It's hard not to throw out a little sarcasm about being glad there was such an uproar to get RR in TdG so they could light it up.

6th for Sevilla and....??? Stage wins? Jerseys? Podiums? KOM? Intermediate sprint? Most aggressive? 'Animating the racing' in the breaks?

Oh, and a DQ.

TF

Surprise it took this long for someone to take a dig a them !
Ah....the team "freds" love to hate....no mention of Slipstream choking a win, so damn worried about Levi they gave it away.

The 2008 TdG can be a turning point for Mr Ball & RR. GC's are won by teams, not individuals. The RR fans can now all take a big breath and step back from the "How dare they not invite us we have the best talent" line.

I must say that as a skeptic of the whole Mr Ball show- "Let us ride" ' Here to stay" etc., I am pleased that they just showed up and gave it their best. They weren't the team this past week to set the peloton on fire, but that takes time. If they are "Here to stay", their day will come. It will come sooner if they run it like a racing business, and a bit less like a pet project.

Didn't know that makes me a Fred :idea:

Surprise it took this long for someone to take a dig a them !
Ah....the team "freds" love to hate....no mention of Slipstream choking a win, so damn worried about Levi they gave it away.


Where would you classify your participation in the boards for the rest of the freds? I sort of noticed I only see you post on Rock Racing, or about them in other posts.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/search.php?searchid=1663257&pp=25

You seem to have all of the info on the team, and seem to get a bit tweaked when people serve up any criticism. It's okay to be all about a team, but I'd stray from the generalizations as they are a two way street. Otherwise people here could take all of your past comments and make conclusions of their own like people that become obsessed superfanboys sippin' too much of the Kool-Aid, or insiders close to the team with extra time on their hands.

I'm an admitted fan of the team, no connection and I don't work for them. Despite some obvious mistakes by them getting started, they have added a much needed energy and money to the sport. They didn't have a great TOG, but they will improve. They were very well received by the fans at TOG and left the circus at home. Maybe MB is getting the message and is treading a little softer these days. As a former national level coach, I know many of these riders having coached many of them as they came through the junior and U23 ranks.
I find it strange that people on this forum would find such satisfaction when R&R doesn't do well or isn't invited to a certain race. I guess, I find it more acceptable to root for a team, than always hoping for a implosion as some here are hoping for. When I refer to "freds" I refer to those that make no attempt at being informed, or really making a intelligent comment based on facts, but make comments based on their personal bias. The majority of people on this forum are very well informed and have no ax to grind with R&R and are willing to sit back and see what happens.

Surprise it took this long for someone to take a dig a them !
Ah....the team "freds" love to hate....no mention of Slipstream choking a win, so damn worried about Levi they gave it away.
Maybe because slipstream had a stage win, a jersey win, podium placings.
Now on the other hand, the team with a former world champion, a classics winner, a 2 place in the vuelta on the team ended up with.... nothing.

I'm an admitted fan of the team, no connection and I don't work for them. Despite some obvious mistakes by them getting started, they have added a much needed energy and money to the sport. They didn't have a great TOG, but they will improve. They were very well received by the fans at TOG and left the circus at home. Maybe MB is getting the message and is treading a little softer these days. As a former national level coach, I know many of these riders having coached many of them as they came through the junior and U23 ranks.
I find it strange that people on this forum would find such satisfaction when R&R doesn't do well or isn't invited to a certain race. I guess, I find it more acceptable to root for a team, than always hoping for a implosion as some here are hoping for. When I refer to "freds" I refer to those that make no attempt at being informed, or really making a intelligent comment based on facts, but make comments based on their personal bias. The majority of people on this forum are very well informed and have no ax to grind with R&R and are willing to sit back and see what happens.
"I'm an admitted fan of the team, no connection and I don't work for them. Despite some obvious mistakes by them getting started, they have added a much needed energy and money to the sport."

I would be thrilled if they actually used this as a base and built a real team for domestic US racing, but I do not believe that simply throwing money at it will improve the sport.

"They didn't have a great TOG, but they will improve. They were very well received by the fans at TOG and left the circus at home."

Still a lot of circus left. Freddie looks a little embarrassed to me. See pic.

"Maybe MB is getting the message and is treading a little softer these days. As a former national level coach, I know many of these riders having coached many of them as they came through the junior and U23 ranks. I find it strange that people on this forum would find such satisfaction when R&R doesn't do well or isn't invited to a certain race. I guess, I find it more acceptable to root for a team, than always hoping for a implosion as some here are hoping for."

Not hoping for an implosion, merely predicting one based on their history. I hope the talented young riders are helped more than hurt.

"When I refer to "freds" I refer to those that make no attempt at being informed, or really making a intelligent comment based on facts, but make comments based on their personal bias. The majority of people on this forum are very well informed and have no ax to grind with R&R and are willing to sit back and see what happens."

When you make that much noise, you have to perform. All teams are criticized when they don't live up to their potential or their own public relations. That's not bias. The "freds" attack - that's bias.

Sitting back and waiting, but not afraid to comment,
TF

So who was the DS for them?

They seemed really disorganized. I never really saw them working as a team.

The Georgia Peach jerseys are a pretty cool IMO.

Much more importantly, the kits go on sale soon- is anyone going to buy one? I can't imagine seeing someone around here in a full rock racing kit. Wow they are a bit silly looking...

The Athen's Twilight crit Saturday night!! Personally, at the beginning of the year I thought, what a bunch of punks. But, some time has passed and although the guy comes across kinda rough, you can tell he really loves the sport, (or he's nuts and just wants to throw away money, in that case he could give it to me) and wants to be a part of it.. So they didn't light up the TDG, but Oscar I thought did put on a show on Brasstown and I have to admit, I was REALLY pulling for him.. But hey, what did some of the other domestic teams do there? What about Gerolstiener? Also, there are alot of other domestic teams that weren't invited.. I think they'll improve, they just like any new team, have to get through some growing pains....

I was glad to see Rock Racing have a chance to race, and I hope they do stick around and build a solid, competitive program. On one hand they seem to be increasing interest in the sport, which is a good thing. On the other hand let's hope that Ball can recognize the difference between quality showmanship and distracting spectacle.

I liked the jersey change on Sunday. Any college football fans remember when Georgia pulled out the "black shirts" and beat Auburn this past season? Maybe Coach Richt gave Ball the idea.

no matter how hard a racer on the domestic scene races/trains, it's close to impossible to match guys who have a bunch of European races in their legs by this time of year (the San Dimas Stage race is no match for Paris-Nice). Considering how little Sevilla has raced in the last few years, his result is pretty damn impressive, especially considering most of his lost time was due to the TTT, which was a dumb addition since it meant the GC riders had only 1 opportunity to separate themselves.

Surprise it took this long for someone to take a dig a them !
Ah....the team "freds" love to hate....no mention of Slipstream choking a win, so damn worried about Levi they gave it away.
The fascinating thing about the word fred...
Almost the only time that I hear it used is by people who like to think themselves better than others.

Every time somebody calls me a Fred, it's because I'm riding my Litespeed home from school. Yes, I'm wearing jean shorts and tennis shoes, and you're wearing full team kit... but calling me out on it achieves... what?

Ironically, almost anyone who uses 'Fred' or 'Poser' is all talk and no legs. Anyone good enough to listen to knows those generalized attacks are immature and stupid.

The fascinating thing about the word fred...
Almost the only time that I hear it used is by people who like to think themselves better than others.

Every time somebody calls me a Fred, it's because I'm riding my Litespeed home from school. Yes, I'm wearing jean shorts and tennis shoes, and you're wearing full team kit... but calling me out on it achieves... what?

Ironically, almost anyone who uses 'Fred' or 'Poser' is all talk and no legs. Anyone good enough to listen to knows those generalized attacks are immature and stupid.

Thanks for just making my point........
:mad2:

Thanks for just making my point........
:mad2:
What was your point again?

That freds love to take digs at Rock Racing?

Cuz uh, I didn't take a dig at Rock Racing. Check your reading comprehension.
In fact, I kinda like em.

by your definition of fred, aren't you sort of being one by referring in your posts to the team as R&R. The team is Rock Racing. R&R is their sponsor, Rock & Republic....

Much more importantly, the kits go on sale soon- is anyone going to buy one? I can't imagine seeing someone around here in a full rock racing kit. Wow they are a bit silly looking...
There is always "that guy" who will buy one or worse, all 3 or 4 of the variations. Just watch, you'll see him out riding soon.

The Athen's Twilight crit Saturday night!! Personally, at the beginning of the year I thought, what a bunch of punks. But, some time has passed and although the guy comes across kinda rough, you can tell he really loves the sport, (or he's nuts and just wants to throw away money, in that case he could give it to me) and wants to be a part of it.. So they didn't light up the TDG, but Oscar I thought did put on a show on Brasstown and I have to admit, I was REALLY pulling for him.. But hey, what did some of the other domestic teams do there? What about Gerolstiener? Also, there are alot of other domestic teams that weren't invited.. I think they'll improve, they just like any new team, have to get through some growing pains....

Bahati lit it up in Athens this weekend, which in my opinion, is a much cooler win than Tour of Georgia anyway. Why? Hmm... Ever raced in Athens during the Twilight Crit? If you had, you'd know. The atmosphere there is so much better than any stage race I've ever been to (either raced in, or attended) in the US. Plus, add to the fact that there are tons of hot college women walking around, and they LOVE the bike racers (on that night at least), and you have something that hardly ever happens in the US. Yes, hot women paying attention to skinny dork bike racers.

Tour of Georgia, so what? They should have been there, and they were. Again, Bahati did win THE biggest crit of the year, and there are many guys in the US who would give their left nut to win that race (no offense Lance).

Tour of Georgia, so what?
depends if you have plans of going to Europe or not. If not, I'm sure its better getting the "rat" greased in Athens.

Rock Racing is leading rankings for the the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. Botero sits atop the men's rankings and the team leads the Men's Team Standings. Early in the season, but it seems the team talks the talk and walks the walk.

Anyone catch he commercials for RR during the cycling coverage on Versus. Actually thought the ads were kinda cool...in a cheesy sort of way (you know what I am talking about). Did make me want to hit the road and ride.

JT

Rock Racing is leading rankings for the the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar.
Nope, I hadn't noticed, but I think it's good.

I'm starting to really warm up to these guys. I sincerely hope they can win AND shake the doper tag.

I actually like the extra-curicular stuff Rock brings to the race. I like girls in tight jeans on the podium, as opposed to the fat local digniataries that usually served up. I like the black Cadillacs.

I haven't bought any team kit, but I just might buy one of those jerseys. I think they're dynamite looking as opposed to, say, pastel argyle (before the flames start, and just for the record, Slipstream has a great team, it's just their look that sucks).

I just wish Ball would lose the blowhard method of promotion.

JSR

I haven't bought any team kit, but I just might buy one of those jerseys. I think they're dynamite looking as opposed to, say, pastel argyle (before the flames start, and just for the record, Slipstream has a great team, it's just their look that sucks).

I just wish Ball would lose the blowhard method of promotion.

JSR


I can't say I much like their kit designs... i think there could be ways to incorporate that skull/laurel logo into a kit that would look pretty slick without looking like a 140 lb super villain . that being said, i'd still gladly ride any de rosa they'd be willing to give me :thumbsup:

Screw the race results, what about the appalling lack of swag? NOTHING. And they wanted $5 for a sticker. Other than the sweet team bus and caddys, they didn't provide me any entertainment on Brasstown. Still , i succumbed to marketing and bought a T-shirt, which they didn't even have in x-small...with their image, shouldn't they be willing to sell a girl a tight t shirt?

shouldn't they be willing to sell a girl a tight t shirt?

That should be law!