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New Ironman Pro Membership

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Rappstar

Nov 7, 09 9:45

Post #76 of 238 (1451 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [desert dude] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I agree. I did have my doubts about you, especially since it took you 3 years of full time training to finally beat me ;-).

I was pointing out that Jordan was being somewhat hypocritical given where he started out.

I don't think this really ought to be about me, but I don't actually think I was hypocritical. The primary reason for getting a pro card had/has nothing to do with competitiveness. It has to do with long term intent. I got my pro card because I wanted to make a career out of being a pro. Same with Jonnyo. Same with Sergio. There are plenty of guys for whom that is not the objective. They are not planning on ever quitting their job, etc. That's a big difference. I have a lot more respect for a young guy who gets his pro card and gets his ass whipped for a couple years than I do for a guy who gets his pro card in his 30's because he's decided he's "too fast to race age group."

Jonny brought up some other ideas that I've reiterated several times - keep the races, but remove the prize purse. The problem with this is that WTC does not own many of the races. But at least for Ironman, they could mandate no pro field at every other north american ironman. Of course, then they worry about folks "poaching" at those races, and I'm not sure how to prevent that.

Rappstar

Nov 7, 09 9:52

Post #77 of 238 (1444 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [pjevoe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Hi kiddos,

I'm not normally a slow-twitch reader or poster, but on this issue I was interested to read the opinions out there. I am also a professional triathlete and have my own feelings on this program. I wrote them out on my blog. It's a long read and I think some of the points are redundant with what others have expressed here, but it's my opinion. If you're interested in my thoughts:

http://www.patrickevoe.com/...nd_Race_Reports.html

Pat
www.patrickevoe.com

You missed one potentially significant point in all this. Right now, it is not clear that everyone who has a pro card & pays $750 will get a membership. I.e., there is very definitive wording that implies an approval process. If this is the case, and it's how I read it, then I think this is a very good thing. If this is not the case, then I think this is not a bad thing, but also not really a good thing.

The way that I see it, they are focused on tightening up the quality of the pro field, which means they are going to deny people membership. And that is a good thing. Otherwise, it will be like you say - a simple way for the folks who race a lot to save money, regardless of how competitive they are.

timboricki

Nov 7, 09 10:13

Post #78 of 238 (1418 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Record10Carbon] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Plenty of people watch fat guys in khakis and golf shirts play golf for 4 hours. Sometimes they even watch the same event for 4 days.
Aside from sponsorship money - golfers don't get paid unless they are "in the money" in an event.
Watching an entire IM race end-to-end on TV is not going to happen. What WTC could do is drop in snippets of a race during Football, Basketball, Golf, etc broadcasts.

desert dude

Nov 7, 09 10:15

Post #79 of 238 (1415 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You say intent, and I know you had to begin with and now have every intention of dedicating yourself to the lifestyle and being as good as you can be.

But how do you determine who is pro and who is too good to keep kicking Ag ass. the guy who gets tired of kicking AG ass at 33 and gets a pro card and is top 10 here and there at 70.3 races. Pro or not? His intent is to be as fast as he can be. Is he as dedicated as you probably not, but if he can place top 10 here and there he has the skill level.

The elite who works almost or full time and can still make some good placings here and there, pro or not? his intent is to be as fast as he can be.

The top AGer who turns pro and hangs around the 2nd tier level for X years, pro or not? His intent is to be as fast as he can be.

Intentions are great, but then what about the pro who opens a bike or running shop and sticks racing on the back burner for a few years. Still has the skills to pull of good placings and probably does, but wants to have plan B in place before finishing plan A. pro or not?

I like jonny's and your ideas as well. But if wtc is going to institute a pseudo caste system, it might be better to have a category system like bike racing. Then people have a know procedure in place. Do or no go.

Intent is hard to quantify and doesn't = quality. Results indicate quality (although some races are easier then others to place).

just playing devils advocate.

Brian Stover Accelerate3 Coaching, Blog
Save at TriSports.com - use code BSTOV-S when placing your order

DamonHenry

Nov 7, 09 10:29

Post #80 of 238 (1403 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"Pseudo-pros" blurring the line between pro and amateur might lure more people to the sport. Is IM a better fantasy camp when someone can imagine winning an age group, with a time that is faster than some professionals? Has this blurring grown Ironman? Would there be prize money without this blurring? Human interest stories make up a large part of the Kona broadcasts. Does the existence of the entire bell curve help people on any part of the curve imagine moving along the curve? Maybe every part of the curve is essential for prize money to exist.

Do you know if the main use of the $750 fee is to cover the cost of drug testing?

KJ

Nov 7, 09 11:12

Post #81 of 238 (1355 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [DamonHenry] [In reply to]	Can't Post

One thing that has been glaringly omitted from this thread is the 40 IM 70.3's out there with $25K + prize money. How many Halfs had ANY prize money 4-5 years ago? The opportunity to make money as a pro at the 70.3 distance has increased significantly in the past few years.

I see most of the 70.3's going to at least $30K, with increases beyond that for alot of them. I don't think there were any halfs/70.3's 4 years ago with that kind of money up for grabs. Now, there are alot of races out there with money.

The landscape has changed considerably in the past couple of years, and I'd actually venture to say that it's been for the better.

If you look at it objectively, WTC has REALLY stepped up at the 70.3 distance, to offer this kind of prize money. We could go back to the stone ages of a few years ago, when you'd race a top flight half iron and win $500...

mcaiazzo

Nov 7, 09 11:53

Post #82 of 238 (1315 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"I have a lot more respect for a young guy who gets his pro card and gets his ass whipped for a couple years than I do for a guy who gets his pro card in his 30's because he's decided he's "too fast to race age group." "

Why do you have more respect for the young guy than the older guy who just wants to start the race with the top guys? I raced AG for a year and thought it sucked. I hated not know what place I was in, either in my AG or overall. I got my pro card so that throughout the race I knew exactly what place I was in, even though I probably wasn't fast enough.

I also think this membership, assuming everyone who has a pro card is given a membership, is going to increase the number of 2nd, 3rd 4th tier pros. If you were a top AG and had a chance to get your pro card and only have to pay 750+100 to race as many IM and 70.3 in a year what a huge savings! I agree that there a quite a few pros that shouldn't be racing as pro. On the fllip side if the standard is too tough you may have 2-5 pros at some races. I agree with JonnyO that limiting the number of 70.3 and IM races that have $$$ and making the few that do major events.

Mike
http://www.MikeCaiazzo.com
http://www.USProTri.com

CCF

Nov 7, 09 12:01

Post #83 of 238 (1307 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [jonnyo] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Looks at least like it's a better organized system then that which was in place before. I wonder how they decided on the 5% time cut for Kona/Clearwater qualification.

This will be a HUGE discount for many pros. With IM registration fees at $600 and most (all?) 70.3 fees at $200-250, you can make up $750 in a hurry.

-C

Not at all...... there is no organistation in this...just collection money

It s going to be a HUGE discount for the pros that dont deserve to be racing pros....

But for the real contender, it s simply one more expense with no positive coming from it..... unless they commit to rise prize purse and number of drug testing..... if i can make up for that memebership by a rise in prize money...i m all for it...

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. It's pretty clear that WTC doesn't really care about prize money. Many years ago they had to make the decision to build their sport through the "excellent athletes doing amazing things route" or the "inspirational everyman" route. It's pretty clear which they chose, but I don't get why they can't do both.
------------------------------------------------------------
"I was doing a lot of math the last 800 meters."--Amy Yoder-Begley, after finishing third and meeting the olympic 'A' standard by 1.4 seconds in the women's 10000m final at the 2008 US Olympic Trials

http://ccftri.googlepages.com/home

squash110

Nov 7, 09 12:25

Post #84 of 238 (1281 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I Think "Pseudo pro's" are part of the game. For most athletes no matter what the sport this is how you start, at the bottom. Jordan and Jonnyo do you feel that you would be the athletes you are today if you were not allowed to be a "Pseudo pro"? Getting out there and getting your butt handed to you probably inspired you to work harder and dig for something more. Would you be able to make the Jump from an elite age grouper to the pro you are today without that middle step. I say without an elite age group wave at Ironmans this is very difficult. If an athlete wants to jump from a top end age grouper to back of pack pro, let them. After getting beat they will quickly decide that, this is not for me, or be inspired to push beyond themselves and work harder. No matter if you have 20 pro's or 4 amazing pro's at a race Ironman is not going to change the prize money available just because the field is more elite.

The real problem lies in WTC's monopolization of the sport. They own it and will pay whatever they want to pay. Look at other sports and you will quickly see the difference. Even in my own home town (350,000 people) there is a running race called Bloomsday (it is only a 12k). it is 45,000+ competitors. Elite Kenyan athletes are payed to appear, and are flown in from kenya. Even with these high caliber athletes racing many local athletes still walked away with nice pay checks. There is even a break down of being a top athlete from Washington state. Elites are taken out. $1,000 for first, $750 for second, $500 for 3rd, and $250 for 4th. If you noticed the track and field grand Prix circuit this summer, at every race no matter what even you were doing. it was $30,000 for first, $20,000 for 2nd and $15,000 for 3rd. We participate in a sport that is own by a company, and one that has its eyes on profit, not the health of the sport.
http://josh-hadway.blogspot.com/

Mito Chondria

Nov 7, 09 13:02

Post #85 of 238 (1255 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [timboricki] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

what IM Racing / WTC need to provide to allow the pros to make a decent living is greater exposure (IE - sponsorship money).

And what triathlon "pros" need to understand is that there is not that much money in this sport, at least at the long distance level. I think the problem with triahtlon racing and America in general is that everybody is interested in "what's in it for me" and many feel deserving. Sure, it might seem unfair that the basketball and baseball pros earn all that money and from that perspective it's not "fair". But pros need to understand that a sponsorship is a sponsorship and the company that provides free product and cash incentives does so because they anticipate and excpect a certain return. A company does not adopt a pro, they sponsor the athlete and if the return on the money is not there (and I highly doubt it is and there will be adjustments to come with triathlon sponsorships) then they will reduce the incentive or might completely pull the sponsorship.
Nobody is deserving of anything and once people change to that mentality then they have more realistic expectations. I would have loved to give triathlon a shot and race "pro" but I realized that not only was sponsorship money hard to come by but in addition to that it will be less in the future. That's why I made the decision not to pursue the sport to the best of my abilities. There are choices in life and we all have to deal with those. WTC doesn't own anybody anything and neither do companies that produce triathlon or other products. If people would look at life more realistic they'd have much less expectations and would feel less deserving. All that said, sure it would be nice if everybody that is talented could make a living doing the sport, but in the grand scheme of things, all the pros due is ride their bike and train, how does that benefit society or the economy? Look at the root of what sponsorship is; the reason companies started to pay and support athletes that proudly wear the company's logo was because it was worth it from a ROI point of view. Without that there is no sponsorship. We're all adults and try to make a living and having the expectation that somebody out there simply should support a gifted athlete because they are gifted and love to ride their bikes while everybody is working is well...unrealistic.

WTC has one obligation as a company and that is to give its shareholders a return on their investment. Before anybody jumps on WTC for increasing fees and reducing the pro price purse, etc. people need to realize that Providence bought WTC and they paid lots of money for it. I doubt that it was a wise investment and personally I would have never touched WTC. For one I think that triathlon was already too popular and second triathlon and Ironman benefited extremely from the disposable income that came with the credit bubble. They don't own anything to pros and it wouldn't surpise me one bit if they were (had to) reduce their cost and with that reduce the price purses.

And just to clarify, I know that there are many pros out there that very much appreciate their sponsors and the opportunity they have. I'm not trying to attack pros or triathlon with this post but think that sometimes it helps to remain realistic. If only our government would give it a try sometimes...

�The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.� -Michelangelo

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(This post was edited by Mito Chondria on Nov 7, 09 13:04)

devashish_paul

Nov 7, 09 13:04

Post #86 of 238 (1252 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [squash110] [In reply to]	Can't Post

All the truly elite pros need the back of the pro pack pseudo pros just as much.

Otherwise, you get a field on race day of 5 pros at most North America Ironman events. This is not a good thing. Better to have 50 with 5 "real pros" and 45 guys and gals who will get their asses handed to them, only because a race with only yourself is really not much of a race!

www.kestrelbicycles.com |www.infinitnutrition.ca | www.nineteenwetsuits.com
Free camps: Whiteface Hill Climb + Epicman Lake Placid 3k/180k/21k June 10/11 2010

Mito Chondria

Nov 7, 09 13:15

Post #87 of 238 (1245 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [squash110] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

The real problem lies in WTC's monopolization of the sport. They own it and will pay whatever they want to pay. Look at other sports and you will quickly see the difference. Even in my own home town (350,000 people) there is a running race called Bloomsday (it is only a 12k). it is 45,000+ competitors. Elite Kenyan athletes are payed to appear, and are flown in from kenya. Even with these high caliber athletes racing many local athletes still walked away with nice pay checks. There is even a break down of being a top athlete from Washington state. Elites are taken out. $1,000 for first, $750 for second, $500 for 3rd, and $250 for 4th. If you noticed the track and field grand Prix circuit this summer, at every race no matter what even you were doing. it was $30,000 for first, $20,000 for 2nd and $15,000 for 3rd. We participate in a sport that is own by a company, and one that has its eyes on profit, not the health of the sport.

Let's work the numbers for a second. Your hometown race with 45k competitors and an average entry fee of $22.50 brings in $1,012,500 in entry fees. An IM event with 2000 entries and $500 per sign up yields about the same at $1M. Sure WTC has a monopoly over the IM series but nobody is forcing anybody to sign up for that. Two years ago somebody tried to start a competing race series. I applauded their effort but had doubts that it would take off because people want the "official" Ironman event that they became accustomed to. Especially in a credit bubble. I think that this new race series would have a greater chance at being successful starting next year as people become more conscious about their spending habits. Then again, it's a tough task to start a competing series rather than an individual race. But the point is that people have a choice and they are loyal to the monopoly of Ironman, at least for now. But when you break it down it shouldn't surprise you that the local race with that many competitors can give the kind of price money. I'd guess that their event cost is alot less than that of an Ironman event.

For some reason WTC is the evil corporation here but when you look at it, do you really think that your local 12k running event is non-profit?

�The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.� -Michelangelo

MoodBoost Drink : Mood Support + Energy.

sevans

Nov 7, 09 13:21

Post #88 of 238 (1237 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [timboricki] [In reply to]	Can't Post

IM Pro's are amazing athletes with more heart and willpower than anyone playing in the NFL on Sunday.

This is so not true.

squash110

Nov 7, 09 13:56

Post #89 of 238 (1197 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Mito Chondria] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In response to Mito Chondria Yes the race in my home town is put on by a non profit organization called BRRC. They support local high school running in the area. Everything from putting on and paying for regional and district meets, to paying all expenses for the top 25 local high school athletes to go and compete and foot locker nationals in California. When Public schools cut elementary cross country BRRC stepped in as the title sponsor and covered the bill to bring elementary cross country back. This is an investment back into the sport.
http://josh-hadway.blogspot.com/

Mito Chondria

Nov 7, 09 14:15

Post #90 of 238 (1173 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [squash110] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great that the organization behind your race is supporting a good cause.

You could have a non-profit organization that pulls in $1M and pays its employees and board members $995k and the remaining $5k goes to a charity. So the company behind it is totalally non-profit and gets more donations as a result of its image. I'm not implying in any way that this is the case with the organization behind this event but people in general are often naive and have a wrong impression of what can and does go on behind the official image of non-profit organizations.

�The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.� -Michelangelo

MoodBoost Drink : Mood Support + Energy.

squash110

Nov 7, 09 14:19

Post #91 of 238 (1175 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Mito Chondria] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with you on that one! I know the members of the Organization and you definitely don't get involved for the money. They actually just got together and asked the local high school programs what they needed, due to a surplus in funds. Possible chip timing system is on the way :)
http://josh-hadway.blogspot.com/

rhys

Nov 7, 09 14:24

Post #92 of 238 (1167 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [ShawnF] [In reply to]	Can't Post

one question:

what will be the double standard by WTC? For example, do we think Crowie and Wellington (both studs, both respected immensely) will honestly be paying this fee; honestly be paying to race Hawaii? I don't know, I am just asking if we think this is going to really work fairly.

I don't know, but I suspect the top, top tier pro athletes will be treated differently. I mean they are today; for example:

Mirinda Carfrae was 70.3 world champ in 2007 but raced Hawaii in 2009. Her qualifying spot rolled over to 2009. Now, she proved them right and kicked ass BUT Mirinda did not qualify for the 2009 Hawaii race.

Anyway, this is the pro's problem but one thing they should all get together on is the redistribution of the $$. That is bull shit totally.
http://www.rhysspencer.blogspot.com/

The_Mickstar

Nov 7, 09 14:27

Post #93 of 238 (1161 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [slink] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

If the winner has a big enough margin, they should walk into the finish line and try to spread out the prize money for the others. If there is no re-distribution, then why not? Would the WTC like that?

Wouldn't that be something?

I can see it now...

All the pro women come to an agreement before the start that they are only going to "race" until the 26-mile mark of the marathon, then stop/wait until the 10th place (or however many they pay) woman arrives. Then, they just stroll across the line in the order they arrived...

NOTE: I do not believe that that many women could ever agree with or trust each other like that. But, it would be something to see!

Steve

Cerv�lo Mafia
member since June 2006

Mito Chondria

Nov 7, 09 14:43

Post #94 of 238 (1134 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [The_Mickstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Even better yet, would be the expression of all the pros the following year when the race purse is cut in half. I don't think IM needs the pros. Great performances certainly can't hurt but there is always somebody else to take the spot of those that feel they are not adequately compensated.

I'm not against pros or pro-WTC, I could care less. But I wouldn't hold it against them to pull their tricks out of their bags if the pros feel like they need to be union organized.

What happened to the spirit of HTFU?

�The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.� -Michelangelo

MoodBoost Drink : Mood Support + Energy.

trackie clm

Nov 7, 09 14:48

Post #95 of 238 (1121 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [rhys] [In reply to]	Can't Post

>>what will be the double standard by WTC? For example, do we think Crowie and Wellington (both studs, both respected immensely) will honestly be paying this fee; honestly be paying to race Hawaii? I don't know, I am just asking if we think this is going to really work fairly. <<

Does any former winner of the race pay and entry fee? If not, then you should probably find a different example.

clm

http://ironclm.typepad.com

aarondavidson

Nov 7, 09 14:50

Post #96 of 238 (1118 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [ShawnF] [In reply to]	Can't Post

WTC could be doing this for a variety of reason, one could be more pros showing up to 70.3 races. As they can now race 70.3 races branded 'cheaper' than showing up to Silverman, Pumpkin, Cranberry, Firm, Illini, or one of the other nameless races. Another way to monopolize ultra distance.

This could also be a push towards a point system first for Pros and AG down the line. Acquiring points at different races for Kona/Cleawater.

No one owes you anything. You are a Pro? Thats great I dont care. If not for Slowtwitch I would not care about Jordan, JohhnyO, or MarkyV, but their input here and their 'down-to-earthness' adds value to the forum. So when Jordan won Canada and Marky crashed in Kona, I was happy for Jordan and sad for Marky. At Timberman, I crashed and as a result I got to meet Chrissie Wellington, Bjorn Anderrssssonn, and a few other pros because I cared in my bike that was broken.

In Kona I met Desiree Ficker, and Norman Stadler (who I met waiting in line to use the bathroom, he told me he had a small one and then corrected himself saying he only had ot go small). Neat stories, and they enhanced my experience at that race.

In the end I care about my placing, in my AG and OA. That is true for most AGers.

Honestly outside of Kona, the population that cares what place a pro finishes at any other race is minimal because most add little to no value for most AGers. Yes I care what the fastest bikes were at Kona, but I also know that the same athletes on other brands probably would have performed similarly.

Again I bring up the point is what do you as a pro add to the sport? Most pros I would argue bring little if any value. This is unfortunate but not everyone can be a coach, and good luck to you when you are in your late 30s, with no degree and no experience. So potentially this move by WTC could benefit the sport by consolidating the pros into their ranks and out of independent races meaning more pros at fewer races.

Alot of bitching, but no major points as to how this harms the sport. Remember this only effects Ironman branded races and USAT issues pro licenses not WTC. Nor does this effect AG in qualifying.
-- Aaron Davidson

aarondavidson

Nov 7, 09 15:02

Post #97 of 238 (1102 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [aarondavidson] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Also dont get me wrong, pros do and can add value most do not. I am going to generalize here, but unfortunately most try to add value by writing articles and coaching. Most can not do either well. Just because you are 'fast' does not mean you can write or coach. Others can coach or write well. However most limit themselves to only these two avenues.

Plenty of other ways to add value for the sport, sponsors, and for the AG.
-- Aaron Davidson

Fleck

Nov 7, 09 15:15

Post #98 of 238 (1081 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have a lot more respect for a young guy who gets his pro card and gets his ass whipped for a couple years than I do for a guy who gets his pro card in his 30's because he's decided he's "too fast to race age group."

JR

Careful there, because that pretty much describes MissP. What should she do? Crush it in her AG or race Pro against women at her level and really challenge herself? She does have a full-time job, because triathlon earns a couple thousand dollars a year, plus some free gear. How do you live off of that?

Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck

rhys

Nov 7, 09 15:34

Post #99 of 238 (1055 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [trackie clm] [In reply to]	Can't Post

any winner of Hawaii does not have to re-qualify. They have a life time ticket. but, this press release suggests ALL PROS PAY TO RACE HAWAII.

What I am saying is, will they make the top flight pro pay to go the superbowl of ironman?

I just don't think, and this is an opinion, there is going to be equality from the top pro (Macca, Crowie, Stadler, Lieto, Chrissie, Badman, Major Kate etc. etc) to the pro's who finish 20th.

This said the only thing I find bull shit with it is not re-distributing the money. That just spells CHEAP.
http://www.rhysspencer.blogspot.com/

Mito Chondria

Nov 7, 09 15:35

Post #100 of 238 (1053 views)

Re: New Ironman Pro Membership [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't understand this. So you are suggesting that the pros unionize. Now what exactly do the pros as a collective group bring to the table? This is not baseball or football that has people watching and following the sport on television. There are no big advertising contracts like the other sports have and there is reason for this; Ironman racing is not spectator friendly. There are no kids buying jerseys of the pros, so no merchandising revenue there either.

So what is it exactly that the pros bring to the table for WTC and how would their lack of presence really affect the race series? I'm not saying that great performances don't enhance the series and bring media attention with it but let's keep it real here. Ironman is not a spectator friendly sport and with that there is not much money in it. I don't blame the networks for not showing triathlon as they go with the sports that have an audience. At IM Hawaii this year you had one amazing race on paper but it still didn't turn out to be "interesting". It was like watching paint dry, at least to me. There was not much of a spectator friendly battle in the front and if that is the reaction from people that enjoy racing themselves then what hope is there for long distance triathlon in its current format for the bigger media? Now I'm not taking anything away from any pros performance. It was a great race from a performance point of view and some athletes that could have made the race more interesting didn't have a great day. That's normal and happens but it doesn't change the fact that the race in itself didn't have much of a battle that would have kept a greater audience watching.

It seems to me that the unionization of the pros comes down to bringing socialism into the triathlon world. Now what if all the advertisers of Triathletes magazine would unionize to drive advertising cost down to half. Would unions still be an ok option or would this hit too close to home? I have nothing against your publication, triathlon or WTC. Nobody is forced to enter a race, nobody is forced trying to make a living with a job that doesn't have a great success ratio of making a good living. If the TDF were a TT style non-draft event it wouldn't have such a big audience and with that cycling pros would earn about as much as pro triathletes. Neither one is right or wrong but people know what they get themselves into and we all make choices in life.

�The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.� -Michelangelo

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