While some teams are struggling to stay alive others are stepping up and footing the bill.
I have been hearing a couple of things and thought I will put it out there. If you have any more info, leave a comment.
Some masters next year will be paid to race. I am assuming the $ will be small compared to the big leagues but it is more than what i will get for racing. I think it is all good and I would do it too. How nice to get a bit of dough and go race your bike for it. Awesome!
Now, the flip side. With sponsorships falling and teams folding I am surprised to hear about a team that downsized in order to keep the manager's salary intact. So the riders got the cut in order for the manager to keep his job. Now, I understand that you need to make a living and all that, but if you do believe in what you are working with I think you should take a leap of faith and weather out the storm like everybody else.
I am hoping that this person has already been through these leaps and that it is basic survival. Anyways, I wont mention names, but if you know who it is feel free to post a comment.
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Yes they are good racers, yes they deserve great sponsorship packages from their teams and clubs but you have to draw the line somewhere or else you contradict the category system that USAC has developed to make amateur bike racing enjoyable for its members.
The people pumping money into masters racers are killing the sport they think they are supporting. The money that goes to masters teams and racer salaries/stipends could be going to providing equipment, housing and race entries for kids and teenagers that want to race. Every masters only team should be required to provide documentation that they support a junior program via sponsor cash or product.
There are only a limited number of people in this country with the interest and means to support bicycle racing. It shouldn't be wasted on people that can work for a living and buy their own bikes, etc. Furthermore the team in questioned is one of the largest in the country......why on earth do they need to pay their riders? Does this "convince" these guys to race? The money? If that is the reason you jump on your bike and go to a local race, you should be racing the pro category. Maybe then the money in the pro race would be the same as that in a masters race, which is ridiculous.