American cycling lacks european style, class
Aquaman
Andrew Newhall
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Sports
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As I watched the delayed OLN coverage of the Redlands Classic US pro cycling race this past weekend I was struck by the amateurish look of it all. This is the first major spring event on the US National Racing Calendar (NRC) and it looked like some kind of large locally organized club event.
I do not mean to bring the Redlands Classic down, I am a fan of pro cycling, and as an American I get excited whenever the US makes its mark on the sport. I just think that American cycling needs to work on creating a more prestigious image.
According to their web site, "USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions." USA Cycling governs all types of pro cycling, including track (USPRO), road (USCF), and mountain (NORBA). The aforementioned NRC, a part of the USCF, has a schedule of about 40 races around the country. These races range in quality from stage races in Fayetteville Ark., to the Wachovia USPRO Championships & Liberty Classic here in Philadelphia.
The races that have the European feel to them, such as our own Wachovia race, are those that will bring the needed prestige. Races like Redlands are what make American cycling seem amateurish.
In addition to having a club race feel to the atmosphere, Redlands, and the like, detract from US pro cycling by acting as a recruitment tool for the European scene. Chris Horner won the race the past three years running. This season, however, the winning American decided to move up the ladder and ride with the European team Saunier Duval-Prodiron in the UCI pro tour. Horner broke his hip riding in the Tirreno-Adriatico and will not recover for the big American race he had intended to ride, the Tour de Georgia. That's what one gets for thinking he's too big for America.
Unfortunately, the purpose that races like Redlands serve, to build American cyclists into competitive European racers, is not one that will help further the prestige of US pro cycling.
I do not mean to bring the Redlands Classic down, I am a fan of pro cycling, and as an American I get excited whenever the US makes its mark on the sport. I just think that American cycling needs to work on creating a more prestigious image.
According to their web site, "USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions." USA Cycling governs all types of pro cycling, including track (USPRO), road (USCF), and mountain (NORBA). The aforementioned NRC, a part of the USCF, has a schedule of about 40 races around the country. These races range in quality from stage races in Fayetteville Ark., to the Wachovia USPRO Championships & Liberty Classic here in Philadelphia.
The races that have the European feel to them, such as our own Wachovia race, are those that will bring the needed prestige. Races like Redlands are what make American cycling seem amateurish.
In addition to having a club race feel to the atmosphere, Redlands, and the like, detract from US pro cycling by acting as a recruitment tool for the European scene. Chris Horner won the race the past three years running. This season, however, the winning American decided to move up the ladder and ride with the European team Saunier Duval-Prodiron in the UCI pro tour. Horner broke his hip riding in the Tirreno-Adriatico and will not recover for the big American race he had intended to ride, the Tour de Georgia. That's what one gets for thinking he's too big for America.
Unfortunately, the purpose that races like Redlands serve, to build American cyclists into competitive European racers, is not one that will help further the prestige of US pro cycling.
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