elite cx 2011

Jeremy Powers recently announced his move to the rapha-focus team for the upcoming season. I think this is a good move for the sport as the cannondale-cyclocrossworld had a bit too much of the concentration of the high end talent. They were the Yankees of professional US cyclocross. I don't mean to say that this move will completely democratize the talent pool or shake up the elite standings for the upcoming season; I'm sure well see the same four names trading places on the podium.

J-Pow's move, along with Ryan Trebon's departure from Kona are good examples of the solidification of a professional cyclocross sport in the US. I think we want to see athletics leave teams, the more mobility the more legitimacy, at least in infantile stages like this. This mobility can increase sponsor competition all the while demonstrating to new sponsors and elite hopefuls that there is room in the cx market for their entry and profit. This argument does have diminishing returns, certainly no one wants a cyclists lockout or some b.s. like in other professional sports. Grass roots movements aside, the dominance and amicability of the cannondale-cyclocrossworld team was a large contributor to the growth of professional cyclocross last season. With any luck their success will demonstrate to others that such commitments will yield great benefits for themselves, the rides and the sport in whole.