Rock Racing Bikes 2008

Rock Racing Fuji SL1

Rock Racing is loud and fast - just what an American team should be. The team portrays itself as having 'edge' reflecting their sponsor Rock & Republic and they are racing in the Tour of Britain.

Rock & Republic is a fashion company set up by Michael Ball and he has a larger than life attitude to life and bike racing, bringing with him some of that American Razzmatazz!

Santiago Botero - Click to see more pictures

Rock Racing say - "Don’t expect just ordinary kits — not when Michael Ball is sponsoring you! The kits have a different colour and design elements for each race adding both style and sex appeal to the sport." In London the team were in green and on Monday blue. (They can expect fines from the UCI)

Michael Ball says - “Cycling already offers intense competition, speed, thrilling chases, crashes and primal entertainment. We are integrating the Rock & Republic aesthetic into cycling; creating stylized uniforms for various races and bringing high-end fashion with an adventurous flair to the cycling tour."

We first bumped into the team at their hotel when we almost fell over the Rock Racing mechanics building, the just delivered bikes, late at night in the corridor. John and Simon the mechanics were very friendly, and they seemed to cheer up when we told them that the weather forecast was good for London, as it was pouring in Milton Keynes.

The pair were busy building and branding everything with Rock Racing stickers. When you look at the bike, there is an impressive attention to detail such as a Tour of Britain inspired saddle.

Tyler Hamilton - Click to see more pictures

Bikes
The bike featured above is a Fuji SL 1 and Rock Racing say that fans will be able to purchase an exact replica used by the Rock Racing squad during the Tour of Britain.

Meet the team in London
Rock Racing and Team Owner Michael Ball are to meet fans and sign autographs at Harrods following The Tour of Britain on Monday Sept. 15, 2008 From 3-5 PM.

Redemption
Redemption is a strong feature on the Rock Racing website, but there is little comment on the troubled side of riders Tyler Hamilton, Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla, but redemption would suggest an element of moving on and judging them on what the team does now.

Tyler, Botero and Sevilla were all implicated in Operation Puerto, the Spanish blood doping scandal that rocked cycling in 2006. Previously to that Hamilton had served a two year ban for doping, and none faced official sanctions over Puerto.

Happy to be here
Sean Weide of Rock Racing told us that the team is very excited to be a part of this race. "The fan turnout has been overwhelming - with many people clamoring for autographs and photographs before and after each stage by our team vehicles. We had no idea what to expect and the encouragement and words of well wishes from the British cycling fans each day have made this a very positive and encouraging experience for the Rock Racing team."

John the mechanic was surprised by the narrow roads on stage two of the Tour of Britain, a bit of a culture shock we think.

Spec
Frame - Fuji SL 1 carbon
Fork - Fuji SL 1 carbon
Bars - Stella Azzurra
Wheels - Zipp and Cole
Group - Campagnolo Record
Tyres - Challenge
Saddle - K/N

Website - www.rockracing.com/