Style is the name of the game when it comes to the upgraded BMC Pro Cycling Team. I attended this years camp, which is being held in Santa Rosa, wearing two hats: that of Speedplay Team tech and assistant team director. I started the weekend as the official Speedplay tech rep for the pro teams. We had a nice meeting explaining the pedal system, and I addressed some issues some of the new riders had.

The next two days I took my place as assistant director. I spent most of the day working with the crew of riders headed to the Tour of Qatar. I rode the Tour last year, and so I have a pretty good idea of what is needed for prep. We worked on some leadouts and sprints. The guys really busted their humps for me and showed the professionalism that BMC requires in its riders.

Let me say how impressed I was with the whole BMC set up. Most of my old teammates have gotten even stronger than they were last season, and you can really see how much experience the guys gained from all the Euro racing they have done over the last two seasons.

So my second camp for Speedplay was great and it was great to be back in the BMC family. Look for big things from these guys this year. And look to see what kind of pedals they are on.

Mike

So, I worked my first camp for Speedplay this past weekend. I was lucky enough to be invited to the Livestrong U23 camp held in Austin, TX. First let me say that Austin is a great town. So great it has moved to the top of my list of places I want to live in. It also has the coolest, biggest and most amazing Whole Foods I have ever seen.
Most of the camp was held at Mellow Jonny’s bike shop. The riders where there to do their physiological testing, get their new Trek Livestrong bikes, get their new Speedplays installed and get some quality time together. I will say that Mellow Jonny’s is by far the coolest bike shop I have ever seen, and the staff, both team and shop, were really kind to us.
Richard, the owner of Speedplay, and I spent two days fitting the boys with their new Zeros and filling them in on care and maintenance. I also got to watch other riders suffer at the hands of the computrainer. Thanks God I dont have to do that any longer.
The Livestrong director, Axel Merckx, was a guy I raced against over the years. He is a great guy, was a great bike racer and will make a great director. It was great to catch up with him, and the riders where really great to work with.
I will say that to me it looks like the future of American bike racing is really looking good.
Next up…BMC where I will do double duty as Speedplay tech and fill in BMC staffer.