NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Looks like the SBO implosion is official and will impact several promoters in the NorCal area. When asked how this would impact the NCNCA President Bill Nicely responded quickly…

“Minimal [impact] directly (prize money for Premier Series). The NCNCA will cover prizes for the Premier Series. We are looking to help promoters affected by forgiving fees, getting USAC to forgive fees, and considering loans. This affected all races from Giro forward on SBO. About 65k in reg fees as a loss in total. The BOD is deeply saddened by this loss and we are grateful to USAC for their participation in lessening the burden to our affected promoters.”

As a result the dissolution of Sportsbaseonline.com will impact several of NorCal’s most prolific promoters like Velopromo and ProjectSport who put on several late season races using Sportsbaseonline.com registration systems. Overall it is horrible news, and likely a major set back, for the promotion teams that had any revenue tied up with SBO. In theory SBO’s contract pay out on 80% of registered users prior to the event, and then the following wednesday after but…as we all know, cyclists are last minute registrants, and in my experience nobody pays money on time if they don’t have too.

Our promoters are a vital piece of the racing ecosystem, and events like this do great damage to their ability to put on key events like Snelling Road Race, and the San Rafael Twilight Crit, which have become and important part of the NorCal racing calendar. Regardless of how you feel about the promoters events, ie. you hate your 5th place T Shirt from Santa Cruz Crit, this is a good time to drop your local promoter and note and let them know you appreciate their effort – otherwise, who could blame them for packing it in for a while.

UPDATE

This Just in from NCNCA President Bill Nicely who is keeping us posted through the comments section. We will keep the thread updated as news breaks. Plus I’ll post Hernandos Track Natz news in a bit in hopes that Velonews will pick that up too:)

“Since Velonews is quoting NCCN, I’ll break this news here. All outstanding amounts owed to promoters will be paid in the next 24-48 hours per direct information. I am thankful that this will be resolved. I am grateful to those who have offered assistance (USAC and NCNCA BOD).”

UPDATE 11:03 AM Nicely said in a phone call the info came straight from Dirk Crowley. It appears there are quite a few promoters with revenue coming down the pipe. With trust at a minimum it may be premature to celebrate but it appears #sob, or it’s management, will be trying to close this off civilly, or perhaps just quiet down the outrage.

Just when you thought the season had a fairy tale ending with Rand Miller winning NorCal Crit Championship over some SoCal hard boys, and Beth Newell taking two national championships at the US Track Nationals the weird stuff starts dropping.

Pistelero in Marin

A few days ago Contador tweeted that he would be leading a ride in Sausalito.  Today it all got confirmed, again, via Twitter.  And when Contador tweets, the world listens.

I’m sure it is tied into a visit to Specialized HQ down in Morgan Hill, and maybe he will sneak in a Lady Gaga like visit to Twitter, Google, or Apple while he’s at it.  I suppose it’s not any different than running into Armstrong in Portola Valley, or Cadel Evans on Old La Honda but it totally has a awkward TV appearance feel to it.  If you go, and hang out with him in Sausalito, please try to talk to him without thinking of this video…

 

SBO OUT OF BUSINESS?

In slightly more alarming news a letter was circulating today that apparently came from Sportsbaseonline.com informing their client base of pending dissolution.

From: SportsBaseOnline Admin

To: undisclosed-recipients:

Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 11:23 AM

Subject: SportsBaseOnline

We regret to inform you that due to financial reasons Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc. DBA SportsBaseOnline will be dissolving as of October 15, 2011 and is ceasing operations. We have explored every option to avoid this outcome to no avail. There are no funds available and no tangible or other assets owned by the corporation that could be monetized to make restitution or pay claims.We apologize for this unfortunate circumstance.

Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc.

The chatter amongst promoters on Twitter would indicate that there will be some carnage once the smoke clears. It is unclear from the email, but the way I am reading this, any money that might still be owed to promoters, from athletes, could be gone.  I hope that is not the case for any of our local promoters who make NorCal racing what it is.  There is nothing on their website yet, www.sportsbaseonline.com, to indicate they company is going under but chatter amongst promoters indicates folks are pissed and are looking at figuring out next steps which I assume means finding a replacement registration system, and trying to recover any revenue that might be tied up with the organization.  I just tried looking up events on Sportsbaseonline and there is currently nothing listed in California.  I’m currently unclear if this is a surprise or not, though I’m surprised – but I am often behind the 8ball (FYI -did you know Hernando is dating Beth?), but it does appear promoters are not happy.

Send us any funny Contador pic’s and if you have any more skinny on SBOgate let us know.

 

Fort Ord, 1 October 2011

It took a few moments for the correct spelling and their impersonation of the Village People was just awful…in the end, Mack Kelly has much to live down after finishing the 1/2/3 race at Central Coast Circuit Races.

 

Ed. Note: I have often told Beth Newell, who won the Omnium at National Championships last night, that she’s one of the few people I regard as funny as I am.  For those of you who now mock my declaration of humor, I will have you know, I possess both professional stage and comedy training… but it was in Canada. Which I think makes it worth more.  Either way… Beth has recounted her final, winning ride, in the 500m an subsequent testing by the USADA.   The post is pretty awesome.  I’ve excerpted my favorite bit, which i like for it’s true yet funny nature, and put it here to encourage you to read the rest.   On top of it all i found out only yesterday she’s dating Hernando! … nobody tells me anything.

Excerpt from “On winning a national title & getting dope tested”

Then came part three: declaration of supplements.

USADA GUY: what supplements do you take?

bethbikes!: uhh, i take iron pills

USADA GUY: how often? when was the last time you took one?

bethbikes!: uhhh….when i remember.

USADA GUY: how often is that? when was the last time you remembered?

now, how does one honestly answer this question.? i think the most honest answer would be: i remember to take my iron about as often as i “remember” to do my core work. which would translate into: “three times a week on a good week, but once every 6 weeks is not uncommon.”

JUMP TO THE FULL ARTICLE

Ed Note: This is my second biggest internet meme, which i moved from xtranormal to YouTube for no good reason at all. It’s from 2010 championships but I figured it was still appropriate given the Hellyerites making their way down into the City of Angels:)