Who will be the competition next year? No doubt the riders will remain the same, but with the merging of Morgan Stanley & Spine and Safeway going the way of all plastic bags in supermarkets, there will be two fewer teams to worry about. Next years geezers will be an interesting mix of mega-strong teams and wannabe’s.
I’m left with feeling that as progress happens a vacuum is created. Looking at this years BAR results for the geezers the top 6 is filled with 4 Safeway with CVC and AMD the other 2 and if Safeway won’t be around that should give the rest of us a chance. Of course I’m making a big assumption - nice to do at times - that with a reduction in the number of very strong teams there will be fewer riders competing for the result as team tactics play a more important role. This years strong are either chosen ones or key team mates, they surely won’t be both, although they’re very capable of being (which is the flaw in my assumption).
I think, although would certainly be open to the discussion, that this coming season will see more competitive racing for the wannabe geezers and the winners will be the tactically astute rather than the mega-strong. All this leads me to thinking that its not time to retire just yet.
Roll on 2008.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Lorri Lee Lown // Aug 30, 2007 at 1:31 pm
it’s still early. we may find there will be some new teams to fill the void.
2 nosajpalnud // Aug 30, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I don’t think for one second it’s not gonna be any easier next year. Safeway will reform in some fashion and or merge with another team with a new sponsor or something along those lines. MH said he’s still doing 35+ crits - not sure about DM, but ya gotta think he’d do some more P12 stuff with MH. MSS is gonna be very, very tough - think about Hutch and Gaver lighting it up and combining with Clark/Gregorios et. al. in crits. AMD will probably rebrand and be as strong as ever or even if they get smaller some guys move to other teams. CVC guys I’m sure will be around in some fashion (rumor talking with Safeway) and EMC will be smaller but with the top guys (not a rumor). Then there’s still a host of smaller teams with strong guys out there like Joel R and who knows how many 34 yo guys moving to masters. SSN’s added some depth and a little more horsepower. Hopefully we’ll keep the roster a little more mishap free/healthy next year. We’ll be more aggressive next year too. Bring it on - yeah!
3 Robert // Aug 31, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Too early indeed Lori, and nature abhors a vacuum. I’m sure there is more to come.
As far as it being easy, I agree that it won’t be easier, but placings maybe more available as team tactics play out.
Of course, there is someone always stronger - the good news is tactical ability overcomes physical strength sometimes too!
4 Ron // Sep 1, 2007 at 10:45 pm
It will be interesting to see how things develop. I am looking forward to the changes as it opens up some opportunities on a personal level.
I am looking forward to finding my dirt legs again.
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