Pedal Dancer®: Pro Teams

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12 May 2016

List of Riders Amgen Tour of California 2016

The Riders - a complete list of competitors

The rider startlist and bib numbers have been finalized and made available by ProCyclingStats.com, a day after quite a different startlist was released by Amgen Tour of California media personnel. Whomever starts on Sunday morning is now committed to ride their way to Sacramento (no more changing the roster!).

~~The official 2016 startlist of riders (rider roster, squads) has not yet been released by organizers of the Amgen Tour of California, but~~ I got impatient because I am headed to the race tomorrow. However on the ProCyclingStats.com startlist of riders you can click on each name and see a photo of the rider and their palmares (the career race history), a great way to get familiar with who will be racing at the Tour of California.

Through reading news reports and rider twitter accounts (some are already in California training pre race), I can add to the list of riders who will be racing in California at the 2016 Amgen Tour of California this week. ATOC typically leaves the announcement of the startlists until just before the start as teams formalize their squads having recovered from recent illnesses or races.

Team rider startlists

There will be a thrilling list of riders to compete in California this week. Tom Boonen is coming to California!! Julian Allaphilippe will be returning in 2016, he won the best young rider jersey in 2015 and won the stage to Mt Baldy. Peter Sagan is coming back with his teammate and brother Juraj Sagan. Mark Cavendish and Bradely Wiggins will both return in 2016. Team BMC has an action packed team, their red jerseys should be a frequent sight on the podium.

I am super excited to see Tom Boonen and Mark Renshaw race again and am looking forward to watching the other powerful sprinters including Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Tyler Farrar (Dimension Data), Ben Swift (SKY), John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Niccolo Bonifazio (Trek-Segafredo), Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie), Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo), Brad Huff (Rally), Rob Britton (Rally), Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel), Wouter Wippert (Cannondale), Travis McCabe (Holowesko-Citadel), and John Murphy (UHC).

Because I am a huge fan of the Spring Classics I will be like a giddy fan to see Greg van Avermaet, John Degenkolb, Alexander Kristoff, Zdenek Stybar and Tom Boonen in California. I wouldn't be able to get anywhere near them in Belgium; which also stands true for Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins. I also look forward to watching the young Axeon Hagens Berman team and observing the French riders on Team Direct Energie enjoy their time in California. Although 'enjoy' is a loose term once they experience the tough level of competition in this tour.

Recommended Read: Preview: What you need to know about the 2016 Amgen Tour of California, by Neal Rogers. Who writes, "Sagan returns to the race that he’s done every year since 2010, along the way compiling a total of 13 stage wins (a record),five points jerseys (a record), one best young rider’s competition (2010), and one overall victory." "Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), a nine-time California stage winner and two-time points classification winner."

Pedal Dancer Race Preview for 2016 Tour of California on TourChaser.com: tourchaser.com/race-preview-atoc

FULL STARTLIST - 2016 Amgen Tour of California, 144 riders to compete:* to be updated with bib numbers after the official announcement of the ATOC startlist.

Tinkoff
1 Sagan, Peter
2 Baška, Erik
3 Blythe, Adam
4 Gatto, Oscar
5 Gogl, Michael
6 Kolar, Michael
7 Sagan, Juraj
8 Trusov, Nikolay

Etixx - Quick Step
11 Allaphilippe, Julian
12 Boonen, Tom
13 Bouet, Maxime
14 Maes, Nikolas
15 Richeze, Ariel Maximilliano
16 Stybar, Zdenek
17 Vakoc, Petr
18 Velitz, Martin

Team Sky
21 Kennaugh, Peter
22 Fenn, Andrew
23 Kiyrienka, Vasil
24 Moscon, Gianni
25 Nordhaug, Lars Petter
26 Peters, Alex
27 van Poppel, Danny
28 Zandio, Xabier

Dimension Data
31 Cavendish, Mark
32 Brammeier, Matthew
33 Eisel, Bernhard
34 Farrar, Tyler
35 Nathan Haas
36 Janse van Rensburg, Jacques
37 Renshaw, Mark
38 Teklehaimanot, Daniel

Team Katusha
41 Kristoff, Alexander
42 Guarnieri, Jacopo
43 Haller, Marco
44 Isaychev, Vladimir
45 Machado, Tiago
46 Mørkøv, Michael
47 Restrepo, Jhonatan
48 van den Broeck, Jurgen

BMC Racing Team
51 Bookwalter, Brent
52 Dennis, Rohan
53 Drucker,Jean-Pierre
54 Phinney, Taylor
55 Sánchez, Samuel
56 Schar, Michael
57 Van Avermaet, Greg
58 Wyss, Danilo

Team Wiggins
61 Wiggins, Bradley
62 Christian, Mark
63 Doull, Owain
64 Kelly, Jake
65 Latham, Christopher
66 Patten, Daniel
67 Tennant, Andrew
68 Thompson, Michael

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team
71 Talansky, Andrew
72 Bevin, Patrick
73 Craddock, Lawson
74 Gaimon, Phillip
75 King, Benjamin
76 Marangoni, Alan
77 Skujiņš, Toms
78 Wippert, Wouter

Trek - Segafredo
81 Stetina, Peter
82 Arredondo, Julián David
83 Bernard, Julien
84 Bonifazio, Niccolo
85 Irizar, Markel
86 Reijnen, Kiel
87 Stuyven, Jasper
88 Zubeldia, Haimar

Direct Energie
91 Coquard, Bryan
92 Anderson, Ryan
93 Duchesne, Antoine
95 Nauleau, Bryan
96 Petit, Adrien
97 Sicard, Romain
98 Tulik, Angelo

Team Giant - Alpecin
101 Degenkolb, John
102 Kragh Andersen, Søren
103 Curvers, Roy
104 de Kort, Koen
105 Sinkeldam, Ramon
106 Fairly, Caleb
107 Skjøstad Lunke, Sindre
108 ten Dam, Laurens

Team LottoNL - Jumbo
111 Groenewegen, Dylan
112 Bennett, George
113 Roosen, Timo
114 Teunissen, Mike
115 van Widen, Dennis
116 Vermeulen, Alexey
117 Wagner, Robert
118 Wynants, Maarten

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
121 Brajkovic, Janez
122 Canolo, Mario
123 Clarke, Jonathan
124 Eaton, Daniel
125 Jaramillo, Daniel Alexander
126 Jones, Christopher
127 Murphy, John,
128 Putt, Tanner

Axeon Hagens Berman (U23 team)
131 Geoghegan Hart, Tao
132 Barta, Will
133 Curran, Geoffrey
134 Daniel, Greg
135 Guerreiro, Ruben
136 Neilands, Krists
137 Owen, Logan
138 Powless, Nielson

Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
141 Morton, Lachlan David
142 Cheyne, Jordan
143 Morton, Angus
144 Putt, Chris
145 Rathe, Jacob
146 Sheehan, Michael
147 Sheldon, Taylor
148 Wolfe, Ben

Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team
151 Carpenter, Robin
152 Clark, Oscar
153 Flaksis, Andzs
154 Hornbeck, Jonathan
155 Krasilnikau, Andrei
156 Lewis, Joe
157 Squire, Rob
158 McCabe, Travis

Team Novo Nordisk
161 Clancy, Stephen
162 Henttala, Joonas
163 Lozano, David
164 Megias Leal, Javier
165 Peron, Andrea
166 Planet, Charles
167 Verschoor, Martijn
168 Williams, Christopher

Rally Cycling
171 Anthony, Jesse
172 Britton, Rob
173 De Vos, Adam
174 Huffman, Evan
175 Nalo, Patrick
176 Oronte, Emerson
177 Pate, Danny
178 Routley, Will

All of these riders will be racing again in 2016: (All Photos ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®)

American Brent Bookwalter (BMC).

Latvian Tom Skujins (Cannondale).

From the U.K. (Isle of Man) Mark Cavendish (now with Dimension Data).

Australian Rohan Dennis (BMC).

American Tyler Farrar (Dimension Data).

Slovakian Peter Sagan (Tinkoff).

American Taylor Phinney (BMC).

American Lawson Craddock (now with Cannondale).

American Logan Owen (Axeon Hagens Berman).

Mark Renshaw (now with Dimension Data).

Julian Allaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep).

Laurens ten Dam (now with Giant-Alpecin).

WHO WILL WEAR BIB #1 IN 2016?

It is tradition that the previous year's overall stage winner, if returning to the race in the current year, wear the #1 jersey. His team being recognized as the first team, thus wear #1-8. The other teams are ordered according to race organizers preference, eighteen teams total with eight riders each. At the Tour of California, as is usual, you will see the ProTour teams listed on the roster before the Pro Continental or Continental teams.

Peter Sagan will wear #1 on his jersey at the Tour of California. He will be racing hard in 2016 to wear #1 again in 2017.

More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:

23 April 2016

Classification jerseys for the 2016 Tour of California

Leaders jersey, podium presentations and a guess at who will win ATOC in 2016.

The symbol of success.

Only the best in a field get to wear one of the four classification jerseys, plus the Tour of California's specific Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous jersey. Read more about the jerseys including the blue Breakaway jersey awarded to the rider on each stage who "best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer." The blue jersey is not a running tally of the best of classification but rather an acknowledgement given to one special rider after each of the eight Tour of California stages.

CLASSIFICATION JERSEYS

Classification Jerseys for the Amgen Tour of California 2016 are awarded for best type of rider in a field. This year the Tour of California will feature 5 classifications: Leader (fastest overall time, yellow jersey), Mountain (climber, red polka dot jersey), Sprint (faster sprinter, also called points classification, green jersey), Best Young Rider (under age 25, white jersey), Most Courageous (most combative/competitive, blue Breakaway from Cancer jersey). As the stage race progresses the overall classification winner is presented with his jersey after each stage and will wear the jersey at the start of the next day's stage. (An explanation of the jerseys at the official tour website).

The designs have changed for 2016.

Classification jerseys of the Tour of California 2016: Leader, Sprinter, Climber, Young, Courageous

You can buy these jerseys at the ATOC shop. Did you know some races call it Most Aggressive and some call it Courageous or Combative (Read a blog post on the topic: Aggressively Courageous and Combative By Pedal Dancer®).

Podium after Stage 6 of the 2015 Tour of California. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Podium presentations

For a fan, watching a podium presentation might be the best way to glimpse your favorite riders close-up and standing still. I recommend heading to the finish line area for the podium presentation, usually 15-minutes after the end of a stage.

Within those 15 minutes a lot happens: a designated team soigneur provides quick food and drink to the rider once they have crossed the finish line; congratulations are given and received; a sample is given at the drug screening tent; a quick interview or two might happen; the rider often changes clothes or shoes and replaces his helmet with a hat; and then they are led in a state of great confusion and exhaustion to the location of the podium. Where they sometimes have to climb up metal stairs to the stage in cycling shoes!

Before his heart rate has barely recovered the winner gets flowers, a bear and podium kisses. Like a celebrity at the academy awards, photographers call out his name in hopes of getting a gaze straight into the camera's lens. All of this takes practice and training to master, including avoiding blinking, smiling a lot and opening those champagne bottles.

Peter! Peter! over here Peter! Peter Sagan with Joanna and Allison in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

You would think every podium presentation would be the same, but a rider never knows that his destination is the stage until after his win or placement has sunk in, approximately 15-minutes prior to the podium presentations. The organization of the athletes, jersey presenters and the flow on stage is the job of the podium girls.

Champion Systems is the jersey sponsor for the classification jerseys at the Tour of California. Did you know they quickly iron on those team names patches to the back of a fresh classification jersey after the stage finishes. They know the riders' general jersey sizes and rush the prepared jerseys to the podium where the podium girls and a special presenter, zip the rider into their new classification jersey - backwards.

No zippers in the front - Mark Cavendish (green jersey) and Peter Sagan (yellow jersey) in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

As you can see (below) the back of the jersey, where the zipper is located, is blank. These podium ceremonial jerseys are not the ones worn the next day. Typically they are kept, or are autographed and given as a souvenir.

Backwards blank classification jersey. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

By the stage start of the next day, the 2016 jersey sponsor Champion Systems will nicely print the team logo onto the front of each classification jersey for the day's stage.

No iron-on patch. Team logo on the classification jersey, zipper in front, ready to race. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

The team logo is also printed on the back of the jersey along with the rider's name.

Mark Cavendish's jersey professionally labeled front and back with his dossard (bib number) attached, ready for the stage. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Who won in 2015?

General Classification Leader (yellow jersey): Peter Sagan (then with Tinkoff-Saxo, now with Tinkoff)
Point Classification Leader (green jersey): Mark Canvendish (then with Etixx-Quickstep, now with Dimension Data).
KOM Classification (red and white polka-dot jersey): Daniel Oss (BMC)
Best Young Classification Leader (white jersey): Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep)
Team Classification (best team): Team SKY

A young and happy (and looking like he wears a size extra-small) Julian Alaphilippe in the white jersey in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer

Who will win the Amgen Tour of California in 2016?
The start list of riders for the Tour of California should be announced within the next two weeks.

The caliber of riders in 2016 will be very high. This is going to be an exciting race in all categories as well as for the overall race win. Race Organizers (AEG) and Race Director Eric Smith were challenged this year by ASO to create a stellar route and race, and I believe they have done so. (ATOC route and maps)

Who will win?

No one can foresee the future of a bike race but the fun of being a fan is equal parts anticipation of the great riders who will compete and investing yourself through picking who you think will win. It is what makes sport fun. You might notice many race previews are the same, that is because we are all guessing. All that matters as fans is that over time we learn who is a GC contender, who is a sprinter and who is a climber. And that we dare to participate by guessing.

What makes the Amgen Tour of California race so special is that it is preparation for many riders heading to the Tour de France in July, it is also a chance for Pro Continental and Conti riders to strut their stuff against the best WorldTour riders in the world (and thus hoping for a continued or improved team contract). The short eight stage format over a mixed route with sprinting, time trial and climbing also lends itself to an exciting overall winner and attracts world-renowned racers.

A new design for 2016.

Who will wear yellow in 2016?

That is the great unknown, but I am looking at Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) who won the race in 2015, Rohan Dennis (BMC), Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Andrew Talansky (Cannondale), Lawson Craddock (Cannondale), Laurens ten Dam (Giant-Alpecin), or possible past winners Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) or Bradley Wiggins (Team Wiggins).

American Peter Stetina is leading the Trek-Segafreda team, and crowd favorite (and social media wizard) American Taylor Phinney (BMC) will be back to animate the race in 2016. I am particularly looking forward to seeing how Lawson Craddock (Cannondale) performs.

Who will wear green in 2016?

The race for the green jersey (points classification) will be very interesting this year and hotly contested. Watch out for Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), Rob Britton (Rally), John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel), Tyler Farrar (Dimension Data), Wouter Wippert (Cannondale), John Murphy (UHC) and many others once we know the true startlist.

Who will wear the King of the Mountains jersey in 2016?

Possibly Toms Skujiņ (Cannondale), Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Alex Braico or Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly).

Who will be the Best Young Rider in 2016:

Keep your eye on Logan Owen (Axeon Hagens Berman) recent winner of the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) winner of the white jersey at the 2015 ATOC, Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly), Lawson Craddock (Cannondale), Toms Skujiņš (Cannondale), Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel), Danny van Poppel (SKY), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafreda), and Jon Dibben (Team Wiggins) who recently won the U23 Tour of Flanders.

Who will be at the Giro d' Italia and NOT in California?

We know the competition at the Tour of California will be high because the line up of 18 teams for the 2016 Tour of California is very impressive.

Every year the Giro d'Italia conflicts on the calendar with the Amgen Tour of California. The startlist for the Giro is the earliest indication of who will not be coming to California. Although Fabian Cancellara has not appeared at the ATOC in many years, I was certainly wishing he would be there in his final year of racing before retirement; he will not.

King of the Mountain classification winner in 2015 Daniel Oss (BMC) will be racing in Italy at the Giro d'Italia and thus not in the Tour of California to defend his polka-dot jersey. Joe Dombrowski and Michael Woods of Cannondale will both be racing at the Giro. Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep) will not be in California to join the strong group of sprinters racing for the green jersey. Ryder Hesjedal, Fabian Cancellara, Boy Van Poppel, and Ricardo Zoidl will be representing Trek-Segrafreda in Italy. And American Ian Boswell will be racing the Giro for Team SKY, along with teammate Elia Viviani. Procyclingstats.com has the complete startlist for the 2016 Giro d' Italia.

Brad Sohner interviewing Peter Sagan on the podium in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Read an interview with Tour of California Stage Announcer Brad Sohner: Who is that voice on stage? By Pedal Dancer®. Read about Joanna and Allison who have been podium girls at the Tour of California for many years The Fans want Podium Girls?

To see all the team jerseys and bikes that will be at the Tour of California: Team jerseys and team bikes at the Tour of California

Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:

22 April 2016

Team jerseys and team bikes at the Tour of California

The best bikes and clothing at the Amgen Tour of California

When the speed is so great, a team jersey is the recognizable symbol that lets us know instantly which rider won by an inch over the finish line. When combined in mass, team jerseys create a blur of color symbolic of the pro peloton in movement. Together with the clatter of bikes on rough pavement and the sound of wheels slicing through the air, the colorful jerseys create the atmosphere of professional bike racing.

Inside that blur of color is a dynamic mental struggle and physical fight to stay at the front of the race. From the fan's perspective the jersey, helmet, sunglasses, socks, shoes, and particularly the bike of a professional cyclists gives the impression of a calm, well trained, well equipped, well prepared athlete.

The look is called pro, but being pro requires a legion of support staff and dedicated sponsors and partners. Team jerseys are the symbol of this sport. Team bikes make it all happen in a display of dream machines.

Let's take a look at what you will see as fans out on the road during the upcoming eight stages of the Amgen Tour of California. If you attend a start of any stage, be sure to walk by the team buses and check out the bikes lined up securely outside.

Getting the bikes ready. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

Of particular interest to the amateur cyclist's price point (depending on the build) would be the bikes of Team Katusha, Team Giant-Alpecin, Novo-Nordisk, Holowesko-Citadel, Direct Energie, Trek-Segafredo and Rally. If you have no budget (or just want to drool over extravagant bikes) check out the bikes of Team SKY, Tinkoff, BMC, Etixx-Quickstep, United Healthcare, Axeon Hagens Berman, Dimension Data or the magnificent Team Wiggins team bike.

Guess whose bike this is? You will see it at the Tour of California in May. Peter Sagan's bikes. A very colorful Specialized Venge. Photo via tinkoffteam.com

Eighteen men's teams will compete in the 2016 Amgen Tour of California. These are the team jerseys and bikes, listed by: team website, country, jerseys, bikes and some of the equipment used on the bikes. Each team has a large group of equipment, goods and service suppliers (including cars!) which can be found on their team websites. Read more about the WorldTour sponsors: Pro Team Sponsors – What Do They Do? By Inner Ring (descriptions of the products sponsors make).

MEN'S TEAMS

UCI WorldTour Teams

BMC Racing Team (USA) - BMC bikes

BMC team equipment on the bike: BMC, Shimano, fi’zi:k, SRM, Continental.

BMC team BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura Ace Di2. Photo via bmc-switzerland.com

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Cannondale bikes

Cannondale team equipment on the bike: Cannondale, Shimano, Mavic, Garmin, FSA, Rock Tape, fi’zi:k.

Cannondale team Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-MOD. Photo via www.cannondale.com

Dimension Data (South Africa) - Cervélo bikes

Dimension Data team equipment on the bike: Cervelo, Roto Uno / Shimano, ENVE, Continental, fi’zi:k, Speedplay, Rotor, Lizard Skins.

Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium) - Specialized bikes

Etixx-Quickstep team equipment on the bike: Specialized, Shimano, HED, Rovel, FSA.

Giant – Alpecin (Germany) - Giant bikes

Giant-Alpecin team equipment on the bike: Giant Liv, Shimano, Vittoria, Pro, Pioneer, Polar.

Katusha (Russia) - Canyon bikes

Katusha team equipment on the bike: Canyon, SRAM, Zipp, Quarq. Katusha swapped from Shimano to SRAM this year, and from Mavic to Zipp wheels this years, they also ride Canyon bikes, all products continuing to grow in tremendous popularity in the United States among amateur cyclists.

LottoNL- Jumbo (Netherlands) - Bianche bikes

LottoNL-Jumbo team equipment on the bike: Bianche bikes, Shimano, FSA, Selle San Marco, Vittoria.

Sky (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes

SKY team equipment on the bike: Pinarello, Shimano, PRO, Stages, fi’zi:k.

SKY team Pinarello Dogma F8. Photo via pinarello.com

Tinkoff (Russia) - Specialized bikes

Tinkoff team equipment on the bike: Specialized, Shimano, FSA, Roval, HED, Look, Prologo, SRM.

Trek - Segafredo (USA) - Trek bikes

Trek-Segafredo team equipment on the bike: Trek, Shimano, Bontrager, SRM

Trek-Segafredo team Trek Madone. Photo via treksegafredo.com

UCI Professional Continental Teams

Direct Énergie (France) - BH bikes

Direct Énergie team equipment on the bike: BH bikes, Sigma, Shimano, FSA, Vision, Prologo, Hutchinson, Look.

Novo Nordisk (USA) - Orbea bikes

Novo Nordisk team equipment on the bike: Colnago, Maxxis, Selle Italia, Stages, Pioneer. Catlike helmets.

UnitedHealthcare (USA) - Wilier bikes

United Healthcare team equipment on the bike: Wilier, Shimano, Maxxis, Pioneer, Deda, San Marco, Rocktape.

United Healthcare team Wilier Trestina

UCI Continental Teams

Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) - Specialized bikes
The Directeur Sportif for the team is Jonkheer ("The Honourable") Axel Merckx, son of Eddy Merckx who has been made a baron in Belgium.

Axeon-Hagens Berman team equipment on the bike: Specialized, SRAM, Quarq, Zipp, Speedplay.

Axeon-Hagens Berman team Specialized Tarmac. Photo via 2016.axeoncycling.com

Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA) - felt bikes

Holowesko - Citadel team equipment on the bike: Felt, Shimano, Mavic, Michelin, Pro, Prologo.

Holowesko - Citadel team Felt bikes. Photo via twitter.com/TeamHincapie/

Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA) - Argon bikes

Jelly Belly-Maxxis team equipment on the bike: Argon, Maxxis, FSA, Prologo, Speedplay, Tocktape, Cateye and Jelly Beans.

Jelly Belly-Maxxis Argon 18. Photo via @JellyBellyTeam

Rally Cycling (USA) - Diamond Back bikes

Rally Cycling team equipment on the bike: Diamond Back, SRAM, Mavic, HED, Kenda, Speedplay.

Team Wiggins (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes (Wikipedia)

Team Wiggins team equipment on the bike: Pinarello, SRAM, Zipp, fi’zi:k

Oh, and wait until you see the team cars and buses at Tour of California!

One of my favorite sponsor combos:

UCI WorldTour
BMC Racing Team (USA) - BMC bikes, Shimano
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Cannondale bikes, Shimano
Dimension Data (South Africa) - Cervélo bikes, Roto Uno / Shimano
Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium) - Specialized bikes, Shimano
Giant – Alpecin (Germany) - Giant bikes, Shimano
Katusha (Russia) - Canyon bikes, SRAM
LottoNL – Jumbo (Netherlands) - Bianche bikes, Shimano
Sky (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes, Shimano
Tinkoff (Russia) - Specialized bikes, Shimano
Trek – Segafredo (USA) - Trek bikes, Shimano

UCI Professional Continental
Direct Énergie (France) - BH bikes, Shimano / FSA
Novo Nordisk (USA) - Colnago bikes
UnitedHealthcare (USA) - Wilier bikes, Shimano

UCI Continental
Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) - Specialized bikes, SRAM
Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA) - Felt bikes, Shimano
Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA) - Argon bikes
Rally Cycling (USA) - Diamond Back bikes, SRAM
Team Wiggins (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes, SRAM

Bikes lined up before the stage at ATOC in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:

Coming soon: Startlist and bib number Amgen Tour of California 2016; National and World Championship jerseys at the Tour of California; and stories from the race.

18 February 2016

Recommended Listen: The Cycling Podcast HTC Highroad

Recommending a Cycling Podcast on an old favorite team.

I am a big fan of The Cycling Podcast out of Britain. You might know them as The Telegraph Cycling Podcast supported by Jaguar, when during the month of July, Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe cover the Tour de France daily from the road. Today the trio released a special hour and a half podcast episode entirely on the topic of the old USA pro team Columbia HTC-Highroad. In differing name configurations, the power-team existed from 2007 to 2011 before folding due to lack of major sponsorship.

I thought you might enjoy a look back at a blog post I wrote in October 2011, with a stroll down memory lane photo collection: Remembering HTC Highroad

American Bob Stapleton was a man before his time. A team owner who was clearly respected in the close-knit community of cycling and yet had his issues with relationships. Whenever I spotted Bob at races, riders and staff from all teams would halt whatever it was they were doing to extend a handshake. It was moving to witness, especially after his team had folded. In a era when cycling was being torn apart Bob Stapleton could unite. And yet the "team of the century" - as The Cycling Podcast appointed it's title - disbanded.

In 2011, I collected a collage of photographs from chasing races and cheering on my favorite team. Looking back at these old photographs and knowing now what became of the riders and staff members, I completely agree - Highroad was the team of the century. With their approach to marketing, communications, working business model, team ethos, code of conduct, team planning and scouting players, the team was an incubator for the best riders and staff in the world of cycling. Team members are now scattered throughout the peloton.

Team names: Team High Road (2007), Team Columbia (2008), Team Columbia-High Road (2009), Team Columbia-HTC (2009), Team HTC-Columbia (2010), HTC-Highroad (2011).

Key Riders: Mark Cavendish, Bernhard Eisel, Matthew Goss, Mark Renshaw, John Degenkolb, André Greipel, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Tony Martin, Hayden Roulston, Tejay van Garderen, George Hincapie, Peter Velits, Martin Velits, Marco Pinotti, Danny Pate, Craig Lewis, Matt Brammeier, Michael Albasini, Lars Bak, Adam Hansen, Leigh Howard, Michael Rogers, Greg Henderson, Michael Barry, Maxine Monfort, Marcus Berghardt, Thomas Löfkvist, Linus Gerdemann, Marcel Sieberg, Bert Grabsch, Kanstantsin Sivtsov, Servais Knaven, Andreas Klier, Kim Kirchen, Roger Hammond and Bradley Wiggins!

Staff members now spread into the cycling community: Bob Stapleton, Allan Peiper, Rolf Aldag, Brian Holm, Valerio Piva, Jan Schaffrath, Olaf Ludwig, Walter Godefroot, Eddy Vandenhecke, Luuc Eisenga, Marco Pinotti, Servais Knaven.

If you have been a fan of cycling for a decade or more, like myself, rereading these names is like realizing I was honored to watch the very best in the sport compete on one team at the dawning of a new age. Only Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Chris Froome existed for me outside this dream world. Many of the riders in the peloton have HTC-Highroad to thank for their now high salaries.

Highroad was the team that inspired me to keep my attention on the sport when I was disgusted by Lance Armstrong and doping scandals. Highroad was a new kind of team. For me, this was the team bus to find at any race.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Episode 2 | The Rise and Demise of HTC-High Road, The Team of the Century

Weekly you may listen to the newest edition of the standard The Cycling Podcast, but eleven times a year the trio of Richard, Lionel and Daniel dive deeper to investigate one relevant cycling topic. You will need to sign up as a Friend of the podcast to hear the special editions. I have been a friend and can attest it is absolutely worth the $14 to join (via a quick and simple secure paypal process).

Join Friends of the podcast 2016
Cost: £10 or $14.33 (in Feb 2016), just $1.30 an episode; the best dog walking entertainment I know of! You will also want to sign up for the email news blast to know when the latest episode is available. Once you join, you have several choices on how to listen. I wait for the email announcement to arrive, click the link and eagerly listen on my iphone. Join now (link), support three investigative cycling journalists.

Whatever you think you knew about the inner workings of this team, you will discover far more by listening to the podcast. My favorite quote: Ralph Aldag, "Do you remember that jersey... ah, I was crying when I first saw it."

Bradley Wiggins didn't appear too thrilled with the first jersey and its cartoon style font.

LOOK AT OLD PHOTOS OF THE TEAM

Again enjoy a look back at some old photos taken of team Highroad on the continent and in Europe: Pedal Dancer® Remembering HTC Highroad

Remember when Neal Rogers used to report daily from the Tour de France and could never remember what stage it was or where they were? Remember when George Hincapie was the team captain teaching the young guns like Mark Cavendish? Here are George Hincapie and Neal Rogers together at the 2008 Dauphine Libere in France.

A very young Mark Cavendish in France.

A very young Tony Martin. I had to check his jersey number twice, the powerful ITT whiz kid Tony Martin standing before me appeared half the size in real life.

I was still so green I had to ask which Velits brother this was. Peter.

This was the moment I remember first becoming a fan of Matt Goss, when I saw what he could do in a leadout train. Remember the HTC Highroad leadouts? You don't see that anymore.

A barefoot Bernhard Eisel relaxing in the hot California Sun.

I still wear Columbia clothing products to this day because of the team. The team also introduced Americans to the latest greatest bikes; which every local bike racing team wanted for themselves:

Scott bikes (I had one).

Specialized bikes (I wanted one). When the Venge, SL-4, and SHIV bikes became all the rage with local bike racers and cyclists.

See more photos from running around after this team as a fan: Remembering HTC Highroad

Of course I had to finish this blog post with a photo of Bernie! The worst effect when team Highroad closed is that I had to travel to Europe to see many of my favorite riders race again. In 2012 I returned to France to chase the Tour de France.

Bob Stapleton is now Chairman of USA Cycling (bio). His bio states he founded High Road Sports, Inc., a sports management company that owned and operated Team HTC-Highroad, in 2005, He is a director of World Triathlon Corporation, as well as an adviser for leading private equity firms. He has an MBA from Cal Berkeley, he was born and resides in California.

05 December 2014

The structure of cycling in America

The levels of bike racing in the United States

Recently I attended an annual awards party for local road bike racing in Colorado; dinner was served before presentations and honors were awarded. Across the table from me sat four young, very talented, bike racers who had raced in the Juniors 17-18 year-old category for the past year. For them it was far more than a year, it had been years of racing and friendships formed by being on the same bike team. Even at their young age, I could tell their identity as bike racers had been forged. "What is next for you?" I asked with true interest. "Not sure, we will try to stay involved."

Theirs seems a fragile age of talent on the brink of waste. If they want more, these young men must be both judged and proven good enough to follow a selective path to national and international development. In addition they must completely devote themselves - and thereby their families - to the job of becoming a pro rider. A job which entails mandatory team contracts year after year, sacrifice, discipline and focus.

Their other possibility is heading to university, where few (but some) schools offer collegiate cycling teams. Only twenty-one colleges sustain official cycling teams across our nation. The remaining young riders have the option to compete in local bike races against grown men who have two or three $10,000 bikes each with excess money for gadgets and personal coaches. Their youthful identity and potential shelved through college, career building and a growing family, they wait to pounce on their big identity comeback as a local amateur hero, consuming their family weekends and holidays to attend bike races.

For some, this is enough, but for others, life begins or is altered at age 17.

How many of us want to be judged at age seventeen? How many of us were that solid at such a young age that talent, awareness, determination, tough mind, tougher body, money, support, means, guidance, opportunity and a good coach all aligned to make dreams happen? That is why continuing support of age 17 to 23 (U23, under age 23) programs are critical in the formation of a good racer.

I have a dear friend who - although he came from impeccable cycling genes - did not begin bike racing until age 24. Within a few stellar years he earned his place on an American Continental team. Although his ability is impressively strong, the sacrifices he has made for his love of bike racing are both scary and admirable.

Not every young bike racer is so lucky or so daring. The organizational structure of cycling in America is critical in building a strong foundation for the sport for all ages, but for the rider age 17 to 23 - sponsorship, anti-doping, good equipment, proper physical training, respectful coaching, team unity and recognition of hard work is vital.

So much must fall in place for the potential of an athlete to be realized.

I think running might be a much easier sport to pursue. Cycling is not easy: it is not consistently available throughout our nation and it receives little overall attention, with less money. Yet I couldn't help but watch the 2014 Tour de France in admiration and wonder "Who is in charge of junior/U-23 development in France (and Belgium), because they appear to be doing a lot of things right?" No matter the nationality - young fresh talent might just save this sport in crisis.

How bike racing works in America (facts)

2,700+ bike clubs and teams, high school teams, adjunct junior teams (find a club)
57 Junior only bike clubs and teams
11 honored centers of excellence Junior and Under-23 development teams
21 Collegiate Varsity (and emerging varsity) teams
34 local bike racing associations (state or regional)
7 USA sport committees (BMX, Collegiate, Cyclo, Mountain Bike, Pro, Road, and Track)
1 American governing body - USA Cycling
1 International governing body - Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

This is a long list of organizations, we can be quick tp realize this much bureaucracy teeters on really good people doing a really good job, or bad people doing a lousy job and messing it all up. Sadly, sport can shred the potential in good individuals through poor administration.

In 2013, leadership at the top level of UCI changed hands to British citizen Brian Cookson (Cookson presents re-worked cycling reforms to race organisers By CyclingNews). Improvements to the organization have been quick, slow, controversial and ongoing; so much more needs to be done. Major personnel changes also took place at USA Cycling in 2014, even more changes can be expected there through 2015. Changes are needed all around to manage growth in the lower ranks and recession in the upper ranks, plus dismal reputation of the sport.

Update 12/09/14: Steve Johnson to step down as CEO of USA Cycling, by Cycling News
Update 12/16/14: The highly respected voice of America sport - Juliet Macur - has written an honest article about Steve Johnson finally departing USA Cycling. Executive’s Ride Into Sunset Signals Brighter Day for U.S.A. Cycling, By Juliet Macur for The New York Times.

History of USA Cycling's name

1921 - The Amateur Bicycle League of America
1975 - United States Cycling Federation (USCF)
1995 - USA Cycling (USAC)

Programs and events nationwide to create better bike racers or more cyclists

Cycling Advocacy Organizations
USA Cycling certified coaching program
Bike club clinics and training rides
Local bike racing associations' development camps & seminars
Local amateur, collegiate, regional, and national racing calendar and events
Over 3,000 USA Cycling sanctioned events a year
National Collegiate events and Regional Collegiate Conferences
National Championships (annual)
World Championships (annual)
Olympics

Tremendous growth in bike racing was realized over the past five years in both the upper age-ranges (35+ to 55+) and the junior programs. Youthful discovery in sport often takes a planned course through junior development to pro level racing, but there is no one way to achieve success in cycling. Much of it has to do with getting that lucky break or getting along with people. And spending a lot of time racing in the saddle.

Opportunities for select individuals only and Teams

USA Cycling National Development Program
USA Cycling Regional and National Talent ID Camps
USA Cycling Juniors international racing camps and trips
USA Cycling European resident programs for Americans (men and women)
USA Cycling U23 Mens Team and Womens Team (roster)
National Teams
3 UCI America based Women's Teams- Road
9 UCI America based Continental Teams - Road (mens)
3 UCI America based Professional Continental Teams - Road (mens)
3 UCI America based WorldTour Pro Teams - Road (mens)

By the time a Junior/U23 makes it through selection and development, there are not too many team options available to him (and less to her). It is also known that with the restructuring of the UCI into 2016, there will be even fewer WorldTour Pro Teams. Below is a list of Pro Teams, some are in the process of reorganization, signing riders, and applying for licensing (exact team structure and sponsorship for 2015 is not fully known at this time).

American UCI Road Teams

UCI Mens WorldTour Pro Teams: (3 of 18 total teams worldwide)
BMC Racing Team
Team Cannondale-Garmin
Trek Factory Racing

UCI Mens Professional Continental Teams: (3 of 19 total teams worldwide)
Colombia (South America)
Team Novo Nordisk
UnitedHealthcare

UCI Mens Road Continental Teams: (23 of 141 total teams worldwide)

United States:
Airgas-Safeway
Astellas Cycling Team
Axeon Cycling Team
Champion System-Stan's NoTubes
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
IRT Racing
Jamis-Hagens Berman
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
Lupus Racing Team
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Team SmartStop

Domincan Republic:
Inteja-MMR Dominican Cycling Team (DOM)

South America:
Buenos Aires Privincia
Incycle Cannondale
Funvic Sao Jose Dos Campos
Orgullo Antioquendo
San Luis Somos Todos
Sendicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan
Start - Massi Cycling Team
Team Ecuador

Canada:
Garneau Quebecor
H&R Block Pro Cycling (U23 Development)
Silber Pro Cycling

UCI Womens Teams: (7 of 37 total teams worldwide)
Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team (South America)
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b/ The Happy Tooth (USA)
Team Tibco - SVB (USA)
Twenty 16 p/b/ Sho-Air (USA)
United Healthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
Xirayas de San Luis (South America)

View all teams listed at: Pro Cycling Stats Teams
View 2015 team rider transfer list at Cycling Fever or Pro Cycling Stats Transfers

UCI Mens Domestic Elite Teams - American (24 teams) (2014, 2015 teams in approval process)

Athlete Octane Cycling
Bissell-ABG-Giant
Breakawaybikes.com-Vie13 p/b Felt Bicycles
California Giant/Specialized
Canyon Bicycles - Shimano
CRCA/Blue Ribbon - Pennell Venture Partners
CRCA/Lupus Racing Team
Credité Velo - Trek
Ego p/b Sammy's Bikes
Elbowz Racing
Gateway Harley-Davidson/Trek
GIANT Regional ON-ROAD Team
Hagens Berman U-23 Cycling
Horizon Organic / Einstein Bros. Cycling
KHS-Maxxis p/b JAKROO
Kelly Benefit Strategies Elite
Live Well p/b Bountiful Bicycle
Pioneer Mortgage Funding p/b Yourkey.com
Revolution Cycle/Twin 6
SeaSucker/Guttenplan Coaching
Stan's NoTubes p/b Proferrin Elite Cycling
Team Metra / Cycles 54
Team Rio Grande
Van Dessel Factory Team

UCI Womens Domestic Elite Teams - American (17 teams) (2014, 2015 teams in approval process)

Cloud Racing p/b Ride 2 Recovery
Colavita-Fine Cooking
CRCA/CityMD Racing
CRCA/Stan's NoTubes p/b enduranceWERX
DNA Cycling p/b K4
FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. Restore
Fearless Femme
Garneau Factory Team
Guru Cycles p/b Haute Wheels Racing
PainPathways Women's Cycling
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling
Pinnacle-Reactor p/b JL Velo
Pioneer Mortgage Funding p/b YourKey.com
Team Belladium
Tennessee Women's Cycling Project
TWENTY16 Pro Cycling
Vanderkitten

NRC (National Racing Calendar) -
NCC (National Criterium Calendar) -
Pedal Dancer 2015 Colorado Bike Race Calendar

Did you know?

Every state in the United States but Oregon, South Dakota, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Alaska (and Wyoming I was just informed) have state cycling associations associated with USA Cycling? Oregon operates its own independent Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA).
Over 76,000 citizens hold USA Cycling racing licenses.
Tejay van Garderen, Timmy Duggan, Danny Summerhill, Ted King, Michael Creed, Danny Pate, Nate Brown, Kiel Reijnen, Chris Butler, Ryan Eastman, Taylor Phinney and many more top level pro cyclists started in junior clubs or through USA Cycling U-23 programs.

If your child is interested in getting into the sport of cycling - USA Cycling offers this Athlete Development Pathway guide. If your child is a girl - start lobbying now for equal pay in cycling. If your child is interested in running - buy him or her a good pair of running shoes, open the front door, and go for a run together.

- - - -

Here is a photo I took in 2011 of local Colorado junior wonder Gage Hecht. Two weeks ago Gage won the Mens Juniors 2014-2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium. Watching his growth through the junior programs has been amazing.

USA Cycling race report... "American Gage Hecht (Parker, Colo./Alpha Bicycle Company/Visit Subaru). The 16-year-old Hecht beat out three Belgian favorites for the win, crossing the line seven seconds ahead of second-place finisher."

A young 13-year old Gage Hecht in 2011 spending his weekends doing what he loves (with his parents always nearby). Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

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