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Rock Racing (UCI Code: RRC) is a UCI Continental cycling team founded in 2007 by Michael Ball (fashion mogul). The team is affiliated with Ball's Rock & Republic brand of clothing. The team's marketing plan is to hire riders who have been tainted by doping or drugs scandals, and to garner attention with controversy and bravado. Positioning itself against the environmentally responsible ideals sometimes associated with bicycle racing, Ball contracted with Cadillac to use their Escalade sports utility vehicle for team use. Team founder Ball believes that this "bad boy" image will lend itself to the selling of merchandise linked to the team.[1]
[edit] 2008 Team
Ball also hired controversial riders. Commented CyclingNews.com: "Part of the controversy surrounding Team Rock Racing was the signing of riders who had been linked to the Operación Puerto doping investigation; Michael Ball contracted Tyler Hamilton, Oscar Sevilla and Santiago Botero over the winter to reinforce the relatively young team. To respond to the criticism the team has adopted an anti-doping programme, organised by Scott Analytics."[2] Though de-frocked Tour de France winner Floyd Landis remains under a ban that prevents him from racing professionally until 2009, the team has listed him as a "friend" in their marketing materials.[1]
Ball also hired the flamboyant Mario Cipollini to race and coach the team. Cipollini, who replaced Frankie Andreu, is a famous and sometimes controversial public figure in Italy and in the world of cycling. However, Cipollini's comeback from retirement proved short-lived, and he parted company with the team in March 2008. [3]
[edit] References
view profiles of the 2008 team
