| Subject: | REALITY CHECK: The FICA's and National/International bike racing |
| Date: | 02/21/2000 12:04 AM |
| From: | Martin Clan |
|
I've taken a lot of heat over the last year pointing out the obvious facts that some folks just don't want to hear, that is, that OBRA and the FIAC's PRODUCT is reduced promoter fees, more personalized customer service, and, local sport racing: Whereas the USAC's PRODUCT, whether or not one agrees with their fee structure and policies, are recognized National racing venues, upgrade points toward categorization and possible National and Pro-team eligibility, and, the opportunity for their riders to compete at an International level. Under your "Redland's" scenario below how do you propose that talented riders, who do not have the access to the "deep pockets" that you suggest, or generous sponsorship, such as the grants Lance Armstrong use to provide talented regional Juniors who also lacked local racing opportunities, achieve their INITIAL ELIGIBILITY to qualify for such races under the REALITY of the current situation? As, per the application process, riders who participate at Redlands must be USCF, not FIAC, Category 1,2 riders: http://www.redlandsclassic.com/file/entry.pdf and provide a current racing resume: http://www.redlandsclassic.com/file/resume.pdf And, I don't buy your argument that "anyone can put on a USCF race." When the FIAC's voted with their feet to support regional racing, they also voted to exclude USAC racing from their respective regions. Thus, no promoter is, or should be, willing to put on a race where he or she doesn't have a chance of finding enough qualified (licensed and legitimately categorized) riders to at least break even. Thus, for the moment, OBRA and the other FIAC's may indeed be able to set up the teams you suggested of TODAY's already existent USCF 1's and 2's, but what about your region's developing Juniors or the 3's and 4's that can't earn recognized points to come up the pike? Which brings us back to my original argument posted to the RBR, "Although I have no qualms with your (originally Mike Murray's) right to make the choice that you made with regard to OBRA's developing it's own sport racing league here in the state I think that there is a need to qualify that the choices that were made have also put severe restrictions on any riders wishing to participate in anything other than intermediate or regional racing." In sum, you folks need to quit living in a Polly Anna world, because "feeding egos" is not the issue. AMBITIOUS RIDERS are not just born, they are developed, and for the most part they are developed locally. The USAC/OBRA sanctioning wars are definitely relevant: Without a legitimate and affordable track to support the clubs and riders that do wish to move beyond regional sport racing, just what is it that the FIAC's really have to offer? Bonnie -----Original Message----- From: splin-@aol.com [mailto:splin-@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2000 5:29 PM To: Walp-@cse.ogi.edu; mmur-@teleport.com; ob-@topica.com Cc: Keepe-@aol.com; eswren-@macconnect.com; margaret-@sprintmail.com Subject: Re: National/International bike racing In a message dated 02/16/2000 9:06:42 AM Pacific Standard Time, Walp-@cse.ogi.edu writes: One idea I have about this is for OBRA to field a team at national calendar events (either USAC or FIAC). This way the best riders in this region can represent OBRA in bigger races. If those bigger races are part of the feeder system and selection process for the pro teams then everyone can see the whole pipeline... the pro teams can take it from there. I couldn't agree more with Jon!! Even if USAC were recognizing OBRA races, our riders would need to be traveling a lot more than most do now to ever attract the attention of the big teams. The riders from Oregon who have had success at the elite levels of the sport have not gotten there racing in Oregon. Todd Littlehales and Stacy Peters are the current Oregon riders willing to go out on the road to become successful at the next level and both have results to show for it. In thirty years of involvement in bicycle racing the only riders I have ever seen get to the National team or professional ranks by racing primarily at home were the Colorado class of the late 70s and early 80s (Davis Phinney, Ron Kiefel, Alexi Grewal, Bob Cook and Tom Sain) who benefited from the showcase provided by the Red Zinger/Coors Classic and the new Olympic Training Center that focused all of the country's cycling attention on Colorado. A unique time and place that will never be recreated. For several years I have traveled to officiate at the Redlands SR every March and have been dismayed at the lack of riders from Oregon & Washington who make the relatively short trip to race there. Redlands, because it is the first big race on the calendar, is an ideal stage for up and coming riders to show themselves to the elite national amateur and professional teams that are at Redlands as part of their early season training. Many of the riders I have seen at Redlands riding for regionally based teams one year have found their way onto the big teams in following years. People like Trent Klasna and Ernie Lechuga who came to Redlands every year and always rode aggressively, joining the suicide early breaks, not to win the races, but to show their strength and willingness to give it all in hopes of attracting the attention of the bigger teams. They didn't ride safely (and anonymously) in the pack hoping to pick up some scraps of prizes at the end of the stage. They chose to attract attention to themselves by attacking at every opportunity, making people notice their presence. Much of the genesis of John Wordin's team came from regional composite teams that he put together to race at Redlands in the early and mid 90s. Last year's surprise rider of the year, Antonio Cruz was racing all year on a small Northern Cal regional team. But, he wasn't staying in California hoping to get good enough to race with the big boys. No, he was at the races -- Redlands, Sea Otter, Cascade, Red Zinger, and finally Downers Grove. Most of those races he was a team of one, or if he had a team, it was one or two others from L'Equipe Cheval. At several of the races requiring team entry they wound up with composite riders added from the local area to give them a complete team. Antonio was going for all the primes in the crits and forcing people to notice him in the final sprints, all the time getting better because he was not quite beating the best... Until he became a National Champion. I guess what I am saying is that USAC/OBRA sanctioning wars are largely irrelevant for riders wanting to race at elite levels. They need to travel if they really want to race at that level, not just have a number on their license for the ego value. While I am making everyone angry, I should also say that there is nothing in Oregon stopping a promoter from sanctioning their race through USAC if they are truly concerned about having opportunities for riders to upgrade through the USAC system. (Bonnie) Splinter _____________________________________________________________ Who will win the Oscars? Spout off on our Entertainment list! http://www.topica.com/lists/showbiztalk |
