Professional Cycling For the Fans - Rock Racing License Status?

I've heard that the decision of whether Rock Racing's license for 2010 is going to be granted is supposed to one of these days. I've been searching around and reading the normal news sources but can't find anything... does anyone else know anything about it?

Which license?

I believe they are trying to get a "professional continental" license but could be mistaken. Not sure if they have any license for 2010.

It looks like they were denied the license earlier in the month and appealed, and it is that appeal that they are waiting on.

It looks like they were denied the license earlier in the month and appealed, and it is that appeal that they are waiting on.

Sounds like it will be announced on the 4th (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/landis-on-verge-of-signing-for-rock-racing)

Thanks!

Aren't they going to be a Mexico-based team this year?

Hmm, I hadn't heard that. Any sources for that?

I've seen it in a few places, but a very quick and vague google search pulled this up.

Go to the article about Ivan Dominguez signing for Jamis-Sutter Home about 3/4 of the way down.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/second-edition-cycling-news-wednesday-november-11-2009

Damn.

Still waiting.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?611215-Why-is-there-so-much-leakage-from-the-road-cycling-forum

Damn.

Still waiting.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?611215-Why-is-there-so-much-leakage-from-the-road-cycling-forum

So if you had to give your opinion, do you think they will get it. And if so do you think Landis will sign with them?

It looks like they're really banking on this license upgrade, they're in talks with Landis and Simoni.

My understanding is that if they don't get it then they don't have any license. I could be wrong about that, but yeah they certainly have a lot of eggs in that basket. Unfortunately I have no concept of what the UCI may do. Did they just not have their act together in time? Do they now?

As for the rumored riders, I would imagine that they will probably go to rock if the license comes through... I mean, where else would they go? But truthfully, I don't care about those guys, I have my own reasons for my interest which I will disclose only if things come to pass.

It’s time for a breathalyser. I heard via the Velocast that Landis might be signing with Rock Racing. My thoughts are WTF, and wow he's insane or has accepted his career suicide has-been status.

Any confirmations of a deal?

That's old news...

Sounds like pretty much a done deal if they get their license. Simoni seems to be more of a question mark.

I don't see how Rock would be any worse than OUCH though.

Denied!

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2722/Rock-Racing-refused-license-Landis-deal-looks-to-be-off.aspx

So I imagine they keep their Continental license?

The way I heard it, they never applied for a Continental license. It looks like the may go to Mexico after all.

That's how I heard it as well. This sucks for a lot of people.

They were denied Pro Conti license yesterday:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2722/Rock-Racing-refused-license-Landis-deal-looks-to-be-off.aspx

No details on Landis though....

They were denied Pro Conti license yesterday:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2722/Rock-Racing-refused-license-Landis-deal-looks-to-be-off.aspx

No details on Landis though....

You're a day late. Jancouver beat you to the punch.

I read on cyclingnews today that they do have the regular continental license, so at least that's something.

Maybe that whole Bad-Boys-n'-Skulls (complete with facial tattoos) didn't work out so well after all. The image they work so hard to present most likely did not do them any good with the application.

Maybe that whole Bad-Boys-n'-Skulls (complete with facial tattoos) didn't work out so well after all. The image they work so hard to present most likely did not do them any good with the application.

Could have had some effect, but I think the biggest problem is the way they treated riders and contracts last year. A pro conti team is expected to have better financial backing and staff and support. But I also think the UCI doesn't want the "bad boy" image in the pro tour.

Then UCI needs a re-education. The "bad-boy" image is great PR!

I mean, look at WWE, ECW, etc. The product sucks, but it sells to millions. Cycling does not suck, but has no "popular image" and sells to thousands on a good day.

Okay, RR may have shaky financials. But if UCI were smart it would step in and help.

If only Rock Racing had replaced the skull & cross bones images with smiley-face images
Oh, what might have been...

Then UCI needs a re-education. The "bad-boy" image is great PR!

I mean, look at WWE, ECW, etc. The product sucks, but it sells to millions. Cycling does not suck, but has no "popular image" and sells to thousands on a good day.

Okay, RR may have shaky financials. But if UCI were smart it would step in and help.

This is exactly why I want Rock Racing to fail. Someone please explain to me why we must always cater to the lowest common denominator. Don't we already have enough coarse, crass crap in the world? Can't we have just a few things (like fencing, sailing, the ballet, the symphony, and pro cycling) that DON'T appeal to the base and cater to a higher level?

Maybe Rock would be better off investing in NASCAR instead.

I like RR. I like the Cadillacs and the expensive graphics, and the loud rock music. This is all presentation layer (though it has morale effects too). It is highly effective PR.

So in what sense do Cadillacs and loud music "cater to the lowest common denominator"? And in what sense does the ballet have mass appeal? (I like ballet, too, btw.) Without mass appeal, who pays the bills?



Maybe Rock would be better off investing in NASCAR instead.
He's trying to apply a NASCAR-like promotion to cycling. Maybe he sees himself as Bernie Ecclestone. I don't know. All I know is that far more people watch Formula I than any given bike race. Is that a bad thing for Formula I?

There are a good number of snobs out in the world, let fencing, sailing, and the ballet
have 'em. I'd be glad to see that cycling is of the few things in this world that is free of
'em. I hope to see Rock Racing do well this season; their flamboyance has its appeal.

procyling + bad boy image - snobbery = more fun

I think there is more to it than the bad boy image. I think part of it is the UCI sending a message to the Rock Racing management that they will have to have a more professional approach. Also, I think that the UCI is going to frown on any team that is going to fill it's ranks with ex dopers. Any pro tour team with more than 1 previously sanctioned rider on the team is going to get less than full cooperation from the UCI. In fact, my feeling is that the UCI doesn't want any of these previously sanctioned riders in the pro tour if they can help it. Even though the official policy is forgiveness after the ban has been fulfilled.

Also, the fact that Rock was going to hire Landis probably did hurt them to some degree. Even though it was probably not the deciding factor. Landis caused too much grief for the powers that be. I don't think that the UCI wants him in the pro tour even though they have no legal grounds to exclude him.

There are a good number of snobs out in the world, let fencing, sailing, and the ballet
have 'em. I'd be glad to see that cycling is of the few things in this world that is free of
'em. I hope to see Rock Racing do well this season; their flamboyance has its appeal.

procyling + bad boy image - snobbery = more fun

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/

I think there is more to it than the bad boy image. I think part of it is the UCI sending a message to the Rock Racing management that they will have to have a more professional approach. Also, I think that the UCI is going to frown on any team that is going to fill it's ranks with ex dopers. Any pro tour team with more than 1 previously sanctioned rider on the team is going to get less than full cooperation from the UCI. In fact, my feeling is that the UCI doesn't want any of these previously sanctioned riders in the pro tour if they can help it. Even though the official policy is forgiveness after the ban has been fulfilled.

Also, the fact that Rock was going to hire Landis probably did hurt them to some degree. Even though it was probably not the deciding factor. Landis caused too much grief for the powers that be. I don't think that the UCI wants him in the pro tour even though they have no legal grounds to exclude him.
If so, then they should implement a maximum ex-doper quota.
If riders are cleared to race, then there should be no problem.



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/

This whole ex-doper thing is rediculous. IMO, ex-dopers are just as likely if not less likely to dope than any other rider. How many ex-dopers are being caught compared to first-time offenders?

If the UCI doesn't want them back, they they should give them lifetime bans.

If so, then they should implement a maximum ex-doper quota.
If riders are cleared to race, then there should be no problem.



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/

I agree because it all stinks of politics and unwritten rules. But the real issue is avoiding negative publicity for the sport and the sports sponsors. Or causing grief for the UCI between it and other sport organizations like the ASO. This is why I believe they will never allow Landis into the pro tour. Or a team with him on it into the pro tour. He embarrassed the ASO and the UCI does not want to add fire the the conflicting relationship between them and the ASO by having the possibility of Landis getting into the TDF or any other ASO sponsored race.

This whole ex-doper thing is rediculous. IMO, ex-dopers are just as likely if not less likely to dope than any other rider. How many ex-dopers are being caught compared to first-time offenders?

If the UCI doesn't want them back, they they should give them lifetime bans.Agreed.


I agree because it all stinks of politics and unwritten rules. But the real issue is avoiding negative publicity for the sport and the sports sponsors. Or causing grief for the UCI between it and other sport organizations like the ASO. This is why I believe they will never allow Landis into the pro tour. Or a team with him on it into the pro tour. He embarrassed the ASO and the UCI does not want to add fire the the conflicting relationship between them and the ASO by having the possibility of Landis getting into the TDF or any other ASO sponsored race.
Yeah, too bad for him he's not French.
If he were, he'd have no problem.

This whole ex-doper thing is rediculous. IMO, ex-dopers are just as likely if not less likely to dope than any other rider. How many ex-dopers are being caught compared to first-time offenders?

If the UCI doesn't want them back, they they should give them lifetime bans.


Agreed.

+1

If so, then they should implement a maximum ex-doper quota.
If riders are cleared to race, then there should be no problem.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/

I appreciate your interest in me Cat4Lifer and I think declaring your sexual orientation on a forum is a bold move. However, I'm heterosexual and married. Better luck next time, wish you all the best.

You're on to me.
Must have been my admission of watching
guys in tutus prance around that gave me away.
What you actually meant.

This is exactly why I want Rock Racing to fail. Someone please explain to me why we must always cater to the lowest common denominator. Don't we already have enough coarse, crass crap in the world? Can't we have just a few things (like fencing, sailing, the ballet, the symphony, and pro cycling) that DON'T appeal to the base and cater to a higher level?

Maybe Rock would be better off investing in NASCAR instead.

Think of Rock, NASCAR and WWE as you want, but remember this; the people who run these organizations are marketing geniuses, and if you fail to realize that then you become the stupid one who watched the inferior take over. The sports I just listed are appealing to so many people, but without the marekting that they have, they'd be just as popular as ballet or yachting.

It's probably just me, but does anyone else think Rock could stand to put a bit more emphasis on rider support and a little less on flashy cars and hookers? Watching the mechanics bump into each other when Tyler Hamilton's TT bike broke in last year's ToC was just painful.

When they can consistently back up the flash with some results--fine, no problem. But they seriously need to get some substance behind the style.

Agreed, though the hookers may be in some contracts.

Agreed, though the hookers may be in some contracts.

Good point. The hookers' union is probably pretty influential, especially in California.

Good point. The hookers' union is probably pretty influential, especially in California.

Good lobbyists too

This is exactly why I want Rock Racing to fail. Someone please explain to me why we must always cater to the lowest common denominator. Don't we already have enough coarse, crass crap in the world? Can't we have just a few things (like fencing, sailing, the ballet, the symphony, and pro cycling) that DON'T appeal to the base and cater to a higher level?

Maybe Rock would be better off investing in NASCAR instead.

I wouldn't say I want Rock Racing to fail because I've heard Ball interviewed several times and I think he really wants to help the sport...in addition to selling more jeans. I think there is certainly room for something a bit more edgy...to push the boundaries a bit with the younger demographic. But I do agree with you that coarse, crass crap is getting old and does our sport (and society in general) no favors.

Maybe Rock would be better off investing in NASCAR instead.

I doubt it. How many NASCAR's are sponsored by companies that sell $298 designer jeans? They'd be laughed right off the track. If anything NASCAR is a family sport, albeit sponsored by beer and cigarettes. Good clean fun.

It'll be hard to convince me that as team owner and title sponsor Ball's priority is anything other than his brand. Nothing wrong with that in business, but not great for the riders or teams.

Agreed, though the hookers may be in some contracts.

I'm waiting to see the kit with the sponsorship logos of the Moonlight Bunny Ranch.:lol:

Then UCI needs a re-education. The "bad-boy" image is great PR!

I mean, look at WWE, ECW, etc. The product sucks, but it sells to millions. Cycling does not suck, but has no "popular image" and sells to thousands on a good day.
.

WWE and Cycling are apples and oranges. One is a sport and the other one isn't. I don't go to a concert to see sports and I don't watch cycling to see a concert. I wouldn't even consider wearing a leotard and mask to a chess tournament.

Sometimes cycling even sells to two thousand on a good day. Like July 2005:

Totally Trival 2005 Tour de France Stats

4500 accompanying people
1500 vehicles
60 permanent staff
200 temporary staff
180 service providers
14 medical staff
13,000 gendarmes
45 “gardes républicains”
9000 police staff
3000 government officials from the Ministère de l'Équipement
15,000,000 spectators (men: 68% - women: 32%)
96% in France, 90% in Europe - Tour name recognition
11 million gifts distributed
2300 accredidated journalists
1200 photographer, cameramen & TV directors
1100 technicians or chauffeurs
528 various media
78 television channels showing the Tour in 170 countries
2,000,000,000 television viewers

http://studenttravel.about.com/od/tourdefrance2005/f/tournumbers.htm

Yeah, but that's in France. ;)


Before you pull out the ToC stats, count the number of American events that bit the dust in the last 20 years.

Yeah, but that's in France. ;)


Before you pull out the ToC stats, count the number of American events that bit the dust in the last 20 years.

I can't count that high & the Euro is the new greenback ;)

Back on point...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rock-racing-and-murcia-to-join-forces