First question was based on Rock Racing suing to get into the Tour de Georgia, then reaching a settlement to get in the race after Saunier Duval withdrew. This on top of three riders being banned from the Tour of California promoter AEG for being involved in Operacion Puerto. The questioner said the events related to the Tour de Georgia seem to continue the trend of “everything” Rock does is accompanied by a hassel, then asked what kind of reception the team will get in Georgia from the fans and other teams.

“I think the perception thus far has been a positive and a negative from the get-go. We started last year. It was difficult for the racing community to understand who we were and where we were coming from, this fashion company coming and sponsoring a bunch of misfits. And very quickly we became the underdogs, and by the end of the season, we had become a significant team domestically.

“What happened at Tour of California and how we’ve developed since then is really a representation of what the brand is and what I look forward to bringing to cycling. And that is excitement and some new ideas and kind of leaving what was in cycling as far some of the drama and some of negative aspects behind, and moving fowward into more of an entertainment perspective and a true spectator sport. In other words, so the television and networks can pick it, so the sponsors aren’t paying to be put on the back of a jersey but actually paying to be seen during the televised course of a race. That’s where I’m coming from.

“I hope that the teams are understanding that. I think they are. We just did Redlands and won, and the couple of days were a bit contentious as far as the attitude towards us. But by the end, guys were coming up and saying atta boy and good job and we look forward to racing with you guys in the future. Unfortunately, some teams don’t get it. BMC won the second stage, and the fans weren’t over asking for autographs they were around us and what we were doing, based on the marketing aspect. But BMC, the guy who won the stage and Tony Cruz in particular came up and said, “You know what, we get this, and this is pretty cool. We want to be part of this.” I hope the sport and the fans understand what you guys are doing.

“I think they’re getting it. The initial walls are starting to come down and they can see the positive aspect of what we’re doing..”