Rock Racing team

[Kalidurga]

Just read this yesterday at velonews.com: Hamilton to Rock Racing, and it's been confirmed this morning by team owner Michael Ball.

Tyler Hamilton has reportedly signed with Rock Racing for 2008. Several sources have confirmed that the team inked a deal with the one-time grand tour contender and that he plans to race with the UCI continental squad in the coming season.

Verrrrrry interesting. I think Slipstream/Chipotle is gonna be the team to root for in 2008, but Rock Racing's gonna be the black sheep to watch just for the spectacle of it. Between Ball's apparently, um, "ballsy" attitude, and the roster he's lined up (Fred Rodriguez, Victor Hugo Pena, Michael Creed and Tyler???), they could be the devils to our argyle angels

[Bluetree]

A lot of that team is based locally for me so I see them training, plus a number of my own teammates ride with them regularly.

I view Ball with a lot of caution. When an owner publicly acknowledges making all significant team decisions and demands his riders "win or be fired" it becomes easy to see why riders feel the need to turn to "enhancements."

I'd wait to see Hamilton in the kit. There were a lot of rumors that Ball signed Cipolllini last month, even had a Cipo sighting, but that was all for naught.

Don't get me wrong, I admire Rahsaan, but Rock Racing scares the heck out of me.

[Kalidurga]

This letter was posted at velonews last week, a few days after this interview with Ball.

Dear Velo,
A response to the guy complaining about Michael Ball and his team being "Powered by $300 jeans." Got some news for you; just like every other sport, cycling need sponsors and those sponsors aren't charities, they are real businesses who overcharge every day but I guess you don't have a problem with overpriced mobile phones, insurance, bikes, media companies or computer services. I don't. It's part of the consumer culture we live in, so if they want to sprinkle some of those big markups on a sport that is on relatively few American's sports radar, especially post Lance, then more power to him and his team.

All I know is the guy spoke his mind, so what, it's his right - even more so since he is sponsoring a cycling team in America (doesn't seem to be the most popular business decision nowadays) and getting noticed. Good! Discovery is gone, American cycling will always struggle to reach the popularity levels it has in Europe so thank god this guy sees the value in putting his money up.

Get off the high horse. This ain't politics, it's sport, so don't confuse the two.

Besides, we need some "bad boys" in cycling...

I have a feeling that you're right to be apprehensive about Ball, Bluetree. This team is highly intriguing at this point. As an entity, the team seems to be loud, colorful (Literally. Have you checked out Kayle Leogrande??), and abrasive. They're also talented, considering that the roster includes riders like Rodriguez, Bahati and Creed. For the rider's sakes, I hope they'll be successful in spite of Ball's big mouth and intensity. It'd be a shame to see these guys get screwed.

[Bluetree]

I was having some post-ride coffee with a few of them today and they assured us that Ball's tough talk is merely an act to garner more attention to his team. I really, really hope that's the case because that team has a lot of super young talent. Plus, a lot of the guys are locally-born or -based so we've had a chance to see them ride a lot. (Its hard not to root for the hometown boys.)

Ball's also signing up a number of top talents for his women's team, although I heard a few whispers that they had to pass the YoungPretty Test. From a marketing perspective of a sponsor/clothing manufacturer, it makes sense. Don't get me wrong, the women definitely can kick @ss. If he's supporting women's cycling, I'll try to be optimistic.

[7rider]

This team is highly intriguing at this point. As an entity, the team seems to be loud, colorful (Literally. Have you checked out Kayle Leogrande??), and abrasive. They're also talented, considering that the roster includes riders like Rodriguez, Bahati and Creed.

Who? This guy?? Yeah...colorful, all right. Don't look now, Kayle...they're gaining on you!!

[Kalidurga]

Cool shot, Regina. I can't believe I didn't catch sight of him at the CSC race!

[Running Mommy]

Rock racing had a big booth at Interbike, they had a ferrari or lambo all painted up, lots of scantily clad women, loud music, "hip" theme... Seemed out of place to me. I was thinking that it belonged more at a motorcycle show than a bicycle show. Just over the top. The black and red theming, just not me.
It shall be interesting to see what comes of it..

[hellostarshine]

I guess he has Rock Racing's "look" at least...