably give their reasons to the team
but there’s probably potential legal problems with them telling the world what would likely to amount to either “we’re not confident in your financial soundness” or “we think you’re a bunch of dopers”
lol, yeah
I’m guessing the reasons have to do with the financials – and the bizarro hiring and firing that went on during last season. I don’t really care too much one way or the other about Ball, but the team treated some of their riders remarkably poorly last season. I think they should have been fined for that, really.
Poor Rock Racing - Muntz'd again.
Hey Chris – how many of their crappy kits do you have?
A loud as hell, a ringing bell, behind my smile, it shakes my teeth, and all the while, while vampires feed.
Jens has my nomination for comment of the year.
That will never be topped.
A loud as hell, a ringing bell, behind my smile, it shakes my teeth, and all the while, while vampires feed.
Whatever
In other news, I lurve that bike in the picture.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
Sponsor Shift
That 2009 photo of Oscar Sevilla shows him riding a 2008 team-issue De Rosa.
by Chief Commissaire on Jan 9, 2010 3:45 AM EST up reply actions
they rode a complete hodge-podge of bikes at ToUt..
DeRosa’s, you name it. None were branded that I recall… I’d have to look back at my images to be sure. That’s for sure the 08 DeRosa.
by Christopher See on Jan 9, 2010 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Ball should...
stick to designing racing kits. It would certainly dovetail with his actual talents (design).
+ several
don’t even get me started.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
Can you send me the green one in October for Halloween?
A loud as hell, a ringing bell, behind my smile, it shakes my teeth, and all the while, while vampires feed.
Sooo
what happens to all these riders? I saw Neil Browne post something about no Spanish riders? I know most people are happy…I think this is bad!
Oh I've seen
people out there that seem to be “happy” about it. And my first thought is/was what about these riders? Doesn’t this mean they might not have a job?
It's possible
but it could also mean they race in the U.S. like last year. It really depends on what the contracts say and what sort of sponsorship money is still there.
Isn't this
just 2009 all over again? If they got the rug pulled out from them, I’d feel worse for the riders. But seems like they were on notice, and the riders with power got clauses like Simoni’s.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
This is better than last year from what I can tell. It isn't like they are putting half the team out of a job
They will still get paid and they are running a reduced roster from what I can see. They will still be able to race a few races in Europe and then just go on a rampage in the U.S. and South America
CQ has had them as Mexican. They signed 6 Mexican/Spanish/South American which gives them 10 SPanish speaking riders on their roster
Plus I had been hearing about a Mexican move for the team. They have gotten a lot of their best results in Central/South America as well.
Well, it could be true
but it’s still unconfirmed as far as I can tell. We’ll see :-)
Really, if the team wants a story reported as fact, all they reallly have to do is open the press control panel and hit the confirm button. Super easy. Then, we wouldn’t have all these confusing problems.
Any idea what Neil Browne
meant by this tweet?
@anitabfranklin This is going to affect who is going to ride for the team this year. No license=no Europe racing=no Spanish riders
The Spanish rider part is what I’m questioning.
Isn't there a rule
whereby Conti teams are required to take out a licence from the country where the majority of their riders come from?
What?
Since when?
BTW, one of my projects for the PdC 2011 is definitely issuing licenses.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
Can I qualify for the 00x license?
007 is taken but maybe there’s a slot near the bottom of the roster somewhere…..
by Christopher See on Jan 9, 2010 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Can I be on the licensing committee?
I’m inconsistent, fickle, have poor communication skills and largely incompetent .
In short: perfect for the job
Dislexics delight
In other news, Columbia-HTC will become HTC-Columbia for this season.
Kid you not.
Haitch TC Columbia
I can live with that, actually I am now looking forward to Matt Kennan saying that.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Simple math
Electronics $$ > clothing $$
Also, aren’t Columbia on their way out? Or dropping down a bit in support? IIRC they made it clear at the outset that they weren’t planning anything long term.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
And the Elegant Solution Makes Itself Clear...
Columbia phasing out? (I remember that too.)
Rock and republic not able to get a Pro Conti license?
Simple! Replace Columbia with Rock as sponsors! Stapleton and Ball: natural partners!
Cavendish in a Rock kit? Genius!
OK
Have fun arranging that meeting Ursula.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
He already wears the jeans.
I will be a different rider in 2010, one who wins races.--Linus Gerdemann
And HTC is really starting to hit it off in the American Market this year
$$$
by Douglas Ansel on Jan 9, 2010 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah they are
I’m about to get one
"Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."
Not only in the US from what I hear
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Jan 9, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Columbia sounds more classier than HTC though.
I suppose Columbia, er, HTC is the cycling acronym since there is no CSC.
Wigglypuff Cav Crunch, Breakfast of Madison Champions!
Maybe it's the name.
Maybe Mr. Ball could try impressing the UCI by making a little use of our favorite online translator. Best I can come up with is “Scoglio da Corsa”
Scoglio non e morto!
"Cycling is the only thing that keeps me sane." Phil Liggett
I hate to say 'good,' but I'm gonna.
The crap they pulled last year signing a bunch of guys on the basis of what turned out to be wishful thinking; the very hard to justify firings of riders based on ‘performance,’ and their general attitude that a contract is something that can be rewritten at will to our liking is all pretty grotesque.
What the cycling world, and especially american cycling, does not need are shady fly by night teams that promise the sky and don’t live up to basic obligations. It’s had more than enough of those, and in the midst of all the attention being paid to doping, it’d be wise not to forget that.
I'm presuming here that this doesn't mean no RR at all, but no RR at high level...
…but my strong feeling is that this is one of those things where the UCI tried to add up the numbers RR gave them and the numbers didn’t add up. I have no actual knowledge on which to base this speculation, except the past history we’ve all seen. As for the riders who were hoping to work for them, all I can say is given past history, why ever would you put your eggs in this basket without UCI approval for their plans in hand?
If, on the other hand, the UCI is blowing up the entire team (even at a Conti level), having dithered around this long before doing it, then ugh, ugh, ugh.
+1
"well...you live in england so: you love the rain. loves the queen. hates cycling. based on mr bean had a tremendous amount of humour. all ride in a mini cooper. all getting drunk before the age of 12. getting drunk at least 3 times a day."- frinking, 7/9/09
Not down tube shifters!
NOOOO!!!!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:22 PM EST reply actions
Damn
I could write a sonnet about my old down tubies. Of course, the last time I tried to shift with one in a race was like 1992.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
Does this make me a pariah
as I still use these (on both of my bikes)? And I am young enough to know better.
Oh yay Mosquera is good to go for the Vuelta(and maybe Giro)
to me that’s the bigger news. RR is still allowed to race no? They just will be continental again and not Pro-Conti. Oh and I still want Gibo at Astana.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
I still don't understand?
How does RR attract the talented riders they have..
with the worst management in cycling?
They have cornered the market on incompetence !
One gets the feeling that there are no grown-ups involved. maybe the mechanic is given the UCI forms to fill out, as if it was another race entry?!
Good riders are left feeling foolish because they trusted someone to do their job and register the team properly.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the Flag and carrying the Cross."
--Sinclair Lewis
That pretty much sums up my feelings.
I’d be inclined to like them a lot if their superpower didn’t seem to be fucking up stuff that is absolutely basic, and confusing that with attitude, or something.
They must have a stellar marketing department!
Wigglypuff Cav Crunch, Breakfast of Madison Champions!
How come I imagined that "No license for you!" being announced in the voice of the Soup Nazi?
Wigglypuff Cav Crunch, Breakfast of Madison Champions!
uh oh
did we just invent the License Nazi?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 8, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
Gava as license nazi?
One for you..
One for you ..
NO. no license for you unt you vill like it
by Christopher See on Jan 9, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
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