Here's hoping! Although they might wanna think twice about a full black kit in those hot european summers

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=10661897

How exciting, this will be something extra for our young Junior cyclists to aspire to!

Awesome news. Loving that NZ is slowly building up teams, especially with big goals like this.

I hope that everyone does what they can to support them!

Fantastic. How many teams do we have now?

Yeah awesome news, not sure on the name though. That may change when a mega major sponsor comes on board who wants exposure in the US and Europe to millions of punters who may decide NZ is a friendly destination come holiday time

Good stuff!

Sounds fantastic, although without putting a damper on it. How will the logistics work in trying to get the top names out of their contracts if that is what they want. Also, it seems as though there are many a Kiwi rider at Radioshack at the minute, how are they going lure those sorts of riders back? Will be awesome if they get it running though.

jimc wrote:Sounds fantastic, although without putting a damper on it. How will the logistics work in trying to get the top names out of their contracts if that is what they want. Also, it seems as though there are many a Kiwi rider at Radioshack at the minute, how are they going lure those sorts of riders back? Will be awesome if they get it running though.

I think the idea of an all-kiwi team is good in theory, but as well as JimC's point, would it really be good for NZ cycling to put all our eggs in one basket like that? I'm thinking of Sky here - the only Brits to shine in TdF were Cav (HTC) and Dave Millar (Garmin) for his grit in plugging on with busted ribs. I would have thought that a lot of the good publicity for cycling in NZ is that our boys are good enough to make it in the top international teams, and if we try to keep them all in the "home" side it limits the range of learning opportunities kiwi riders get, and the same applies in reverse - a kiwi team would benefit from a few experienced foreigners e.g. how much could our upcoming stars learn if they had a Jens Voigt or Stu O'Grady in the squad? Or how much did Sky miss Hendy?

To draw a parallel with rugby league, some of the best kiwis are as good as they are because they learn with top coaches and players at Souths, Paramatta, or the Storm, and the Warriors seem to go better when they have a good mix of kiwis and aussies on the paddock.

If Pureblack is intended mainly to get our best juniors mixing it with the world's best teams though, then I think it's an absolute ripper of an idea. And my recommendation for recruiting -"Get Fogt!"

i don't think the intent is to get all kiwi guys out of contracts etc.. this is just one avenue into pro-cycling, it does not mean that from now on ALL aspiring and current kiwi pro cyclists must be on this team.

Good on them, and i hope it goes well..

pro tour is a lofty goal, at least 23 riders of that class, and 23 riders and management that get on..... All from NZ? I think the UCI would be saying show me the experience that will get you in the top 15 teams in the world rankings. How much sucking up to the ASO would have to be done to event get a start in their lesser events.

Otherwise going conti or pro conti could be a go, but then Cinelli couldnt get starts in Europe.
Just saying that all, but a great road for athletes to follow through to Road teams, more lie the Limoux ETC that BikeNZ had

Will be interesting to see which companies hop on board this 'train'

Imagine - "Team Kiwibank" Imagine Kiwibank giving Rabobank & Saxobank a run for their money.

Still like they said about us - "it'll never get off the ground"

I agree with John.

You have to walk before you can run.

I nthink its a great dream, but in reality if they can set up a Conti Pro Team and set it up in the US or Belg and link themselves with a Pro Team as a feeder, and make it an Australasian team, then you will start the development process.

In my opinion, simply NZ cycling does not have the depth of U23 riders to get the results required to force entry into big races. An option would be to licence the team in the US as a NZ team ie Sean Kelly An Post..and have a quota of US and NZ riders so you meet the requirements of both the UCI and UASC

i think once rubber hits the road, the practicalities will force certain decisions.. but as with all things.. needs to start with a vision

Joel wrote:i think once rubber hits the road, the practicalities will force certain decisions.. but as with all things.. needs to start with a vision

Best of luck to Carl. I love the fresh attitude he has brought to cycling. He knows that if you don't aim for the top and believe you can achieve it then you'll never get there.

Al_Bushman wrote:Will be interesting to see which companies hop on board this 'train'

Imagine - "Team Kiwibank" Imagine Kiwibank giving Rabobank & Saxobank a run for their money.

Still like they said about us - "it'll never get off the ground"

You putting your hand up for team director there Al?