American Pro: The True Story of Bike Racing in America

by Jamie Smith

Overview

American cycling has a long tradition of riding and racing on a shoestring and a prayer. Jamie Smith explores the domestic side of the world’s biggest amateur sport in American Pro: The True Story of Bike Racing in America.

American Pro rips away the thin veneer of professionalism among domestic racing teams to lay bare the heart and soul of a struggling sport. Smith traces the arc of one team’s racing career to discover colorful personalities, scrappy racing action, humor and heartbreak. American Pro shows what the sport demands: the scramble for contracts, the dynamics of team chemistry, the unending travel, the Herculean struggle to realize the dreamall for the love of bike racing.

With sharp humor and insight, Smith uncovers what’s wrongand what’s rightwith America’s broken bike racing system. American Pro will transform how you think of domestic pro racing through a five-season exposé of the sport we love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948006057
Publisher:	VeloPress
Publication date:	05/19/2018
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Jamie Smith is a veteran bike racer and bike race announcer. He has been a bike racer since 1983 working his way up through the ranks of amateur cycling, and a bike race announcer since 1985 traveling with some of the world's greatest cyclists. He spent several years in public relations for a sleepy Detroit suburb, receiving one Emmy nomination and several Telly Awards. Writing repetitive press releases and boring speeches inspired him to find something more exciting to write about: bike racing. A graduate of Central Michigan University's Broadcast and Cinematic Arts program, Jamie has become adept at describing cycling's most complex intricacies to normal people. His first book, Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer, was selected as a 2009 Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. He has since taken on the role of sport director to translate the complexities of bike racing for befuddled bike racers who mistakenly chase down their own teammates, miss the winning breakaway, and consistently finish one place out of the money. He currently lives in Rochester, Michigan, with his 11 bikes, 2 surfboards, 1 rowing scull, and 5 pair of cross-country skis.

Table of Contents

Preface

1 Dreaming Big

2 Anatomy of a Niche Sport

3 The Road to the Major Leagues

4 Cycling’s Sponsorship Conundrum

5 Some Assembly Required

6 Season 1: Pink, Blue, and White

7 Partnerships, Mergers, and Acquisitions

8 Sophomore Year

9 Season 2: Pink and Gray

10 Orchestrating a Bike Race

11 The Weight of a Pro License

12 Season 3: Pink, Gray, and White

13 The Friends and Family Plan

14 Finding the Right Formula

15 Season 4: The Red Army Marches On

16 Cycling’s Clear and Present Danger

17 Uncertainty Sets In

18 Season 5: Red and Black

19 Closing Up Shop

20 The Taking of Fuzhou

Epilogue

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Reading the Race by Jamie Smith with Chris Horner

“A practical manual for those who want to learn the tricks of the trade.

Podium Café

Reading the Race outlines the key mechanics of reading a race and, more importantly, how to win.

Road Bike Review

Everything you’ve wanted to know (and more) about a somewhat mysterious sport.

Chicago Tribune

You will recognize yourself...in this gently amusing and well written book.

Arrivee

This witty primer offers lively insights...Get it for family members and friends.

Denver Post

We should be very grateful for this epiphany; members of my family had to ask me to stop laughing so much while I was enjoying ROADIE!

The Washing Machine Post.net

"Many cyclists start out whipping around city streets in small towns dreaming of making it bigit’s how I started racing. American Pro details the heart, dedication, and sacrifice that one team’s staff and riders go through trying to make it.

Frankie Andreu

Many cyclists start out whipping around city streets in small towns dreaming of making it big—it’s how I started racing. American Pro details the heart, dedication, and sacrifice that one team’s staff and riders go through trying to make it.” —FRANKIE ANDREU, former pro cyclist and Olympian

Selected Praise for ROADIE by Jamie Smith and Jef Mallet

“Everything you’ve wanted to know (and more) about a somewhat mysterious sport.” — Chicago Tribune

“This witty primer offers lively insights…Get it for family members and friends.” — Denver Post

“We should be very grateful for this epiphany; members of my family had to ask me to stop laughing so much while I was enjoying ROADIE!” — The Washing Machine Post

“You will recognize yourself…in this gently amusing and well written book.” — Arrivee

Selected Praise for READING THE RACE by Jamie Smith with Chris Horner

“A practical manual for those who want to learn the tricks of the trade.” — Podium Café

“Reading the Race outlines the key mechanics of reading a race and, more importantly, how to win.” — Road Bike Review

From the Publisher