Lower Division; Higher Reason
Mike Creed is no wallflower.
In fact, neither is - or was - the now-defunct Team SmartStop, the small US domestic outfit that he has directed so successfully for the past two seasons.
Constantly punching above their weight and specializing in giant-slaying, the boys in blue, white and yellow have certainly achieved the amazing while operating on a budget that might cover some of the top squads' monthly food bill. Want proof? Check out the Creed's 2015 pre-season training camp gallery, where the riders are pictured doing yoga on cardboard mats outside their accommodation.
It is always sad when such a successful squad is retired once a title sponsorship has expired. The smaller outfits are what makes the professional component of the sport what it is, be it acting as a feeder to the bigger leagues, developing young riders or providing upsets at major races. While names like Rob Britton and Eric Marcotte are unlikely to enter the average cycling fan's subconscious, these guys are exceptional bike riders and, in Marcotte's case, a part-time elite athlete due his practicing as a chiropractor. Division 3 serves a critical purpose and is not to be sneezed at, however small the squad and/or budget.
Closer to home, a similar squad with similar characteristics and shoestring funding is also riding off into the proverbial sunset. Team Abantu is based in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa, not exactly the centre of elite road racing in the Rainbow Nation. Abantu is a Zulu term for a group of two or more people and is an apt description of the squad whose leader, Nolan Hoffman, has recently added yet another prestigious race victory to his impressive domestic palmares. Already victorious in the wildfire-shortened Cape Town Cycle Tour over the likes of Marks Cavendish and Renshaw back in March, the track specialist now looks to be without a squad in 2016.
With Team MTN-Qhubeka now firmly ensconced in the mainstream international arena, the South African domestic circuit for 2016 is facing the same stark reality it did some twenty years ago: no domestic professional teams. Ironically, the two major players of that time, Douglas Ryder and Malcolm Lange, both went on to form their own squads whilst still riding and were critical components in the revival of professional scene down here. Then again, life is cyclical and perhaps this is but a new nadir point for the future of local pro cycling.
Back to Mike Creed and one cannot help but wonder if his innate tactical nous and unique directing style have attracted the attention of some of the bigger squads. A clearly articulate and highly intelligent individual, Creed's zany persona - stand up comedy is one of his favored pastimes - mask a highly talented professional who has perhaps found his true vocation post-riding career. A BMC or an Orica-GreenEdge could no doubt use such an asset who has now clearly served his apprenticeship in the race convoy over the past two seasons.
Paying one's dues as rider is one thing; directing or coaching at an elite level follows a similar long and winding path to the upper echelons of management, where necessary experience and confidence needs to be gained on the lower rungs of the ladder. Just like Michael Phelps would need to work with junior swimmers should he decide to become a coach, time in the nether divisions provides the aspiring DS with the requisite smarts and intellect required for the major leagues. Take a look at any major cycling team and you'll find several directors who were not necessarily champion cyclists, but who served their time and put their support-rider roles to good use upon assume the responsibility of team management. Doug Ryder, Brian Smith and Jens Zemke; all former riders who are now part of a dynamic management setup to use Africa's Team as an example.
What does 2016 hold for Michael Creed? The likes of VeloNews are no doubt in the know but I would like to find out first! Does a progression into the World Tour beckon, or will the American's career trajectory diversify into acting or comedy or TV commentating?
Mike - if you read this, do get in touch!
