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by J. T. Fisher

Out with the old and in with the new…whereas our beloved Disco team did us all proud more times than we could have ever asked of them, nothing lasts forever, and now we see these powerful and talented riders scattered to the wind to seed the next crop of great cycling teams and ensure a healthy dose of American representation in all the best races.  Conveniently, just as Disco begins fades from the spotlight along comes a new troop to proclaim itself the top US Pro cycling team, and they seem to be going there in truly fresh and unique ways. 

Slipstream-Chipotle, led by ex-racer Jonathan Vaughters, has assembled a team of top U.S. domestic pros and, if their performance at last week’s inaugural Tour of Missouri is any indication, we can look to them to pick up their share of big race wins. 

In the meantime, they’ve come up with an inventive way for all of us to get a little more personally involved with the team, by asking us to design and select their official team kit for 2008. 

Although the deadline of September 15, 2007 has passed for additional entries, quite a few concepts made it in before the deadline.     View all 613 of them at:  http://www.slipstreamsports.com/fun.jersey.php

Just so you don’t go there expecting to see wild eyed dragons searing little European WADA officials with flames shot from their noses (not that we have any problem with that), a few guidelines were imposed and, without listing every nit and nat and all the lawyer-told-me-to’s, the primary points were that:

-  Designs must contain at least one of the team’s current “pantone” colors: Blue: 279 Orange: 144. […gosh, we haven’t the foggiest idea what Pantone means; sounds like a large-eared little Italian climber].

-  Designs must incorporate the Slipstream argyle pattern, and they’ve reminded us that “Argyle” is “a pattern containing diamonds in a diagonal checkerboard arrangement.” [Couldn’t they have just said “looks preppy.”  Or, in cycling lingo, “a distressing look such that riders will hide deep within peleton.”  Actually can’t wait to purchase mine so I’ll stop dropping off the back.] 

-  Of course, all designs must feature the team and certain sponsor logos, or else they wouldn’t look like cycling jerseys, would they?

Every contest needs rules, and those aren’t so bad.  Nothing ruled out depicting the sacrifice of Dick Pound as described above, for example.  Every contest should also have a prize, if one expects people to participate, and this one certainly has a nice package to offer.  Here’s how that works: -  One prize will be awarded, the Grand Prize [Brilliant.  Glad the one prize wasn’t going to be “Second Prize”]. -  A panel comprised of […cutting to the chase, some people, but not you and me] will judge the entries. -  The people (not you and me) will select 5 finalists, then voting will be open to you and me to select the one Grand Prize winner.-  Public voting on the 5 final designs commenced yesterday, in theory, but the finalist designs are not up yet so I’ve sent a kind note to the good people at Slipstream asking them for an update.  Voting closes on Friday, Sept 21, 2007.

The Grand Prize winner will be announced at the 2007 Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, and will receive a new racing bicycle, assorted cycling clothing (need we mention ARGYLE cycling clothing, to be precise, probably every scrap with the OLD design still cluttering the team’s storage closet) and a jersey autographed by professional cyclists.

The total retail value of the Grand Prize is estimated to be approximately $2,300. [At that value, not a team bike, I hope].  So don’t miss your chance to participate in yet another potential cycling conflict, by voting for your favorite Argyle.  Vote at:  http://www.slipstreamsports.com/fun.jerseytop5.php