Ok, I agree and I should clarify. I don't begrudge anyone else the need to "earn" something when a bike is clearly expensive. I was more thinking of how I personally would feel owning that particular bike, which I really like seeing as I already have the bottom of the barrel bike from that line. To me, it is an exact copy of what someone like Cancellara is riding, and I'd feel slightly bashful about showing up at a cat 4 race on that bike. If someone else does, good for them, it's just a personal feeling and I was projecting when I said "earned" for that guy because he's doing exactly what I'd like to do on that bike- gapping high caliber fields at the finish.

It's like pro team kit. Some of my best buddies ride in it all the time and I don't care in the least, but I personally wouldn't wear it out and about. Definitely don't need to open that can of worms on the 41, though.