Road Cycling - Are They The Next US Postal?

Can you believe Mapei will not be in the peloton in 2003? What to do about the sponsorship problems?

I recently met an Aussie woman who runs a pro (div. 2) cycling team called Flanders-iteamNova.

www.iteamnova.com (http://www.iteamnova.com)

She's got a great idea. to fund the team, Flanders-iteamNova sells yearly subscriptions to cycling fans. For around US$110 you get a team jersey, socks, gloves, hat, h20 bottle, newsletter, etc. You would pay this for pro kit off the rack, plus you get the satisfaction of helping this up-and-coming team. Phil Liggett has signed on, so it seems legit. The team's plan is to qualify for the TdF by 2006.

With sponsors pulling out of pro cycling faster than Cipo in a final sprint, it's good to see these blokes taking a new approach. Whaddya think?

:beer:

This subscription idea is a good one. I know FC Barcelona (football--soccer for you Americans) has those and sells 100s of thousands.

We must thank sponsers like Mapei for supporting cycling for soo long. Is it wrong for them to abandon the sport? That is a personel and business decision. But cycling remains the no. 2 sport and Europe and sponsors must remember this. The sport cannot be destroyed by a few drug users. The key is to treat them harshly, not slaps them on the wrist and allow them to appeal and appeal until everyone forgets. (Pantani!):D

Welcome to the forums Venga & Angliru, I noticed you both have the same IP address, are you part of this team?

None the less, i think the idea is good, but you need somebody full time to sell memberships and get the word out.

No, we are not members of the team. We are just two cyclists (using one computer b/c we spend all our money on gear :-)) who recently met the woman who runs the team. Just trying to get the word out. The team is made up of Australians, Belgians and Canadians. They are currently racing in Australia getting ready for the Australian Open on Sunday and the Tour de Langkawi beginning 31 Jan. :D

snicker...

http://www.ibboworld.com/index2.html


Nice website by Ibbotson, a pro rider for team endurasport.

I was a member last year when they started as iteamnova.com and recently renewed with Flanders-iteamnova.com. It is a great idea, and I hope they continue to do well. The lady is Susan Stewart. Her husband, David McKenzie, was riding for Linda McCartney when the team folded. Susan came up with the idea of a subscription team, and with a few corporate sponsors to guarantee some base funding, made it happen. I am very excited to see how the team does this year.

Good on you to the Flanders-iteamNova.com member who posted and to all the other members and riders. I think it is a great idea to try to solidify funding from the supporters of cycling rather than rely on the whims of corporate sponsorship. We have all seen what can happen with things like Mapei.

Bon chance in the Australian Championships in Buninyong on Sunday and the Tour de Langkawi, starting Jan. 31.

By the way, here are some results for Flanders-iteamNova.com from the 2003 Jayco Geelong Bay Series, Victoria, Australia, January 8-12, 2003.

David McKenzie was 13th in the GC and 14th in the sprints.

Alan Iacuone was 13th in the sprints and Trent Wilson was 19th.

iTeamNova's concept is nothing new.

Here in the states Jittery Joe's Coffee has implemented the same program. It simply doesn't work alone. Why? Because we all know people are not loyal. Especially in the USA. Will people here buy a whole outfit at inflated retail price to help out a team? Honestly, NO!

They rather buy it greymarket or at closeout from some shady guy. Just to save money. In the end no money is generated to the team/program.

Euskaltel is one of the earlier teams to do this. Originally Euskadi, they took in money from the people of the region and as we all see it worked. Later sponsors came in thus the orange colour in the outfit. This worked simply due to support they get from the fans in that region of the world.

iTeam Nova has been around for a while. Basicly the defunct Linda McCarthy team.

Will they be the next USPS? No, they do not have that in mind. That team simply functions as a step for riders to move up to Division 1. We need more of these programs and I applaud the efforts the organization takes in trying to make it work and they do get my full support.