Breaking News: Battley/Harley-Davidson, Haymarket Are (Is) Fast(er)

So you think you knew just how fast the Harley guys could race last year?  You pretty sure you caught a glimpse of one (or two or three or four) of them as they left the anxious peloton for the safe comforting warmth of a breakaway and podium sweep?  Did you get a glimpse of greatness as the boys from Haymarket sent one of their own to the next, next level of professional cycling?  Well, that may have been your last up-close and personal look at these guys for a while because -- and I almost hate to say this -- fast just got a whole lot faster…

For the 2011 season, Battley Harley-Davidson and Sonoma Restaurant will be teaming up with new and generous support of XO Communications and Haymarket Bicycles to take the next step.  They are merging the two of the region’s most respected Elite and Elite Development programs to form a Mid Atlantic cycling program with regional and national goals.  All hail the new force on the block: XO Communications / Battley Harley-Davidson Racing.

The team will actually consist of two distinct but connected race programs: a Regional Elite Team of Category 1 racers with NRC experience, "XO Communications/Battley Harley-Davidson Racing,"  and an Elite Development Team of Category 2 racers, "Haymarket Racing," that will act as a farm team with a U25 focus.

Now, you might be saying to yourself, “self, this might mean I can finally crack the top-10 at Carl Dolan with the Harley and Haymarket guys off on a nation-wide glory-grab.”  But you’d be wrong; these guys are from MABRA, represent MABRA, and will continue to elevate the racing across MABRA.  According to Team Director Eli Hengst, the Regional Elite Team plans to contend “significant local races, as well as regional and national events, including NRC and USA Crit races.”  They will all of this “as well as additional high-profile events and select stage races.”  Hengst says the team plans include “the regional calendar” of about 30-40 races annually as well as “substantial travel.” 

The Elite Development Team, according to Hengst, will participate in “traditionally significant MABRA races, the larger regional events, as well as select national events and stage races.”  He adds that since the Developmental Squad “is a distinct program, it is a part of the same family and a direct pipeline or farm team for the Regional Elite Team” which makes its’ racers success and experience levels vital to the long-term success of this new venture.

The sponsors of this new venture are certainly not new to this region and will seem like old friends revisited when they show up on race day.  XO Communications, a leading nationwide communications provider for businesses, has long established partnerships with professional sports teams and is proud to join one of the nation’s top Elite Amateur cycling programs as the Title Sponsor in 2011.  “XO Communications is excited to bring our support to a dedicated group of elite amateur cyclists who represent the next wave of U.S. professionals,” said Mike Toplisek, chief marketing officer for Business Services at XO Communications.  “We admire their relentless pursuit of excellence, and their commitment to continuous improvement that has made them an emerging force in U.S. cycling.”

Of the merger with XO Communications, Team Director Eli Hengst says “Much like a business start-up, small teams like ours need partners committed to supporting us as we grow, and who understand the intangibles - a passion for teamwork, results, and community - that have been the foundation of our success.  XO Communications shares this passion and understands what drives our team, and we look forward to taking it to the next level with their support in 2011.”

As for the Haymarket component, Jared Nieters brings to the mix long-standing support for developmental squad racing and a long-standing tradition of winning in his own right.  As the newest co-sponsor and manager, Jared Nieters and Haymarket Bicycles will provide professional shop support to the expanded team as well as a tradition of racing on the national level and recognition for its development of young riders and connections to professional teams.   Regulars on the MABRA circuit will not long forget the day young Joe Dombrowski first pulled on the Haymarket kit for a few minutes so he could destroy local fields en route to his first professional contract with Livestrong Racing.

So, who exactly is coming together to form this unholy alliance of speed?  The roster is filled with names everyone recognizes from race reports and podium pictures:

Keck Baker
Sean Barrie
Nick Bax
Tim Brown
Brian Butts
Ryan DeWald
Jose Escobar
Dave Fuentes
Mason Haymes
Chuck Hutcheson
Jared Nieters
Tim Rugg
Adam Switters

Riders on the developmental squads are only slightly less familiar, but will undoubtedly become more so as the season turns into a green bloodbath of prize money and upgrade points:

Lance Anderson
Stephen Black
Andrew Bridges
Art Brown
Kevin Cross
Daniel Drumwright
Jeremy Edwards
Zach Felpel
Chris Hayes
Todd Hipp
Chip Hoover
Nick Maimone
Bruno Neto
Jose Nunez
Garret Olsen
Sean O'Rourke
Stephen Robinson
Brian Sacawa
Ryan Simpson
Michael Stearns
Andrew Troy
Greg Wittwer

So, for everyone out there reading this and looking forward to the fresh start of a new racing season filled with promise and potential, it might be time to get real.  From the looks of these rosters, it’s going to be tough to crack the top-35 on any given weekend.  If you want to sneak into the top-10 or steal a prime or something, you might want to get on your bike and start training.  Like now!

 

 

Comments

[LeBronJamesRidesForHaymarket]

So it's sort of like NCVC....only with folks who actually have talent?

[Bryan Burns]

I would be happy to answer questions that anyone may have about XO's products and services. Please contact me "off list".

Bryan
bryan.burns@xo.com

[DCvelo]

Crap! I predict a MABRA sweep with just the development squad

[Jeff Brandon]

OMG, does this article resembles a circle-jerk or what..

[Greg]

you don't make your candle shine brighter by blowing out someone else's "LeBronJamesRidesForHaymarket"

[Jesse]

How fun is 2011 going to be in the 1/2/3s??

5 guys get up the road, and then 25 block to make sure the break doesn't get caught.

[Jeff Brandon]

jkidding...lighten up, why so serious?..I like/friends w/these guys.

[Chuck Hutcheson]

They are absolutly two different teams and the Haymarket team has a good chunk of 3's and Masters who don't really race 1/2 races.

[Thurston Howell III]

I'm having a really difficult time imagining that the two absolutely different teams would absolutely not cooperate in any way shape or form during a 1/2/3 race.

[Nick Mulder]

I think its a really good idea. Mid Atlantic needs a powerhouse cycling team that can compete on the national level. Without any type of structured development team bringing up real talent is a challenge. Who cares if these guys start dominating, then train harder. Good luck dudes.

[Hurtin Towel Turd]

No one ever works with alias Thurston Howell III. :(

[dan]

wow35 guys!(1/2 the field)...they should win

[RacingIsMoreFunIfEveryoneGoodIsOnMyTeam]

I do believe Todd Hipp got demoted? Or kicked to the curb?

[Major Nelson]

I'm a Cat 5 and I already feel the pressure

[chris]

Stay Class Mabra - No need for disparaging comments from the Freds of this world - demoted/kicked to the curb? Seriously bro - You dream of being that accomplished of a rider and/or being a decent human being. Only cowards post under an alias - Now go saddle up your pinarello and go get dropped on the RBC '3' ride...again

[DJ Brewsky]

Bring it on!!!

[Mr Browne]

This development only eliminates competition & will further degrade the level of racing in this area. As we all know from the past 5 years or so, the laughable annual off-season fantasy that these aging faux-pros are actually foregoing mabra races to cherry pick the occasional nrc race (the ones where no top domestic teams are racing) will evaporate around May. These "pros" won't even show up for a parking lot race if they represent less than a third of the field, hell they won't even show up for a group ride if they can't impose their highly negative style via a rolling road block of mediocrity. This idiocy will now compel mabra to impose a limit on the number of riders who can be on one team in any given race. As it stands we will have even fewer 1/2 riders for races such as poolesville & Reston because it is no longer competitive. These races used to sell out before this unprecedented foolishness. This development only eliminates competition. Pure & simple.

[DJ Brewsky]

Wow! Stop your whining and improvise, adapt and overcome you wuss Mr Browne.

[Kevin]

We could use more elite squads in MABRA, but we could also use more stage races, podium girls, drug testing, post-race massages, free equipment and bike maintenance, and the occassional casual fan of the sport (instead of empty office parks).

Truth is, forming and running elite squad is really hard, and Eli and Jared are great at it. MABRA is lucky to have them, and if we get a Joe Dombrowski out of it every five years, I'll judge it a success.

[Kyle J]

Mr Browne,
Show up for a Haymarket Winter Bike League group ride/race. My guess is you get dropped early on and get lost because you forgot to bring a cue sheet. These guys train hard and race hard. They will elevate the racing scene once again.

[Races]

I just hope for Mabra's sake that this large entity puts forth a concerted effort to help develop a few legit races of their own. If they want to line up however many at a race, so what. I surely hope this entity (I'm not sure what exactly to call it, team(s)? club?) will assist in providing opportunities to help grow the sport locally, not in seeing how many local races they can dominate. FWIW, this all would have been received in a better light if there wasn't so much "over the top" innuendo thrown in. A touch of humility goes a long way.

[Jim]

>>>You dream of being that accomplished of a rider and/or being a decent human being. Only cowards post under an alias

Too right.

- Unholy Rouleur

[Jennifer Garner]

Both of these components are great, if they were done separately but forming this mega-team (and it is a mega-team) seems over the top. The 'developmental' team (with masters racers? and 30 year old Cat 2s and 3s) will be on hand and race in support for an already super strong team..now with added force.

I'm sure not all of these individuals will show up for every race but a race with over 20 Harleymarketers in a 1/2/3 race could happen. Competition is great for everybody but the local races, especially in the early season, are going to end up being group rides after a break of Harley/Haymarket and LSV go up the road with maybe one or two other guys...etc etc.

Anyway...time to train up and learn some racing tricks. This shit is going to be tough.

[ifallthefastguysareonthesameteamwhatsthepoint]

i second mr brownes position. no one will have a chance. there needs to be a limit on team size...obviously.
oh and that kid joe would have done what he did with or without haymarket. they did not 'develop' him.
and whats with all those old guys in the development team? already things dont add up.
local racing just got even more retarded. admit it.

[Rugg]

DJ Brew - We're coming to get you!

Big Thanks to Jared, Eli, and Tom (and many many others, I'm name dropping Michelle and salt cookie power!) I hope everyone will be able to grasp the long-term vision of this program and I have no doubt that it'll be a success.

The disrespect for fellow riders and teams has been a bit dissappointing. I haven't been the best example but their are so many strong talented riders being insulted everytime someone complains or makes condescending remarks about this news. I know NCVC, ABRT, LSV and YAH among others have full elite squads that are going to cause damage this year. This report is an unveiling of good things for the XO/Harley squad and for (the point missed) development in MABRA (Haymarket)... but let's not try to be so naive, k?

2 months.... :):):)

[chris]

Just so no one puts out a mob contract on the wrong schmoe - comments from a poster are ABOVE that person's name, not below it - the format is a bit confusing - start from the top and you'll see. Sounds like Rugg might want to go 'old school' on DJ Brewsky, altho I believe the comments that Rugg has issue with were written by a 'Mr. Browne' if I'm reading the posts correctly. For the under-achievers: just consider the new team to be your best excuse yet as to why you're never placing well....so just roll with it.....

[another jealous racer]

I forecast drama. Lots of it. Too many guys used to winning (or almost) and being the be stars of the movie that will have to turn into domestiques now. Too many guys that do not like being told what to do having to follow orders and sacrifice themselves. I think this supermegateam sounds really good on paper, but I suspect drama will make a glorious entry pretty soon after the season starts.

[captawesome]

ohgod people just ride your bikes

[PokeTheBear]

These guys should be able to promote an awesome race with all those dudes.

[Hogs4evr]

Aw...Don't feel too left out guys, I heard that all the harley-market riders have to get trampstamps saying "Harleymarket for life." No bibs for their kit this year either, so you should get to see it in terrifying detail as they ride away from you.

[JD]

There's always Rule 1J5(b)-(d) if any problems arise on the road.

[Terry Anderson]

Can't more than one team be supported by a bike shop? Should Haymarket have said no to one of these two seperate teams? Should Jared have chosen to race for a team not associated with his own business? Listen, folks rive all the way to Haymarket for eequipment and call it their "LBS" for a reason. Jared and Curtis treat folks right and do a lot for local racing.

It's very easy to say you'd do differently....but if you're a good rider and asked to join a bunch of guys that work as hard as you and have the same goals (and be sponsored by 2 great companies) would you turn it down so Fred would have a better shot a winning a local race?

[John]

The biggest defenders of this mega-team are not even on it. They must be lobbying for a spot for 2012.

[JustinBieber76]

There have been multiple instances of bike shops supporting more than one team, T. That part isn't new. Let us all enjoy the new megateam as they dominate the office park races, win tens of dollars, and engage in much local athletic philanthropy.

wait, they haven't announced their race yet? I take back the philanthropy part.

[Ed T.]

Offically Harley's races are the Air Force ones - Crystal City/Clarendon.

[Lance Armstrong's Molester Mustache]

So yes, the Heatles-line conglomeration that Harley and Haymarket have gangbanged to life might sully a few local CAT 1/2/3 fields this year, but lets get down to brass tacks and tackle a REAL problem within MABRA: the dire lack of hot chicks in/at races.

For all the nut-flexing and pre-seasonal bitch-tears this thread has precipitated, until the heavyweights rocking their Harleymarket bonafides start to parlay the inner-circle-of-nerdery famdom (echoed in the comments here) into some form of remedial babe-magnetism that morphs the MABRA racin' "scene" into something not resembling the sadness of a T.G.I. Friday's happy hour in Reston (suburbanites, stay down), they're merely just a bunch of ultra-fit, dorky cycling nerds zipping around on overpriced bicycles like the rest of us.

Only faster.

[mario zometa]

que bueno que los de hyatmarket ahora tienen la oportunidad de mejorar su nive lo cual nos ayuda a los que estamos preparandonos para vencerlos
yo solo veo a diez buenos ciclistas en ese grupo suerte y no se descuiden porque alguien siempre va a querer ser el primero

[Martin]

It's after reading comments like these that I think, "Man, we all really take this far too seriously given the fact that only 0.005 percent of us will ever rise to the level of being semi-pro."

It's amateur bike racing. Let's just have fun doing it.

[Keck]

o.k. i have finally read all of these posts after hearing so much about them and I have to say it has been amusing to say the least. I guess the old saying is true. Haters are gona hate. Ha! Anyways in reading all of these comments I just keep thinking that people seem to not be remembering all of other really, really strong riders inside Mabra. Trust me there are plenty! I have raced against them for years now and there are plenty of guys whos name I do not even know who have had me on the ropes and none of them were ever wearing Harley jerseys. Mabra racing was harder and faster then I can remember last year and I ride for Harley. So what does that have to say for all of the other teams besides harley? a lot! It was not harley that made the racing harder for me it was all of the competition from other teams.

It may look like a lot of guys just on the elite roster but when you take into account races in different regions, broken bones, road rash, etc you have to be able to send a full squad to national events to stand a chance and these 8 riders have to be on form. (remember we are not pros we all have other jobs besides our bike)

I know when you look at all of the names on the roster for both squads and put them together it looks like a whole lot of guys who will be working together please keep in mind these are 2 different teams searching for their own results and I am sure that all of the guys on the development team (development and masters) will be trying to beat us (and will maybe :) ) in every race we enter and they will not be working with us.

Again, I have raced in a lot of areas and besides NRC and UCI races the mabra region is one of the toughest regions to compete in even if you are on a very good team. Thats why I like racing a lot of them. Nothing is worse than an easy race.

[Matthew "no, I'm not your daddy" Ringer]

Almost 50 comments in and not one person has the stones to state the obvious fact, that Harley-Haymarket is single handedly responsible for climate change and the economic down turn?

Wake up MABRA, Silence = Death.