Libertine Seguros said:I'm European and I'm dogpiling on the AToC. Not because I hate the AToC or America or American riders (some American riders can be very entertaining, although I prefer climbers and dislike defensive riders who build their gains in the TT, which rules out a lot of Anglophone riders as they often come from track backgrounds) - in the women's péloton, Mara Abbott is one of my absolute favourites.
What I'm dogpiling on is the hype. The hype may be necessary to try to sell it to people in the US, but it's absolutely preposterous and rings false at every turn. The race isn't part of the Historic calendar, which is one thing it will never be able to manage, but the hype seems to suggest that the race thinks it can bypass the whole 'building a history' thing. It thinks that by shouting loudly people will fail to notice the lack of a challenging parcours, and the depth of the péloton is like BMC - a strong veneer but ultimately lacking in top level talent beyond that top tier. If you have no history, the best way to make yourself taken seriously is by having a seriously challenging parcours - the kind that makes riders say "I want to have that on my palmarès. That race will show that I can do it at the top level". Instead they've gone for the 'don't offer it but say you did' approach.
It's not about the negative approach to cycling outside of Europe either. I'm not a fan of the globalisation of cycling mainly because it is forcing teams to race in races that are of no interest to their riders or sponsors at awkward times - QuickStep were worried that, if they had any injuries, they couldn't race the Giro, California and Belgium - and they should be allowed to race their home Tour, yes? Same goes for the new ProTour events in Canada, which will clash with the Vuelta, but also Britain and potentially Missouri too - and those three races will only really appeal to the same group of PT teams. This means more stresses placed on riders, and more required financially of sponsors, to which I say - can the sport really afford to put more stresses on its sponsors, when even absolute top teams like Saxo Bank and Caisse d'Epargne are looking at potential dissolution next year?
No, I like a lot of races outside of Europe. It's nice to see people who I don't normally get to see. The Vuelta a Colombia, for example, is one of the highlights of the season for me.
I tend to agree with you on the hype.
But you are all over the map with regards to the other stuff. What does the womens peloton have to do with all this??? What I think you are trying to say with the other stuff is it is less Romantic than European Racing. Less romantic to you. OK cool in some ways I agree but let's not try to quantify a laundry list of what you like and dislike with dogmatic statements and assumptions such as "Team Dissolution potential" Sport stressing sponsors" and putting words in teams mouths.... You might be right, it is less romantic is many respects but just say that regardless of its subjectivity. I am not sure what "hype" has to do with stretching teams thin and forcing teams to make tough decisions, or climbers vs defensive riders???? and how TOC is responsible for Corporate sponsors decision making and whatever else you are trying to say is a reach
I am a socal native. and I agree that the Hype is just over the top. My grandpappy had a saying that rings true to me in may aspects in life. "Son if you gotta tell us you are drunk all the damn time you probably aint" From the start this group has told us how great they are and in my mind it is unearned arrogance...
I don't really like the way this race has been in your face from day one telling us it is comparable to a Grand Tour and attracts the best racers, has the best terrain.... A bunch of venture capitalists who put industry ahead of the glory of the sport IMHO Just put on a good race and let time tell us what it is and isn't. If it was the best and most competitive race then Levi wouldn't have won them all
Now for my dogmatic statement to follow my own assumptions: It is more a Trek and Specialized and Road ID commercial than a race. in some respects.