It is just normal. Doping issues have nothing to do with it. Just as we all know many companies are hurting so they have to cut back and these type of programs are th eones that get cut first. It is a world crisis.

Every pro rider saw this coming from years back. It is finally here.

I know many friends are out of the sport because of this. For example Euskaltel just did a clean house with all their older riders and simply choose to put younger guys in. That is the way they function. They are one of the few teams out there that bring in new guys.

Who ever said cycling was a real job? Look at many riders now going and trying to start new businesses (much like myself). George Hincapie with his clothes, Freddy with his coffee, Bettini with his olive oil and there will be many more to come.

US scene? Not as bad simply because there was no money in it to begin with. Mainly bike manufacturers sponsoring teams thus they always get something out of it. But the money sponsors put in US based teams is not as much as European teams thus the cutbacks in spending do not seem to hurt as much. If anything it looks better here on paper but not enough to call it a real career and make a living long term.