State of the Peloton: North America

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The Jittery Joe's team(Image credit: John Pierce)

News feature, August 28, 2008

The North American peloton* will be undergoing some major changes after the 2008 season. The potential loss of two big teams could produce a sea change of sorts, flooding the market with top talent. Cyclingnews' Mark Zalewski gives a 'State of the Peloton' report, including who is staying, who could be going and who might be growing because of it. In part three, he delves into the up and comers and the women's peloton. Also see part one and part two.

Converse to what is happening on the top-end of the team budget spectrum, teams like Jelly Belly continue to pedal away with a secure, long-standing sponsor. Director Danny Van Haute also has been around the block a few times and knows how fortunate he is, especially just having re-upped for another three years. "I told our riders that we are ready to go for the next three years," he said. "Our negotiations are going very well, so well that I think all the major details are done and we just need to sign the contract."

"These riders that are coming available need to understand there are only a few choices," he said. "Every team has their weaknesses and we have ours – can we pick somebody up that will improve our squad next year? I think so. But they need to understand that they aren't likely to make these six figures that they are making now. I applaud them that they can do it but you have to be realistic now."

Also resting in the warm security blanket of a multi-year sponsorship is Jittery Joe's, who also have been a sponsoring cycling for some time. Manager Micah Rice said that the current market combined with a smaller window to sign riders is adding to the circus-like atmosphere. "It's a weird time out there because nobody is signed and we have month less to deal with the UCI. So when it goes down it is going to be crazy!"

"Jittery Joe's has a ten year contract and we are not going anywhere. We expect to be back in the same capacity, but we may or may not have a co-title [sponsor.] We will have a team and I think that if we don't have a co-title we will have to scale back a little because the cost of travel is ridiculous! Maybe a couple fewer ridersŠ we really aren't talking to any new riders until we get things sorted with our current riders."

For smaller, up-and-coming programs, the choice can be to either blow the budget on one name rider and hope it elevates the team, or stay with developing younger talent. The latter will be true for Time Pro Cycling in 2009. "We aren't concerned with 'big' teams going away and flooding the market with riders," said director Erik Saunders. "It's actually a good time to introduce new talent and we will be doing that."

The changes to the domestic racing scene are not limited to just the men's teams. The women's peloton could be losing teams, and with a much smaller peloton the affects are amplified. The Cheerwine team is rumored to be ending its run with the major sponsor wanting to move on from cycling. Team manager Thad Fischer would not confirm the actual status of his team's sponsor but acknowledged the possibility.

The Aaron's Corporate Furnishings team will be losing its sponsor for 2009, but team manager Micah Rice said the team would be back with a new sponsor. "The team next year will not be Aaron's Corporate Furnishings but we will wait to unveil [the new sponsor] when all the papers are signed. It's an incredible team and one of the best. We were first in the Prestige Series and we have sponsors that want to be apart of that!"