| Team information | |
|---|---|
| UCI code | RRC |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Disbanded | 2009 |
| Discipline(s) | Pro and Elite Amateur Men's Road |
| Status | Continental |
| Bicycles | De Rosa |
| Key personnel | |
| General manager | Michael Ball |
| Team manager(s) | Rudy Pevenage and Laurenzo LaPage |
| Team name history | |
2007–2009 | Rock Racing |
Rock Racing (UCI Code: RR) was a cycling team founded in 2007 by Michael Ball. The team is affiliated with Ball's Rock & Republic clothing line.[1] Rock Racing received media attention for hiring outcasts in the sport, including those tainted by performance-enhancing drug scandals. The team's "bad boy image" was furthered by the design of the team kits, and its motto was "Here to stay" which may have served to incite the anti-doping efforts of the time.
The team rides De Rosa and branded the DeRosa logo across some versions of their 2008 kits.[2] Ball hoped his expertise in brand marketing will sell merchandise linked to the team.[3] Other product sponsorships for 2008 included Stella Azzurra parts, LAS Helmets, and Campagnolo components. The team's support vehicles were black Cadillac SUVs.
After failing to secure a UCI Professional Continental license for 2010, the team brought in the government of the Spanish autonomous community of Murcia (who previously sponsored the now-defunct Contentpolis-Ampo) as a co-title sponsor. Although they planned to seek UCI Continental registration under a Mexican license, and signed Floyd Landis to their roster.[4] On 3 March 2010 it was announced that Rock Racing would not be awarded a professional licence of any form and as a result would race as an amateur team in the 2010 season: Landis had a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the team in the case of their not being granted professional status.[5]
After Floyd Landis was signed by the team he visited Ball's house wired by the FDA. The evidence found led to a search of Ball's residence.[6]
- ^ Rock Racing's Ball stirs up conservative cycling world (USAtoday)
- ^ Rock Racing on DeRosa, Fuji, and Scott bike frames during 2007-2008 (BikeRadar.com) Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Men in Black (Outside Magazine, May 2008, p.6) Archived November 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rock Racing rolls on as Rock Racing-Murcia Archived October 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rock Racing Officially Denied Pro License | Cyclingnews.com Archived August 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Landis Reported To Have Worn Wire In Meeting With Michael Ball | Cyclingnews.com Archived February 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine