As reported today, HTC Highroad star rider Mark Cavendish is strongly rumoured to have signed a deal to compete with Sky Procycling in 2012, moving away from the team he has been an important part of for several years.
HTC Highroad directeur sportif Brian Holm conceded to VeloNation yesterday that Cavendish could head elsewhere, saying that the team would miss him greatly if he left, but that its ability to develop and support top talent would mean that it would continue to be very successful.
One factor that will influence the team’s future is the financial aspect. The American squad has been the most successful team the last two years, and again so far this season are leading with number of race wins, having racked up a total of 29. Despite this, title sponsor HTC will be leaving the team at the end of the year and owner Bob Stapleton has been left to find a new sponsor.
Time is running out and there have been rumours that team might amalgamate with another, such as the American Pro Continental team Healthnet. Holm confirmed to VeloNation that there is still some uncertainty about what will happen, but added that he believed that big efforts were being made to secure the team’s future. “I hear those rumours all the time. Honestly I don’t have a clue what will happen,” he said. "The only thing I’m sure about is that Mr. Stapleton is not the kind of cowboy who is just going to give up the fight.”
The team has been in the same place before, when Deutsche Telekom stopped their sponsorship in 2007. They carried on as Highroad – which is the sports company that runs the team – until June 2008 when Columbia Sportswear came on board in time for the Tour de France. HTC then signed up the following season.
Through these turbulent times, the team has remained focussed and continued to nurture and develop talent. Last year Tejay van Garderen joined the team and immediately impressed in stage races. This year 22 year old John Degenkolb already has six victories in his debut professional season.
Ingredients of success:
When asked, Holm explains some of the reasons why the team is so successful, and why it clocks up so many victories throughout the year. One major factor is hunger. “We always ride to win - always. You never hear us saying ‘we are here for training,’” he said. “That of course puts a certain pressure on the riders, but when they win, they don’t complain anymore. A good old fashion ‘kick in the ass’ is always good for the motivation too. But we make sure the ‘kick in his ass’ is to motivate them - and not destroy them.”
“We’ve got a strict alcohol policy,” he continued. “For me it’s strange to see young kids at 22 years old drinking Chardonnay or Heineken beer during a stage race. It’s not going to happen here.”
The other reason Holm said that makes the team so successful is their attention to detail when it comes to equipment.
“Our material, the tyres, skin suits, bikes, wheels, etc, is way ahead of other teams. Most teams say a wheel is a wheel and a tyre is a tyre. We’ve got wheels and tyres for rain, sun, cobbles or for hilly courses. It’s a nightmare for the mechanics, but looks like it works.
“A big part of cycling is in the head and if you believe you’re one step ahead of the other ‘old fashioned’ teams, you already have half of the victory.”
HTC-Highroad will see the Tour de France as an opportunity to display their strengths and marketable ability. Mark Cavendish will be aiming to the win the sprinters green jersey for the first time while Tony Martin, Peter Velits and Van Garderen will place their hopes on the general classification. In the meantime, Stapleton will continue to work to secure the team’s future. As Holm says, he’s not just going to give up the fight.